- CAPT. WILLIAM R. NEWTON, a prominent citizen of Beloit, is
a native of the Empire State,
- having been born in Chenango County, N.Y., on the 13th day
of February, 1826. His parents were Capt. John and Abiah (MILLER)
NEWTON. In the common schools of his native county he received
his education, and at the early age of thirteen years started
out to fight life's battle for himself. He began his career as
a clerk, but by his intense honesty of purpose and energetic
spirit has made life a success, and now has a comfortable competence.
On the 27th day of October, 1852, in Friendship, Allegany Co.,
N.Y., his marriage with Miss Augusta HANFORD was celebrated.
The lady is a daughter of Samuel HANFORD of New York, and was
born in Delaware County in September, 1828. They are now the
parents of two children: Charles H., who is engaged in farming
in Adams County, Wis., and Edward R., shipping clerk for the
Eclipse Windmill Company. In 1856, with his little family, Mr.
NEWTON emigrated to the West, locating in Adams County, Wis.,
where for many years he was a prominent citizen.
- In September, 1862, prompted by his patriotic impulses, he
enlisted in his country's service and
- started for the scene of conflict. He was assigned to company
K, of the 25th Wisconsin Infantry, and after a short stay at
La Crosse, went with the command which was sent on an expedition
to quell the Sioux Indians who were making trouble in the northwest.
Returning in December of that year, the regiment was soon after
ordered south to Vicksburg and participated in its siege and
capture. The command was then sent up the Yazoo river and took
part in the engagement at Paris Bluff. While at Vicksburg, Mr.
NEWTON was commissioned Second Lieutenant. He was also engaged
in the Meridian raid, being under fire in several severe skirmishes.
On the 14th day of May, 1864, he was transferred from the 25th
to the 36th Wisconsin regiment, being promoted to the rank of
First Lieutenant, and with the company went to Washington. About
the middle of May the command was sent down the Potomac, and
soon became participators in the stirring scenes then taking
place in the vicinity of Fredericksburg. On the 1st day of June
a severe engagement was brought on, in which Companies B, E,
G and F, under command of Capt. Warner, were engaged as skirmishers.
The rebels lay behind the heavy line of works, their mounted
guns one hundred rods in front firing obliquely to the right
and left upon the Union troops, making it almost impossible for
a man to escape with his life. But the little band of 240 men
advanced, driving before them the rebel skirmishers, while a
portion of the line went over the enemy's works. More than half
of the company was killed or taken prisoners. While sealing the
works, Lieut. NEWTON fell, and it was supposed had been instantly
killed. The events of the day, known as Truner's Farm in the
official reports, and the general engagement of Cold Harbor on
the 2d of June, were submitted to the executive office at Madison,
and upon the strength of the information which he had received,
Col. Lewis telegraphed Hon. A. J. TURNER, at Portage, as follows:
"General engagement at Cold Harbor, in which Col. F. A.
HASKELL and your brother-in-law, Lieut. W. R. NEWTON, were killed."
Mr. TURNER immediately took the dispatch home and handed it to
his wife in silence. Mrs. TURNER, as she read it, burst into
tears. Their little boy, scarcely three years old, was playing
around the house and apparently did not seem at all concerned
about the melancholy intelligence over which his mother was grieving
so bitterly, when, quick as a flash, he seized a portion of a
broom handle, and striking his father over the head as vigorously
as the little arm could wield the stick, he exclaimed: "You
naughty papa, to make my mamma cry so." The sad intelligence
was immediately transmitted to Mrs. NEWTON at Friendship. As
that good lady was there leading a lonely life, with no relatives
about her save her little boy, Mr. TURNER talked the matter over
with his wife and it was decided to invite her to make her home
in their family. The invitation was accepted and in due time
she became domiciled in their home, clad in the habiliments of
mourning. Several months had passed, when what was the good lady's
surprise to see her husband enter the door of her new home, greatly
emaciated by disease, while at his side hung an empty sleeve.
The explanation was soon told. Lieut. NEWTON had received a severe
wound in his arm and had fallen into a rifle pit, where he remained
during the balance of the engagement, under the very muzzles
of the belching artillery and the rolling of musketry. Escape
from his position was impossible, and consequently when the engagement
was over he was captured by the rebels. In a short time he found
himself enjoying the hospitalities of Libby prison, where his
lacerated arm was amputated. During his confinement no opportunity
was offered for communicating with his friends at home, who even
then were mourning him as lost to them forever. In due course
of time he was exchanged, and obtaining a leave of absence at
Annapolis, immediately returned to Wisconsin, finding his wife
as above stated at Portage. The surprise and joy of the meeting
need not be recounted here. It was one of those strange and joyous
events that marked the progress of the great American conflict
at every state. At the close of the war he was honorably discharged,
and again became a resident of Friendship. While in Libby prison
he was commissioned captain, but was never mustered in as such.
- Returning to his old home, Capt.. NEWTON there continued
to reside for many years. He
- received the appointment of Postmaster at Friendship, and
for twenty-one years served in that capacity, proving an efficient
and competent officer. Socially he is an honored member of the
G.A.R. Post. In 1887 he became a resident of Beloit, and during
his short stay in that city has won many friends.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 860-861.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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