Iowa Cadet Honored by Iowa 1812 Society

Society of the War of 1812 in the State of Iowa member Mike Rowley presented Cadet Joseph Berman of the University of Iowa Army ROTC program the GSW 1812 ROTC award medal on April 27, 2012 at the National Guard Amory in Iowa City, Iowa. The award was given in recognition of outstanding leadership qualities, military bearing and excellence, thus exemplifying the high ideals and principles which motivated and sustained the patriot ancestors of the members of the General Society of the War of 1812.

Cadet Berman

Mike Rowley is a man of many hats.  Not only does he represent the Society of the War of 1812 in the State of Iowa, but he is also an active member of the Iowa Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Department of Iowa Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War among other organizations.  While in Iowa City, Mike made another presentation …

Cadet Haws

Cadet Daniel Haws of the University of Iowa Army ROTC program was awarded the Silver ROTC medal in recognition of outstanding leadership qualities, military bearing and excellence, thus exemplifying the high ideals and principles which motivated and sustained the patriot ancestors of the members of the Iowa Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.

Patrick Palmersheim Honored

Several members of the Society of the War of 1812 in the State of Iowa  came together to celebrate the presentation of the (ISDAR) Iowa Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution’s presentation to their Medal of Honor winner, Patrick Palmersheim. Patrick Palmersheim received the Medal of Honor from the ISDAR on Saturday April 7th, 2012 in Des Moines, Iowa.

He was nominated for this honor by the Jean Marie Cardinell Chapter of Des Moines. His name has now been submitted to Washington DC to the National Society for their consideration.

Past Governor and current secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack appointed Patrick Palmersheim Executive Director of the Iowa Commission of Veterans Affairs in January 2002.

Patrick served from nine years of military service with the Air Force including 2 tours in Vietnam 1969-71.

Patrick was instrumental in  making  Iowa the first state in America to pass legislation giving nursing homes the opportunity to report their residents who were veterans, spouses, widows, widowers, and dependents with potential eligibility for Federal Veterans Administration benefits.

Patrick Palmershiem is also often referred to as “The Father of Iowa’s Arlington.”

The groundbreaking of Iowa Veteran’s Cemetery took place in November 2006. The Iowa Veterans Cemetery provides a final resting place for over 80,000 veterans from anywhere in America. There is no residency requirement. Patrick made sure that even homeless veterans would have this benefit.

Patrick Palmershiem with David Lamb (left) and Mike Rowley (right)

Patrick Palmershiem with David Lamb (left) and Mike Rowley (right)

Iowa Society member David Lamb shared examples of Palmershiem’s support to service organizations and honor guard units of the Iowa Society 1812 and SUVCW. Iowa Society 1812 members Danny Krock and Mike Rowley acted as honor guards.

Fort Madison April Events

An interesting article by our good friend Eugene Watkins at the Old Fort Madison historical site was posted on the website of the Fort Madison Daily Democrat:  FM saw early stages of War of 1812.

Old Fort Madison will commemorate these events and the spring Sac and Fox rendezvous on April 13-15, with trader and Indian encampments, as well as skirmishing, military drills and cooking and blacksmithing demonstrations throughout the weekend.

The Old Fort’s site manager, Dr. Eugene Watkins, will also give a lecture at 1:30 p.m., on Saturday, April 14, on Fort Madison and the early stages of the War of 1812 in the Officers’ mess area.

Also on Saturday, April 14, between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., the Old Fort will provide a lantern tour of the fort, in which visitors will be guided through different scenarios recreating events of the first siege.

Regular admission prices apply.

The Southeast Iowa Military History Association is also planning a pancakes and biscuits and gravy breakfast on Saturday, April 14, beginning at 7 a.m., in front of the gift shop building, to raise money for the purchase of clothing and equipment for the Old Fort’s staff and volunteers. The cost will be $4 for adults and $2 for children 14 and under.

For more information on a visit or to participant as a reenactor, contact Dr. Watkins at (319)-372-7700, ext. 275.

Jacob Rogers

Ron Rittel, our historian has been continuously working on updating our roster of War of 1812 veterans that lived or are buried here in the State of Iowa.  The most recent list sent to the webmaster is now posted here on the website.

Interestingly, Historian Rittel came across some information on Jacob Rogers.  It would seem that Mr. Rogers lived to be an old man.  A really old man for his time.  Maybe 111 years old at the time of his death in 1889.

From the Burlington Hawkeye, Des Moines County, Iowa, Saturday, November 30, 1878:

One Hundred and One

Mr. Jacob Rogers, of Tippecanoe township, this county [Henry Co, IA], is, in all probability, the oldest person inIowa. He was born Jan 1st, 1778, within twenty miles ofPittsburg,Pennsylvania, and if he lives till next January, will be one hundred and one years old. Dr. N.M. Williford, ofOakland, who kindly favors us with this account, with Mrs.Williford, took dinner with Mr. Rogers last Saturday, at his son John’s residence, where the old gentleman and his wife now make their home. He has been favored with a numerous off-spring- twenty-three children, and has thirteen of them buried. he was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was twice wounded at the battle of Lundy’s Lane, where he fought under Gen. Scott. He yet carries a bullet in his right arm, received in that memorable engagement, and saw Gen. Scott a few minutes after the General, himself, that day received a wound in the shoulder. The father of Mr. Rogers was a soldier in the old French and Indian war, which culminated in Braddock’s defeat, and, participated in that fatal encounter, escaping in the retreat conducted by George Washington. The son, inspired by that patriotic spirit which had characterized his father, responded to the call of his country in 1812, served through the war, was honorably discharged in 1815, and yet draws a pension of eight dollars per month from the government, in recognition of his gallant services. He was a member of Capt. Machesney’s company attached to the 15th regiment,Pennsylvania, volunteers.

Mr. Rogers is in good health, mentally and physically, walking about briskly, is interesting in conversation, and intelligent. He joined the M.E. Church two years ago, and is living with his second wife, who is sixty-nine years old. Although a user of tobacco Mr. Rogers has always been strictly temperate as to liquors, never having indulged in them, and says that General Scott once wished to treat him and he refused to imbibe, even at the invitation of that distinguished soldier. It is not often that so aged a man as Mr. Rogers is met with, and we wish him yet many serene and happy days.

From the Emmetsburg Democrat, Palo Alto County, Iowa, Wednesday, November 18, 1885:

IowaCentenarians

We occasionally read of persons in some other states who are 100 years old and of rare cases where a still greater age has been reached.Iowahas hitherto laid no particular stress upon the age of her citizens, which she now comes to the front with her list of no less than twenty-five persons who have passed the 100 mile point in the journey of life. Their names and ages have been gathered from the census returns, and are as follows:

…Jacob Rogers, Tippecanoe twp, Henry county, 107 years..

If you know of any stories, articles, or histories of War of 1812 veterans that lived or are buried in Iowa, we would certainly like to hear from you.

 

Bicentennial Medal

The General Society of the War of 1812 has a War of 1812 Bicentennial Medal now available for purchase.

As can be seen in the photo, the design features the Seal of the General Society of the War of 1812.  The medals are available to both members of the society and the general public for $50 each, though discounts may be available for multiple quantities.

For more information or to order, contact Quartermaster General John Dickie at the address listed on the General Society’s Merchandise page.

Silver 1812 Bicentennial Canada Dollar

If you’ve been following our website since the beginning, then you probably have seen the post about the Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coins the US Mint is issuing this year to commemorate the War of 1812 and the origin of the Star-Spangled Banner.

Well, the Royal Canadian Mint is also issuing a commemorative silver dollar coin this year with a War of 1812 theme.

“Honouring the bicentennial of the War of 1812 with this special collector coin pays tribute to some of our greatest national heroes and a crucial moment on the road to Canadian nationhood,” said the Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance and Minister responsible for the Royal Canadian Mint.  “The Government of Canada encourages Canadians to take the unprecedented opportunity in 2012 to learn more about our history and take pride in our traditions”.

Designed by accomplished military artist Ardell Bourgeois of British Columbia, the 2012 Proof Silver Dollar which celebrates the bicentennial of the War of 1812, features a British Sergeant, a Voltigeur Canadien, and an Iroquois warrior united in the defence of their border against an approaching invader.  Behind them is a map showing part of the Great Lakes and Southwestern Ontario, where United States forces sparked the conflict by invading the territory of the future city of Windsor, Ontario on July 12, 1812.

If you are interested you can read more about Canada’s 99.99% silver content War of 1812 collector coin in their news release posted on their website:

Royal Canadian Mint Celebrates Bicentennial of the War of 1812
with New 2012 Proof Silver Dollar Collector Coin

 

Fort Madison Burials

A few days ago, Eugene Watkins made contact with us about some research he has done into soldier’s burials in unmarked graves at or near the original location of Fort Madison.  Mr. Watkins is the site manager at “Old Fort Madison,” a historical interpretive site in Riverview Park in the City of Fort Madison, Iowa.

Eugene stated, “The exact location of the fort’s cemetery is unknown but it is believed to be near where the fort stood.  The fort site and adjacent battlefield area are vacant parking lots today slated for development, which, if purchased and built over, will cost us the last obtainable battle site associated with Tecumseh’s 1812 offensive as well as one of Iowa’s largest battlefields and earliest settlements.  We hope to place several battlefield interpretive markers on city property around the edges of the site, as well as a small memorial sign listing the men who are still buried here on 28 May 2012.”  He also provided the following list of known soldiers buried in the area:

Soldiers Buried at Fort Madison 1808-1813

Sergeant Samuel Keeley
12 October 1808 (Disease) Pinkney’s Company, 1st U.S. Infantry

Corporal George Ilginfritz
March or April 1809 (Disease) Pinkney’s Company, 1st U.S. Infantry

Private Nicholas Tracy
2 August 1809 (Disease) Pinkney’s Company, 1st U.S. Infantry

Private John King
19 September 1809 (Disease) Pinkney’s Company, 1st U.S. Infantry

Private Daniel O’Flanagan
22 February 1810 (Disease) Pinkney’s Company, 1st U.S. Infantry

Private James Moore
October 1811 (Disease)  Stark’s Company, 1st U.S. Infantry

Private Hugh McNeal
5 February 1812 (Disease) Stark’s Company, 1st U.S. Infantry

Corporal James Leonard
3 March 1812 (KIA) Stark’s Company, 1st U.S. Infantry

Private Gregory Rogan
April 1812 (KIA) Stark’s Company, 1st U.S. Infantry

Private John Cox
5 September 1812 (KIA) Stark’s Company, 1st U.S. Infantry

Private Thomas Sampson
2 June 1813 (Drowned) Owens’ Company, 1st U.S. Infantry

Private Samuel Heritage
8 July 1813 (KIA) Desha’s Company, 24th U.S. Infantry

Private John Minard
8 July 1813 (KIA) Owens’ Company, 1st U.S. Infantry

Corporal William Elsey
16 July 1813 (KIA) Stark’s Company, 1st U.S. Infantry

Private Thomas Faulkner
16 July 1813 (KIA) Stark’s Company, 1st U.S. Infantry

Private John Bowers
16 July 1813 (KIA) Stark’s Company, 1st U.S. Infantry

Private John Ritts
16 July 1813 (KIA) Stark’s Company, 1st U.S. Infantry

Taylor’s Rock River Expedition August-September 1814

Private John Pointer
31 August 1814 (Buried at the Ruins of Fort Madison on 1 September)
Callaway’s Company, U.S. Rangers

Thank you, Eugene for the information!

Old Fort Madison will be hosting several events this year to commemorate the War of 1812 and the siege of Fort Madison.  You can find a schedule of those events on their new website http://oldfortmadison.org/.

We also have a new page here on our website that has additional information about Fort Madison.  You can see it here.

Thank you Northwood – Bicentennial Proclamations

As we close in on the Bicentennial of the official beginning of the War of 1812, June 18, 1812-2012, the Society of the War of 1812 in the State of Iowa is working to try and bring attention to the often called “Second War for American Independence.”  To this effort we have begun a campaign to get the Governor of the State of Iowa and the mayors of as many Iowa towns as possible to issue a proclamation designating June 18 as “The War of 1812 Remembrance Day” to urge all Iowa citizens to learn more about our country’s history, especially the War of 1812.

Our efforts are already beginning to pay off.  Mayor Randy Severson of the “Top of Iowa” town of Northwood became the first Iowa Mayor to issue the proclamation on January 6, 2012. We also understand that a few other towns have this on their agendas and will likely issue proclamations soon.

Northwood War of 1812 Remembrance Day Proclamation

Thank you, Northwood, Iowa!

John Weare

Over on our Facebook page one of our friends, Jim Pavik, sent us a picture of the headstone for John Weare, a veteran of the War of 1812 buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Many of our members found the inscription on Mr. Weare’s stone interesting: “Soldier, Farmer, Lumberman, Justice of the Peace. He lost a leg in the War of 1812, and the other in a lumbering accident in the 1830s. Thereafter he used two wooden legs, a crutch, and a cane.”  That wasn’t enough for Louie Zenti, current president of the Society of the War of 1812 in the State of Iowa.  Louie wanted to know more of the story and searched the internet for clues as to which battle Mr. Weare lost his first leg.  And what he found is a remarkable story …

It turns out that in 1897 a man by the name of William Williams Walker wrote a book titled, In Memoriam – John Weare, about the life of John Weare – the son of the War of 1812 Veteran.  Within the first few pages of the book we learn of the account of Cynthia Ashley Weare and her thirty-six hour horseback ride with her small children to find her husband who had been wounded in the Battle of Plattsburgh.

Her husband was severely wounded before the Battle of Plattsburg. She was distant a thirty-six hour’s ride, through a country in the hands of the enemy and only passable on horseback. She was the mother of two young children, one a small baby. Every able-bodied man in the community was in the service, and her only available assistance was the son of a neighbor, a mere boy, and two fine horses. One of the horses was packed with supplies; the other, she rode, mounted behind the boy, with her baby in her arms. Thus, she began the journey to her husband, traveling night and day. She suffered great fatigue, and passed through many distressing experiences; but her courage never failed, not even during the long hours of the two dark nights of her ride. As they passed numerous camps of the enemy, her heart stood still for fear the cry of her tired baby might betray them. During the second night, when she had begun to hope her journey was almost over, they were brought to a halt by a gruff voice out of the darkness, demanding:
“Stand, and deliver the password”
Summoning all possible dignity and self-control, she replied, “I have a wounded husband beyond you; is not that a password sufficient for friend or foe?”
Her calmness probably saved the life of the little party, and surely saved the horses to them, as their detainers were a party sent out to capture all the horses to be found in the country. Although enemies, they proved themselves men, for they not only allowed her to retain both horses but sent an escort to see her safely within the American lines, where, alas! she found her husband too ill to recognize her, and crippled for life, his shattered leg having been amputated the day before, during the fierce Battle of Plattsburg. Mr. Weare related afterwards that he only ceased protesting against having the amputation made when his voice was drowned by the roar of the cannonading at Plattsburg. A remarkably good constitution and the skillful nursing of his wife, enabled Mr. Weare to recover. He then assumed a position in the Commissary Department, where his loss of a leg did not unfit him for service, as in those times death alone wholly disabled a soldier.

But that is not all!  A few paragraphs later we learn the fate of John Weare’s second leg.

In the spring of 1835, [John Weare, Jr.] accompanied his father to the territory of Michigan, to found a home for the family. Here the two bought land and engaged in the lumber business.
While in this business, not far from the present limits of the city of Allegan, his father met with a distressing accident. In felling a tree his remaining leg was crushed.

Our thanks to Jim Pavik for the picture and to Louie Zenti for wanting to know more and passing along this story for us to share.