Anthony Nolan (abt. 1830 - 1907)

Born about 9 Jul 1830 in Douro Township, Colborne, Upper Canada [uncertain]

Ancestors

Husband of Annetta (Merriman) Nolan — married after 1865 in Dakota Territory [uncertain]

Husband of Lucy (Bouk) Nolan — married 24 Jul 1895 in Brainerd, Minnesota

Died 13 Apr 1907 at about age 76 in Brainerd, Minnesota

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Biography

Birth

Anthony was the oldest child of James and Catherine McNertny Nolan.^[1] The 1852 Census indicates he was born in 1830, (although other sources put his birth as late as 1835.) The 1861 Census lists his birthplace as Peterborough, Ontario, probably in Douro township where his father was farming.^[2] The family moved to Wellesley township in Waterloo County about 1843 when Anthony was about 13. His obituary on this page lists his birthplace as New York State, but that appears to be untrue and may be related to his enlistment in military service in New York State.

Military Service

Anthony Nolan enlisted in the Union Army in Buffalo, New York on September 19, 1862. ^[3]He was identified as born in Canada West (Ontario) and had been a sailor. He was 5 ft. 9 inches tall, with hazel eyes, black hair and dark complexion. (There is a record of an A Nolan, age 28, born in Canada, enlisting in the US Navy on Sept 4, 1861 at Buffalo NY. This Nolan is 5 ft. 7 1/2 inches tall, with hazel eyes, brown hair, and a ruddy complexion, and may possibly the same person.^[4]) In the US Army, Anthony fought in Company K, 9th Cavalry Regiment of New York, which had already seen combat at Bull Run in August 1862 and was to fight at Chancellorsville, in May 1963 and Gettysburg in July 1863. Anthony was wounded at Meadow Bridge, Va, May 12, 1864. The Meadow Bridge battle is described in Union army records:

The 4th Michigan cavalry was ordered at daylight to cross the Chickahominy at Meadow Bridge. The Confederates destroyed the bridge on the approach of the force, but a crossing was effected on the railroad bridge and the enemy driven back half a mile into his entrenchment's upon a hill. Reinforcements were sent up at this time and after an hour’s engagement the Confederates were flanked and routed. The losses, although not definitely reported, were not heavy.”

Anthony was promoted to Corporal on February 1, 1863, and to Full Sergeant on January 1, 1865. He was reduced in grade to private before being mustered out on June 1, 1865.^[5]

Later Life

After the war, Anthony settled in Abercrombie, Dakota Territory in 1866, according to a 1893 report in the Brainerd (MN) Dispatch. ^[6] According to his obituary,^[7], "He went to the then wilds of North Dakota shortly after his discharge from the service and was engaged in Indian warfare, but with what organization is not known. He also carried mail between Ft. Abercrombie and Ft. Pembina in the latter sixties and early seventies and is said to have been the first man to plant wheat in the now state of North Dakota. The 1880 census shows him living in Richland, Dakota Territory as a 45 year old widower farmer.^[8] Not long after that date, he moved to Brainerd, Minnesota to work for the Northern Pacific Railroad.^[9]

Among his jobs, he was a "call boy, . . calling engine crews for so long that he and his bicycle were familiar sights." City Directories for Brainerd list his occupations over the years as a laborer and then foreman of the woodyard, wiper, as well as caller. In the 1895 state census, he was identified as a disabled carpenter^[10] and in 1905 as a day laborer.^[11]

Marriages

Anthony's first marriage, to Nettie (Annette) Merriman, is mentioned in his obituary, reporting that the marriage occurred in North Dakota, and that Nettie died within a few days of the marriage.

Anthony married a second time to widow Lucy Bouck Thompson in 1895 in Brainerd when he would have been about 65 years old.^[12][13] They separated about three years before Anthony died.^[14]

Death

Anthony died after a short illness at age 77, and his death certificate lists his cause of death as senility.^[15] He was buried with military honors in Evergreen Cemetery, in Brainerd. In his will, Anthony left any remaining assets to his niece Maggie Herrick, and named his nephew Robert Potter as his executor.^[16]

Research Notes

Anthony's Civil War pension record also identifies him with Company F, 10th US Infantry.^[17]

A family member, Inez Potter Loughrige, reported that Anthony and Nettie had a daughter Mayme who was raised by her mother's family.^[18]

Sources

• Anthony Nolan in Waterloo Region Generations website.

1. ↑ 1851 Census, Canada West, Waterloo County, Wellesley Township, part 4.
2. ↑ 1861 Canada West Census https://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/?app=Census1861&op=img&id=4391572_00532
3. ↑ "United States Census of Union Veterans and Widows of the Civil War, 1890", index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/K8ST-G6G : accessed 04 Jul 2014), Anthony Nolan, 1890.
4. ↑ "United States Naval Enlistment Rendezvous, 1855-1891," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-14739-63359-32?cc=1825347 : accessed 04 Jul 2014), 004639544 > image 49 of 228; citing NARA microfilm publication M1953.
5. ↑ "United States Civil War Soldiers Index, 1861-1865," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FSGL-1PF : accessed 04 Jul 2014), Anthony Noland, 1861-1865; citing military unit 9th Regiment, New York Cavalry, Union Soldier, NARA microfilm publication M551, roll 104 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d); FHL microfilm 882160.
6. ↑ Brainerd Dispatch, 08 December 1893, p. 4, c. 3
7. ↑ Anthony Nolan Dead, Brainerd Dispatch, 19 April 1907, p. 9, col.2.
8. ↑ "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCV4-3RQ : 22 August 2017), Anthony Nolan, Township 135, Richland, Dakota Territory, United States; citing enumeration district ED 56, sheet 177D, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 0114; FHL microfilm 1,254,114.
9. ↑ "Minnesota, State Census, 1885," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MQXH-3FF : accessed 04 Jul 2014), Anthony Nolan, Brainerd, Crow Wing, Minnesota; citing p. 8, volume Crow Wing, State Library and Records Service, St.Paul; FHL microfilm 000565736.
10. ↑ "Minnesota, State Census, 1895," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MQD2-WG4 : accessed 04 Jul 2014), Anton Nolan, Brainerd city, Ward 04, Crow Wing, Minnesota; citing p. 3, line 27, State Library and Records Service, St.Paul; FHL microfilm 000565768.
11. ↑ "Minnesota, State Census, 1905," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-159387-240167-26?cc=1503056 : accessed 04 Jul 2014), Crow Wing > Brainerd, Ward 04 > image 31 of 41; citing State Library and Records Service, St. Paul.
12. ↑ Crow Wing County Early Marriages
13. ↑ "United States Census, 1900," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M9S3-8K5 : accessed 04 Jul 2014), Anton Nolund, Brainerd city Ward 4, Crow Wing, Minnesota, United States; citing sheet 11B, family 210, NARA microfilm publication T623, FHL microfilm 1240761.
14. ↑ Anthony Nolan Dead, Brainerd Dispatch, 19 April 1907, p. 9, col.2.
15. ↑ Death index card, viewed at Minnesota Historical Society Library. See also MNHS Death Certificate Index
16. ↑ "Minnesota Will Records, 1849-1985," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FSGC-CY4 : 11 March 2018), Anthony Nolan, 1906; citing p. 238-239, volume Will Records Volume A 1878-1918, Crow Wing County, Historical Society, St.Paul.
17. ↑ "United States General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVNS-13VV : 3 April 2015), Anthony Nolan, 1878.
18. ↑ Letter from Inez Potter Loughrige to Margaret McGrann, August 15, 1979. Copy in possession of Meg McGowan.