Hosted by Wisconsin Valley Library System

 

Andrus, James F

Corporal, Company E, 4th Wisconsin Calvary

Above information from Clark Co. WI Cemeteries, Volume 1, Page 35, Row #15, Stone #15

 

Andrus, Mr. J. F.

Date of Birth: 19 May 1824

Date of Death: 3 October 1935

Above information from Clark Co. WI Cemeteries Volume 1, Page 35, Row #16, Stone #14.

 

James Franklin Andrus was born 9 Feb 1842 in Cahocton, Strieben County, New York. He was the son of William Patrick Andrus and Mary Gilbert. After the Civil War he returned to Wisconsin and married Sarah Elizabeth Bethel, daughter of Benjamin Bethel and Elizabeth Welch of England. James and Sarah were married on 19 May 1867 in Oregon Township, Dane County, WI. They had three daughters, Ida Dell, Elizabeth Mary and Essie Anne and one son, Thurlow "Earl". Sarah died on 31 March 1924 in Humbird, WI. James died on 3 October 1935 in Ladysmith, WI. Both James and Sarah are buried in Mentor Cemetery, Humbird, WI. The cemetery is located about one mile north of Humbird on Hwy 12.

 

James Franklin Andrus enlisted on October 1861 and was assigned to Company E of the Wisconsin 4th Cavalry. He soon fell ill with typhoid fever during an extended march in December of 1861, and was in the hospital at Sulphur Springs, Missouri. He rejoined the regiment in February, but quickly had a relapse and was again hospitalized at Sykesville, Missouri. In May of 1862, he rejoined his regiment, but had to be hospitalized again and was sent to several hospitals in succession, finally ending up in Keokuk, Iowa. From there he was discharged as medically unfit in October of 1862. He returned to the Waukesha area of Wisconsin and continued to receive medical treatment. On December 22, 1863, he reenlist, this time into Company L, Wisconsin 4th Cavalry. He was listed as 21 years old, 5 feet 8 inches tall with blue eyes, light colored hair and a light complexion.

 

The Wisconsin 4th Cavalry served in various locations in Louisiana, engaging roving bands of rebel guerrilla. It did not participate in any major battles during 1864. In the spring of 1865 the regiment was part of the campaign to capture Mobile, Alabama and then was sent to Shreveport, Louisiana and then on to San Antonio, Texas. After the war ended the regiment was placed on border patrol along the Rio Grande River operating out of Brownsville, Texas. He received his discharge on May 28, 1866.

The above information supplied by Teri Anderson  and Allan Wessel