NOTE: Jacob Wolgamott probably never had his portrait taken prior to the Civil War. However, during the 10 month period that the 86th Illinois was in the Nashville, Tennessee area in 1862-63, Jacob, like most of the Union soldiers in the Nashville area, probably took the time to sit for a portrait to send home to the loved ones that he left behind. These portraits were printed in the form of what was called a "daguerreotype" or "tin type or most often in a new fangled style of paper picture called a "CDV", which was a paper picture glued to a heavier card stock about the size of a modern day baseball card, and the soldiers didn't just have one or two copies made. Most of the time, they had a dozen or more made, so they could swap pictures with their tentmates, messmates and for their friends, in the 86th and back home.
Jacob Wolgamott then survived the war and lived late into the 19th century. During his life, Jacob probably had his picture taken dozens of times. I would dearly love to see a copy of that CDV added to his Find A Grave site for all with an interest to see, but in the mean time, I would just be thrilled to see some pictures of him added to his Find A Grave Memorial, even ones of him as an old man. Can anyone help me? Thanks, Baxter)

Private JACOB WOLGAMOTT, Co. I, 86th Illinois

Jacob Walgamott was born on July 28, 1833 in Coshocton County, Ohio. Jacob is almost certainly the son of John Wolgamot and Mary Cogh (Cogle/Cowgill) Wolgamot. John Wolgamott was born c. 1809/10 in Ohio, while, according to a site on familysearch.com Mary Cowgill was born on March 3, 1815 in Guernsey County, Ohio. At the time of the 1850 census record, however, Mary was 38 at that time, which should make her year of birth about 1811 or 1812. John and Mary were married c. October 11, 1832 in Guernsey County, Ohio.
The Wolgamotts moved west to Indiana between 1837 and 1839. At the time of the 1840 census, Jacob Wolgamott (spelled Jacob Walgamuth) and his family are found in Noble Township, Rush County, Indiana.
Then the Wolgamotts came on to Illinois sometime between 1841 and 1843. There they settled in Hollis Township in Peoria County. At the time of the 1850 census, the Wolgamot family is found in Peoria County, Illinois;
John Wolgamot M 40 Ohio
Mary Wolgamot F 38 Ohio
Jacob Wolgamot M 17 Ohio
Sarah Wolgamot F 15 Ohio
Catharine Wolgamot F 13 Ohio
Hiram Wolgamot M 11 Indiana
Peter Wolgamot M 9 Indiana
Jonathan Wolgamot M 7 Illinois
Jemina Wolgamot F 5 Illinois
Nancy G Wolgamot F 4 Illinois
Joanna Wolgamot F 1 Illinois
William Duchard M 31 Germany

John Wolgamott's brother, Washington Wolgamot, followed John to Illinois in the 1850's. They were the sons of David Wolgamot, who was born c. 1773 in Washington Co. Maryland and who died c. 1844 in Owen County, Indiana, and Catherine Lemmon, who was born c. 1775 in Virginia and who died c. 1851.
John Wolgamott and Mary (Cowgill) Wolgamott are known to have had the following children;
1. Jacob Wolgamott, born c. 1833 in Ohio; See his biography below.

2. Sarah Wolgamott, born c. 1834/35 in Ohio

3. Catherine Wolgamott, born c. 1836/37 in Ohio; Catherine is probably the Catherine Wolgamott who was married to Thomas B. Davis on August 3, 1854 in Peoria County, Illinois. At the time of the 1860 census, Thomas and Catherine are found in Hollis Township of Peoria County, Illinois;
Thomas B Davis M 33 O
Catharine Davis F 22 O
Frances Davis M 3 Ill
Hiram Davis M 2 Ill
Jonathan Wolgamot M 16 Ill

4. Hiram Reed Wolgamott, born c. January 28, 1839 in Indiana. Hiram R. Wolgamott was married to Lucinda Bandy on August 9, 1861 in Peoria County, Illinois.

5. Peter Wolgamott, born c. 1840/41 in Indiana

6. Jonathan W. Wolgamott, born c. October 16, 1842 in Peoria County, Illinois

7. Jemima Wolgamott, born c. 1844/45 in Peoria County, Illinois

8. Nancy Jane Wolgamott, born c. 1845/46 in Peoria County, Illinois

9. Hannah (Joanna) Wolgamott, born c. 1848/49 in Peoria County, Illinois

10. George Washington Wolgamott, born c. December 16, 1851 in Peoria County, Illinois; George W. Wolgamot was married to Melvina May Dufield on December 29, 1871 in Peoria County, Illinois, who was born on March 4, 1856 in Burlington, Iowa, the daughter of William Dufield and the granddaughter of William Given Dufield; At the time of the 1860 census, Melvina, whose parents are believed to have died young, is found residing with her grandparents in Timber Township of Peoria County, Illinois;
Wm Dufield M 61 Virginia
Sally Dufield F 54 N Y
Isacc Mc Vay M 23 Virginia
Margaret Mc Vay F 19 Virginia
Edwin Wallace M 12 N Y
Melvina Dufield F 4 Iowa
Isabella Dufield F 87 Virginia

At the time of the 1880 census, George and his family are found in Hollis Township in Peoria County, Illinois;
Self George W. Wolgamot M 28 Illinois
Wife Melvina M. Wolgamot F 24 Iowa
Son Francis Wolgamot M 7 Illinois
Daughter Viola Wolgamot F 5 Illinois
Son Elmir Wolgamot M 3 Illinois

One more son, William Henry Wolgamott, was born to George and Malvina c. 1881/82.

George W. Wolgamott may have died by 1900, possibly in Iowa, and is definately deceased by 1910 as Melvina May (Dufield) Wolgamott married Chauncey Bishop in the early 1900's and they are found in Elmira, Stark County, Illinois at the time of the 1910 and 1920 census records.
At the time of the 1940 census, Melvina M. (Dufield) Wolgamott Bishop is found residing in Timber Township of Peoria County, Illinois with her daughter and son-in-law. She is widowed again by this time.
Head John S Fuller M 70 Illinois
Wife Viola M Fuller F 66 Illinois
Son Clarence J Fuller M 46 Iowa
Mother-in-law Melvina Bishop F 84 Iowa

(Note: Francis Wolgamott was married to Julia Emery on November 24, 1898 in Henry County, Illinois. At the time of the 1900 census, Francis and Julia are found residing in Ward 3 of the City of Kewanee, Kewanee Township, Henry County, Illinois and his two brothers, Henry and Elmer, are residing with him and his family;
Head Francis Wolgamott M 26 Illinois
Wife Julia N Wolgamott F 27 Illinois
Son George W Wolgamott M 1 Illinois
Brother Henry Wolgamott M 19 Illinois
Brother Elmer Wolgamott M Jan 1877 23 Illinois
Boarder Henry Heintz M 24 Illinois)

(Note: Elmer Wolgamott was married to Eliza Jones on March 8, 1903 in Henry County, Illinois; Elmer died in 1954 and his mortal remains were laid in the Maple Ridge Cemetery near Mapleton, Peoria County, Illinois. William Henry Wolgamott was married to Mona E. Terrell on August 24, 1909 in Henry County, Illinois. Nothing is known of Viola Wolgamott at this time.)

Melvina M. (Dufield) Wolgamott Bishop died on Apr. 3, 1944 in Peoria County, Illinois and her mortal remains were laid in the Maple Ridge Cemetery in Mapleton, Peoria County, Illinois; See her Find A Grave site.

According to the site on familysearch.com, John Wolgamott died on March 12, 1855, while Mary also died about 1855. They almost certainly died in Peoria County and are very likely were buried in the Lancaster Cemetery near Glasford, Illinois.

Now to continue with the biography of Jacob Wolgamott.
Jacob Wolgamott (spelled Wolgamett) was married to Elizabeth Ann Weaver on March 9, 1854 in Peoria County, Illinois. According to that familysearch.com site Elizabeth Ann Weaver was born on March 31, 1834.
Jacob and Elizabeth are believed to have had at least two children;
1. George Washington Wolgamott, born c. December 26, 1854 in Peoria County, Illinois; George is believed to have first been married to Elvira E. Rusher sometime after 1880; Elvira E. (Rusher) Wolgamott was born on January 28, 1861 and died on Apr. 28, 1893 and her mortal remains were laid in the Ninnescah Cemetery in Udall, Cowley County, Kansas; George was then married 2nd to Elizabeth I. __________; at the time of the 1910 census, George may be the the George W. Wolgamott found in Ward 3 of Arkansas City in Cowley County, Kansas. His father is listed as having been born in Indiana;
Head George W Wolgamott M 57 Illinois
Wife Elizabeth I Wolgamott F 33 Illinois

George Washington Wolgamott died on __________ __, 19__ at __________, __________.

2. James Benjamin Wolgamott, born c. April 26, 1856/57 in Peoria County, Illinois; James was married to Mary Ann Tubbs (1856 - 1920); James and Mary Ann had at least two children; At the time of the 1900 census, James and his family is found in Franklin Township, Newton County, Missouri. James and Mary Ann have been married 19 years at this time according to the census;
Head James Wolgamatt M 44 Illinois
Wife Mary A Wolgamatt F 45 Pennsylvania
Son Albert Wolgamatt M 18 Kansas
Son Archie D Wolgamatt M 16 Kansas
Son Henry N Wolgamatt M 13 Kansas
Son William L Wolgamatt M 11 Kansas
Son Walter O Wolgamatt M 3 Missouri
Servant Nancy Percell F 11 Missouri

They are known to have had at least one other child, Ann Wolgamott, who was born c. August 13, 1882, who died on September 22, 1882 at the age of 1 month & 9 days and whose mortal remains were laid in the Ninnescah Cemetery in Udall, Cowley County, Kansas.
James died on ___________ __, 1933 and his mortal remains were laid in the Jones Chapel Cemetery in Stella, Newton County, Missouri.

I can not find Jacob and Elizabeth Wolgamott in the 1860 census, though they are in Peoria County in the 1850 census and he claims to reside in Lancaster, Illinois in Peoria County when he volunteers for service in the Civil War in August of 1862. They must be in Peoria County or a surrounding County in 1860, but, I just can not find them.

On August 2, 1862, Jacob Wolgamott went into Lancaster, Illinois and volunteered to serve in a company which was being raised in the Lancaster, Illinois/Timber-Hollis Township area of Peoria County by a well known business man and Lancaster area merchant, Allen L. Fahnestock, for service in the Union army. Three days later, on August 5, 1862, Jacob's brother, Peter Wolgamott went into Lancaster, where he, too, volunteered to serve in the Lancaster/Timber-Hollis Township company. Five days after this, Jacob's brother, Jonathan Wolgamott, also joined this company.

ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name WOLGAMOTT, JACOB
Rank PVT Company I Unit 86 IL US INF

Personal Characteristics
Residence LANCASTER, PEORIA CO, IL Age 29 Height 5' 10 3/4 Hair BLACK
Eyes GRAY Complexion DARK Marital Status MARRIED Occupation FARMER
Nativity COSHOCTON CO, OH

Service Record
Joined When AUG 2, 1862 Joined Where LANCASTER, IL
Joined By Whom A L FAHNESTOCK Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862 Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out JUN 6, 1865
Muster Out Where WASHINGTON, DC Muster Out By Whom LT SCROGGS
Remarks N/A

At the time of the 1870 census the Wolgamotts are found in Hollis Township in Peoria County, Illinois;
51 Wolyermot Jacob 37 M Farmer Ohio
51 Wolyermot Elizabeth 36 F wife Ohio
51 Wolyermot George W. 16 M at home Illinois
51 Wolyermot James B. 13 M at home Illinois

Jacob's younger sister, Catherine, was married to Thomas B. Davis. They are known to have had several children, including possibly Thomas J. Davis, who was born c. November 15, 1872. Catherine and Thomas B. Davis are both believed now to have died shortly after this sons birth and Thomas J. Davis was adopted by Jacob and Elizabeth Ann (Weaver) Wolgamott. However, Thomas J. Davis then died on April 27, 1874 and his mortal remains were laid in the Maple Ridge Cemetery. The other older children may well have been adopted by Jacob and Elizabeth as well, but nothing can be found of them after the 1870 census.

Sometime in the 1870's the Wolgamotts moved west to Kansas. At the time of the 1880 census, Jacob and his family are found in Ninnescah, Cowley County, Kansas;
Jacob WOLGAMOTT, Self Gender: Male Birth: OH
Elizabeth WOLGAMOTT, Wife Gender: Female Birth: OH
George W. WOLGAMOTT, Son Gender: Male Birth: IL
James WOLGAMOTT, Son Gender: Male Birth: IL

According to that familysearch.com site Elizabeth Ann (Weaver) Wolgamott, the wife of Jacob Wolgamott, died on August 21, 1881. Her mortal remains were laid in the the Ninnescah Cemetery in Udall, Cowley County, Kansas. Her tombstone is believed to read that she was Aged 47 years 4 months 21 days. This would place her date of birth about March 31, 1834, which would match what we know about Elizabeth in the 1880 census above.

In 1887, the surviving members of the 86th Illinois organized and held a reunion in Peoria, Illinois during the week of August 27, 1887, the 25th anniversary of the mustering in of the 86th in Peoria back in 1862. The reunion was attended by more than 130 veterans of the 86th and was such a success that they decided that they would continue to hold these reunion on that anniversary date as long as possible. The reunions continued to grow in size for a number of years as more and more veterans of the 86th were located and they continued to be held every August through the year 1923. The surviving members of the 86th were of the belief that Jacob Wolgamott was residing in Kansas until about 1889 and were of the belief that Jacob died at Hennessey, Oklahoma on August 16, 1898. Though at some point in the 1880's or 1890's, the surviving members were apparently in contact with Jacob Wolgamott, Jacob was never able to attend any of the reunions, the great distance to be traveled and the cost and difficulty in making that trip in the 1880's and 1890's undoubtedly playing a part.
In July of 1898, Jacob Wolgamott mailed his year dues for the 86th of $1.00 to Peoria, Illinois. This was received on July 16, 1898 and published as such in the yearly reunion booklet. Just 30 days later, Private Jacob Wolgamott, the last of the three Wolgamott brothers, who joined the 86th back in August of 1862, died on August 16, 1898 in ____________, Bourbon County, Kansas, just 10 days before the 1898 reunion was to be begin . His death notice was not published until the following year and it is doubtful that the veterans of the 86th learned of his passing until after the 1898 reunion. The mortal remains of Private Jacob Wolgamott were laid in the Sharon Cemetery in Sharon, Barber County, Kansas.

by Baxter B. Fite III

(Baxter would enjoy hearing from anyone, especially descendants of the Wolgamott family, who might be able to add to the biographical material that we have on Jacob Wolgamott and the Wolgamott family. Baxter would also like to see copies of any photographs of Jacob Wolgamott, which have survived the years, added to his Find A Grave site for all to see.)