PVT Joseph C. Whitney
1822-1914
Co. C, 96th Illinois Infantry
CW

Joseph Chase Whitney was born in Oswego, New York, on June 8, 1833, to Levi and Permelia (Chase) Whitney.

He married another Oswego “transplant”, Mary J. Delano, in 1851; four of their seven children lived to adulthood.

Whitney served in Company C, 96th Illinois Infantry for 3 years and 10 months, mostly in the medical corps; he attained the rank of Private. The unit saw action at Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge (Chattanooga), as well as the Atlanta Campaign.

During his lifetime, he farmed the land his family settled in 1840. He would tell of the early days when folks awoke in the morning to find Indians peering through their windows. "Mother knew what they wanted. She baked a batch of johnny-cake (corn bread) for them and they went away happy."

Whitney was active in his community as a Mason, school trustee, Justice of the Peace, and Treasurer of the Ela Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He also served as a Deacon in the Baptist church.

Private Joseph C. Whitney died at his Lake Zurich home on February 12, 1914; he is buried with his wife at Evergreen Cemetery in Barrington.

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Remember. Honor. Teach.

Courtesy of Signal Hill Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution