Fisher, William H.

The following data is extracted from Historical and Biographical Record of Douglas County, Illinois.

William H. Fisher, a retired farmer and an ex-soldier of the Civil war, came to Douglas County in 1877 and located on a farm two and a half miles southeast of Arcola, which he purchased and resided on for four years, when he removed to Albany, Oregon. In 1882 he returned to Douglas County and located on a farm in Tuscola Township, remaining here for two years. He then purchased a farm east of Galton, which he owned and re-sided upon for ten years, when, in 1893, he moved to Tuscola, where he at present resides. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of land, northwest of town.

Our subject was born in Ohio County, Indiana, January 7, 1839, and was a son of Andrew and Eliza (Hunter) Fisher, the former a native of Butler County, Ohio, and the latter of Switzerland County, Indiana. His paternal grandfather, Jacob Fisher, was a Pennsylvanian by birth. His maternal grand-father, John Hunter, was born in Ireland, and subsequently emigrated to Switzerland County, Indiana, and then to Ohio County, Indiana. Mr. Fisher's paternal great-grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier, and several other members of the Fisher family were in the Indian and other early wars.

William H. Fisher was reared in Jefferson County, Indiana, on a farm, and in August, 1862, he volunteered in the Eighty-third Indiana Infantry and served until the close of the war. He belonged to the Second Division, Fifteenth Army Corps, which was organized and commanded by Gen. Sherman, and later by Gen. Logan. He was in the battles of Chickasaw, Miss., Arkansas Post or Hindman, Jackson, Mississippi, was through the siege of Vicksburg, at Missionary Ridge and Atlanta; also at Jonesboro, Bentonville, North Carolina, was with Sherman on his sweep to the sea, and was present at the grand review, Washington, at the close of the war.

In 1869 he was wedded to Miss Nancy J. Beatty, of Ohio County, Indiana. They had four children: James Edward, Rosanna B., Eliza B., and William Franklin, the latter deceased. Mrs. Fisher is the daughter of George and Rosanna (Smith) Beatty. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania, and her mother was born in Ohio County, Indiana.

Her grandfathers were Hugh Beatty and George Smith, who came from Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher are members of the Presbyterian Church ; he is also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Source: Historical and Biographical Record of Douglas County, Illinois

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