Joseph R. Plowman, the great-great-grandfather of Cynthia Anne (Harms) Anderson, was born on the Fourth of July, 1838, in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, the son of Edward L. and Sarah L. (Mathews) Plowman.
On the August 14, 1862, Mr. Plowman enlisted as a Private in Company D, 104th Illinois Infantry Regiment, under Captain W. H. Collins, which was attached to the 14th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, and participated in many engagements and skirmishes in Kentucky and Tennessee, the principal field of operation of that Army Corps. The author, William W. Calkins, chronicled a poignant scene of this regiment in his 1895 book, The History of the One Hundred and Fourth Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry, War of the Rebellion 1862-1865: “When at nightfall the camp-fires of the One Hundred and Fourth were lighted on the bluffs many a soldier lingered long by their flickering blaze to dream of the historic scenes now before him.” [These men of valor] “arose early…to see the sun crowning the hills in wreaths of golden brightness.”
On January 25, 1864, Joseph Plowman was transferred to Company E, 2nd Regiment, Veteran Reserve Corps. He was honorably discharged on July 5, 1865, having served for nearly three years. He was an active comrade of the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.), Post No. 105, Pontiac, Illinois.
Joseph R. Plowman married Martha E. (Cays), daughter of Conrad Cays, of La Salle County, Illinois, on April 3, 1868. They were blessed with four children: their daughter, Minnie (Plowman) Reinagle, is Cynthia Anderson’s great-grandmother. The patriot Plowman pursued the vocation of farming in La Salle County, Illinois. He owned 120 acres of land. On November 18, 1912, Mr. Plowman heard the bugle call from beyond. “When the last call is made, may we fall into the ranks on the other side, clothed in Army blue, under the great banner of Thine own Kingdom; and to Thy Name shall be all the praise forever. Amen.” (Echoing the prayer to the Captain of our salvation, said by the Department Chaplain, Department of Illinois G.A.R., 1912.)
--Cindy Anderson
The main source for the Plowman biography sketch was compiled from the book, Portrait and Biographical Album of Livingston County, Illinois, printed in 1888.
On the August 14, 1862, Mr. Plowman enlisted as a Private in Company D, 104th Illinois Infantry Regiment, under Captain W. H. Collins, which was attached to the 14th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, and participated in many engagements and skirmishes in Kentucky and Tennessee, the principal field of operation of that Army Corps. The author, William W. Calkins, chronicled a poignant scene of this regiment in his 1895 book, The History of the One Hundred and Fourth Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry, War of the Rebellion 1862-1865: “When at nightfall the camp-fires of the One Hundred and Fourth were lighted on the bluffs many a soldier lingered long by their flickering blaze to dream of the historic scenes now before him.” [These men of valor] “arose early…to see the sun crowning the hills in wreaths of golden brightness.”
On January 25, 1864, Joseph Plowman was transferred to Company E, 2nd Regiment, Veteran Reserve Corps. He was honorably discharged on July 5, 1865, having served for nearly three years. He was an active comrade of the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.), Post No. 105, Pontiac, Illinois.
Joseph R. Plowman married Martha E. (Cays), daughter of Conrad Cays, of La Salle County, Illinois, on April 3, 1868. They were blessed with four children: their daughter, Minnie (Plowman) Reinagle, is Cynthia Anderson’s great-grandmother. The patriot Plowman pursued the vocation of farming in La Salle County, Illinois. He owned 120 acres of land. On November 18, 1912, Mr. Plowman heard the bugle call from beyond. “When the last call is made, may we fall into the ranks on the other side, clothed in Army blue, under the great banner of Thine own Kingdom; and to Thy Name shall be all the praise forever. Amen.” (Echoing the prayer to the Captain of our salvation, said by the Department Chaplain, Department of Illinois G.A.R., 1912.)
--Cindy Anderson
The main source for the Plowman biography sketch was compiled from the book, Portrait and Biographical Album of Livingston County, Illinois, printed in 1888.