Elward K. Legate, ex-commander of Coleman Post, No. 115, G. A. R., of Wymore, Nebraska, is one of the well known residents of that section of country and a prominent veteran of the Civil war. His enlistment took place at Alta, Illinois, December 18, 1864, in Company B, One Hundred and Forty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and he served until the close of the war, under Colonel Hall and Captain Melvin. Soon after his enlistment the regiment was sent to Rock Island, and later was taken into the western army.
The birth of Elward K. Legate occurred in Reynolds county, Missouri, September 12, 1846, and he is a son of Henry Legate. The Legate family has long been noted for its patriotic spirit, for beginning with the grandfather, who was a solider in the Revolutionary war, Samuel Legate served in the war of 1812, a brother of his in the Mexican war, and the sons of all the branches were in the Civil war. Henry Legate removed to Illinois when a young man and was married in Jackson county that state to Mary Skidmore. The death of Henry occurred in 1868. He was a consistent Methodist in his religious faith and
a very strong Republican in politics. His widow survives and makes her home in Arkansas, aged seventy-eight years. Eleven children were born to this worthy couple, namely: E. K.; James; Samuel; Nancy; Elijah; George; Mary; Emily; J. Benjamin; and two who died in infancy.
The early life of Mr. Legate was spent upon his father's farm, then followed by his war experience and after he returned to Illinois he decided to make a home for himself in new territory, so he removed to Missouri, and finally, in 1884, selected Gage county, Nebraska, as his abiding place. For some time after his settlement in the last named place, he was confined in the hospital as a result of the exposure and hardship of his army life, but he recovered and began his new life. In 1868, while living in Illinois, he was married to Nancy Lewellen, born in Coles county, Illinois. She is a daughter of Edward Lewellen, who was a soldier during the Civil war, and died in Marshall county, Kansas, at the age of eighty years. His widow lives in Texas, aged seventy-eight years. There were four children born in the family to which Mrs. Legate belongs, namely: Edmund, Nancy, Joseph and Lawrence.
Mr. and Mrs. Legate have six children, viz.: Lewis, a railroad man; Charles, of Seattle; Ronna Starks, of Seattle; Henry; Edward and Lenney. Both Mr. and Mrs. Legate are members of the Knights and Ladies of Honor, and in religious belief they are Methodists. Mr. Legate has been prominent in G. A. R. work for many years, and is ex-commander of the post at Wymore.
© 1999, Lori L. Laird, NEGenWeb Project