Sam Marshall in the 1870"s
A few months ago a gentleman named Greg Marshall contacted me about his Great Grandfather, a man named Samuel Marshall. Greg had come across an obituary for Sam that stated, “In November 1862, he removed to Topeka and reenlisted with Captain Hunton, Co B, Kansas Second State Militia.” While Greg was researching the 2nd KSM he came across this blog and was hopeful of finding Sam's name on the roster. Although Sam's name wasn't there, he did notice a Captain Huntoon in Co. B and sensed he was on the right track. After exchanging e-mails with me, Greg wisely contacted the Kansas State Historical Society and ordered the muster role for the 2nd Kansas Militia, Co. B.
The muster role revealed that Samuel Marshal had indeed been enlisted in co. B on 10 October, 1864 and also that he been detached for service at Topeka – meaning that he was one of thirteen soldiers from company B assigned to remain at Topeka and protect the city should the Rebels break through into Kansas. These men were part of a large force of Militia that stayed in or near the City and were chosen due to the lateness which they arrived at Topeka or because they did not possess a reliable horse. Sam and the rest of the Militia remained at their posts until they finally received word on Monday, 24 October that the Rebel Army had fled south. As the balance of the 2nd KSM straggled home, Sam and his fellow soldiers gave what assistance they could to these men and their families - the sense of unity and loss was very palpable as Topeka struggled to recover from the blows it suffered at the Mockbee Farmhouse.
The following brief biography is a tribute not only to Samuel Marshall, but the many other men and women who remained at Topeka during Price’s Raid in October,1864 when the fate of Kansas hung in the balance.
Samuel Marshall was born on December 11, 1837, near Oberlin, OH, into a family that had emigrated from Lincolnshire, England, two years previously. In 1842, the family moved to southern Wisconsin and acquired farmland northeast of Lake Geneva. As a young man, Samuel traveled to California during the Gold Rush with his older brother and later accompanied his father to New York City. In 1857, Samuel came to Kansas, living briefly in Leavenworth, Lawrence, and Topeka, before settling in Breckinridge County, now called Lyon County. In April 1860, he was married to Martha Jane Courtney. The couple had two daughters, Allah Nora and Emma Jane, before moving to Topeka in 1862.
Samuel enlisted in Company B, 2nd Regiment, Kansas State Militia, on August 24, 1863, and was called to active duty on October 10, 1864, as the Militia was called up in response to the approach of Price’s Confederate army from Missouri. Muster roles reveal that Sam was detached from his unit and stayed at Topeka to protect the city in case the Confederates broke through and attacked.
After the war, Samuel and his family moved briefly back to Wisconsin, where a son, Robert Edgel was born, and then returned to Topeka, where a third daughter, Minnie, was born. In 1868, both Minnie and Martha Jane died.
In 1869, Samuel married Margaret Grabendike in Topeka and began a second family with the birth of Hattie Belle in 1972. In that same year, the Marshalls moved to Osage City, about 40 miles south of Topeka in Osage County. They had two more children, Edwin Charles, born in 1874, and William Loren, born in 1878. In Osage City, Samuel farmed, traded in real estate, and operated a livery stable and a brick kiln. Here is an item from a local newspaper about his house:
“The brick walls are said to be three or four courses thick, the bricks probably having been made in Marshall’s own nearby brick-making plant. Locally made bricks were also used for several Osage City Business Buildings still in use today [1962]. . . . Marshall built his house so that it was warm and dry. He built the kitchen and dining room partially underground, with two large rooms altogether above ground. The Marshall home and his brick factory, with its drying kiln, were both close to Salt Creek [south of Osage City].”
Margaret died in 1913 and Samuel in 1914. Both, along with Edwin, were buried in Osage City Cemetery, as were Hattie and William in later years.
Thanks to Greg Marshall for not only submitting the main body of Samuel’s bio but providing the impetus for me to acquire the muster roles of the 2nd Kansas Militia. Without these roles coming to light the names of the "other" Men of the 2nd KSM would have remained buried in a microfilm canister.
Samuel enlisted in Company B, 2nd Regiment, Kansas State Militia, on August 24, 1863, and was called to active duty on October 10, 1864, as the Militia was called up in response to the approach of Price’s Confederate army from Missouri. Muster roles reveal that Sam was detached from his unit and stayed at Topeka to protect the city in case the Confederates broke through and attacked.
After the war, Samuel and his family moved briefly back to Wisconsin, where a son, Robert Edgel was born, and then returned to Topeka, where a third daughter, Minnie, was born. In 1868, both Minnie and Martha Jane died.
In 1869, Samuel married Margaret Grabendike in Topeka and began a second family with the birth of Hattie Belle in 1972. In that same year, the Marshalls moved to Osage City, about 40 miles south of Topeka in Osage County. They had two more children, Edwin Charles, born in 1874, and William Loren, born in 1878. In Osage City, Samuel farmed, traded in real estate, and operated a livery stable and a brick kiln. Here is an item from a local newspaper about his house:
“The brick walls are said to be three or four courses thick, the bricks probably having been made in Marshall’s own nearby brick-making plant. Locally made bricks were also used for several Osage City Business Buildings still in use today [1962]. . . . Marshall built his house so that it was warm and dry. He built the kitchen and dining room partially underground, with two large rooms altogether above ground. The Marshall home and his brick factory, with its drying kiln, were both close to Salt Creek [south of Osage City].”
Margaret died in 1913 and Samuel in 1914. Both, along with Edwin, were buried in Osage City Cemetery, as were Hattie and William in later years.
Thanks to Greg Marshall for not only submitting the main body of Samuel’s bio but providing the impetus for me to acquire the muster roles of the 2nd Kansas Militia. Without these roles coming to light the names of the "other" Men of the 2nd KSM would have remained buried in a microfilm canister.
From the “PAYROLL of Captain Huntoon’s Company B of the (cavalry) second Regiment, Kansas State Militia, Colonel George W. Veale, from the 10th day of October, 1864 to the 30th day of October, 1864”
“Detached service at Topeka:”
1st Corporal Jacob Willets
Pvt. Byron Jewell
Pvt. George Ludington
Pvt. Samuel Mulligan
Pvt. Samuel Marshall
Pvt. Hiram McArthur
Pvt. A. Palmer
Pvt. W.H. Ragland
Pvt. Gabriel Wright
Pvt. William Young
Pvt. David Young
Pvt. Samuel Reese
Pvt. Patrick Tighe
Very nice biography on my wife's gg grandpa! Thank you!
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