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William ASKEY, b. 7 April 1839, Warwickshire, England, son of William & Sarah Laura (HACKETT) ASKEY 
William, his siblings and their spouses:

William (b 1839) married Lydia Lowry Phillips: 3 Nov 1871, Lancaster Co., Nebraska

Children of Wm & Lydia, with bd & location	Child's spouse
William E. ASKEY , b. 1874  NE	Mary M. MURPHY
Clara Etta ASKEY, b. 1876  NE	Charles L. CLARY
Benjamin R. ASKEY b. 1878  NE	Ora A.CLAY
Albert H. ASKEY b. 1881  NE	Mertie F. SHIELD
Manderson ASKEY b. 1883  NE	Jesse E. QUINN
Mabel Mae ASKEY b. 1886  NE	Steven T. BONNER

William ASKEY married second Josephine (PHILLIPS) JONES: 21 June 1899, Kansas City, Kansas

Military service:
William enrolled 4 Sep 1861 at Peoria IL - Co. I, 47th Regiment, Illinois Infantry. He was discharged 11 Oct 1864, Springfield, IL. He was a Private. He participated in the following battles - * Information taken from Soldiers Discharge Paper.

New Madrid Island, MS, November 10, 1862	Vicksburg, MS, May 22, 1863
Farmington, MS, May 9, 1862	Fort Derussey, Henderson Hills, Pleasant Hill, LA, April 4, 1864
Corinth, MS, May 20, 1862	Morris Plantation, Cloutierville, Marksville, LA, Lake Chiot, June 6, 1864
Iuka, MS, September 19, 1862	Tupelo, MS, July 14 & 15, 1864
Crointh, October 3 &4, 1862	Abbeyville, LA, August, 1864
Jackson, MS, May 14, 1863

Pension review, Des Moines, 2 May 1892: Confined to the St Louis, Missouri hospital March 1862 for dysentery diarrhea, small pox, disease of the eyes and partial deafness. In July 1864 at Goudeau, Louisiana contacted chills and fever and suffered from a bilious disorder.

Homestead in Furnas County Nebraska approximately 1871.

William ASKEY died 19 October 1918 at Oxford, Nebraska. He is buried at Edison Cemetery, Edison, Nebraska. He was member of GAR Post 108 at Oxford, Furnas County, Nebraska.

Federal pension file number: 760330
Other record sources consulted: Federal Census; Family Bible; Copy of an Entry of Marriage; Civil War Papers from NARA, Washington, D.C.; Homestead Papers

Submitted by: Bonney ASKEY WELKER <bdwelker@cableone.net>, 165 N. Adams Place, Nampa, ID 83651. 4 May 1998. Update: 31 Mar 2000.  Email address change 18 Jan 2003.

Feb 1864: Was examined as possible officer for service with colored troops.
1 Mar 1864 : Appointed Colonel of 30th Regiment, US Colored Troops.
30 Jul 1864: At Petersburg, led his troops into "the crater" (created by a huge explosion of gunpowder) and drove out the enemy. A short time later, led his men in charge against a rebel battery and was shot in the face. Was carried out of the battle by some of his troops.
11 Oct 1864: Returned to duty and was given command of a brigade with the rank of General. Jan 1865: Sent to North Carolina. Dec 1865: Mustered out and returned to NY.

Was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his part in the fight at Petersburg.

Married 1 January 1870 to Lana A. GREEN of NY.
1872: Took a homestead (160 acres) in Hamilton County, NE.
Moved to the site of Aurora, NE before the town incorporated.
Mrs. Lana Bates died in 1902.
Gen. Bates died 19 Dec 1918 at Aurora, Hamilton, NE; is buried at the Aurora Cemetery.

Their children were: Lena METZGER (deceased), LaVerne (of Modesto, CA), C.L. (of LaGrange, IL) and Mrs. Daisy TUNISON, of Aurora, NE.

He was a member of the Masons and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Was Member of the Grand Army of the Republic; past commander of the local G.A.R. post.

Gen. Delevan Bates was vice president of the First National Bank of Aurora. He provided the finances to guarantee the building of the County Courthouse & was active in the struggle to incorporate Aurora as a town. He served as member of first board of trustees. He paid for the cemetery until the town could assume that burden. Gen. Bates served as county superintendent of schools. He was a member of the city council of Aurora for eight years; served two terms served as mayor.

Sources: Obits & Cemetery records. History of Hamilton & Clay Counties, Nebraska Vol. I. George L. Burr, Supervising Editor. Compiled by Dale P. Stough; Chicago; S.J. Clarke Publishing Co. - 1921

Read General Bate's Letters Home, written during his service in the Civil War.
Read his "War Reminiscences" from The Otsego Republican.
Jan 1998 - The Bates House has been purchased, will be restored & dedicated as part of Hamilton County Museum in May, 1998.

2 Sept 1875: Married Martha Ann RUMBLEY at Lynn, IA. They farmed near Decatur, IA and then at Atlantic, IA.
1902: Wife passed away at Wyota, IA.
1906: Homesteaded in Weld Co., CO.
1909: Entered Soldier's Home, Grand Island, NE.
About 1918: Moved to Beatrice, NE with daughter, Lottie.
24 Dec 1948 : Died at Glenover, NE; would have been 100 years old on next birthday.
Last Civil War Veteran living in Nebraska.
Survived by four daughters and two sons: Mrs. O.S. HERBERT of Beatrice, NE; Mrs. Harry SIMMONS of Olympia, WA; Mrs. Thad FOCHT of Villisca, IA; Mrs. Lottie YAGER of Beatrice, NE; Ross Bon Doll of Huron, SD; and Ross Bon Doll of Marshalltown, IA. Harman Mortuary in charge of funeral arrangements.

Source: Obituary from Beatrice Daily Sun, 24 Dec 1948.

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Index to Civil War Biographies