ARTHUR WHITNEY

Arthur Whitney gravestone
(Photos by Vernon B. Paddock)

B. August 1840 in Ohio
M. Civil War Veteran “Killed in Action”, Lieutenant, Company C, 37th Illinois Infantry (1861-1863)
D. March 13, 1863 in Springfield, Greene County, MO
Find A Grave memorial (click here)

(See section pertaining to the Thirty-Seventh Illinois Infantry Regiment)
(See section pertaining to “Second Lieutenant Arthur Whitney”, a story written for the Lake County (IL) Genealogical Society “Quarterly” magazine)

  • Father: David Whitney born October 1796 in New York; married (1) Mary Arnott; married (2) Nancy Whitney; David died November 18, 1855; buried in Diamond Lake Cemetery, Diamond Lake, Lake County, IL

According to the Illinois, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1772-1999:

“Estate of David Whitney
Last Will Testament
filed Dec 4th 1835
JC Biddlecorn, Clerk
Probated January
7 1836
JC Biddlecorn, Clerk

   “In the name of God, Amen I David Whitney of the town of Avon in the County of Lake and State of Illinois – Being of Sound mind and memory – Blessed be Almighty God for the Same – do make and publish this my last will and testament.
   I give and Bequeath to Amelia – Cordelia my two first dauters and too my sons Harvey Levi John and David Jr ten dollars each
   I give to my youngest Daughter Martha Five Hundred dollars
I also give and bequeath to my Beloved Wife all my Household furniture and all the rest of my personal property after perging  from the same the several legacies already name to be Hers for ever – But if there should not be at my decease sufficient personal property to pay the afforsaid legacies then so much of my real estate shall be sold as will raise sufficient money to pay the same
   I also give and bequeath to my Beloved Wife Nancy all the rest of my property and residue of my real estate as long as Her Natural life and at Her decease I give and Bequeath the same real estate to my two youngest Boys Allen and Arthur to Be divided Evenly  Between them – after paying the afforsaid Legacies.
   I do nominate and appoint my wife Nancy and James Kapple to be the Sole Executrix of this my last will and testament
   In testimony whereof I Here unto Set my Hand and seal and publish and Decree this to Be my last will and testament in presence of the witnesses named Below this this thirteenth day of…” (NOTE: Next page not available for transcription)

According to the Illinois, U.S., Public Land Purchase Records, 1813-1909:

“Name: David W. Whitney; Section: L3; Price per Acre: 6.00; Total Price: 62.88; Date: 31 Mar 1845; Volume: 818; Page: 083; Type: SC; Sect: 16; Township: 45N; Range: 10E (Avon Township); Meridian: 3; Acres: 10.48 Corr-Tag: 0; ID: 392743; Reside: 000”

  • Mother: Nancy Whitney born about 1801 in New York; died July 13, 1873 (See section pertaining to Nancy Whitney buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery)
  • Step Siblings (Children of David Whitney and possibly Mary (Arnott) Whitney):
    • Amelia M. (Whitney) Fuller born about 1824 in New York; married Russel Fuller (1821-1879) on October 22, 1846 in Lake County, IL; Amelia died April 14, 1911 in Willoughby, Lake County, OH

According to the U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995 (Cleveland, Ohio, City Directory, 1906):

“Fuller Amelia wid Russell r 81 Lake Front av E C”

    • Cordelia C. (Whitney) Cheney born in July 1825 in New York; married Daniel Rowley Cheney (1820-1889) on November 6, 1848 in Lake County, IL; Cordelia died October 26, 1904 in Colorado Springs, El Paso County, CO; Cordelia and Daniel are buried in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Blue Rapids, Marshall County, KS

According to the Blue Rapids Times (Blue Rapids KS) Thursday, November 3, 1904, page 7:

   “Mrs. Cordelia C. Cheney died October 26th at Colorado Springs, Colo., to which place she moved about two months ago, from Lawrence, with her daughters, Mrs. Worden and Miss Cheney.  The remains were brought to this place last Thursday evening, accompanied by Mr. J. B. Gilbert.  Undertaker Hunt had charge of the funeral here.  The pall-bearers were chosen among old acquaintances of the deceased.  The burial was in the family lot in Prospect Hill cemetery, at which place Rev. Mr. Moyer conducted a short service.  Mrs. Cheney was 77 years, 3 month and 3 days old.  She is kindly remembers by the old settlers of the community.”

    • Harvey Whitney born about 1821 in New York; married Eliza Anna Jump (1821-1884) on January 19, 1842 in Lake County, OH, daughter of Moses Jump; Eliza born 1821 in Westchester County, NY and died November 12, 1884 in Iowa; she is buried in Sixteen Cemetery, Thornburg, Keokuk County, IA; children: (1) Agnes Whitney born about 1845 in Ohio (1845-1911), (2) Louisa Whitney born about 1846 in Ohio; Louisa died November 9, 1857 (See section pertaining to Louisa Whitney buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery), (3) Eliza Anna “Annie” (Whitney) Eggleston born about 1850 in Illinois (1850-1939), (4) Harvey P. Whitney born February 15, 1852 in Illinois (1852-1899), (5) Ella Almira (Whitney) Haldeman born March 1856 in Hainesville, Lake County, IL (1856-1940), (6) Levi Sumner Whitney born March 29, 1860 in Bremer County, IA (1860-1928); Harvey died after the 1880 U.S. Census for Prairie, Keokuk County, IA

(NOTE: According to the 1850 U.S. Census, Harvey along with his wife, Eliza A, and his two children, Louisa and Agnes were living in Avon Township, Lake County, IL.  His occupation was a blacksmith.)

    • Levi Whitney born December 22, 1824 in New York; married Phebe Ann Slusser (1833-1901) on June 23, 1859 in Lake County, IL, daughter of Orville Slusser (1801-1882) and Jane Slusser (1807-1859); children: (1) Carrie E. Whitney (born about 1860), (2) Orville Whitney (1862-1881), (3) Jennie L. (Whitney) Walsh (born about 1868), (4) Martha J. (Whitney) Miller (1870-1946); Levi died September 19, 1911 in Chicago, Cook County, IL; Levi and Phebe are buried in Lakeside Cemetery, Libertyville, Lake County, IL

According to the Waukegan Weekly Gazette (Waukegan IL) Saturday, June 25, 1882, page 3:

   “The friends of Capt. and Mrs. Levi Whitney, of Avon, will learn with keen regret of the death of their only son, Orville, which occurred on Tuesday, of this week.  for some time past, he had been failing in healthy, but until the last it was hoped that he might recover and outgrow the difficulty.”

According to the McHenry Plaindealer (McHenry IL) Wednesday, August 12, 1885, page 5:

   “Levi Whitney is finishing a large new house on his farm east of Hainesville.”

According to the Lake county Independent (Libertyville IL) Friday, September 22, 1911, page 5:

   “Levi Whitney, for years a resident of this city but of late years residing with his daughter, Mrs. Frank Miller, in Chicago, died at that place this week Tuesday.  The remains were shipped to Libertyville Thursday and interred in the family lot in Lakeside cemetery.”

According to the Cook County, IL Death Index:

“Name: Levi Whitney; Birth Date: 22 Dec 1824; Birth Place: New York; Death Date: 19 Sep 1911; Death Place: Chicago, Cook, Illinois; Burial Date: 21 Sep 1911; Burial Place: Libertyville, Illinois; Death Age: 86; Occupation: Farmer; Marital Status: Widowed; Street Address: 1543 Edgewater Pl; Father Name: David Whitney; Father Birth Place: York State; Mother Name: Mary Arnott; Mother Birth Place: York State”

    • John G. Whitney born April 1829 in New York; Civil War Veteran (November 19, 1862 – April 12, 1863) 1st Company, 15th Massachusetts S.S.; John died January 29, 1904 in Center Township, Grant County, IN; buried in Marion National Cemetery, Marion, Grant County, IN

According to the Indianapolis Journal (Indianapolis IN) Sunday, January 31, 1904, page 2:

   “MARION, Ind., Jan. 30. – Three aged soldiers, members of the Marion Soldiers’ Home, died to-day.  They were George Buehler, died to-day.  They were George Buehler, aged ninety, who served in B Company, Indiana Cavalry; Lorenzo Rolfe, aged seventy-five, who belonged to G Company, Twenty-Sixth New York Infantry; John Whitney, aged seventy-five, who was a member of the First Massachusetts sharpshooters.  They will be buried in the “Silent Circle” at the Home.”

According to the Find a Grave website (findagrave.com) Memorial #2865447 for John G. Whitney, created by “US. Veterans Affairs Office” and maintained by “DaurRegt”:

   “On 19 Nov 1862 John G. Whitney, a sailor, mustered into service with the 1st Company Massachusetts Sharpshooters, being credited to the quota of Boston, Massachusetts. He was 33 years and 7 months old.
   He served in the 1st MA Sharpshooters under the alias of “John Arnott,” according to his pension file.
   On 25 Apr 1863 John ended military service with the 1st Massachusetts Sharpshooters at Falmouth, Stafford County, Virginia, being discharged for disability.
   On 27 Oct 1888, John was admitted, from Illinois, to the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers (Northwestern Branch), Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.
   In 1888 At the time of his entry into the Soldiers’ Home, he gave his next-of-kin as:
Mrs. Amelia (Whitney) Fuller, b. ca 1825 in New York, who married Russell Fuller before 1850, (he b. ca. 1821 in Ohio), and they later lived in Willoughby, Lake County, OH.
   In the following years, John lived in different Soldiers’ homes in Virginia, where he applied for his pension, and Wisconsin, returning eventually to Indiana.
   John died on 29 Jan 1904 at National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, Marion, Indiana, unmarried. He was 74 years and 9 months old.”

    • David Whitney, Jr.
  • Siblings:
    • Allen B. Whitney born about 1834 in Willoughby, Lake County, OH; Civil War Veteran, Captain, Company B, 96th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, mustered in September 5, 1862 in Rockford, IL; married Harriet J. Arnold (1837-1903) on August 18, 1858 in Lake County, IL; children: (1) Nancy Arnett (Whitney) Mellen (1859-1919); (2) Arthur A. Whitney (born about 1863); (3) Hattie Whitney (born about 1867); (4) May Whitney (1871); Allen died February 19, 1879 in Chicago, Cook County, IL; Allen and Harriet are buried in Grayslake Cemetery, Grayslake, Lake County, IL along with his wife, Harried (1837-1903) (See section pertaining to the Ninety-Sixth Illinois Infantry Regiment)

According to The Patch, “From 1861: Grayslake Men Sign Up for Civil War”, May 3, 2011, by Marcia Watts Sagendorph:

“After the war, Allen B. Whitney of the 96th returned to civilian life and made his living as a baker.”

According to “History of the Ninety-sixth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry” by Charles A. Partridge. Chicago. 1887:

“Captain Allen B. Whitney. Age 28; born in Willoughby, Ohio: sailor; enlisted from Avon; was elected Second Lieutenant at the organization of the Company; promoted to First Lieutenant Jan. 6, 1863, and to Captain Feb. 17, 1863; resigned Jan. 8, 1864, on account of ill health: recovering, he re-enlisted as a private Oct. 10, 1864, and rejoined the Regiment at Nashville, Tenn., just prior to the battle of December 15 and 16, in which he participated; returned home with Regiment; died in Chicago, Feb. 19, 1879.”

According to the Inter Ocean (Chicago IL) Friday, February 21, 1879, page 8:

“DIED.

   WHITNEY – At his residence, No. 78 North Carpenter street of pulmonary consumption.  Captain Allen B. Whitney, aged 45 years.
   Captain Whitney served during the war of the rebellion as captain of Company B, Ninety-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
   Notice of funeral in to-morrow’s papers.”

According to the Inter Ocean (Chicago IL) Saturday, February 22, 1879, page 8:

“FUNERAL NOTICE.

   WHITNEY – The funeral services of the late Captain Whitney will take place to-day, at 9 a. m. at 78 North Carpenter street.  His remains will be taken to Lake County, and members of the Ninety-sixth Regiment, Illinois Volunteers, are invited to attend as escort to the cars.”

Additional Information:

Unable to verify the 1840 U.S. Census for Willoughby, Lake County, OH: David Whitney, head of household, (age 40 thru 49); 2 miles (15-19), 1 male (10-14), 2 males (5-9), 1 male (under 5), 1 female (30-39), 1 female (15-19), and 1 female (10-14).

According to the 1850 U.S. Census for the Town of Avon, Lake County, IL, the household members were:

“David Whitney, age 56, Occupation: Farmer, born in New York, Nancy Whitney, age 49, born in New York; Levi Whitney, age 26, occupation: farmer, born in New York; Allen Whitney, age 16, Occupation: Farmer, born in Ohio; Arthur Whitney, age 16, born in Ohio; Martha E. Whitney, age 8, born in Ohio”

In regards to Nancy Whitney, mother of Arthur: According to the 1860 U.S. Census for the Town of Avon, Lake County, IL with a Hainesville post office, the household members were:

(NOTE: David Whitney listed below would be Levi David Whitney, step-son to Nancy Whitney.  P.A. Whitney, would be Phoebe Ann, wife of Levi David Whitney.  C.U. Whitney would be their daughter, Carrie U.)

“David Whitney, age 36, Occupation: Farmer, born in New York; P A Whitney, age 29, born in New York; C U Whitney, age 1, born in Illinois; Nancy Whitney, age 58, born in Illinois (sic New York); Charles Woestman, age 21, occupation: farm laborer, born in Illinois”

According to the Waukegan Weekly Gazette (Waukegan IL) Saturday, July 12, 1862, page 2:

   “LIEUT. GALIO FAIRMAN, of Company F. 37th Reg’t, returned on Wednesday, also, Orderly Sergeant Arthur Whitney of Co., C.  The regiment is now in Springfield, Mo.”

According to the Chicago Tribune (Chicago IL) Friday, February 27, 1863, page 2:

“ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS – PROMOTIONS OF OFFICERS IN THE FIELD.

   I send you the following list of recent promotions of Illinois officers:

FEBRUARY 13.

Arthur Whitney, 2d Lieut., C. 37th, Nov. 20, ’62.”
(NOTE: Edited from a long list of names)

According to the Illinois Civil War Muster and Descriptive Rolls Detail Report, Illinois State Archives:

“Name: Arthur Whitney; Rank: 1Sgt; Company: C; Unit: 37 IL US Inf; Residence: Avon Lake Co, IL; Age: 22; Height: 6′ 1″; Hair: Sandy; Eyes: Gray; Complexion: Fair; Marital Status: Single; Occupation: Farmer; Nativity: Lake Co, IL; Joined When: Aug 1, 1861; Joined Where: Waukegan, IL; Joined by Whom: E B Payne; Period: 3 yrs; Muster In: Sep 18, 1861; Muster in Where: Chicago, IL; Remarks: Promoted 2LT”

According to the Illinois, Databases of Illinois Veterans Index, 1775-1995:

” Name: Arthur Whitney; Rank: 2LT; Company: C; Unit: 37 IL US INF; Residence: Avon, Lake Co, IL; Height: 6’1”; Hair: sandy; Eyes: gray; Complexion: fair; Marital Status: single; Occupation: farmer; Nativity: Lake Co, IL; Remarks: Died Mar 13, 1863 of wounds”

 According to the Illinois Civil War Muster and Descriptive Rolls Detail Report, Illinois State Archives:

“Name: Arthur Whitney; Rank: 2 Lt.; Co.: (blank);  Regiment: 37″ Ill. Inf.; Date of Death: 1863 March 13; Place of Death: (blank); Cause of Death: Was recd in Action at Prairie Grove Ark.; Remarks: Vol. Army Reg.”

According to the U.S. Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865:

“Name: Arthur Whitney; Enlistment Date: 1 Aug 1861; Rank at enlistment: 1st Sergeant; State Served: Illinois; Was Wounded?: Yes; Survived the War?” No; Service Record: Enlisted in Company C, Illinois 37th Infantry Regiment on 18 Sep 1861. Promoted to Full 2nd Lieutenant on 20 Nov 1862. Mustered out on 13 Mar 1863.”

 According to “The Patriotism of Illinois” by T. M. Eddy, D. D., Vol. 1. Chicago. 1865. Chapter XV., Regimental and Personal, pages 238-240:

“THE THIRTY-SEVENTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY

   Was organized in the fall of 1861, and took the name of “Fremont Rifles,” in honor of General J. C. Fremont, then a favorite among the radical Union men of the West.  Companies A and H were enlisted at Rock Island; C and F, at Waukegan, Lake County; Company D, in part in Michigan, and the balance in Chicago; Company K, at Danville; Company E, at Mendota, LaSalle County; Companies G and I, in and about Chicago; Company B, in Stark County.  On the 18th of September, 1861, the regiment was mustered into the United States service at Chicago, with the following roster:

    Colonel, Julius White; Lieutenant-Colonel, Myron S. Barnes; Major John Charles Black; Adjutant, A. Neiman; Quartermaster, John H. Peck; Surgeon, I. F. Humeston; Assistant Surgeon, E. A. Clark; Chaplain, Edward Anderson.
   Co. A – Captain, J. A. Jordan; 1st Lieutenant, Hervey Curtis, Jr.; 2d Lieutenant, Charles W. Hawes; Orderly Sergeant, L. B. Morey.
   Co. B – Captain, Charles V. Dickinson; 1st Lieutenant, Cassimer P. Jackson; 2d Lieutenant, Fracis A. Jones; Orderly Sergeant, W. B. Todd.
   Co. C – Captain, Eugene B. Payne; 1st Lieutenant, Judson J. Huntley; 2d Lieutenant, Chauncey C. Morse; Orderly Sergeant, Arthur Whitney.
   Co. D – Captain, John W. Laimbeer; 1st Lieutenant, Wells H. Blodgett; 2d Lieutenant, Wm. O. Mazell; Orderly Sergeant, Wm. M. Johnson.
   Co. E – Captain, Phineas B. Rust; 1st Lieutenant, Orville R. Powers; 2d Lieutenant, Charles W. Day; Orderly Sergeant, W. M. Smith.
   Co. F – Captain, Erwin B. Messer; 1st Lieutenant, Andrew Grove; 2d Lieutenant, Gallis Fairman; Orderly Sergeant, W. W. Doty.
   Co. G – Captain, Henry N. Frisbee; 1st Lieutenant, George R. Bell; 2d Lieutenant, Manning F. Atkinson; Orderly Sergeant, D. McCarty.
   Co. H – Captain, J. B. Frick; 1st Lieutenant, Herman Wolferd; 2d Lieutenant, Joseph Eaton; Orderly Sergeant, —— Hinckley.
   Co. I – Captain, Ransom Kennicott; 1st Lieutenant, Isaac C. Dodge; 2d Lieutenant, Frederick J. Abbey; Orderly Sergeant, George Kennicott.
   Co. K – Captain, Wm. P. Black; 1st Lieutenant, Wm. H. Pithian; 2d Lieutenant, Wm. M. Bandy; Orderly Sergeant, N. B. Hicks.

   On the 19th of September, the regiment, then 1,035 strong, received from the Chicago Board of Trade two magnificent silk banners – one a national ensign and the other their battle flag – and on the same day embarked for St. Louis, which city it reached on the 21st.  On the 30th, the regiment was sent to Booneville, Mo., where it joined General Pope’s expedition to Springfield.  From the latter place, eight companies proceeded to Ottersville, where they remained during the winter.
   On the 25th of January, 1862, the “Grand Army of the West,” under Major-General Curtis, took up its line of march for Southwest Missouri, in search of General Price and his crew.  On this memorable march the 37th took part in the battle of Pea Ridge [vide Vol. I., p. 222], in which its loss was 153 officers and men.  It was next stationed at Cassville, a small town in Southern Missouri, where it did garrison duty until the fall of 1862, when it was transferred to General Schofield’s command, under whom but little active service was experienced.  The regiment next joined General Herron at Prairie Grove, where it participated in the battle which bears that name, and under him again entered, Arkansas.  Again it was ordered back into Missouri, being stationed for a brief period at Raleigh.  It afterward took part in the battle of Chalk Bluffs, near Cape Girardeau.  It again returned to St. Louis, whence it embarked for Vicksburg, to join the forces under General Grant.  After the capture of that city it went to New Orleans, and thence to Brazos Santiago, Texas, forming a part of the expedition up the Rio Grande.  At Brownsville, Texas, on the 10th of February, 1864, the men re-enlisted as veterans.  At this date they numbered only about 327 men out of the 1,035 who left Chicago, in September, 1861.”

According to the Waukegan Weekly Gazette (Waukegan IL) Saturday, October 6, 1866, page 2:

“GRAND JURY’S REPORT
To the Hon. E.S. Williams, Judge of the Circuit Court.

   The following Chancery cases were disposed of:
   David Whitney Admr. Est. Arthur Whitney deceased vs Nancy Smith et al petition to sell real estate.  Decree for sale.”

According to the Waukegan Weekly Gazette (Waukegan IL) Saturday, October 20, 1866, page 3:

(NOTE: The David Whitney listed as Administrator below is presumed to be Arthur’s step-brother.  Mrs. Nancy Smith may possibly be Nancy Whitney.)

   “ADMINISTRATOR’S SALE – Public notice is hereby given that the subscriber, administrator of the estate of Arthur Whitney, deceased, by virtue of an order and decree of the Circuit Court of Lake county, Illinois, made and entered on record at the September term thereof A. D. 1866, will sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, at the east door of the Court House, in Waukegan, in the county of Lake and State of Illinois, on Saturday, the 24th day of November A. D. 1866, at 11 o’clock a. m. of said day, all the right, title and interest of Arthur Whitney, deceased, in and to the following real estate, being the remainder in fee (after the expiration of the life estate of Mrs. Nancy Smith, mother of deceased) of the undivided one half of the east half of the north west quarter of section thirty five (35), in township number forty-five (45) north range number ten (10) east of the third (3d) principal meridian, situate and lying in the county of Lake and State of Illinois, and containing eighty (80) acres of land more or less.  Also the remainder in fee, (after the expiration of the life estate therein of Mrs. Nancy Smith, mother of the deceased) of the undivided one-half of the north east quarter of the south west quarter of section number thirty five, (35) in township number forty five (45) north range number ten (10), east of the third Principal Meridian containing forty (40) acres of land more or less, situate, lying and being in the county of Lake and State of Illinois.  Also the remainder in fee (after the expiration of the life estate of Mrs. Nancy Smith, mother of deceased) therein, of the undivided one half of the following lands, to wit: A certain lot of land lying and being in the county of Lake and State of Illinois, and a part of section numbered sixteen (16) granted by the United States to the State of Illinois for the us(e) of the inhabitants of township number forty-five (45) north range number ten (10) east of the third (3d) Principal Meridian, for the use of schools known and designated on the map of the said section as made by the trustees of school lands within the said township as loot number three (3), containing ten acres and forty-eight one hundredths of an acre (10 48-100) by survey.  Also, the remainder in fee, after the expiration of the life estate of Mrs. Nancy Smith (mother of deceased) therein, of the undivided one half of the following land, lying, situate and being in the county of Lake and State of Illinois, to wit: the east half of the north half of the south half of the west half of the north half of the south half of the west half of the northwest quarter of section number thirty-five (35) township number forty five (45) north of range number eleven (11) east of the third (3rd) Principal Meridian, and being in the district of lands subject to sale at Chicago, Illinois, containing ten (10) acres more or less.  All lying and being in the county of Lake and State of Illinois.
                                    DAVID WHITNEY,
Administrator of the state of Arthur Whitney, decease.
Waukegan, Oct. 12th, 1866″