William H CONINE (VETERAN UNION)

CORPORAL US Army
Company E 11 New York Infantry
Civil War Union
January 22, 1844 - January 21, 1930

*Obituary
Benton County Herald
Thursday, January 23, 1930

CONINE, William H - Funeral for W H Conine, veteran of the Union Army and for the past 42 years well known and widely respected citizen of Bentonville, who died at his home at Fifteenth and West D Streets at 12:15 o'clock am Tuesday, January 21st, 1930 following several months of rapidly failing health and weeks of critical illness, were held at the Bentonville Presbyterian Church at 2:30 o'clock Wednesday afternoon - the 86th anniversary of his birth. The services were conducted by the pastor, the Rev A W Henderson, and interment was in the Bentonville cemetery. Mr Conine was born at Newark, Wayne County, New York on January 22nd, 1844. When still a boy he went to Michigan with his father but later returned to the state of his birth, living there two years before the whole country was confronted with the crisis of the War Between the States. Enlisting in the Union Army on August 8th, 1862 he served three years in Company E, 111 New York Infantry, receiving his honorable discharge June 14th, 1865. His regiment was a part of the Army of the Potomac and he fought in battles in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. In September 1862 he was one of the 4,000 Northern soldiers captured at Harper's Ferry by General Stonewall Jackson's brigade of the Southern Army. These 4,000 prisoners of war were a short time later taken to Chicago by an arrangement between the Northern and Southern Armies whereby they were paroled on field until exchanged for a like number of Confederate soldiers held prisoners in the North. In 1863 he was wounded in the right arm at Bristow Station on the Orange and Alexandria railroad. In the Battle of the Wilderness in 1864 he was again wounded, receiving this time a musket ball of an ounce in weight in his left leg just above the knee. This happened along in May and he was unable to do active field service again until the following March. Among other important engagements in which he participated were the Battle of Seminary Ridge, Gettysburg and with the Northern troops that met Pickett's memorable charge. On the second day of April 1865, near Richmond, he was taken prisoner again, but with the surrender of General Lee bringing the war to a close within a few days, Mr Conine again escaped prison. After being discharged from army service at the close of the war Mr Conine joined his father in Michigan, living in that state until 1870 when he went to Kansas, locating at Eldorado in that state. Here he met Miss Mary A McFarland and on November 3rd, 1872 they were married. Of the four children born to this union two survive their father: Hugh Conine, formerly in business here in Bentonville and at Nowata, Okla and now of Galesburg, Ill, and Bert Conine of Elkhart, Ind. A son and daughter preceded their father in death. Besides his wife and two sons Mr Conine also is survived by 12 grandchildren and four great grandchildren. On June 10th, 1887 Mr and Mrs Conine and their four children arrived in Bentonville, this becoming the permanent family home and they becoming a vital part of the town and community. While living at Eldorado, Kansas Mr Conine united with the Presbyterian Church and on coming to Bentonville transferred his membership here, as did his wife and other members of the family. He has been a deacon of the Bentonville Presbyterian Church for many years. He always took an active interest in the affairs of the Grand Army of the Republic organization and was twice adjutant general of the state division and served four terms as commander of the Burnside Post No 4 of the Department of Arkansas. He had for many years been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr Conine had been a farmer much of his life but since making his home in Bentonville had devoted most of his business life to the real estate business and similar lines of business activity. Until overtaken by his last illness he was noted for his energy and active life in spite of his advancing years. As long as physical strength would permit he was faithful in action as well as in purpose as to his chosen vocations, his church duties and his fraternal and other obligations but was faithful most of all to his family and his home.

*Obituary
Benton County Record & Democrat & Sun
Thursday, January 23, 1930

William H Conine, well known and highly respected citizen of Bentonville, passed away quietly in his sleep at 12:15 Tuesday morning after an illness of several weeks. The end was not unexpected by the family. He had become worse Saturday and for several days had taken but little nourishment. Following a severe spell of illness a few weeks before he had seemed to get better and was able to take short drives with his son, Hugh. Mr. Conine was one of the most active men of his age in the county and until the last year was at his office practically every day. He often boasted that he had never had a severe illness in his life. Had he lived another day he would have been exactly 86 years of age. As it was he was buried on his 86th birthday. Funeral services were held at the First Presbyterian Church Wednesday at 2:30 o'clock, his pastor, the Rev. A.W. Henderson, conducting the services. The church was filled with friends made during his 42 years residence in Bentonville. Burial was made in the City Cemetery. William H. Conine, son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Conine, was born in Newark, Wayne County, New York Jan. 22, 1844. He went with his father to Michigan when a boy but returned to his native state in 1860. At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in the Union Army at the age of 18 and served his country faithfully throughout the crisis. He was twice wounded and twice taken prisoner. During this time he gained rank of corporal. He was with the army of the Potomac and fought in battles in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. In September 1862 he, with 4,000 others, was captured at Harper's Ferry by Stonewall Jackson and taken to Chicago where, with other prisoners, was paroled on field until they were exchanged for Confederate soldiers. In 1863 he was wounded in the right arm at Bristow station of Orange & Alexandria railroad. In 1864 he was again wounded in the battle of the Wilderness, getting about one ounce of lead in his left leg, just above the knee, causing a slight limp he carried thru life. He took part in Seminary Ridge, in Pickett's Charge, in Gettysburg, etc. The second of April 1865 he again was taken prisoner and taken before the provost guard at Richmond but with Lee surrendering and the war closing on the ninth day he again escaped prison life. After the war Mr. Conine went back to Michigan to join his father and was married on his 24th birthday to a young lady there. Their happiness was brief for the bride passed away within the year. In 1870 Mr. Conine left Michigan, seeking a home in the west, settled at Eldorado, Kans. Here he met Mary A. McFarland and married her the 3rd day of November 1872. To them were born four children, two of whom are living: Hugh Conine, formerly of Nowata, Okla. but now of Galesburg, Ill. and Robert, who lives in Elkhart, Ind., both of whom have been here for the past month caring for their father. Mr. and Mrs. Conine and children moved to Bentonville in 1887 where Mr. Conine engaged in the real estate business. He served as postmaster in Bentonville for four years during the Harrison administration. He was a prominent G.A.R. member and served as state adjutant general for two terms. He was also a charter member of the Burnside Post No 4, G A R of Bentonville and was elected commander for four terms. He was a life long member of the Presbyterian church and attended services regularly. He was a deacon of the church. Besides his wife and sons 13 grandchildren survive and a great granddaughter. A brother, Nelson E Conine, a prominent newspaper publisher of Battle Creek, Mich and two sisters, Mrs John Wilkins of Battle Creek and Mrs Edward Allen of Grand Rapids, also survive.

Contributed on 3/22/13 by wfields55
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Record #: 850601

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