Bio: Steele, Thomas J. & Jane E Dobbins
Contact: Stan

----Source: 1885 & 1890 Special WI Veterans Census, Thorp

Surnames: Baldwin, Dobbins, Drinkwine, Langemak, Markham, Morris, Shauger, Steele, Still, Tuttle

 

 

Thomas J. & Jane E. (Dobbins) Steele

 

 

"Tom" was born in NJ, 3 Jan 1829, the son of William & Mary B. (Shauger) Steele, who moved their family of 12 west to WI before 1850. He married Jane E. 2 Feb 1853.  She was born 11 Jan 1837 in NJ, the daughter of Solomon and Charlotte (Tuttle) Dobbins.  During Nov 1863, Tom, then a farm laborer in Plymouth, WI, enlisted as a Pvt. with Co. C, 4th Wis. Cav.  Jane was left to care for their children: Charlotte Jane (b. 25 Dec 1854), Mary E. (b. 1856), Catharine (b. 1857), Thomas Jr. (b. 20 Mar 1859), Melissa (b. 1861) and Eliza (b. 1863).  He was mustered out 22 Aug 1865 as a Cpl.  Their family grew to include: Hughetta (b. 20 Jul 1867), and Ida Mae (b. 8 Mar 1869).  Shortly after Ida’s birth, the family settled on a farm in sections 18 & 19, Warner Twp., 4 miles west of Greenwood, WI.  Four more children were born there: William R. (b. 1871), Alice Maude (b. 1873), Arthur F. (b. 1874) and Myrtle L. (b. 1878 - d. 1882).   The Benjamin School was built in 1871 with the hands of Thos. Steele, Chas. Patterson, Larry Drinkwine, Morris & Curtis Markham and Mr. Baldwin.  Charlotte Jane Steele was hired as the teacher for the first 2 yrs.  Following their retirement, the Steeles moved into the village of Greenwood, residing there for about 20 years.  They worshiped at the Methodist Episcopal Church.  Tom was an active member of the G.A.R. and a man of excellent habits and sturdy constitution.  He had a cheerful spirit and retained a clear mind up to the last days of his life.  Jane died in Greenwood, WI, 29 May 1901 and death took Thomas 26 Oct 1909.  Both of them were buried in the East Thorp Village Cemetery, Thorp, WI.

 

 

Civil War Civil War Soldier & Unit History

 

 

 

 

Wisconsin 4th Infantry 1861-1866

 

Thomas Steele - Company C

Enlisted 3 November 1863 as a Corporal

Mustered out 22 August 1865

 

Data of Town Where Enlisted: Plymouth, WI

Killed or mortally wounded
14
Died as POW
0
Died of Disease
42
Disabled
21
Deserted
9
Discharged
8
Mustered out
168

 

 

This regiment was organized at Racine in June 1861, with a numerical strength of 1,047. It was mustered in 2 July and was first used in suppressing bank riots in Milwaukee and Watertown.

It left the state 15 July and on the refusal of the railroad company to transfer it from Corning, N. Y. to Elmira, it seized the train and ran it to Elmira. It went into headquarters at the Relay house, Md. and later joined the "Eastern Shore" expedition, going to Baltimore in December.

 

On 19 February 1862, it left for Fortress Monroe to join the New Orleans expedition, but was sent to Ship Island, Mississippi until 16 April. On the 28 April Companies E and G were landed 10 miles from Forts Jackson and St. Philip, after rowing 5 miles and drawing 30 boats loaded with arms and ammunition a mile and a half, while wading in mud and water waist deep.

 

The regiment, with the 31st Massachusetts, was first landed in New Orleans and took forcible possession of the Custom House. The 4th Wisconsin was occupied in scouting duty in detachments until July 26, when it was sent to Baton Rouge, Colonel Paine taking command of the troops there with orders to burn the city with the exception of the state library, paintings, statuary and charitable institutions.

 

This order was afterwards revoked on Colonel Paine’s representation to General Butler that the town "would be useful to our army for further military operations." The town was fortified thoroughly by the regiment, which was later ordered to Carrollton, near New Orleans, Company G being detached for service with the heavy artillery, and 40 men were also transferred to the 2nd U. S. artillery. The winter and spring were devoted to picket duty and small expeditions through Mississippi.

 

The regiment took a prominent part in the battle of Fort Bisland near Brashear City in April. It was then sent to Opelousas, where it met and defeated a large mounted force of the enemy. By order of General Banks the regiment was mounted and thereafter served as Cavalry. It was in numerous skirmishes until ordered to Port Hudson in May as part of the investing force. It took part in the first assault and reached the ditch surrounding the fortifications, having been temporarily dismounted. It was in the second assault on 14 June, losing 140 of the 220 men engaged in the charge.

It returned to Baton Rouge 25 July, and passed the following year in picketing, foraging and preserving the peace in that section, occasionally capturing or dispersing small bands of Cavalry and guerillas. On 27 November 1864, it formed part of a Cavalry force to keep the enemy near Mobile from advancing toward General Sherman.

The winter was passed at Baton Rouge and the regiment was sent to Mobile in April 1865. After the surrender of the latter place, the 4th was sent on a 70-day expedition through Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi. In July it was ordered to Texas and remained there until May 1866, to prevent smuggling, guard against the Indians and preserve the peace.

 

The regiment was mustered out 28 May 1866. Its original strength was 1,047. Gained by recruits, 982; substitutes, 16; reenlistments, 260; total, 2,305. Loss by death, 350; missing, 23; desertion, 74; transfer, 2, discharge, 474; mustered out, 754.

 

THOMAS J. STEELE           Corporal         Co. C    4th Reg’t   WI           Warner / Greenwood

  • East Thorp Village Cemetery

  • Obits for Thomas & Jane E. Dobbins Steele. 

  • Born 3 JAN 1829 NJ; m. 2 FEB 1853 Sheboygan Co., WI; died 26 OCT 1909 Thorp, Clark, WI.

     

    U.S. Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles           Sheboygan County

    Name: Thomas Steele    Residence: Plymouth, Wisconsin          Enlistment Date: 11 Mar 1863

    Rank at enlistment: Corporal      State Served: Wisconsin            Survived the War?: Yes

    Service Record: Enlisted in Company C, Wisconsin 4th Cavalry Regiment on 03 Nov 1863.

    Mustered out on 22 Aug 1865.   Sources: Roster of Wisconsin Volunteers: War of the Rebellion

      

    American Civil War Soldiers                                          Sheboygan Co.

    Name: Thomas Steele                                    RESIDENCE: Plymouth, Wisconsin 

    Enlistment Date: 3 Nov 1863             Side Served: Union     State Served: Wisconsin 

    Service Record: Enlisted as a Corporal on 3 November 1863.

    Enlisted in Company C, 4th Cavalry Regiment Wisconsin on 3 Nov 1863.

    Mustered Out Company C, 4th Cavalry Regiment Wisconsin on 22 Aug 1865.

     

    U.S. Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865

    Name: Thomas Steele            Side: Union     Regiment State/Origin: Wisconsin

    Regiment Name: 4th Regiment, Wisconsin Cavalry             COMPANY: C

    Rank In: Private          Rank Out: Corporal

    Alternate Name: Thomas J./Steele                Film Number: M559 roll 29

     

     

    Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934

    Name: Thomas I. Steel           State Filed: Wisconsin            C 4 Wis Cav

    1890 Sep 15    Invalid              936918            644214            Filed: Wis

      

    U.S. National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, 1866-1938

    Name: Thomas I Steele          Birth Year: abt 1829    Birth State: New York

    Admitted Year: 1905               Age at Admission: 76 

    State: Wisconsin                     County: Milwaukee [Washington]

    City: Milwaukee [Wood]          Branch: Northwestern Branch 

     

     

    Census Records

     

    1850 United States Federal Census

    Name: Thomas Still       Age: 20      Est. Birth Year: abt 1830       Birth Place: New Jersey

    Home in 1850 (City,County,State): Plymouth, Sheboygan, Wisconsin

        Household Members: Name Age

                William Still       47  NJ   Farmer              300

                Mary Still          42  NJ

                George Still       23  NJ   Laborer

                Thomas Still      20 

                William Still       16 

                Percilla Still       14 

                Mary J Still        13 

                Josiah Still        11 

    f           Armene Still        8                                                        "Sarah Araminta"

                Margaret Still       6 

                Charles Still         5 

                Annet Still           1  NJ

    Next house:

                Hugh Dobbins   24  NJ   Farmer              400

                Eliza Ann  "       19  NJ  

     

    1855 - WI State Census Index

    Name: Thomas Steel     State: WI     County: Sheboygan County     Township: Plymouth

               

    1860 United States Federal Census

    Name: Thomas Steel     Age in 1860: 30      Birth Year: abt 1830              Birthplace: New Jersey

    Home in 1860: Plymouth, Sheboygan, Wisconsin

        Household Members: Name Age

                Thomas Steel    30  NJ               Farm Laborer    ---         50

                Jane E Steel     23  NJ

                Charlotte Steel   7  WI

                Mary E Steel       4  WI

                Catharine Steel   3  WI

                T S Steel             1  WI

    Next house:

                William Steel     57  NJ               Farmer              600       200

                Mary                 53  NJ

                William Jr          26  NJ               School Teacher

                Joseph             20  NJ               Farm Laborer

                Margurette        16  NJ

                Charles             14  NJ

                Antonette          11  NJ

     

     

     

    1880 Federal Census--Warner, Clark, Wisconsin
    Name Relation Marital

    Sex

    		 Color

    Birth Year

    		 Birthplace

    Occupation

    		 Father Born Mother Born
    Thomas Steele Head Married Male White 51-1829 New Jersey Farmer England New Jersey
    Jane E. Steele Wife Married Female White 41-1839 New Jersey Keeping House New Jersey New Jersey
    Thomas S. Steele Son Single Male White 21-1859 Wisconsin Laborer New Jersey New Jersey
    Malissa D. Steele Daughter Single Female White 18-1862 Wisconsin   New Jersey New Jersey
    Eliza V. Steele Daughter Single Female White 16-1864 Wisconsin   New Jersey New Jersey
    Henretta Steele Daughter Single Female White 14-1866 Wisconsin   New Jersey New Jersey
    Ida M. Steele Daughter Single Female White 11-1869 Wisconsin   New Jersey New Jersey
    Willie R. Steele Son Single Male White 9-1871 Wisconsin   New Jersey New Jersey
    Alice M. Steele Daughter Single Female White 6-1874 Wisconsin   New Jersey New Jersey
    Arthur F. Steele Son Single Male White 4-1876 Wisconsin   New Jersey New Jersey
    Myrtie L. Steele Daughter Single Female White 2-1878 Wisconsin   New Jersey New Jersey

     

     

    1870 United States Federal Census

    Name: Thomas Steel     Est. Birth Year: abt 1830     Age in 1870: 40        Birthplace: New Jersey

    Home in 1870: Eaton, Clark, Wisconsin  Post Office: Lumberman

        Household Members: Name Age

                Thomas Steel                40  NJ               Carpenter + Joiner

                Jane E Steel                 34  NJ

                Mary Steel                    15  WI

                Catharine Steel             13

                Thomas S Steel             11

                Melissa Steel                  9

                Eliza Steel                       7

                Hugh Etta Steel               5

                Ida Steel                         1

                Charles C. Brown           35  ME              Carpenter + Joiner

     

    1880 United States Federal Census

    Name: Thomas Steele        Age: 51         Est. Birth Year: abt 1829            Birthplace: New Jersey

    Father's birthplace: England    Mother's birthplace: New Jersey   Occupation: Farmer   

    Home in 1880: Warner, Clark, Wisconsin

        Household Members: Name Age

                Thomas Steele             51  NJ-Eng-NJ               Farmer

                Jane E. Steele               41  NJ-NJ-NJ                 Keeping House

                Thomas S. Steele          21  WI-NJ-NJ                 Laborer

                Malissa D. Steele          18         "

                Eliza V. Steele               16         "

                Henretta Steele 14         "

                Ida M. Steele                 11         "

                Willie R. Steele               9        "

                Alice M. Steele               6        "

                Arthur F. Steele               4        "

                Myrtie L. Steele               2        "          

     

    1890 Veterans Schedules

    Name: Thomas Steel     County: Clark County

    Township: E.D. 170 Thorp Township Veteran's Name: Thomas Steel

    Home in 1890 (Township, County, State): Thorp, Clark, Wisconsin

    Year enlisted: 3 Nov 1863          Year discharged: 22 Aug 1865               Rank: Corporal

    Company: C      Regiment: 4 Wis Cav     Length of service: (blank)

     

    1895 - Wisconsin State Census

    Name: T I Steele            Residence County: Clark            Locality: Thorp

    Household Members: 2 males, 1 female; 3 US born       

     

    1900 United States Federal Census

    Name: Thomas I Steele      Age: 72         Birth Date: Jan 1828      Birthplace: New Jersey

    Father's Birthplace: England      Mother's Birthplace: Germany

    Spouse's Name: Ja?NE E          Marriage Year: 1853       Years Married: 47

    Residence: Thorp Village, Clark, Wisconsin

    Home in 1900: Thorp, Clark, Wisconsin

        Household Members: Name Age

                Thomas I Steele            72  NJ-Eng-Ger             Jan 1828           Laborer

                Ja?NE E Steele             63  NJ-NJ-NJ                 June 1837         10 of 12 children living

     

    1905 June 1 - Wisconsin State Census

    Name: Thomas J Steele             Birth Location: New Jersey         Marital Status: Widowed

    Est. Birth Year: abt 1838            Relation: Head

    Residence County: Clark    Locality: Thorp

        Household Members: Name Age

                Thomas J Steele           67

                Harry Ancutt                  37

                Alue M Ancutt               32                     << ALICE M. STEELE

                Elizabeth Ancutt              9                    << twins?

                Merl Ancutt                     9                    <<

                Marian Ancutt                  6

                Thomas Ancutt               4

                Willie Ancutt                    1

        

     

    Family Research Notes

     

    THOMAS J. STEELE

    Thomas Steele    Birth:  12 Jan 1829  Morris, New Jersey, USA
                                Death:  26 Oct 1909  Thorp, Clark, Wisconsin, USA

    Parents: WILLIAM STEELE b. 1797 NJ - d. 1893 Sheboygan WI
                 MARY SHAUGER  b. 1798 (1807) NJ - d. 1875 Plymouth, Sheboygan, WI
    Spouse:

    Jane E. Dobbins    Birth: 1837-01-11 New Jersey
                                  Death: 29 May 1901 Thorp, Clark, Wisconsin, USA

        Marriage to Jane E. Dobbins    2 Feb 1853    Plymouth, Sheboygan, Wisconsin, USA

     

    Children

    1      Charlotte Jane Steele         1854 - 1903      J. W. Hommel                           "Lottie"
    2      Mary Elizabeth Steele        1855 - 1919      George Smith
    3      Catherine Steele                1857 - 1909   Johnson, Burss, Holmes, Tipson  "Cassie"
    4      Thomas S. Steele              1859 - 1949      Christiana Tiedeman
    5      Lillian Melissa Steele          1861 - 1917      Wm. Charles Seeley                  "Lissian"
    6      Eliza Viola Steele               1864 - 1929      B. F. Rusch                               "Elizabeth"
    7      Hughetta Steele                 1867 - 1895      Isaac A. Smith                           "Henrietta"
    8      Ida M. Steele                     1869 - 1950      Theodore M. Richeleu / Richlieu
    9      William R. Steele               1871 - 1909         

    10    Alice M. Steele                  1874 - 1934      Harry D. Aucutt
    11    Arthur Floyd Steele            1875 - 1964      Ann I. Barrett
    12    Myrtle L. Steele                  1878 - d. age 4

     

     

    U.S. General Land Office Records, 1796-1907

    Name: Thomas Steele                Issue Date: 1 Mar 1875       State of Record: Wisconsin     Acres: 141.8

    Accession Number: WI0290__.424          Land Office: Eau Claire

    Authority: May 20, 1862: Homestead EntryOriginal (12 Stat. 392)

    Document Number: 962     Legal Land Description:        

    Section Twp      Range   Meridian            Counties

    19         27-N     2-W      4th PM - 1831 MN/WI     Clark

    19         27-N     2-W      4th PM - 1831 MN/WI     Clark

    18         27-N     2-W      4th PM - 1831 MN/WI     Clark

     

     

    East Thorp Village Cemetery Index

    Clark County, WI

    tn* Steele, Thomas L.  3 Jun 1829    26 Oct 1909  m. Jane E. Dobbins         02 Feb 1853

                                                    PVT-Co. C. 4th WI Inf.; Post Eng 8358 Au

    t   Steele, Jane E.     11 Jan 1837    21 May 1901    m.   Thomas L. Steele       02 Feb 1853   parents: Dobbins

     

    tm  Steele, Thomas S.  1859          ??                    m. Christina Tiedeman       7 Mar 1888

                                                    parents: Thomas & Jane (Dobbins) Steele

    t   Steele, Christina Aurelia     1865   1920              m. Thomas Steele            7 Mar 1888      

                                                    parents: Christian & Magdelena (Langemak) Tiedeman

     

***Thomas J. Steele is also featured in the book, "Civil War Soldiers in the heart of Clark Co., Wisconsin."

 

 

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