Silas Kendal German

Was born in Steuben County, New York, May 28, 1834 a son of Andrew Tallman German and Hannah Force. He gained his early education in the schools at Tyrone, NY and helped his mother in the management of the family farm remaining there 20 years.  In 1858 he married Louisa L. Smith of Groton Township, Erie County, Ohio. They had three children James, Scott, and Ada L. who married Robert Waldon of Kenosha, Wisconsin. After Louisa’s death he married Maria Brooks from Seneca County, Ohio and had six children Grant, Erva, Mary, Jay, Nettie wife A. J. Clemmons of Birmingham, Ohio and Bert.  In 1859 he served a one year term as Assessor of Groton Township.  In 1862 he went to Cincinnati as one of approximately 60,000 volunteers known as the “Squirrel Hunters” assisting the federal government there from the threat of attack by the Confederates. This threat lasted less than a month.  On 10 May of 1864 at the age of 29 he mustered into the 145th Ohio National Guard at Camp Chase, Ohio.  When he departed he left Louisa who was both sick and due to deliver baby girl Addie.  Louisa died June 7, 1864 and Silas was granted furlough to go home to bury his wife.

The 145th organized at Camp Chase as an Ohio National Guard unit, for one hundred days service, May 10, 1864, under Colonel Henry C. Ashwell. They were mustered the 12th and immediately proceeded to Washington, where it performed garrison duty attached to the 1st Brigade of DeRussy's Division, 22nd Army Corps during its term of enlistment. The Regiment was assigned to garrison duty at the following Forts: Whipple, Woodbury, Chase, Tillinghast and Albany, the defenses of Washington south of Potomac, until August.  In July 11-12, when Confederate Gen. Early threatened Washington, the Regiment was constantly under arms.  Silas mustered out August 23, 1864, with the Regiment, lost during service, 10 enlisted men by disease.  Silas indicated that he spent much of his time on the old estate of Robert E. Lee. After the war, Silas remarried, and resumed his farm duties and raised nine children.

David Force German

David age 20, enlisted in Company “E”, Ohio 8th Infantry Regiment on 24 April 1861 as a Corporal. The 8th is noted for number of things in the war, but, one being unusual it had 3 month enlistment and a 3 year enlistment.  David was in the 3 month.

It was organized in Cleveland, OH and in June moved by train to Camp Dennison near Cincinnati for training and garrison duties, but, mustered out before leaving the state. David mustered out on 18 August, however many did re-enlist for 3 years duty.

David did re-enlist again on February 5, 1864 as a private in Company “A” of the 164th Ohio National Guard for 100 days duty. The unit organized at Camp Cleveland and left for duty in the Washington, DC area in May.  It was garrisoned at several Forts on the south side of the Potomac River and did participate in the repulse of General Jubal Early’s attack on Washington in July of 64. The unit mustered out on 27 August 1864.

David settled on a farm in Reed Twp., Seneca Co., Ohio and married Sarah Adelaide Lapham. David passed on 17 March 1898, leaving his wife, two sons Archibald “Arch/Archie” David and Arthur Noah and a daughter Zoe Adelaide he was buried in St. Peter & Paul Cemetery, Attica, Ohio.

Thomas C. German

Like his older brothers Thomas age 17, enlisted for 3 years October 14, 1861 into Co. “A” of the Ohio 72nd Infantry Regiment, in Clyde, Ohio as a Private.  Wounded at either Grand Junction or Holly Springs he was discharged disabled a Private July 14, 1862 in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Not much is known of Thomas after his discharge and return to Sandusky County.  He died on July 11th, 1864 and was buried in Castalia Cemetery, Erie County, Ohio.

Copyright © 2013 Jon L. Tallman, all rights reserved

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