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Ancestor of the U.S. Poet Laureate Richard Wilbur (also twice awarded a Pulitzer Prize in poetry).
Reuben Henry Wilbur, born in Chatham, New York in 1825, spent his early life as a merchant and a miller in New Lebanon, New York. In 1856 he became the agent in New York City for the North Middlesex Brown Stone Quarry Company.
Mr. Wilbur married Nancy Hitchcock, the sister of Nebraska Senator Phineas Hitchcock, in 1846; they had eight children. A son was born to his second wife, Martha Hughes, in 1893. While serving as an officer in the Civil War as a member of the 102nd New York Volunteer Infantry, Captain Wilbur was cited for meritorious service at Gettysburg, Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge. Following his military service, he was attached to the Internal Revenue Department.
In 1870 he permanently settled in Omaha and first engaged in the book and stationery business. While serving as mayor for two years, he also served as a Police Judge. In 1880 he was named a traveling auditor for the Union Pacific Railroad. He served as Mayor of Omaha from 1877 to 1879.
Married Nancy E. Hitchcock in New Lebanon, Columbia, New York on Sept 24, 1846. She was born circa 1827 in New York and died June 2, 1892 in Omaha Nebraska. Married second Martha Luella Hughes Charter on June 21 1892 in Rawlins, Wyoming. she was born March 1, 1848 in Pennsylvania and died on January 24, 1901 in Colorado. Reuben Henry Wilbur died April 5, 1898 in Junction, Mesa County, Colorado. He is buried at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Omaha, Nebraska.
Ruben Henry's mother was Phoebe Wilbur Sedgwick (parents unknown), born circa 1803 in New York, probably in Columbia County.
Children with Nancy Hitchcock:
1860 Federal Census, living in New York. Household includes
1880 Federal Census, age 55, living in Omaha, Nebraska with
- Edward C., age 12
- Ella J., age 29
- Grace H., age 23
- Lillian, age 18
- William Henry, age 21
- Charles, age 6
- Sister in law, Elvira Peabody, age 73, born c. 1807 New York
Reuben Henry Wilbur, is listed in the following books:
New York to the War of the Rebellion 1861 - 1865, compiled by Frederick Phisterer in 1912. He is listed in several of the volumes of this set.
The Index of Names shows:
Reuben Henry Wilbur, served in the Grand Army of the Republic, with various Officers titles [i.e., "Brvt. Lieut. Colonel", "Capt", "Brvt. Major", "Major"] in Co. "I", 102d Regiment New York State Volunteers.
Various Civil War papers pertaining to him during various times of his service in the G. A. R.
1825 |
April 26, 1825
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Chatham, Columbia County, New York, United States
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1848 |
June 1, 1848
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New York State
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1851 |
1851
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New York State
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1852 |
1852
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New Lebanon, NY, United States
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1857 |
1857
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New York State
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1859 |
1859
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New York State
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1862 |
1862
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New York State
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1866 |
1866
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New York State, United States
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1868 |
1868
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New York State, United States
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