Private JOSIAH MOORE BITTER, Co. G, 86th Illinois
Josiah Moore Bitter is believed to have been born about December 22, 1825 in New Jersey, the son of Jacob Bitter, who was born c. 25 May 1797 in Cumberland County, New Jersey and who died on 9 February 1875 in Hopewell Township, Cumberland County, New Jersey and whose mortal remains were laid in the Broad St. Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Bridgeton, Cumberland County, New Jersey. and Tacy Lippincott. Jacob and Tacy were married on 16 November 1822 in Cumberland County, New Jersey.
Josiah Moore Bitter headed west in the late 1840's or in 1850, where he settled in Tazewell County, Illinois. At the time of the 1850 census, his parents are still found in Hopewell Township, Cumberland County, New Jersey;
Jacob Bitters M 53 New Jersey
Tacy Bitters F 52 New Jersey
Asa Bitters M 18 New Jersey
Hannah Bitters F 16 New Jersey
Elney Bitters F 14 New Jersey
Chalkley Bitters M 12 New Jersey
Benjamin Bitters M 7 New Jersey
Josiah M. Bitter was married to Susannah Eggman on 16 Jan 1851 in Pekin, Tazewell County, Illinois. Susannah was born on July 2, 1832 in Clinton County, Ohio, the daughter of John Eggman, who was born c. 1808/09 in New Jersey, and Rhoda Ann (Garrison) Eggman, who was born c. 1812/13 in Ohio. At the time of the 1850 census, Susannah and her family are found in Tazewell county, Illinois;
John Eggman M 41 New Jersey
Rhody Ann Eggman F 37 Ohio
Susannah Eggman F 18 Ohio
Jashua Eggman M 17 Ohio
Mary E Eggman F 15 Ohio
Rebecca De Eggman F 12 Ohio
Hannah A Eggman F 8 Ohio
Augustus Eggman M 5 Ohio
Rachel Eggman F 4 Ms
John J Eggman M 3 Illinois
Nancy M Eggman F 0 Illinois
Josiah and Susana resided for a short time in the Pekin, Illinois area, but soon moved to the Deer Creek area of Tazewell County. The Eggman family is also found in Deer Creek Township at the time of the 1860 census.
Children of Josiah Bitters and Susana Eggman are:
1. Infant son, born October 1852, Deer Creek, Illinois; died October 1852, Deer Creek, Illinois.
2. Joshua E. Bitters, born December 25, 1853 in Deer Creek, Illinois. Joshua was married to Ida Alice Ferguson on November 7, 1877 in Wellington, Kansas. Ida was born on May 9, 1858 in Vinton, Iowa, the daughter of George Ferguson and Elizabeth (Donald) Ferguson.
Ida died on October 1, 1889 in Holden, Missouri. Joshua died January 9, 1907 in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas and his mortal remains were laid in the Oakland Cemetery in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas. See his Find A Grave Memorial #91719941.
3. Rodah Ann Bitters, born April 7 April 1856/57, Deer Creek, Illinois; d. 25 September 1859, Deer Creek, Illinois.
4. Rachel L. Bitters, b. 15 May 1858, Deer Creek, Illinois; d. 18 August 1864, Deer Creek, Illinois.
5. Shadrack G. Bitters, born 22 October 1860, Deer Creek, Illinois. Shadrack died on 06 August 1863 in Deer Creek, Illinois.
6. Tacy Bitters, born 12 August 1862, Deer Creek, Illinois. Tacy died on 09 September 1863 at Deer Creek, Illinois.
At the time of the 1860 census, Josiah and his family are found in Deer Creek Township, Tazewell County, Illinois;
Josiah Beter M 38 N J
Susannah Beter F 27 Ohio
Joshua Beter M 6 Ill
Rachael Beter F 2 Ill
In 1861, the militia forces of Charleston, South Carolina fired on Fort Sumter to start the American Civil War. On July 2, 1862, with the war not going well for the north, President Abraham Lincoln made an appear for 300,000 more troops. On August 6, 1863, Josiah and Susannah' son, Shadrack, who was not quite 2 years old, died of an illness.
On August 11, 1862, Josiah's brother-in-law, Joshua Eggman volunteered at Deer Creek, Illinois to serve in a company which was being raised in the Washington/Deer Creek/Morton area of Tazewell County by a Washington Photographer by the name of William B. Bogardus for service in the Union Army during the Civil War. Just days after burying their son, on August 12, 1862, a girl, that they would name Tacy, was born to Josiah and Susannah. Two days later on August 14, 1862, Josiah Bitter, went to Morton, Illinois, where Bogardus was doing some more recruiting, and volunteered to serve in that same company beside his brother-in-law and many other friends and acquaintances.
Following is Josiah's service record which is found in the Illinois Civil War Muster and Descriptive Rolls Detail Report from the Illinois State Archives;
Name BITTER, JOSIAH M Rank PVT
Company G Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence DEER CREEK, TAZEWELL CO, IL
Age 37 Height 5' 8 Hair DARK Eyes GRAY
Complexion FAIR Marital Status MARRIED
Occupation FARMER Nativity NY
Service Record
Joined When AUG 14, 1862 Joined Where MORTON, IL
Joined By Whom W B BOGARDUS Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862 Muster In Where CAMP PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom _____ Muster Out _____
Muster Out Where _____ Muster Out By Whom _____
Remarks DIED IN HOSPITAL AT BOWLING GREEN KY NOV 19, 1862
When William B. Bogardus had about 90 volunteers he led the Washington/Deer Creek/Morton volunteers into Peoria where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. On August 27, 1862, Bogardus and 87 of his volunteers, including now Private George W. Botham, were mustered into service as Co. G of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Bogardus was elected Captain of Co. G by the men of the Washington/Deer Creek/Morton company.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois marched out the gates of Camp Lyon, through the streets of Peoria, with much fanfare, down to the railroad depot. Somewhere in the throng, may have been Susannah Bitters, with her 8 year old son, Joshua, her 4 year old daughter, Rachel, and her one month old daughter, Tacy, who were watching their husband and father marching off to war, not knowing whether they would ever see him again.
At the depot, the men of the 86th were joined by the men of the 85th Illinois, who had been mustered into service at Camp Peoria. Together, at the depot, the men of the 85th & 86th Illinois boarded trains bound for Camp Joe Holt, Jeffersonville, Indiana, located across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. Three weeks later, the men of the 85th & 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade, in pursuit of Confederate troops in Kentucky.
On Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were briefly engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, the 86th Illinois suffering their first casualties. After the Battle of Perryville, Col. Daniel McCook stated the following about the 86th; "The 86th Illinois belonging to my brigade, but being on picket duty, was ordered to advance over the open fields to the left, and seize the extreme left of the woods. This they did in gallant style at the double quick, driving the enemy before them, and in doing which one private was killed and thirteen wounded." The 86th took and held the woods for the remainder of the day. After the Battle of Perryville, the Confederate troops withdrew from Kentucky, while the men of McCook's Brigade marched on toward Nashville, Tennessee. Some believe that Josiah was among those wounded in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, but I have yet to se evidence of it.
As I have yet to see him listed among the Perryville wounded, I believe it more likely that he died of an illness. Even before the men of McCook's Brigade left the Louisville and Jeffersonville area, the green troops were having difficulty with their health, the new diet and lifestyle not being conducive to good health. When they left Louisville on the Kentucky Campaign many troops were left behind sick in the hospitals of Louisville. After the Battle of Perryville, on the march to Nashville, still more troops were left behind sick in makeshift hospitals in Bowling Green, Kentucky and then later at Gallatin, Tennessee. The men of McCook's Brigade arrived in the Nashville area about November 7, 1862, many more went straight to the hospitals with various illnesses.
Ten men of the 86th Illinois had already died of diseases or illiness by November 19, 1862, when Private Bitter passed. The men of McCook's Brigade would spend the winter of 1862/63 there in Nashville, the local hospitals full to overflowing with sick Union soldiers. Hundreds of sick soldiers died during that 1st winter in Nashville. Today they lie in what is now known in the Nashville National Cemetery. By the end of April of 1863, more than 50 men from the 86th Illinois had died of diseases or illness and more than 120 more had been discharged from the service with various diseases and illnesses with the hope that with the help of family and some home cooking, they could survive their ailment. Many of them did not or were never quite the same again.
Whether he died of complications from a wound or an illness, Josiah's widow was approved a Widow's Pension on February 20, 1863. Tacy Bitter died in September of 1863 and Rachel died in August of 1864. By 1870, Susannah and her son had moved to El Paso, Illinois. However, it also appears that she her only surviving child, Joshua, were also spending some time in McLean County with Susannah's brother, Joshua Eggman, who had survived the war. At the time of the 1870 census, Susannah and her son are found in Ward 1 of he city of El Paso, Woodford County, Illinois;
Susannah Bitter F 38 Ohio
Joshua Bitter M 16 Illinois
In 1870, Susannah and Josehua are also found in Gridley Township, McLean County, Illinois at the time of the 1870 census, where they are living with Susan's brother;
Joshua Eggman M 37 Illinois
Susan Bitter F 39 Illinois
Joshua Bitter M 17 Illinois
Pvt Joshua Eggman, Susannah's oldest brother, was born on 10 Jan 1833 in Ohio and died on 5 Dec 1905 in Morris County, Kansas and his mortal remains were laid in the White City Cemetery in White City, Morris County, Kansas. See his Find A Grave Memorial #48267805.
In 1871, Susannah (Eggman) Bitter remarried. On December 14, 1871, Susannah (Eggman) Bitter was wed to William Ald in _____________ County, ________________. William Ald is believed to have been born in Woodford County, Illinois and is believed to have served in the 77th Illinois (Union Army) during the Civil War, yet his grave is marked as his having served in the Confederate army.
At the time of the 1880 census, the Ald family is found in East Bend, Champaign County, Illinois, where William is farming. His parents are listed as having been born in Germany. Note, too, that he is born in Illinois;
William Ald Self M 42 Illinois
Susana Ald Wife F 45 Ohio
Edna Ald Daughter F 8 Illinois
Ida Strompbough Other F 18 Sweden
John Tammony Other M 38 Ohio
Henry W Ald Brother M 39 Illinois
William began receiving his pension in 1907;
Name: William Ald
Military Company: F
Military Regiment: 77
State: Illinois
Military Unit: Infantry
Event Date: 18 Feb 1907
Affiliate Name: National Archives and Records Administration
Affiliate Record Type: Civil War Pensions
At the time of the 1908 reunion of the 77th Illinois, William Ald's mailing address is listed as Wichita, Kansas.
At the time of the 1910 census, the Alds are found in Wichita Ward 1, Sedgwick County, Kansas. His parents are still listed as having been born in Germany;
William Ald Head M 72 Illinois
Susannah Ald Wife F 77 Ohio
Mary E Shreir Sister-in-law F 74 Ohio
Susannah (Eggman) Bitter Ald died on 11 May 1910 in __________.
by Baxter B. Fite III, who can be contacted at [email protected]
Josiah Moore Bitter is believed to have been born about December 22, 1825 in New Jersey, the son of Jacob Bitter, who was born c. 25 May 1797 in Cumberland County, New Jersey and who died on 9 February 1875 in Hopewell Township, Cumberland County, New Jersey and whose mortal remains were laid in the Broad St. Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Bridgeton, Cumberland County, New Jersey. and Tacy Lippincott. Jacob and Tacy were married on 16 November 1822 in Cumberland County, New Jersey.
Josiah Moore Bitter headed west in the late 1840's or in 1850, where he settled in Tazewell County, Illinois. At the time of the 1850 census, his parents are still found in Hopewell Township, Cumberland County, New Jersey;
Jacob Bitters M 53 New Jersey
Tacy Bitters F 52 New Jersey
Asa Bitters M 18 New Jersey
Hannah Bitters F 16 New Jersey
Elney Bitters F 14 New Jersey
Chalkley Bitters M 12 New Jersey
Benjamin Bitters M 7 New Jersey
Josiah M. Bitter was married to Susannah Eggman on 16 Jan 1851 in Pekin, Tazewell County, Illinois. Susannah was born on July 2, 1832 in Clinton County, Ohio, the daughter of John Eggman, who was born c. 1808/09 in New Jersey, and Rhoda Ann (Garrison) Eggman, who was born c. 1812/13 in Ohio. At the time of the 1850 census, Susannah and her family are found in Tazewell county, Illinois;
John Eggman M 41 New Jersey
Rhody Ann Eggman F 37 Ohio
Susannah Eggman F 18 Ohio
Jashua Eggman M 17 Ohio
Mary E Eggman F 15 Ohio
Rebecca De Eggman F 12 Ohio
Hannah A Eggman F 8 Ohio
Augustus Eggman M 5 Ohio
Rachel Eggman F 4 Ms
John J Eggman M 3 Illinois
Nancy M Eggman F 0 Illinois
Josiah and Susana resided for a short time in the Pekin, Illinois area, but soon moved to the Deer Creek area of Tazewell County. The Eggman family is also found in Deer Creek Township at the time of the 1860 census.
Children of Josiah Bitters and Susana Eggman are:
1. Infant son, born October 1852, Deer Creek, Illinois; died October 1852, Deer Creek, Illinois.
2. Joshua E. Bitters, born December 25, 1853 in Deer Creek, Illinois. Joshua was married to Ida Alice Ferguson on November 7, 1877 in Wellington, Kansas. Ida was born on May 9, 1858 in Vinton, Iowa, the daughter of George Ferguson and Elizabeth (Donald) Ferguson.
Ida died on October 1, 1889 in Holden, Missouri. Joshua died January 9, 1907 in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas and his mortal remains were laid in the Oakland Cemetery in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas. See his Find A Grave Memorial #91719941.
3. Rodah Ann Bitters, born April 7 April 1856/57, Deer Creek, Illinois; d. 25 September 1859, Deer Creek, Illinois.
4. Rachel L. Bitters, b. 15 May 1858, Deer Creek, Illinois; d. 18 August 1864, Deer Creek, Illinois.
5. Shadrack G. Bitters, born 22 October 1860, Deer Creek, Illinois. Shadrack died on 06 August 1863 in Deer Creek, Illinois.
6. Tacy Bitters, born 12 August 1862, Deer Creek, Illinois. Tacy died on 09 September 1863 at Deer Creek, Illinois.
At the time of the 1860 census, Josiah and his family are found in Deer Creek Township, Tazewell County, Illinois;
Josiah Beter M 38 N J
Susannah Beter F 27 Ohio
Joshua Beter M 6 Ill
Rachael Beter F 2 Ill
In 1861, the militia forces of Charleston, South Carolina fired on Fort Sumter to start the American Civil War. On July 2, 1862, with the war not going well for the north, President Abraham Lincoln made an appear for 300,000 more troops. On August 6, 1863, Josiah and Susannah' son, Shadrack, who was not quite 2 years old, died of an illness.
On August 11, 1862, Josiah's brother-in-law, Joshua Eggman volunteered at Deer Creek, Illinois to serve in a company which was being raised in the Washington/Deer Creek/Morton area of Tazewell County by a Washington Photographer by the name of William B. Bogardus for service in the Union Army during the Civil War. Just days after burying their son, on August 12, 1862, a girl, that they would name Tacy, was born to Josiah and Susannah. Two days later on August 14, 1862, Josiah Bitter, went to Morton, Illinois, where Bogardus was doing some more recruiting, and volunteered to serve in that same company beside his brother-in-law and many other friends and acquaintances.
Following is Josiah's service record which is found in the Illinois Civil War Muster and Descriptive Rolls Detail Report from the Illinois State Archives;
Name BITTER, JOSIAH M Rank PVT
Company G Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence DEER CREEK, TAZEWELL CO, IL
Age 37 Height 5' 8 Hair DARK Eyes GRAY
Complexion FAIR Marital Status MARRIED
Occupation FARMER Nativity NY
Service Record
Joined When AUG 14, 1862 Joined Where MORTON, IL
Joined By Whom W B BOGARDUS Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862 Muster In Where CAMP PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom _____ Muster Out _____
Muster Out Where _____ Muster Out By Whom _____
Remarks DIED IN HOSPITAL AT BOWLING GREEN KY NOV 19, 1862
When William B. Bogardus had about 90 volunteers he led the Washington/Deer Creek/Morton volunteers into Peoria where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. On August 27, 1862, Bogardus and 87 of his volunteers, including now Private George W. Botham, were mustered into service as Co. G of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Bogardus was elected Captain of Co. G by the men of the Washington/Deer Creek/Morton company.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois marched out the gates of Camp Lyon, through the streets of Peoria, with much fanfare, down to the railroad depot. Somewhere in the throng, may have been Susannah Bitters, with her 8 year old son, Joshua, her 4 year old daughter, Rachel, and her one month old daughter, Tacy, who were watching their husband and father marching off to war, not knowing whether they would ever see him again.
At the depot, the men of the 86th were joined by the men of the 85th Illinois, who had been mustered into service at Camp Peoria. Together, at the depot, the men of the 85th & 86th Illinois boarded trains bound for Camp Joe Holt, Jeffersonville, Indiana, located across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. Three weeks later, the men of the 85th & 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade, in pursuit of Confederate troops in Kentucky.
On Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were briefly engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, the 86th Illinois suffering their first casualties. After the Battle of Perryville, Col. Daniel McCook stated the following about the 86th; "The 86th Illinois belonging to my brigade, but being on picket duty, was ordered to advance over the open fields to the left, and seize the extreme left of the woods. This they did in gallant style at the double quick, driving the enemy before them, and in doing which one private was killed and thirteen wounded." The 86th took and held the woods for the remainder of the day. After the Battle of Perryville, the Confederate troops withdrew from Kentucky, while the men of McCook's Brigade marched on toward Nashville, Tennessee. Some believe that Josiah was among those wounded in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, but I have yet to se evidence of it.
As I have yet to see him listed among the Perryville wounded, I believe it more likely that he died of an illness. Even before the men of McCook's Brigade left the Louisville and Jeffersonville area, the green troops were having difficulty with their health, the new diet and lifestyle not being conducive to good health. When they left Louisville on the Kentucky Campaign many troops were left behind sick in the hospitals of Louisville. After the Battle of Perryville, on the march to Nashville, still more troops were left behind sick in makeshift hospitals in Bowling Green, Kentucky and then later at Gallatin, Tennessee. The men of McCook's Brigade arrived in the Nashville area about November 7, 1862, many more went straight to the hospitals with various illnesses.
Ten men of the 86th Illinois had already died of diseases or illiness by November 19, 1862, when Private Bitter passed. The men of McCook's Brigade would spend the winter of 1862/63 there in Nashville, the local hospitals full to overflowing with sick Union soldiers. Hundreds of sick soldiers died during that 1st winter in Nashville. Today they lie in what is now known in the Nashville National Cemetery. By the end of April of 1863, more than 50 men from the 86th Illinois had died of diseases or illness and more than 120 more had been discharged from the service with various diseases and illnesses with the hope that with the help of family and some home cooking, they could survive their ailment. Many of them did not or were never quite the same again.
Whether he died of complications from a wound or an illness, Josiah's widow was approved a Widow's Pension on February 20, 1863. Tacy Bitter died in September of 1863 and Rachel died in August of 1864. By 1870, Susannah and her son had moved to El Paso, Illinois. However, it also appears that she her only surviving child, Joshua, were also spending some time in McLean County with Susannah's brother, Joshua Eggman, who had survived the war. At the time of the 1870 census, Susannah and her son are found in Ward 1 of he city of El Paso, Woodford County, Illinois;
Susannah Bitter F 38 Ohio
Joshua Bitter M 16 Illinois
In 1870, Susannah and Josehua are also found in Gridley Township, McLean County, Illinois at the time of the 1870 census, where they are living with Susan's brother;
Joshua Eggman M 37 Illinois
Susan Bitter F 39 Illinois
Joshua Bitter M 17 Illinois
Pvt Joshua Eggman, Susannah's oldest brother, was born on 10 Jan 1833 in Ohio and died on 5 Dec 1905 in Morris County, Kansas and his mortal remains were laid in the White City Cemetery in White City, Morris County, Kansas. See his Find A Grave Memorial #48267805.
In 1871, Susannah (Eggman) Bitter remarried. On December 14, 1871, Susannah (Eggman) Bitter was wed to William Ald in _____________ County, ________________. William Ald is believed to have been born in Woodford County, Illinois and is believed to have served in the 77th Illinois (Union Army) during the Civil War, yet his grave is marked as his having served in the Confederate army.
At the time of the 1880 census, the Ald family is found in East Bend, Champaign County, Illinois, where William is farming. His parents are listed as having been born in Germany. Note, too, that he is born in Illinois;
William Ald Self M 42 Illinois
Susana Ald Wife F 45 Ohio
Edna Ald Daughter F 8 Illinois
Ida Strompbough Other F 18 Sweden
John Tammony Other M 38 Ohio
Henry W Ald Brother M 39 Illinois
William began receiving his pension in 1907;
Name: William Ald
Military Company: F
Military Regiment: 77
State: Illinois
Military Unit: Infantry
Event Date: 18 Feb 1907
Affiliate Name: National Archives and Records Administration
Affiliate Record Type: Civil War Pensions
At the time of the 1908 reunion of the 77th Illinois, William Ald's mailing address is listed as Wichita, Kansas.
At the time of the 1910 census, the Alds are found in Wichita Ward 1, Sedgwick County, Kansas. His parents are still listed as having been born in Germany;
William Ald Head M 72 Illinois
Susannah Ald Wife F 77 Ohio
Mary E Shreir Sister-in-law F 74 Ohio
Susannah (Eggman) Bitter Ald died on 11 May 1910 in __________.
by Baxter B. Fite III, who can be contacted at [email protected]
Private JOSIAH MOORE BITTER, Co. G, 86th Illinois
Josiah Moore Bitter is believed to have been born about December 22, 1825 in New Jersey, the son of Jacob Bitter, who was born c. 25 May 1797 in Cumberland County, New Jersey and who died on 9 February 1875 in Hopewell Township, Cumberland County, New Jersey and whose mortal remains were laid in the Broad St. Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Bridgeton, Cumberland County, New Jersey. and Tacy Lippincott. Jacob and Tacy were married on 16 November 1822 in Cumberland County, New Jersey.
Josiah Moore Bitter headed west in the late 1840's or in 1850, where he settled in Tazewell County, Illinois. At the time of the 1850 census, his parents are still found in Hopewell Township, Cumberland County, New Jersey;
Jacob Bitters M 53 New Jersey
Tacy Bitters F 52 New Jersey
Asa Bitters M 18 New Jersey
Hannah Bitters F 16 New Jersey
Elney Bitters F 14 New Jersey
Chalkley Bitters M 12 New Jersey
Benjamin Bitters M 7 New Jersey
Josiah M. Bitter was married to Susannah Eggman on 16 Jan 1851 in Pekin, Tazewell County, Illinois. Susannah was born on July 2, 1832 in Clinton County, Ohio, the daughter of John Eggman, who was born c. 1808/09 in New Jersey, and Rhoda Ann (Garrison) Eggman, who was born c. 1812/13 in Ohio. At the time of the 1850 census, Susannah and her family are found in Tazewell county, Illinois;
John Eggman M 41 New Jersey
Rhody Ann Eggman F 37 Ohio
Susannah Eggman F 18 Ohio
Jashua Eggman M 17 Ohio
Mary E Eggman F 15 Ohio
Rebecca De Eggman F 12 Ohio
Hannah A Eggman F 8 Ohio
Augustus Eggman M 5 Ohio
Rachel Eggman F 4 Ms
John J Eggman M 3 Illinois
Nancy M Eggman F 0 Illinois
Josiah and Susana resided for a short time in the Pekin, Illinois area, but soon moved to the Deer Creek area of Tazewell County. The Eggman family is also found in Deer Creek Township at the time of the 1860 census.
Children of Josiah Bitters and Susana Eggman are:
1. Infant son, born October 1852, Deer Creek, Illinois; died October 1852, Deer Creek, Illinois.
2. Joshua E. Bitters, born December 25, 1853 in Deer Creek, Illinois. Joshua was married to Ida Alice Ferguson on November 7, 1877 in Wellington, Kansas. Ida was born on May 9, 1858 in Vinton, Iowa, the daughter of George Ferguson and Elizabeth (Donald) Ferguson.
Ida died on October 1, 1889 in Holden, Missouri. Joshua died January 9, 1907 in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas and his mortal remains were laid in the Oakland Cemetery in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas. See his Find A Grave Memorial #91719941.
3. Rodah Ann Bitters, born April 7 April 1856/57, Deer Creek, Illinois; d. 25 September 1859, Deer Creek, Illinois.
4. Rachel L. Bitters, b. 15 May 1858, Deer Creek, Illinois; d. 18 August 1864, Deer Creek, Illinois.
5. Shadrack G. Bitters, born 22 October 1860, Deer Creek, Illinois. Shadrack died on 06 August 1863 in Deer Creek, Illinois.
6. Tacy Bitters, born 12 August 1862, Deer Creek, Illinois. Tacy died on 09 September 1863 at Deer Creek, Illinois.
At the time of the 1860 census, Josiah and his family are found in Deer Creek Township, Tazewell County, Illinois;
Josiah Beter M 38 N J
Susannah Beter F 27 Ohio
Joshua Beter M 6 Ill
Rachael Beter F 2 Ill
In 1861, the militia forces of Charleston, South Carolina fired on Fort Sumter to start the American Civil War. On July 2, 1862, with the war not going well for the north, President Abraham Lincoln made an appear for 300,000 more troops. On August 6, 1863, Josiah and Susannah' son, Shadrack, who was not quite 2 years old, died of an illness.
On August 11, 1862, Josiah's brother-in-law, Joshua Eggman volunteered at Deer Creek, Illinois to serve in a company which was being raised in the Washington/Deer Creek/Morton area of Tazewell County by a Washington Photographer by the name of William B. Bogardus for service in the Union Army during the Civil War. Just days after burying their son, on August 12, 1862, a girl, that they would name Tacy, was born to Josiah and Susannah. Two days later on August 14, 1862, Josiah Bitter, went to Morton, Illinois, where Bogardus was doing some more recruiting, and volunteered to serve in that same company beside his brother-in-law and many other friends and acquaintances.
Following is Josiah's service record which is found in the Illinois Civil War Muster and Descriptive Rolls Detail Report from the Illinois State Archives;
Name BITTER, JOSIAH M Rank PVT
Company G Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence DEER CREEK, TAZEWELL CO, IL
Age 37 Height 5' 8 Hair DARK Eyes GRAY
Complexion FAIR Marital Status MARRIED
Occupation FARMER Nativity NY
Service Record
Joined When AUG 14, 1862 Joined Where MORTON, IL
Joined By Whom W B BOGARDUS Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862 Muster In Where CAMP PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom _____ Muster Out _____
Muster Out Where _____ Muster Out By Whom _____
Remarks DIED IN HOSPITAL AT BOWLING GREEN KY NOV 19, 1862
When William B. Bogardus had about 90 volunteers he led the Washington/Deer Creek/Morton volunteers into Peoria where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. On August 27, 1862, Bogardus and 87 of his volunteers, including now Private George W. Botham, were mustered into service as Co. G of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Bogardus was elected Captain of Co. G by the men of the Washington/Deer Creek/Morton company.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois marched out the gates of Camp Lyon, through the streets of Peoria, with much fanfare, down to the railroad depot. Somewhere in the throng, may have been Susannah Bitters, with her 8 year old son, Joshua, her 4 year old daughter, Rachel, and her one month old daughter, Tacy, who were watching their husband and father marching off to war, not knowing whether they would ever see him again.
At the depot, the men of the 86th were joined by the men of the 85th Illinois, who had been mustered into service at Camp Peoria. Together, at the depot, the men of the 85th & 86th Illinois boarded trains bound for Camp Joe Holt, Jeffersonville, Indiana, located across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. Three weeks later, the men of the 85th & 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade, in pursuit of Confederate troops in Kentucky.
On Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were briefly engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, the 86th Illinois suffering their first casualties. After the Battle of Perryville, Col. Daniel McCook stated the following about the 86th; "The 86th Illinois belonging to my brigade, but being on picket duty, was ordered to advance over the open fields to the left, and seize the extreme left of the woods. This they did in gallant style at the double quick, driving the enemy before them, and in doing which one private was killed and thirteen wounded." The 86th took and held the woods for the remainder of the day. After the Battle of Perryville, the Confederate troops withdrew from Kentucky, while the men of McCook's Brigade marched on toward Nashville, Tennessee. Some believe that Josiah was among those wounded in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, but I have yet to se evidence of it.
As I have yet to see him listed among the Perryville wounded, I believe it more likely that he died of an illness. Even before the men of McCook's Brigade left the Louisville and Jeffersonville area, the green troops were having difficulty with their health, the new diet and lifestyle not being conducive to good health. When they left Louisville on the Kentucky Campaign many troops were left behind sick in the hospitals of Louisville. After the Battle of Perryville, on the march to Nashville, still more troops were left behind sick in makeshift hospitals in Bowling Green, Kentucky and then later at Gallatin, Tennessee. The men of McCook's Brigade arrived in the Nashville area about November 7, 1862, many more went straight to the hospitals with various illnesses.
Ten men of the 86th Illinois had already died of diseases or illiness by November 19, 1862, when Private Bitter passed. The men of McCook's Brigade would spend the winter of 1862/63 there in Nashville, the local hospitals full to overflowing with sick Union soldiers. Hundreds of sick soldiers died during that 1st winter in Nashville. Today they lie in what is now known in the Nashville National Cemetery. By the end of April of 1863, more than 50 men from the 86th Illinois had died of diseases or illness and more than 120 more had been discharged from the service with various diseases and illnesses with the hope that with the help of family and some home cooking, they could survive their ailment. Many of them did not or were never quite the same again.
Whether he died of complications from a wound or an illness, Josiah's widow was approved a Widow's Pension on February 20, 1863. Tacy Bitter died in September of 1863 and Rachel died in August of 1864. By 1870, Susannah and her son had moved to El Paso, Illinois. However, it also appears that she her only surviving child, Joshua, were also spending some time in McLean County with Susannah's brother, Joshua Eggman, who had survived the war. At the time of the 1870 census, Susannah and her son are found in Ward 1 of he city of El Paso, Woodford County, Illinois;
Susannah Bitter F 38 Ohio
Joshua Bitter M 16 Illinois
In 1870, Susannah and Josehua are also found in Gridley Township, McLean County, Illinois at the time of the 1870 census, where they are living with Susan's brother;
Joshua Eggman M 37 Illinois
Susan Bitter F 39 Illinois
Joshua Bitter M 17 Illinois
Pvt Joshua Eggman, Susannah's oldest brother, was born on 10 Jan 1833 in Ohio and died on 5 Dec 1905 in Morris County, Kansas and his mortal remains were laid in the White City Cemetery in White City, Morris County, Kansas. See his Find A Grave Memorial #48267805.
In 1871, Susannah (Eggman) Bitter remarried. On December 14, 1871, Susannah (Eggman) Bitter was wed to William Ald in _____________ County, ________________. William Ald is believed to have been born in Woodford County, Illinois and is believed to have served in the 77th Illinois (Union Army) during the Civil War, yet his grave is marked as his having served in the Confederate army.
At the time of the 1880 census, the Ald family is found in East Bend, Champaign County, Illinois, where William is farming. His parents are listed as having been born in Germany. Note, too, that he is born in Illinois;
William Ald Self M 42 Illinois
Susana Ald Wife F 45 Ohio
Edna Ald Daughter F 8 Illinois
Ida Strompbough Other F 18 Sweden
John Tammony Other M 38 Ohio
Henry W Ald Brother M 39 Illinois
William began receiving his pension in 1907;
Name: William Ald
Military Company: F
Military Regiment: 77
State: Illinois
Military Unit: Infantry
Event Date: 18 Feb 1907
Affiliate Name: National Archives and Records Administration
Affiliate Record Type: Civil War Pensions
At the time of the 1908 reunion of the 77th Illinois, William Ald's mailing address is listed as Wichita, Kansas.
At the time of the 1910 census, the Alds are found in Wichita Ward 1, Sedgwick County, Kansas. His parents are still listed as having been born in Germany;
William Ald Head M 72 Illinois
Susannah Ald Wife F 77 Ohio
Mary E Shreir Sister-in-law F 74 Ohio
Susannah (Eggman) Bitter Ald died on 11 May 1910 in __________.
by Baxter B. Fite III, who can be contacted at [email protected]
Josiah Moore Bitter is believed to have been born about December 22, 1825 in New Jersey, the son of Jacob Bitter, who was born c. 25 May 1797 in Cumberland County, New Jersey and who died on 9 February 1875 in Hopewell Township, Cumberland County, New Jersey and whose mortal remains were laid in the Broad St. Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Bridgeton, Cumberland County, New Jersey. and Tacy Lippincott. Jacob and Tacy were married on 16 November 1822 in Cumberland County, New Jersey.
Josiah Moore Bitter headed west in the late 1840's or in 1850, where he settled in Tazewell County, Illinois. At the time of the 1850 census, his parents are still found in Hopewell Township, Cumberland County, New Jersey;
Jacob Bitters M 53 New Jersey
Tacy Bitters F 52 New Jersey
Asa Bitters M 18 New Jersey
Hannah Bitters F 16 New Jersey
Elney Bitters F 14 New Jersey
Chalkley Bitters M 12 New Jersey
Benjamin Bitters M 7 New Jersey
Josiah M. Bitter was married to Susannah Eggman on 16 Jan 1851 in Pekin, Tazewell County, Illinois. Susannah was born on July 2, 1832 in Clinton County, Ohio, the daughter of John Eggman, who was born c. 1808/09 in New Jersey, and Rhoda Ann (Garrison) Eggman, who was born c. 1812/13 in Ohio. At the time of the 1850 census, Susannah and her family are found in Tazewell county, Illinois;
John Eggman M 41 New Jersey
Rhody Ann Eggman F 37 Ohio
Susannah Eggman F 18 Ohio
Jashua Eggman M 17 Ohio
Mary E Eggman F 15 Ohio
Rebecca De Eggman F 12 Ohio
Hannah A Eggman F 8 Ohio
Augustus Eggman M 5 Ohio
Rachel Eggman F 4 Ms
John J Eggman M 3 Illinois
Nancy M Eggman F 0 Illinois
Josiah and Susana resided for a short time in the Pekin, Illinois area, but soon moved to the Deer Creek area of Tazewell County. The Eggman family is also found in Deer Creek Township at the time of the 1860 census.
Children of Josiah Bitters and Susana Eggman are:
1. Infant son, born October 1852, Deer Creek, Illinois; died October 1852, Deer Creek, Illinois.
2. Joshua E. Bitters, born December 25, 1853 in Deer Creek, Illinois. Joshua was married to Ida Alice Ferguson on November 7, 1877 in Wellington, Kansas. Ida was born on May 9, 1858 in Vinton, Iowa, the daughter of George Ferguson and Elizabeth (Donald) Ferguson.
Ida died on October 1, 1889 in Holden, Missouri. Joshua died January 9, 1907 in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas and his mortal remains were laid in the Oakland Cemetery in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas. See his Find A Grave Memorial #91719941.
3. Rodah Ann Bitters, born April 7 April 1856/57, Deer Creek, Illinois; d. 25 September 1859, Deer Creek, Illinois.
4. Rachel L. Bitters, b. 15 May 1858, Deer Creek, Illinois; d. 18 August 1864, Deer Creek, Illinois.
5. Shadrack G. Bitters, born 22 October 1860, Deer Creek, Illinois. Shadrack died on 06 August 1863 in Deer Creek, Illinois.
6. Tacy Bitters, born 12 August 1862, Deer Creek, Illinois. Tacy died on 09 September 1863 at Deer Creek, Illinois.
At the time of the 1860 census, Josiah and his family are found in Deer Creek Township, Tazewell County, Illinois;
Josiah Beter M 38 N J
Susannah Beter F 27 Ohio
Joshua Beter M 6 Ill
Rachael Beter F 2 Ill
In 1861, the militia forces of Charleston, South Carolina fired on Fort Sumter to start the American Civil War. On July 2, 1862, with the war not going well for the north, President Abraham Lincoln made an appear for 300,000 more troops. On August 6, 1863, Josiah and Susannah' son, Shadrack, who was not quite 2 years old, died of an illness.
On August 11, 1862, Josiah's brother-in-law, Joshua Eggman volunteered at Deer Creek, Illinois to serve in a company which was being raised in the Washington/Deer Creek/Morton area of Tazewell County by a Washington Photographer by the name of William B. Bogardus for service in the Union Army during the Civil War. Just days after burying their son, on August 12, 1862, a girl, that they would name Tacy, was born to Josiah and Susannah. Two days later on August 14, 1862, Josiah Bitter, went to Morton, Illinois, where Bogardus was doing some more recruiting, and volunteered to serve in that same company beside his brother-in-law and many other friends and acquaintances.
Following is Josiah's service record which is found in the Illinois Civil War Muster and Descriptive Rolls Detail Report from the Illinois State Archives;
Name BITTER, JOSIAH M Rank PVT
Company G Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence DEER CREEK, TAZEWELL CO, IL
Age 37 Height 5' 8 Hair DARK Eyes GRAY
Complexion FAIR Marital Status MARRIED
Occupation FARMER Nativity NY
Service Record
Joined When AUG 14, 1862 Joined Where MORTON, IL
Joined By Whom W B BOGARDUS Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862 Muster In Where CAMP PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom _____ Muster Out _____
Muster Out Where _____ Muster Out By Whom _____
Remarks DIED IN HOSPITAL AT BOWLING GREEN KY NOV 19, 1862
When William B. Bogardus had about 90 volunteers he led the Washington/Deer Creek/Morton volunteers into Peoria where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. On August 27, 1862, Bogardus and 87 of his volunteers, including now Private George W. Botham, were mustered into service as Co. G of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Bogardus was elected Captain of Co. G by the men of the Washington/Deer Creek/Morton company.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois marched out the gates of Camp Lyon, through the streets of Peoria, with much fanfare, down to the railroad depot. Somewhere in the throng, may have been Susannah Bitters, with her 8 year old son, Joshua, her 4 year old daughter, Rachel, and her one month old daughter, Tacy, who were watching their husband and father marching off to war, not knowing whether they would ever see him again.
At the depot, the men of the 86th were joined by the men of the 85th Illinois, who had been mustered into service at Camp Peoria. Together, at the depot, the men of the 85th & 86th Illinois boarded trains bound for Camp Joe Holt, Jeffersonville, Indiana, located across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. Three weeks later, the men of the 85th & 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade, in pursuit of Confederate troops in Kentucky.
On Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were briefly engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, the 86th Illinois suffering their first casualties. After the Battle of Perryville, Col. Daniel McCook stated the following about the 86th; "The 86th Illinois belonging to my brigade, but being on picket duty, was ordered to advance over the open fields to the left, and seize the extreme left of the woods. This they did in gallant style at the double quick, driving the enemy before them, and in doing which one private was killed and thirteen wounded." The 86th took and held the woods for the remainder of the day. After the Battle of Perryville, the Confederate troops withdrew from Kentucky, while the men of McCook's Brigade marched on toward Nashville, Tennessee. Some believe that Josiah was among those wounded in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, but I have yet to se evidence of it.
As I have yet to see him listed among the Perryville wounded, I believe it more likely that he died of an illness. Even before the men of McCook's Brigade left the Louisville and Jeffersonville area, the green troops were having difficulty with their health, the new diet and lifestyle not being conducive to good health. When they left Louisville on the Kentucky Campaign many troops were left behind sick in the hospitals of Louisville. After the Battle of Perryville, on the march to Nashville, still more troops were left behind sick in makeshift hospitals in Bowling Green, Kentucky and then later at Gallatin, Tennessee. The men of McCook's Brigade arrived in the Nashville area about November 7, 1862, many more went straight to the hospitals with various illnesses.
Ten men of the 86th Illinois had already died of diseases or illiness by November 19, 1862, when Private Bitter passed. The men of McCook's Brigade would spend the winter of 1862/63 there in Nashville, the local hospitals full to overflowing with sick Union soldiers. Hundreds of sick soldiers died during that 1st winter in Nashville. Today they lie in what is now known in the Nashville National Cemetery. By the end of April of 1863, more than 50 men from the 86th Illinois had died of diseases or illness and more than 120 more had been discharged from the service with various diseases and illnesses with the hope that with the help of family and some home cooking, they could survive their ailment. Many of them did not or were never quite the same again.
Whether he died of complications from a wound or an illness, Josiah's widow was approved a Widow's Pension on February 20, 1863. Tacy Bitter died in September of 1863 and Rachel died in August of 1864. By 1870, Susannah and her son had moved to El Paso, Illinois. However, it also appears that she her only surviving child, Joshua, were also spending some time in McLean County with Susannah's brother, Joshua Eggman, who had survived the war. At the time of the 1870 census, Susannah and her son are found in Ward 1 of he city of El Paso, Woodford County, Illinois;
Susannah Bitter F 38 Ohio
Joshua Bitter M 16 Illinois
In 1870, Susannah and Josehua are also found in Gridley Township, McLean County, Illinois at the time of the 1870 census, where they are living with Susan's brother;
Joshua Eggman M 37 Illinois
Susan Bitter F 39 Illinois
Joshua Bitter M 17 Illinois
Pvt Joshua Eggman, Susannah's oldest brother, was born on 10 Jan 1833 in Ohio and died on 5 Dec 1905 in Morris County, Kansas and his mortal remains were laid in the White City Cemetery in White City, Morris County, Kansas. See his Find A Grave Memorial #48267805.
In 1871, Susannah (Eggman) Bitter remarried. On December 14, 1871, Susannah (Eggman) Bitter was wed to William Ald in _____________ County, ________________. William Ald is believed to have been born in Woodford County, Illinois and is believed to have served in the 77th Illinois (Union Army) during the Civil War, yet his grave is marked as his having served in the Confederate army.
At the time of the 1880 census, the Ald family is found in East Bend, Champaign County, Illinois, where William is farming. His parents are listed as having been born in Germany. Note, too, that he is born in Illinois;
William Ald Self M 42 Illinois
Susana Ald Wife F 45 Ohio
Edna Ald Daughter F 8 Illinois
Ida Strompbough Other F 18 Sweden
John Tammony Other M 38 Ohio
Henry W Ald Brother M 39 Illinois
William began receiving his pension in 1907;
Name: William Ald
Military Company: F
Military Regiment: 77
State: Illinois
Military Unit: Infantry
Event Date: 18 Feb 1907
Affiliate Name: National Archives and Records Administration
Affiliate Record Type: Civil War Pensions
At the time of the 1908 reunion of the 77th Illinois, William Ald's mailing address is listed as Wichita, Kansas.
At the time of the 1910 census, the Alds are found in Wichita Ward 1, Sedgwick County, Kansas. His parents are still listed as having been born in Germany;
William Ald Head M 72 Illinois
Susannah Ald Wife F 77 Ohio
Mary E Shreir Sister-in-law F 74 Ohio
Susannah (Eggman) Bitter Ald died on 11 May 1910 in __________.
by Baxter B. Fite III, who can be contacted at [email protected]
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