William James Emigh

On September 27, 1861, he enlisted as a Private in the 1st Regiment of the Colorado Calvary Volunteers. He spent three years in the cavalry, being on detached duty in the Texas panhandle and was involved in skirmished there, both with the Indians and with the soldiers of the confederacy. The only injury William had from his tour of duty was an injury to his hip and leg he suffered when he fell from a horse while in Winter Quarters at Camp Fillmore, Colorado in 1863. He was discharged from the army on December 9, 1864 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

William, now known as "honest Bill", soon returned to his family's home in DuBois, Nebraska. There in a nearby little town of Cincinnati, he met and married Martha "Mattie" Bobst on April 19, 1966. They made their home near DuBois and soon, on a cold winter day, December 29, 1866, their first child, Sarah, was born. They added on to their family with George Ambrose, Alice Mae, Margaret Mae, Rose, John, Nellie Gertrude, and Daisy. Little Rose, John and seven-month-old Daisy all died in infancy, Daisy from a fall from a high chair.

During her years of childbearing, William was often not at home, leaving Martha alone at home, often pregnant and by herself raising the children. Perhaps because of his background and knowledge of Colorado and the Indians, Williams was called upon to be an Indian Scout, an engineer and a wagon-master. He led wagon trains west from Nebraska to Colorado Springs, Colorado, a place he had always loved. Or perhaps, William just couldn't stay still in one place for long. Had his absences affected Martha? They must have, because their marriage ended in divorce. Martha was remarried three times and eventually moved to Pomona, California where she died on September 10, 1913.

Enlisted CO C 2ND REGIMENT COLORADO INFANTRY & transferred into CO L 1ST CAVALRY REGIMENT COLORADO

From the "Sundance Gazette" Sundance, Crook, Wyoming; November 23, 1894, page 2

OBITUARY

Died, at his home in DuBois, Nebraska, W. J. Emigh, aged 54 years and three days. He was born in Willmore, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, Nov. 4, 1840. He leaves a wife, five children, an aged father and mother, and two brothers to mourn his demise. Mrs. Alice Darlington, Mrs. Sarah Luckuck, of this city, and Mrs. Maggie Morse, of Little Powder, are amoung the children, Thomas F. Emigh, of Beaver creek, a brother. Deceased was an affectionate, kind and loving husband and father, and a neighbor beloved by all, an honest, upright citizen.

Mr. Emigh came to Sundance last June in search of health, and remained until the last of July. He was much benefitted by his visit and made many warm friends during his stay, who will join THE GAZATTE in extending to the bereaved families their heartfelt sympathies.

On returning to his home he was taken ill at once with cancer of the stomach and never recovered.

Deceased was a member of the G. A. R., under whose auspices his funeral was conducted.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Mar 19 2023, 5:47:56 UTC