Bio: Wilms, Boye A. & Cathern (Badger)
Contact: Stan

----Source: Donovan J. Koeberl (Shean)--Great-Great Grandson, The photos below were provided by Ryan Bernt, COLBY PHONOGRAPH (Colby, Wis.) 02/26/1920, Family Records

Surnames: Badger, Dunham, Shean, Wilms

 

Boye A. & Cathern (Badger) Wilms 

 

Cathern (Badger) Wilms and daughter Carrie (Wilms) Shean and son of Carrie, Ross Shean and Ross' wife Velma (James) Shean and (little boy) their son Donovan Shean. Photo taken at Carrie Shean's homestead in Colby, WI. *Repaired Photo

 

Boye A. Wilms was born in Germany, October 14, 1833, the son of August Wilms.  Boye's wife, Cathern/Catherine (Badger) Wilms who was born in Marafelt, Ireland June 11, 1830.  Cathern was six years of age her parents moved to New Castle, England, where she lived with them until the year 1846, when she came to America and lived with a married sister at Waupaca, Wis. In 1850 she was united in marriage to Alfred Dunham and to this union were born two children, Alfred and Thomas Dunham. Six years after their marriage Mr. Dunham died and on Apr. 3, 1859 she was married for the second time to B. A. Wilms, March 3, 1859.

 

Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilms, Sarah J., Carrie M., William, Cathern and Frank. Three of these are still living, Carrie M. Shean of Colby, William of Neenah, and Frank of Lake Saskatoon, Alberta, Canada.  

 

Boye Wilms served in the Civil War in the Company G. 21st Regiment of the Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry.

 

The Boyes were early settlers of Colby, Wisconsin, having move to the area in 1874 with their 5 children:  Sarah J., Carrie M (my Great grandmother married Mike Shean of Omega, my Great Grandfather), William, Cathern and Frank. (Cathern Badger also had 2 children with her 1st husband, Alfred Dunham. They were Alfred and Thomas. (Cathern and Alfred were married in 1850 and Mr. Dunham died in 1856).

 

Boye A. Wilms was the Colby Druggist/Barber. Boye died of heart disease, July 6, 1901 and was buried in the Colby Memorial Cemetery, Clark Co., Wisconsin.  His beloved wife, Cathern, was laid to rest beside him over nineteen years later, when she died Febuary16, 1920.

 

Cemetery Records

Obit: Wilms, Cathern (1830 - 1920)

Marriage: Wilms, Carrie (1882)

 

Military Photos of Boye A. Wilms

(Click to Enlarge)

Civil War

 

Tombstone

Death Certificate

"Snake Oil"

A Magnetic Healing Tonic Made and Sold by B. A. Wilms

 

Military Notes for Boye August Wilms (aka Boye August Wilmes)

 

Organized: Oshkosh, WI on 9/5/62
Mustered Out: 6/8/65 at Washington, DC

Officers Killed or Mortally Wounded: 5
Officers Died of Disease, Accidents, etc.: 3
Enlisted Men Killed or Mortally Wounded: 117
Enlisted Men Died of Disease, Accidents, etc.: 180


Residence Waupaca WI; Enlisted on 8/14/1862 as a Private. On 8/14/1862 he mustered into "G" Co. WI 21st Infantry.  The Military Muster roles show Boye A. Wilms was 5' 5 inches tall with a light complexion, brown hair and blue eyes. He was discharged for disability on 1/4/1864 He was listed as: * Prisoner Of War 12/30/1862 Jefferson, TN 21st Wisconsin Infantry (3-years).

 

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Sep 1862
 
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3
 
 
 
Army of Ohio
 
 
 
Sep 1862
 
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Army of Ohio
 
 
 
Nov 1862
 
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Centre, 14
 
Army of Cumberland
 
 
 
Jan 1863
 
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Dept. and Army of Ohio and Cumberland
 
 
 
Apr 1863
 
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14
 
Dept. and Army of Ohio and Cumberland
 
 
 
Oct 1863
 
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Dept. and Army of Ohio and Cumberland
 
 
 
Apr 1864
 
Jun 1865
 
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14
 
Dept. and Army of Ohio and Cumberland
 
Mustered Out

 

Twenty-first Infantry WISCONSIN (3-YEARS) Cols., Benjamin J. Sweet, Harrison C Hobart, Michael H. Fitch, Majors, Frederick Schumacher, Michael H. Fitch, Charles H. Walker.  This regiment was organized at Camp Bragg, Oshkosh, and was mustered in Sept. 5, 1862. It left the state Sept. 11, being sent to Covington, Ky., for the defense of Cincinnati. It participated in the battle of Perryville in the 28th brigade, and after a march of 12 miles on the day of the battle, was placed by mistake in an exposed position alone, subject to the fire of both friend and foe. It escaped utter destruction by breaking ranks, then rallied and took position in line of battle. It lost 179 in killed, wounded and missing, Maj. Schumacher being among the killed. It performed guard and provost duty at Mitchellville until Dec. 7, when it was ordered to Nashville. With its brigade it repulsed an attack on the supply wagons by 3,500 of Wheeler's cavalry at Jefferson, the burden of the attack falling on the 21st. Gen. Rousseau said: "This regiment, led by its efficient commander (Hobart), behaved like veterans." It went into the battle of Stone's River the following day, was sent to the extreme front, and for 3 days held position under a heavy fire. It encamped at Murfreesboro during the winter and spring, moved south with the Army of the Cumberland in June into Alabama and Georgia and arrived at Chickamauga in time to take part in the second day's fight. It "never faltered during the whole day, but often the second line would have to face about and drive away the rebels from the rear." On being ordered to retire it fell back "only to the second line of works, where, still fighting, surrounded by the enemy, Lieut.Col. Hobart and about 70 officers and men were captured." The regiment was in reserve at Missionary Ridge and then was stationed on the summit of Lookout Mountain until the spring of 1864. It was in the advance on Resaca in May, 1864, and was the last to retire in the evening. At Dallas it remained for 6 days under fire, its skirmishers being within 50 paces of those of the enemy. The regiment followed Johnston in his retreat from Dallas to Kennesaw Mountain, where it charged the enemy's skirmish line and gained position within 150 paces of the main line of Confederate works. It was in siege, fatigue and guard duty until the fall of Atlanta, took part in the battle of Jonesboro, and then went into camp at Atlanta. On Oct. 1 it was attached to the 1st brigade 1st division, 14th army corps, and pursued Gen. Hood northward. It then rejoined Sherman's army, took part in the march to the sea the siege of Savannah, the Carolina campaign and the march to Richmond. It participated in the grand review at Washington and was mustered out there on June 8, 1865. Its original strength was 1,002. Gain by recruits, 169; total, 1,171. Loss by death, 288; desertion, 40; transfer, 99, discharge, 261; mustered out, 483.

 

Grand Review in Washington D. C., May 23, 1865

 

Battle at Perryville with The Fox Valley all Volunteers from Co G 21st WI Regiment
 

 

 


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