I found yet another family photo with no name or any comment about it. The only thing I can say for sure is it's off a Civil War soldier.

I suspect it might be my gggrandfather, William O Taylor of Northern, Indiana. I know he was in his 40s when he enlisted. He'd already lost two brothers: One in Andersonville Prison, GA and the other sent home to die of dysentery.

I have his enlistment papers. He's described as dark complexion with green eyes and standing 5'6" tall. Likely, that was rather tall for a man of the era, but I'm not sure. He served primarily in Tennessee during his brief tenure in the war.

I know he was of Native American/white heritage, and believe his facial features indicate that mix within him. (I believe he likely was part Delaware). His first marriage was to a Chippawa woman and his second, my gggrandmother, was Cherokee) I believe his third wife was white, but I'm not 100% sure. If I recall correctly, she was of the Summits, an old family in American history.

After his death, some 30 years later, his widow (my step gggrandmother) applied and received a widow's pension based upon his service. She made the claim due to his suffering after returning from exposure to the open fields of the war.

William O was born in Delaware Co, Ohio. He was the third generation born in that county, which a Native genealogist pointed out meant he was born before it was settled by whites. After his first wife and infant son died, he left for Northern Indiana with his parents and siblings. He established himself as a progressive farmer and was well liked and respected. His second wife, Mary Catherine Hewitt, and he took in several of her siblings left orphaned in 1850. The youngest child, sadly, ended up growing up in an orphanage. We really don't know why, as the older siblings took in the younger ones to raise.

One other note: William O is a direct descendent of William Brewster of the Mayflower. He was also noted as being extremely kind - something apparently that survived many generations, as William and Catherine were also noted to be kind and thoughtful of others - always caring for others.