BIOGRAPHIES OF EMMONS COUNTY
- W -


WILLIAM VOSE WADE

ALBERT C. WAGHER

The U.S. Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865 indicates he was residing in Copley, Illinois and he enlisted as a Private on 27 September 1864 in Company A, 36th Infantry Regiment Illinois on 27 Sep 1864 and mustered out on 15 June 1865.
His birth date in the 1900 Census is Dec 1839 in Illinois. There are various unsourced dates for his death but probably in the 1920's.
In the 1900 Census, Albert, wife Pheba, and children Rufus, Clinton, and Ada are in Strasburg, Emmons County.
In the 1910 and 1920 Census, widower Albert is living with son Clint and his family in Linton, Emmons County.
A land grant was issued in Emmons County on 31 October 1892 for Township 131, Range 77, 160 acres in Section 28 (South Prairie area).
He is buried at Linton Cemetery, Emmons County. Burial, Tombstone Picture.


ARTHUR WAGNER

Arthur was born in Linton to Christoph and Katherine Knoll Wagner on 20 May 1917. His siblings included; Daniel (1920-2004), Philip, Peter, Christina, and Reiny. Christoph was married previously to Elizabeth Schultes. Arthur's half-siblings from that marriage were Elizabeth, Jacob (1903-1989), George, David, Emil (1913-), Ernest (1913-), and John.
Arthur enlisted in the U. S. Army and while he was a Private First Class he died of wounds from the war on 3 June 1944. At that time he was a member of Battery B, 41st Field Artillery Battalion, 3rd Division. Arthur was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.
Arthur is buried at the Linton Cemetery.


BALZER JACOB WAGNER

Balzer and Josephine Lipp Wagner had these children: (Note: several of these links include photos) Jack, Peter, Eugene (see next paragraph), Pius, Edward, Luella, William, Reuben, Andrew Mary Ann (died in infancy), and Bernadette.
Balzer arrived in Emmons County in 1909 and maintained a farm near Linton until his death.
The third son of Balzer and Josephine, Eugene, was born in Linton on 6 May 1925. Eugene joined the U. S. Navy Reserve on 27 March 1943 in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota as a SN (Seaman). Sometime during his tour he became a Fireman 1st Class. Eugene died in the service of his country during World War II in the South Pacific Area of the Asiatic Pacific Theater on 27 August 1943. There are memorials for him locally and in the Philippines but the military records indicate he was buried at sea.
Emmons County Burial
Manila American Cemetery and Memorial


ROMANUS WAGNER
Romanus was born on 13 March 1917 in Hague, Emmons County, North Dakota to Frank and Adelheid "Ida" Miller Wagner. His siblings included: John, Marie, and Barbara
On 15 November 1942, Romanus enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served in the 61st Armored Infantry Battalion of the 10th Armored Division. The 10th was part of both the Twelfth and the Sixth United States Army Groups. During this service he was killed in action on 16 March 1945.
Burial, Photo, Tombstone Photo


MARION EUGENE WALDROFF

Eugene was born about 1850 in Wisconsin, as indicated in the 1850 Census, the son of Peter and Leah. In the 1880 Census Marion and Mary E. are at Standing Rock Reservation indicating he was born about 1851 in Wisconsin and Mary about 1851 in Michigan. In the Dakota Territory of 1885 Census, Eugene, a painter born about 1849 in New York and Belle, a servant, born about 1858 in New York, are living in Emmons County. In the 1890 Veterans Federal Census he is in Emmons County. It is not clear to this writer if Eugene was married twice as additional information on either Mary or Belle could not be found except that shortly after Eugene's death, wife Belle was seriously ill in Bismarck.
He enlisted on 28 March 1864 in Company F, 37th Infantry Regiment Wisconsin, as Marion from Burke [Dane County], and mustered out on 27 July 1865. On 7 April 1866, as Eugene, he then enlisted in Toledo, Ohio into Company E of the 22nd U. S. Infantry which indicates he was age 18 born in Walworth County, Wisconsin. He was discharged by reason of experience of service at Fort Sully, Dakota Territory in April 1869. He started drawing a pension in Dakota on 15 March 1899.
Marion died 21 May 1899 in Emmons County. He is buried at Saint Marys Cemetery in Bismarck. Burial, Tombstone Picture

An article on Marion Eugene Waldroff written by Mary Corcoran.



JOHN D. WALLACE

One record, without source, had his middle name as Diamond.
John was born in England in April of 1842. He immigrated to America in 1848. In 1860 he was living in Hazel Green, Grant County, Wisconsin but what connection to the head of household was unclear.
John enlisted for a three year term, as a Private, for the Civil War on 1 November 1861 at Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois while living in Alton, Madison County, Illinois. Before this term was up, he reenlisted as a Veteran in Georgia on 17 December 1863. He served in Company D, Illinois 45th Infantry Regiment and mustered out on 12 July 1865 at the close of the war in Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky. He started drawing his pension on 21 October 1889 while living in Westfield, Emmons County. The 1890 Veterans Schedules indicated he had a sight disability. In 1900 he was living in the Soldiers Home in Hot Springs, Fall River County, South Dakota.
John died at the Soldiers Home on 9 March 1901 and is buried in their cemetery.
Burial, Tombstone Photo


ANDREW (ANDY) M. WELLER

Andrew was born 26 May 1838 in Ohio and died in Emmons 27 January 1920.
He enlisted as a Private in Company F, 5th Ohio Cavalry Regiment.
Andrew lived in Gayton in 1900, 1910, and 1920. He served as the first Justice of the Peace in Emmons County.
He is buried in Linton Cemetery in Linton.
Burial.


BYRON H. WEST

Byron was born in South Dakota on 4 February 1898 to Mahlon and Flora May Chappell West. His siblings included Cora (1895), Rosella (1901), Vernie (1904), Iva (1906), Tressie (1908), Anna (1911), and Edith (1915).
Byron enlisted at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri on 27 July 1918 and served as a Private in the 15th Service Company, Signal Corps, Casual Detachment, at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He served overseas from 25 September 1918 until his death. Byron died of pneumonia on 17 October 1918. His remains were returned to the United States in 1920 and buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Burial, Tombstone Photo, Links to Family Members


EDWIN D. WESTCOTT

Edwin was born about 1844.
Edwin enlisted on two different occassions. One of them does not have any dates in the record but he enlisted as a Private into the Company G, 6th Regiment, New York Heavy Artillery and mustered out as a Corporal. The other record indicates he enlisted at age 18 from Henderson, New York on 30 August 1862 as a Private. He mustered into Company L, New York 10th Heavy Artillery Regiment on 27 December 1862 and mustered out on 19 July 1865. It indicates he transferred on 19 July 1865 but the unit is not mentioned.
In the 1890 Veterans Federal Census he is in Winona.
He is buried at Hot Springs National Cemetery in South Dakota.
Burial, Tombstone Picture.


GEORGE HERBERT WHALEN

George was born on 10 March 1849. Some records have his birth month as May and also his birth place as Ohio or New York.
In 1900 and 1910 George is living Strasburg. The 1910 census indicates he is a Civil War Veteran but this writer cannot pinpoint him to a specific Regiment.
George died on 29 November 1911 and is buried at Holy Trinity Krassna Cemetery in Strasburg.
Burial.


WILLIAM WILLEY

Surname in records also spells surname Wiley and Willie.
William was born July 1839 in Pennsylvania and North Dakota death records indicate he died 10 May 1905 in Burleigh although his tombstone indicates 9 May.
He enlisted on 10 June 1861 as a Private into Company A, Ohio 26th Infantry Regiment and mustered out on 21 October 1865 at Victoria, Texas.
From 1886 to 1888 William was the Postmaster for Livona.
In the 1890 Veterans Federal Census he is living in Williamsport. In the 1900 Census he is in Burr Oak.
William had a land grant in Section 7, Township 135, Range 78.
He is buried at Fairview Cemetery, Bismarck.
Burial, Tombstone Picture, Obituary.


BYRON A. WILLIAMS

Byron was born in 1833 in New York. As a Private he enlisted on 6 November 1861 in Company E, 3rd Wisconsin Cavalry Regiment. He was promoted to Corporal. He mustered out on 14 February 1865. Byron started receiving his pension on 5 May 1890. The Williams' residence in Emmons County was brief with most of their time in South Dakota. Byron's wife Lois died in 1906 and is buried in Linton Cemetery and although the headstone has Byron's name with birth year and no death year, he is not buried in Linton but in Washington Soldiers Home Cemetery in Pierce County, Washington. He died there on 1 February 1915. Burial, Tombstone Picture.


DANIEL ROSSITER WILLIAMS, JR.

The Naming of Williamsport
By Mary Corcoran

The village was laid out in 1883 in then Dakota Territory. The first white inhabitants were a group of settlers from Ashland, Ohio. By June 1883 there were 32 houses and shacks built. The first house was built for William L. Yeater, who later had a dry goods store on Broad Street.
The town was named after Daniel Rossiter Williams, Jr., an early settler and first postmaster. Williams originally hailed from Mystic, New London, Ct., where he was born on 10 May 1846. In Mystic, his father [Daniel Rossiter Williams] was a well-to do lumber merchant, reporting personal income of $20,000 in the 1860 Groton, New London, Ct. Census. The family was surrounded by his mother’s relatives, the Appelmans, who were mariners. By 1870, the family had migrated to Stephenson County, Illinois. The younger Williams clerked in a store. By 1880, he was supporting his widowed mother, Matilda Appelman Williams, and his brothers and sisters, as a bookkeeper. In 1886 he married his wife, Mary [Ruth Potter], born around 1845 in Michigan with both parents born in Vermont.
Williams was appointed the first Register of Deeds in Burleigh County at its organization. His younger brother Erastus Appleman “General” Williams was the first Speaker of the House in the Dakota Territory. Daniel Williams was chosen to be the first Warden of the Penitentiary in 1883, and organized the building of that institution; he served as Warden for eight years. Afterwards, he retired to his homestead, now in Painted Woods, right next to the border of Emmons County, where it was said he had “a splendid ranch.” His wife Mary died around 1909. Daniel Williams continued to ranch until his later years, when he had his nephew, Erastus A. Williams, take over. He died in Bismarck, Burleigh County, ND on 29 January 1917.
Click on Pictures for Larger View
Daniel's Burial
Ruth's Obituary


THOMAS WITCHIC

In the records for Thomas and his family the surname has been spelled Witchic, Wuitschick, Wuitchick, and Wuithschick. Witchic is used here because his headstone and his World War I registration used it.
Thomas was born on 22 October 1895 in Grassna, Russia to Karl and Katharina. His siblings included at least: Katie, Philomena (married Henry Menz), Rosalia (married Conrad "Pete" Feist), Arsenius, Lazarus, Raphel (Rolf), and Karl.
From Roster of the Men and Women From North Dakota: "WITCHIC, THOMAS. Army number 2,559,126; registrant, Emmons county: born, Kraszna, Russia, Oct. 22, 1895; naturalized citizen; occupation, farmer; inducted at Linton on March 28, 1918; sent to Camp Dodge, Iowa; served in Company A, 1st Battalion, 163rd Depot Brigade, to April 20, 1918; Company B, 139th Infantry, to death; overseas from May 3, 1918, to death. Engagements: Offensive: Meuse-Argonne, Defensive Sectors: Grange-le-Comte (Lorraine); Gerardmer (Alsace). Killed in action on Sept. 28, 1918. Buried: Grave 8, Row 6, Block C, Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, Meuse, France.
Burial, Tombstone Photo.

Death Notice Article in Sioux County Pioneer - May 1, 1919

Mother's Trip To France


EDWIN R. WITTMAYER

Edwin was adopted son of Heinrich Jr (Henry) and Magdaline Wittmayer. He was born in South Dakota and family moved to Linton before 1910.
From Roster of the Men and Women From North Dakota: "Army number 406,005; enlisted in Company A, 1st Infantry, North Dakota National Guard, at Bismarck, on April 25, 1917; served in Company A, 1st Infantry, North Dakota National Guard (Company A, 164th Infantry) to Jan. 9, 1918; Company A, 18th Infantry, to death. Grades: Private 1st Class, Nov. 20, 1917; Private, Jan. 21, 1918; Private 1st Class, Sept. 5, 1918: overseas from Dec. 15, 1917, to death. Engagements: Defensive: Montdidier-Noyon. Offensives: Aisne-Marne; St. Mihiel; Meuse-Argonne. Defensive Sectors: Ausauville and Saizerais (Lorraine); Cantigny (Picardy). Killed in action on Oct. 11, 1918; buried Grave 39, Row 41, Block B, Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery and Memorial Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, Departement de la Meuse, Lorraine, France. Cited in General Orders No. 1, Headuarters, 1st Division, Camp Zachary Taylor, Ky., Jan. 1, 1928, for gallantry in action and especially meritorious services. Entitled to wear a silver star."
Burial, Tombstone Photo


LEONARD WOHL

Leonard was born to Jacob and Helena Keller Wohl. His siblings included: Clara B., Alma, Elias C., Jacob J., Leonis Lydia, Lorene Irene, Ruby, Helmet, and Della May.
Leonard enlisted in the Army for World War II and served as a Private First Class in the 10th Armored Division, 423rd Field Artillery Battalion. Leonard was killed in action by opposing forces on 5 March 1945. Exact location could not be found by this writer but at that time the Division is fighting in Germany and most likely he was killed in or near Kaiserslautern. He is a recepient of the Purple Heart.
Leonard was buried in the Luxembourg American Cemetery at Hamm, Canton de Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Luxembourg.
Burial, Tombstone Photo


SILAS EDSON WOOD

He enlisted on 26 August 1861 as a Private into Company D, 83rd Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry 26th Infantry Regiment and mustered out on 20 September 1864. He was a prisoner of war and was wounded.
In the 1890 Veterans Federal Census he is living in Williamsport. In the 1885 Dakota Territory Census he is living in Emmons County.


JOSEPH WOODLAND

Joseph was born 11 October 1835 in England and died 2 November 1922 in Emmons County.
He enlisted into Company B, Iowa 32nd Infantry Regiment on 11 September 1862. He was promoted to Full 8th Corporal on 1 December 1864 and to Full 7th Corporal on 1 May 1865, and to Full 4th Corporal on 1 August 1865. He mustered out on 24 August 1865 at Clinton, Iowa. From the U.S. National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, 1866-1938 - Battle Mountain Sanitarium, Hot Springs, Fall River County, South Dakota: he was admitted 8 July 1920 at age 85; widower; 5'10', light complexion, grey eyes, grey hair and discharged on 5 January 1921 to daughter Mrs Jane Dean of Clark County, South Dakota.
He is in the 1900 Federal Census with his wife Mary, and eleven children in Woodland, Clark County, South Dakota; in 1910 and 1920 in Burr Oak.
Joseph is buried at Glencoe Cemetery.
Burial, Biography, Tombstone Picture.


JOHN HENRY WORST