This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list.
Surnames: Wisner Lemasters
Classification: Query
Message Board URL:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/kh.2ADE/1014
Message Board Post:
!BIOGRAPHY Biographical and Historical Record of Adams and Wells Counties, Indiana, 1887,
page 348
William A Wisner, a farmer of Washington Township, was born in Adams County, September 4,
1840, son of David and Lydia Wisner, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter
of Ohio. His parents immigrated to Adams County about the year 1836, settling in
Washington Twonship, upon the farm known as the Coffee farm, on section 14. The father
bought eighty acres of land, all timber. Previous to moving into his own log cabin, he
lived for a short time in a log house situated where Decatur now stands. His first crop
was five acres of corn, which he cultivated with a grubbing hoe, he having sold the oxen
he brougth with him to the county, to secure the necessaries of life. He endured the usual
privations and trials of the pioneer, being obliged to go to Fort Wayne with a yoke of
cattle over trails in order to get his milling done. The meat consumed in the family was
principally wild game, which was abundant. He died September 29, 1868, respected by all
who knew him. His!
wife, who still survives, resides in Wells County, and is in her seventy-second year. Of
their ten children, seven are still living - Thomas, William A, Margaret J, Priscilla,
David F, Aaron W, and James A. Previous to the war the father was a Whig, and since that
time he has been a Republican. He was a worthy and consistent member of the Presbyterian
church. William A Wisner has nearly always lived in his native county, and his time has
been occupied in working at the carpenter's and cabinet-maker's trades, and in
farming. In April 1861, he enlisted in Company F, Twelfth Indiana Infantry, and was
assigned to the army of West Virginia, under General McClellan. He participated in the
first Battle of Bull Run, Winchester, Antietam, and several others of less importance. In
July, 1862, he was discharged and almost immediately re-enlisted in Company H, Eighty
ninth Indiana Infantry, and was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee, Sixteenth Army
Corps. He participated in t!
he Red River expedition, being thirty-three days under fire, Fort Dalhousie, Tupelo, Fort
Spanish, Fort Blakely and Several others. During the second enlistment he was
commissioned Second Lieutenant, May 1, 1864, and served in that capacity until February
15, 1865, then being commissioned First Lieutenant, served in that capacity until July 19,
1865, being then honorably discharged from the service of the United States Army. He was
married February 4, 1864 to Mrs. Adaline Boothe, born June 28, 1843, in this county, and
daughter of Greenberry and Lucinda Lemasters, who settled in Root Township, this county,
about the year 1834, and were among the first settlers of the township. Mr. and Mrs
Wisner have had three children -- Maggie, Lydia E, and William T. By her first marriage
with John Boothe Mrs. Wisner had one child -- Edward B. for about six years after his
marriage Mr. Wisner resided in Indianapolis and vicinity, after which he returned to Adams
County, making this hi!
s home ever since. He owns forty acres of land and has been fairly successful as a
farmer. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics he is a
Democrat.