A Good Soldier and Citizen, A Lover of Home and Country

Joseph Henry Worstell was born on September 18, 1843, to David Johnson and Naomi (Martin) Worstell in Clermont County, Ohio.   Joseph’s mother Naomi died in 1847, and his father married Amy Hatch Pease in 1849.  The 1850 census found the family farming in Clermont County with children Ann, Joseph, and Thomas. Sometime before 1861 Joseph and possibly the rest of his family had moved to Lawrence County Illinois.

Joseph enlisted for three years at Lawrenceville, Lawrence County Illinois as a Private in Company G of the 11th Missouri Infantry at age 18, on August 6, 1861.  He gave his occupation as farmer when he was mustered in at the St. Louis, Missouri Arsenal on August 6, 1861.  As with many other young recruits, he became ill several times and on August 27, 1863, he was “sent north upon recommendation of the medical board” by General Sherman.  He reenlisted as a veteran at LaGrange, Tennessee on January 1, 1864.  At that time, he was listed as a blue- eyed soldier who stood 5’8” tall with light hair and a light complexion.  He signed his oath with his mark (x).  He again became ill, this time when he was on duty at Memphis, Tennessee in December of 1864.  He was sent to the General Hospital in New Albany, Indiana.  Chronic diarrhea of long standing accompanied by great emaciation while in the service was the reason given for his disability when he was discharged.

Joseph returned to Lawrence County Illinois and by 1870, he was farming with his father and his family.

Joseph married Mary M. Belt on December 22, 1878, in Lawrence County Illinois. The 1880 census found Joseph as a farmer living with his wife Mary, 24 and two-month-old Thomas.  On February 2, 1883, Joseph filed for his pension.

 In 1900, Joseph and his wife Mary were farming in Denison Township of Lawrence County.  There were four children, Thomas, Julia, James, and Mary.  Joseph Worstell died at age 57 on November 5, 1900, at Billett and was buried at the Hollister Cemetery south of Lawrenceville. 

The Sumner Press published a note about the proceedings of the Lawrence County Board of Supervisors wherein they had paid $25 to Stocker and Friend for a coffin and burial of Joseph Worstell, an indigent soldier. Jesse K Dubois Post 92 GAR published a Resolution of Condolence. “He was a good soldier and citizen, a lover of his home and country.”

Editorial Note:  Thanks to all those who purchased wreaths for veterans’ graves this past holiday season. To be remembered and appreciated by you is indeed a tribute. However, many of our veterans’ tombstones need cleaning and resetting. They have been forgotten.

For the past five years the Historical Society has been working to create a fitting and lasting tribute to these men and women who were “good soldiers and citizens, lovers of home and country,” by working with a group of volunteers and professional stone restorers to clean and restore the tombstones of these veterans. You can help us in our quest by donating funds to purchase D-2 and pay for resetting stones as well as joining us this spring to “Spray and Scrub.”   Send checks to PO Box 425 Lawrenceville Illinois,  call 908-208-2372  or send an email to lawrencelore@gmail.com for more information.

The Auction for the Festival of Trees to benefit various organizations sponsored by the Lawrence County Health Department has begun on the Parrott Auction site https://www.parrottauctions.com/auctions/32312-lchd-festival-of-trees. Don't forget to bid for the Lawrence County Historical Society's Tree Lot Number 29.