Benskin, Wesley John

1837 - 1908  (70 years)

• Name	Benskin, Wesley John
  Birth	3 Aug 1837	Stark County, Ohio
  Gender	Male
  Reference Number	BENS.W003
  _FGRAVE	15572135
  Military Service	American Civil War, Private, Company B, 77th Illinois Volunteer Infantry  [1]
  		American Civil War (1861-1865)
  		United States of America Flag, 35 Stars (1863-1865) This flag was flown by the Federal States during the United States Civil War. The flag of the United States of America from 1861 to 1863, with 34 stars for all the 34 states. In 1863 a 35th star was added to represent the new state of West Virginia (the loyal northwestern counties of Virginia), and in 1864 a 36th star for Nevada (previously…
  		Civil War Veterans Buried in Clay County, Illinois_0003.jpg Compiled by Les Higgason
  		130th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment
  		77th Illinois Infantry Regiment
  Death	13 Feb 1908	Clay County, Illinois
  Burial	Kneff Cemetery, Clay City, Clay County, Illinois   [1]
  Person ID	I23717	Carl Wayne Gray Research
  Last Modified	21 Apr 2024

  
  

  Father	Benskin, J.M.
  Mother	HOBBS, M.
  Family ID	F10449	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	MILLINGTON, J.
  Children	1. Benskin, J.M.   2. Benskin, L.J.J.   3. Benskin, W.L. + 4. Benskin, Charles Henry,   b. 1867, Illinois + 5. Benskin, Berton Wesley 'Burt',   b. 6 Sep 1879, Illinois d. 16 Nov 1952 (Age 73 years)
  Family ID	F10448	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	31 Jan 2023

  
  

• Notes

  Wesley J. Benskin was born in Stark County, OH in 1837. When small he came to Richland County, IL & in 1876 settled in Clay County where he died Feb 12, 1908. In 1858, Mr. Benskin was married to Miss Jane Millington to which union were born nine children, all living. Just a few days before his death Mr. & Mrs. Benskin celebrated their 50th anniversary of their marriage. Mr. Benskin served his country during the Civil War in Co. H 30th IL Infantry. He was with Grant at Vicksburg & was engaged in several battles. Fourteen months of the latter part of the war he spent in prison at Tyler, TX. At the age of 16, Mr. Benskin joined the M.E. church. Later in life he united with the Harmony Congregation, United Brethern, where he lived a devoted christian until his death. He leaves a wife, nine children, 33 grandchildren, & three great-grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted at his home by Rev. Musselman, & he was laid to rest in Kneff Cem to await the resurrection morn.- Clay Co., IL Wesly enrolled as a Private in Co. H 30th IL Infantry. At the time of enlistment he was described as being 5 feet 8 1/2 inches tall, having gray eyes & dark hair. Wesley actually entered the service on Oct 25, 1862 at Camp Butler. His military records show that he was captured in the battle of Sabine Cross Roads, Louisana on April 8 1864. He was listed as "Missing in battle" on the Company Muster Roll for May through Oct, 1864. Then in Nov & Dec, he was listed as "Prisoner of War Camp Ford, Tyler, TX." On Jan 25, 1865, he was transferred to Co. B, 77th Regiment, IL Volunteer Infantry. The Prisoner of War Records form shows that Wesley was paroled at Red River, Louisiana May 27, 1865. He reported at Benton Barracks, MO on June 12, 1865. The Detachment Muster-out Roll says, "Prisoner of War, captured at Sabine Cross Roads, LA April 18, 1864. Muster out under authority of telegram from War Department dated May 12, 1865. Entitled to three months extra pay as authorized by telegram from War Department dated May 30, 1865."

  
  

• Sources

  [S493] Les Higgason, Civil War Veterans, Buried in Clay County (including Confederate), Compiled by Les Higgason (Reliability: 2).