Fisher Family Genealogy

FISHER Abel

FISHER Abel[1, 2]

Male 1845 - 1924  (79 years)

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  • Name FISHER Abel  [3
    • Biography from Abel’s obituary: “(Abel Fisher) was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Brown Fisher who came of an old and prominent Pennsylvania family and moved to the La Harpe neighborhood on a farm nearly a century ago. Sixty years ago when about twenty years of age Abel came to Blandinsville, where he has since lived.
      “On January 5, 1864 he enlisted and entered the Civil War as a member of Co. D. 28th Illinois Regiment and served for two and a half years in the thickest of the fighting. He was a brave and dashing soldier, who served his country with courage and distinction.
      “He married Miss Ellen Peck Dec 2, 1872 and to their union were born three children, Orville B. Fisher and Mrs. Myrtle Bissell of Blandinsville and Mrs. Olive Kling deceased.
      “The above is a short account of the life of one of the kindest souls that has ever lived. He loved the woods, and flowers and children. He was a noted hunter and trapper and would quit his work to bring a squirrel or quail for a sick neighbor and no time was too inconvenient and no task too difficult for him to do a kindness for one who needed help. In his last illness which extended over two years, the last one spent on a bed of sickness, he suffered as few invalids have done, but never a word of complaint or impatience pass his kindly lips.
      “In life he was a carpenter. He worked in Hopper’s mill and did many other things, but charged so little that his means were always modest. He planted the big trees around the lawn where the writer now lives and the great green tress in the school park stand as monuments to his public spirited industry.”
    Birth 23 May 1845  Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  [4, 5, 6
    CENSUS 01 Oct 1850  Township 8 N 6 W, Henderson Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location  [7
    • A few errors by census-taker: John and Margaret were born in Pennsylvania to Thomas and his first wife Mary Kells Fisher. Cyrus should read Matthias. Have seen no other reference to Matthias' first or middle name being Cyrus.
    1850 US Census: Township 8N 6W, Henderson  Co., IL
    1850 US Census: Township 8N 6W, Henderson Co., IL
    CENSUS 22 Aug 1860  LaHarpe Township, Hancock Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location  [8
    • Attending school
    1860 US Census: LaHarpe Township, Hancock Co., IL, p 716
    1860 US Census: LaHarpe Township, Hancock Co., IL, p 716
    MILI 5 Jan 1864 to 15 May 1866  [9, 10, 11, 12, 13
    Civil War: 28th Illinios Infantry Co. D 
    • Enlisted: 5 Jan 1864, Macomb, IL under Capt. Farwell
      Mustered into service: 2 Feb 1864, Springfield, IL
      Description: age 18, 6'-2 1/2", light complexion, light hair, grey eyes
      Single
      Occupation: Farmer
      Nativity: Hancock Co., IL
      Served 28 Illinois Infantry Co. D as Private
      Mustered out: 15 Mar 1866, Brownsville, TX by Major Bullard
      (Note: Brother Thomas Fisher also mustered out on same day at Brownsville)
    • From obituary: "On January 5, 1864 he enlisted and entered the Civil war as a member of Co. D 28th Illinois Regiment and served for two and a half years in the thickest of the fighting. He was a brave and dashing soldier, who served his country with courage and distinction."
    • History of the 28th Regiment, Illinois Infantry from the National Park Service:
      OVERVIEW: Organized at Camp Butler, Ill., and mustered in August 15, 1861. Moved to St. Louis, Mo., August 28, thence to Thebes and to Bird's Point, Mo., September 9. Attached to District of Cairo to October, 1861. 4th Brigade, District of Cairo, to February, 1862. 1st Brigade, 4th Division, District of Cairo, February, 1862. 1st Brigade, 4th Division, District of West Tennessee, and Army of the Tennessee to July, 1862. 1st Brigade, 4th Division, District of Memphis, Tenn., to September, 1862. 1st Brigade, 4th Division, District of Jackson, Tenn., to November, 1862. 3rd Brigade, 4th Division, Right Wing 13th Army Corps (Old), Department of the Tennessee, to December, 1862. 3rd Brigade, 4th Division, 17th Army Corps, to January, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 4th Division, 16th Army Corps, to July, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 4th Division, 13th Army Corps, to August, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 4th Division, 17th Army Corps, August, 1863. Post of Natchez, Miss., to October, 1864. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 19th Army Corps, Department of the Gulf, to December, 1864. 1st Brigade, Reserve Corps, Military Division West Mississippi, to February, 1865. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, Reserve Corps, Military Division West Mississippi, February, 1865. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 13th Army Corps (New), Military Division West Mississippi, to July, 1865. Department of Texas to March, 1866.

      SERVICE:
      At Bird's Point, Mo., till October 2, 1861. Moved to Fort Holt, Ky., October 2, and duty there till January 31, 1862. Moved to Paducah, Ky., January 31. Operations against Forts Henry and Heiman February 2-6. Occupation of Fort Heiman February 6 to March 6. Moved to Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., March 6-22. Battle of Shiloh, Tenn., April 6-7. Advance on and siege of Corinth, Miss., April 29-May 30. March to Memphis, Tenn., via Grand Junction, LaGrange, Holly Springs, Moscow and Germantown, June 1-July 21, and duty there till September 6. Moved to Bolivar September 6-14. Duty there till October 4. Battle of the Hatchie, Metamora, October 5. Grant's Central Mississippi Campaign November 2, 1862, to January 10, 1863. Guard R. R. at Colliersville, Tenn., till May, 1863. Moved to Vicksburg, Miss., May 11-14. Duty at Grand Gulf till June 11. Siege of Vicksburg, Miss., June 11-July 4. Advance on Jackson, Miss., July 5-10. Siege of Jackson July 10-17. Assault on Jackson July 12. Duty at Vicksburg till August 15. Moved to Natchez, Miss., August 15, and duty there till October, 1864. Expedition to Harrisonburg, La., September 1-7, 1863. Near Harrisonburg and capture of Fort Beauregard September 4. Operations about Natchez December 1-10. Regiment veteranize January 4, 1864. Veterans absent on furlough May 18-July 8. Expedition to Gillespie's Plantation, Black Bayou, August 4-6. Expedition to Buck's Ferry and skirmishes September 9-22. Expedition to Sicily Island September 26-30. Expedition to Homachita River October 4-8. Moved to Morganza, La., October 10-12, thence to the mouth of White River November 3-7. Moved to Memphis, Tenn., November 20-22. Duty there till January, 1865. Expedition to Moscow December 21-31. 1864. Moved to Kennersville, La., January 3-6, 1865; thence to New Orleans February 12-15. Campaign against Mobile, Ala., and its defences February 17-April 12. Siege of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely March 26-April 8. Assault and capture of Fort Blakely April 9. Occupation of Mobile, April 12. Whistler's Station April 13. Duty at Mobile till July. Moved to Brazos Santiago, Texas, July 2-3. To Clarksville July 7, to Brownsville August 2-3, and duty there till March, 1866. Mustered out March 15 and discharged at Camp Butler, Ill., May 13, 1866.

      Regiment lost during service 9 Officers and 97 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Officers and 182 Enlisted men by disease. Total 290.
    Civil War Service Record: Abel Fisher
    Civil War Service Record: Abel Fisher
    Abel Fisher Civil War Pension File
    Abel Fisher Civil War Pension File
    The following documents are from Abel Fisher's Civil War pension file. These include a Declaration for Pension in Abel which lists his birth date and place, and Civil War service. Two questionnaires detail his marriage to Ellen E. Peck and provide birth dates for their children. The poor state of Abel's health late in life is chronicled in a declaration by Abel and several affidavits and letters written by his friends, neighbors and doctor in support of his application for an Invalid Pension. The Drop Report lists Abel's date of death. The file closes with an interesting exchange between Illinois Senator William McKinley and the Bureau of Pensions. Senator McKinley's letter to Bureau of Pensions states that he is forwarding a letter of inquiry. This letter is not found in Abel's pension file but its contents can be determined from Deputy Commissioner of Pensions Hays Haymaker's reply The letter sought funding for a tombstone for Abel. Mr. Haymaker's reply states that he is returning a letter from C. E. B. Allen and advises that an "application for tombstone" be addressed to the Quartermaster General of the War Department. The file contains no further correspondence to indicate whether Mr. Allen followed up on his inquiry.
    Abel Fisher Civil War Discharge Certificate
    Abel Fisher Civil War Discharge Certificate
    CENSUS 7 Jun 1880  Hire Township, McDonough Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location  [14
    • Occupation: Laborer
      Sister-in-law Flora Peck living with Abel's Family,
    1880 US Census: E. D. No. 160, Hire Township, McDonough Co., IL, p 397C
    1880 US Census: E. D. No. 160, Hire Township, McDonough Co., IL, p 397C
    CENSUS 11 Jun 1900  Hire Township, McDonough Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location  [15
    • Abel's name spelled incorrectly as Able
      Occupation: Day laborer
      Can read and write
      Owns home, free of mortgage
    1900 US Census: E. D. No. 57, Hire Township, McDonough Co., IL, sht 5A
    1900 US Census: E. D. No. 57, Hire Township, McDonough Co., IL, sht 5A
    CENSUS 16 Apr 1910  Hire Township, McDonough Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location  [16
    • Occupation: Laborer, odd jobs, works for wages
      Can read and write
      Owns home free of mortgage
      Living with Abel and wife Ellen, an 86 yo widowed boarder Benjamin Bushnell
    1910 US Census: E. D. No. 50, Hire Township, McDonough Co., IL, p 1B
    1910 US Census: E. D. No. 50, Hire Township, McDonough Co., IL, p 1B
    EVENT Sept 1910  Brownville, Nemaha Co., NE Find all individuals with events at this location  [17
    • "Mr. Fisher has been in and around Brownsville (should read Brownville), Nebraska, for some weeks visiting is sister (Margaret Daugherty) and other relatives and putting in his spare moments picking apples of which he says Neb. has an abundant crop."
    Abel and Ellen Fisher travels 1910
    Abel and Ellen Fisher travels 1910
    EVENT 8 May 1911  Brownville, Nemaha Co., NE Find all individuals with events at this location  [18
    Death of Margeret Daugherty 1911
    Death of Margeret Daugherty 1911
    "Abel Fisher received a telegram on Monday morning announcing the death of his sister Margaret Dorothy (Daugherty) at Brownsville (Brownville), Neb, on the evening of Sunday May 7th."
    EVENT Oct 1914  La Plata, Macon Co., MO Find all individuals with events at this location  [19
    Mr. and Mrs. Abel Fisher visit brother Mathias Fisher 1914
    Mr. and Mrs. Abel Fisher visit brother Mathias Fisher 1914
    "Mr. and Mrs. Abe Fisher returned Monday from a two week's visit with his brother Matthais Fisher at LaPlata, Missouri. We are sorry to hear that be very is very sick and is improving very slowly if at all."
    EVENT 7 Feb 1915  La Plata, Macon Co., MO Find all individuals with events at this location  [20
    Abel visiting brother Matthias in La Plata 1915
    Abel visiting brother Matthias in La Plata 1915
    "Abe Fisher went to LaPlata, Mo last Sunday where be was called by the sickness of his brother Mathias Fisher who is in a dangerous condition. His trouble is with his stomach and is probably cancer."
    EVENT 24 Feb 1915  Novelty, Knox Co., MO Find all individuals with events at this location  [21
    Abel Fisher and Mr. and Mrs John Atebery attend funeral for Matthias Fisher 1915
    Abel Fisher and Mr. and Mrs John Atebery attend funeral for Matthias Fisher 1915
    "Uncle Abe Fisher of Blandinsville, Ill., accompanied Mr. and Mrs. Johnnie Atterberry (Ateberry)over here last week and attended the funeral of their brother and uncle, Mathias Fisher."
    EVENT 31 May 1915  Bushnell, McDonough Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location  [22
    Abel attends Civil War memorial exercises 1915
    Abel attends Civil War memorial exercises 1915
    N. Fundenberger, Henry Sly, Joseph Lott and Abel Fisher attended the memorial exercises in Bushnell Monday." The clipping goes on to list the only Civil War veterans believed still surviving in the Blandinsville area, 16 men in total including Abel Fisher.
    EVENT 12 Oct 1916  Blandinsville, McDonough Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Hoskinson visit Blandinsville 1916
    Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Hoskinson visit Blandinsville 1916
    "Mr. and Mrs. Stuart F. Hoskinson of Hoopeston, Ill., is here for a visit with the members of the Fisher families of the community who are his relatives....He is an interesting and intelligent gentleman and a skilled artist in photography. While here be took a group picture of the members of the Fisher relatives in town, himself and wife included."
    EVENT 22 Apr 1918  Malden, Dunklin Co., MO Find all individuals with events at this location  [23
    Abel visits granddaughter Blanche Reynolds 1918
    Abel visits granddaughter Blanche Reynolds 1918
    "Abel Fisher returned Monday from Maiden, Mo. where he visited his grand-daughter Blanche (Bissell) Reynolds."
    EVENT 30 Apr 1919  Americus, Lyon Co., KS Find all individuals with events at this location  [24
    Abel Fisher visits Henry Craig 1912
    Abel Fisher visits Henry Craig 1912
    "Abel Fisher of McDonough county, Ill., was here the latter part,of the week visiting his relative, Henry Craig."
    CENSUS 03 Jan 1920  Blandinsville, McDonough Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location  [25
    • Only Abel and son Orville in this census. Wife/mother Ellen died 1917.
      Abel's name spelled incorrectly as Able
      Living with son Orville Fisher
      Owns home, on a farm
      Listed as widowed
      Occupation: None
    1920 US Census: E. D. No. 52, Blandinsville, McDonough Co., IL, p 1B
    1920 US Census: E. D. No. 52, Blandinsville, McDonough Co., IL, p 1B
    WILL 4 Jan 1921  Blandinsville, McDonough Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location  [26
    • "To my son Orville B. Fisher the one half interest of all my Property, both Real and Personal of which I may die seized, to have and to hold the same during his natural life, at the death of my Son Orville B. Fisher all of his interests both real and personal is to go to my Daughter, Myrtle Bissell, in fee for ever.
      The remaining one half interest of all my property, both real and personal of which I may die seized, is to go to my Daughter, Myrtle Bissell, in fee for ever."
    Will: Abel Fisher 1921  (p1)
    Will: Abel Fisher 1921 (p1)
    Will: Abel Fisher 1921 (p2)
    Will: Abel Fisher 1921 (p2)
    EVENT 11 Jun 1923  Blandinsville, McDonough Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location  [27
    • "Abel Fisher who has been sick for some time had a sinking spell Tuesday and is worse than he has been." The beginning of Abel's health declining to his death in 1924?
    Abel Fisher sinking spell 1923
    Abel Fisher sinking spell 1923
    EVENT 29 May 1924  Blandinsville, McDonough Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location  [28
    Abel Fisher dangerously ill
    Abel Fisher dangerously ill
    Death 4 Aug 1924  Blandinsville, McDonough Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location  [4, 5, 29, 30
    • Death Certificate reads:
      Time of death: 4:30 pm
      Place: Blandinsville, IL
      Cause: Arterio Sclerosis, gangreen of lower extremities, bries lower extremities
      Informant: Oville Fisher (son) Blandinsville, IL
      Occupation at time of death: Retired
    • Died at home in Blandinsville IL
      Funeral services as Christian Church in Blandinsville. Rev Leonard officiating
      The I. O. O. F. Lodge of Blandinsville in charge of the services
    Death Certificate: Abel Fisher 1924
    Death Certificate: Abel Fisher 1924
    Obituary: Abel Fisher 1924
    Obituary: Abel Fisher 1924
    Obituary: Abel Fisher 1924
    Obituary: Abel Fisher 1924
    Burial 6 Aug 1924  Glade City Cemetery, Blandinsville, McDonough Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location  [4, 5
    • Undertaker: Lady & Martin, Blandinsville, IL
    Headstone: Abel Fisher 1924
    Headstone: Abel Fisher 1924
    Plot: Lot 177, Gr4
    Person ID I73  Main
    Last Modified 23 Apr 2023 

    Father FISHER Thomas,   b. 11 Mar 1791, Ligonier, Westmoreland Co., PA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 17 Jun 1873, Blandinsville, McDonough Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 82 years) 
    Relationship Birth 
    Mother BROWN Elizabeth,   b. 25 Aug 1806, Mercer Co., PA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 29 Oct 1900, Blandinsville, McDonough Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 94 years) 
    Relationship Birth 
    Marriage 22 Feb 1838 
    Family ID F40  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family PECK Ellen Estelle,   b. 24 Sept 1852, Grant Co., WI Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 1 Apr 1917, Hire Township, McDonough Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 64 years) 
    Marriage 2 Dec 1872  Spirit Lake, Dickinson Co., IA Find all individuals with events at this location  [5, 31
    Agency: Rev. James Pillsbury 
    Children 
    +1. FISHER Orville Benjamin,   b. 24 Aug 1873, Blandinsville, McDonough Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 9 Jun 1958, Prairie City, McDonough Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 84 years)  [Birth]
     2. FISHER Ollive Milberry Blanche,   b. 15 Jan 1879, Blandinsville, McDonough Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 5 Feb 1903, Newton, Jasper Co., IA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 24 years)  [Birth]
    +3. FISHER Myrtle Olinda,   b. 5 Oct 1881, Blandinsville Township, McDonough Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 10 Nov 1958, Blandinsville, McDonough Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 77 years)  [Birth]
    Family ID F61  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 3 Jan 2023 

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBirth - 23 May 1845 - Illinois Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCENSUS - 01 Oct 1850 - Township 8 N 6 W, Henderson Co., IL Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCENSUS - 22 Aug 1860 - LaHarpe Township, Hancock Co., IL Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarriage - Agency: Rev. James Pillsbury - 2 Dec 1872 - Spirit Lake, Dickinson Co., IA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCENSUS - 7 Jun 1880 - Hire Township, McDonough Co., IL Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCENSUS - 11 Jun 1900 - Hire Township, McDonough Co., IL Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCENSUS - 16 Apr 1910 - Hire Township, McDonough Co., IL Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsEVENT - Sept 1910 - Brownville, Nemaha Co., NE Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsEVENT - 8 May 1911 - Brownville, Nemaha Co., NE Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsEVENT - Oct 1914 - La Plata, Macon Co., MO Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsEVENT - 7 Feb 1915 - La Plata, Macon Co., MO Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsEVENT - 24 Feb 1915 - Novelty, Knox Co., MO Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsEVENT - 31 May 1915 - Bushnell, McDonough Co., IL Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsEVENT - 12 Oct 1916 - Blandinsville, McDonough Co., IL Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsEVENT - 22 Apr 1918 - Malden, Dunklin Co., MO Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsEVENT - 30 Apr 1919 - Americus, Lyon Co., KS Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCENSUS - 03 Jan 1920 - Blandinsville, McDonough Co., IL Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsWILL - 4 Jan 1921 - Blandinsville, McDonough Co., IL Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsEVENT - 11 Jun 1923 - Blandinsville, McDonough Co., IL Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsEVENT - 29 May 1924 - Blandinsville, McDonough Co., IL Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDeath - 4 Aug 1924 - Blandinsville, McDonough Co., IL Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBurial - 6 Aug 1924 - Glade City Cemetery, Blandinsville, McDonough Co., IL Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 
    Pin Legend  : Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  • Photos
    Abel Fisher
    Abel Fisher
    Star on Abels's chest is Civil War Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) medal. I have similar star given to Abel's brother Thomas H. Fisher for his service in the Civil War
    Fisher brothers: Matthias (Fide), Abel, Josiah (Si) and Thomas Fisher ca late 1890's
    Fisher brothers: Matthias (Fide), Abel, Josiah (Si) and Thomas Fisher ca late 1890's
    This picture taken from 18" x 24" sepia tone original in possession of Jody Hepp in 1990's.
    Date of photo presumably late-1890's ad Josiah died around 1900. Rest of the brothers died between 1914 and 1924.

    Documents
    News: Abel Fisher
    News: Abel Fisher
    News: Abel Fisher
    News: Abel Fisher
    Abel Fisher altercation over GAR badge 1888
    Abel Fisher altercation over GAR badge 1888
    Abel gets in dust up over his GAR badge. A "..young man from the Southwest country, who threatened to ptfi from Fisher's breast his Grand Army badge, and also asserted that he "could lick any G-d D-m man who would wear oue of those badges. Of course this "riled" Abe to a considerable extent and the two had quite a wordy combat, but no blows were struck."
    Abel Fisher - trapping 1899
    Abel Fisher - trapping 1899
    Abel was known throughout the Blandinsville area as an outdoorsman and excellent trapper. This article gives the results of his trapping the winter of 1888-1889: "51 minks, 1 coon, 1 opossum, 5 skunks, 7 house cats and 2 weasels."
    Thomas and Abel Fisher 'capture' Captain Farwell 1894
    Thomas and Abel Fisher "capture" Captain Farwell 1894
    Thomas and Abel Fisher and other members of their 28th IL Infantry Civil War unit "capture" their old captain G. L. Farwell "near Pennebaker's drug store" in Macomb and have an impromptu reunion.
    Abel on executive committee for County Soldiers Reunion 1895
    Abel on executive committee for County Soldiers Reunion 1895
    Abel selected to serve on executive committee to plan 1895 Civil War soldiers reunion.
    Abel Fisher's new shotgun 1904
    Abel Fisher's new shotgun 1904
    Suspect this is the same shotgun shown in the photo of Abel Fisher
    Abel catches house on fire 1904
    Abel catches house on fire 1904
    "As Abel Fisher was lighting a lamp at his home a few evenings since the head of a match flew off and struck a lace curtain about twelve feet away, In an Instant the curtain was in flames and before they could be smothered had considerably damaged the carpet and other articles In the room..."
    Abel runs for Hire Township Justice of the Peace 1905
    Abel runs for Hire Township Justice of the Peace 1905
    Sample ballot from 1905 Hire Township election. Believe Abel rams for this office a couple times and won at least once.
    Abe Fisher and mystery animal 1907
    Abe Fisher and mystery animal 1907
    Abel Fisher "veteran trapper" called to identify mystery animal
    Abel testifies re insane woman 1911
    Abel testifies re insane woman 1911
    In clear who pressed this case. A hearing was held in the Duffield home "as to the sanity of Mrs. John Duffield....Abe Fisher told of violent language he had heard her use and of the cruelty he had seen her exercise toward the children of Mr. Duffield who were her step-children. Marion Bond testified to similar facts and told of having seen her knock the smaller girl down with a club and drag her into the house. Instances of her misbehavior in church were also cited. Lucien English and Charles Sweasy corroborated the evidence of these witnesses and added other instances of the use of improper language and inhuman treatment of the children. All of these facts were stoutly denied by all members of the Duffield family. The little girls when questioned maintained that they had always been kindly used and never mistreated. Doctor Dillon was called as a medical expert and gave as his opinion that she was of unsound mind. The commission found her to be insane and she was taken to the depot in a carriage left on the 3:20 train for the sanitarium at Bartonville, accompanied by Deputy Sheriff Simmons and Miss Josie Westfall of Macomb representing the McDonough County Charity Board." Merely aberrant behavior was often ruled insane until the the late 1900s.

    Abel Fisher shows photo of Vicksburg Civil War monument 1917
    Abel Fisher shows photo of Vicksburg Civil War monument 1917
    Provides a bit of Abel's Civil War history noting that he fought at Vicksburg in 1863 and re-visited the site 1917 to see the Vicksburg memorial, subject of the photo talked about in this article. Abel was very proud of his Civil War service, putting flags on soldiers graves for every July 4, and attending many of the local ceremonies and reunions in the early 1900s honoring Civil Way veterans.
    Birthdays for Abel and Thomas Fisher 1911
    Birthdays for Abel and Thomas Fisher 1911

  • Sources 
    1. [S30] News: Fisher, Abel.

    2. [S31] News: Fisher, Abel.

    3. [SR43] Obituary: Abel Fisher 1924, (Blandinsville Star-Gazette, Blandinsville, IL, 7 Aug 1924), 7 Aug 1924., p 1 (Reliability: 2).

    4. [S472] Illinois Death Certificates, (State of Illinois, Dept. of Public Health, Division of Vital Statistics), 6 Aug 1924, Reg Dist No. 669, Primary Dist No. 500, Reg No. 8 (Reliability: 3).

    5. [S623] News articles: Blandinsville Star-Gazette, Blandinsville IL, (Blandinsville Star-Gazette, Blandinsville IL), 7 Aug 1924, 1 (Reliability: 2).

    6. [S80] Military: Abel Fisher Civil War Pension File, (Nation Archives), 21 May 1912, Certificate No. 571909. (Reliability: 3).
      See Abel's Declaration for Pension

    7. [S102] Census: 1850 U.S. - Township 8 N 6 W, Henderson Co., IL , (Ancestry,com), 01 Oct 1850, Roll M432_109; Page: 84B; Image: 530 (Reliability: 2).

    8. [S601] 1860 US Census, Illinois , (Ancestry.com), 22 Aug 1860, p 716 (Reliability: 2).

    9. [S459] Illinois Civil War Muster and Descriptive Rolls Database, (Illinois Secretary of State), 13 Oct 2020, Abel Fisher, Online DB: https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/databases/datcivil.html. (Reliability: 3).

    10. [S72] 91st Illinois Infantry Civil War Muster Roll (Reliability: 3).

    11. [S654] Civil War Regiment Histories, (National Park Service), 21 Jan 2022, https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-battle-units-detail.htm?battleUnitCode=UIL0028RI, https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-battle-units.htm. (Reliability: 3).

    12. [SR49] Military: Fisher, Abel - Civil War Discharge Certificate, (Adjutant General's Office, State Of Illinois) (Reliability: 3).

    13. [S80] Military: Abel Fisher Civil War Pension File, (Nation Archives), Certificate No. 571909. (Reliability: 3).

    14. [S587] 1880 US Census, Illinois , (Ancestry.com), 07 Jun 1880, E. D. No. 160, p 397C (Reliability: 2).

    15. [S580] 1900 US Census, Illinois , (Ancestry.com), 11 Jun 1900, E. D. No. 57, p 5A (Reliability: 2).

    16. [S579] 1910 US Census, Illinois , (Ancestry.com), 16 Apr 1910, E. D. No. 50, p 1B (Reliability: 2).

    17. [S623] News articles: Blandinsville Star-Gazette, Blandinsville IL, (Blandinsville Star-Gazette, Blandinsville IL), 6 Oct 1910, p 5 (Reliability: 2).

    18. [S623] News articles: Blandinsville Star-Gazette, Blandinsville IL, (Blandinsville Star-Gazette, Blandinsville IL), 11 May 1911, p 5 (Reliability: 2).

    19. [S623] News articles: Blandinsville Star-Gazette, Blandinsville IL, (Blandinsville Star-Gazette, Blandinsville IL), Oct 29 1914, p 5 (Reliability: 2).

    20. [S623] News articles: Blandinsville Star-Gazette, Blandinsville IL, (Blandinsville Star-Gazette, Blandinsville IL), 18 Feb 1915, p 10 (Reliability: 2).

    21. [S26] New articles: La Plata Republican, La Plata, MO, (La Plata Republican, La Plata, MO), 24 Feb 1915, p 8 (Reliability: 2).

    22. [S623] News articles: Blandinsville Star-Gazette, Blandinsville IL, (Blandinsville Star-Gazette, Blandinsville IL), 3 Jun 1915, p 7 (Reliability: 2).

    23. [S623] News articles: Blandinsville Star-Gazette, Blandinsville IL, (Blandinsville Star-Gazette, Blandinsville IL), 25 Apr 1918, p 5 (Reliability: 2).

    24. [S687] News articles: Americus Greeting, Americus KS , (Americus Greeting, Americus KS ), 30 Apr 1919, p 2 (Reliability: 2).

    25. [S532] 1920 US Census, Illinois, (Ancestry.com), 03 Jan 1920, E. D. No. 52, p 1B (Reliability: 2).

    26. [SR53] Will: Abel Fisher 1921, 4 Jan 1921 (Reliability: 3).

    27. [S613] News articles: Macomb Daily By-Stander, Macomb IL , (Macomb Daily By-Stander, Macomb IL ), 16 Jun 1923, p 2 (Reliability: 2).

    28. [S623] News articles: Blandinsville Star-Gazette, Blandinsville IL, (Blandinsville Star-Gazette, Blandinsville IL), 29 May 1924, p 5 (Reliability: 2).

    29. [S608] Obituary: Abel Fisher 1924, (Macomb Daily By-Stander, Macomb IL), 5 Aug 1924, p 5 (Reliability: 2).

    30. [S80] Military: Abel Fisher Civil War Pension File, (Nation Archives), 08 Sep 1924, Certificate No. 571909. (Reliability: 3).
      See Pensioner Dropped Report

    31. [S80] Military: Abel Fisher Civil War Pension File, (Nation Archives), Certificate No. 571909. (Reliability: 3).
      See 1898 and 1915 Pension Questionnaires