Civil War 150th Anniversary

As I've done my research over the years I've have found a few ancestors who may have fought in the Civil War, but I want to get more confirmation on them.  One ancestor however, I do know for certain fought in the Civil War.

He was my 3rd Great Grandfather, Alva Beach Hubbard. 

Alva Beach Hubbard circa 1918

Alva Beach Hubbard was born 8 Nov 1834 in Windham, New York.  At the age of 27 he joined the Civil War.

Below is a transcription of his obiturary as it appeared in the Evansville Review in Evansville, Wisconsin 5 Apr 1923.

OBITUARY

ALVA BEACH HUBBARD

Alva Beach Hubbard was born Nov. 8th, 1834, in Windham, New York.  At the age of two, removed with his parents to Mount Morris, where he grew to sturdy young manhood, working on the farm summers and attending district school winters.  When 18 years of age he enjoyed two terms of high school in the village, acquiring that thirst for reading which remained with him throughout his life.  When 19 years of age, or in October, 1853, he came, with his parents, to Wisconsin, stopping in Spring Prairie.  The next year, November, 1854, he removed to Lacon, Ill, and followed railroading until July, 1857, when he came back to Spring Prairie, helping with the harvest, going back to Windham. N.Y., the last of October, where on the 7th of the month he married Miss Clara Force, returning with his bride to Spring Prairie and engaging in farming until the call of his country caused him to enlist in Co., I, 28th Wisconsin Infantry.  He served with honors for three years, until the close of the war, and was mustered out in October, 1865, returning gladly to the farm.  In the spring of 1871 he went to Minnesota and took up a homestead in Brown County.  Helped organize the township, the school district and built the first schoolhouse.  Was superintendant of the first Sunday school and a charter member of the COngressional church he helped organize, serving in some official capacity until he sold out, coming to Evansville.  A year later, in July, 1897, he moved to Mentour, Iowa, and bought a home, but returned shortly to Wisconsin, where he resided continuously until his death, which took place April 2nd., 1923, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Carrie E. Bestor.  His wife having preceded him in death four years, there remains to mourn his passing, two daughters: Mrs. Carrie E. Bestor of Evansville and Mrs. Helen Z. May of Bloomington, Ill. and one son, Clifford W. Hubbard of Omaha, Neb.  THere are also ten grand-children.  For the last years of his life Mr. Hubbard was afflicted with deafness, hearing only by the aid of a speaking trumpet, and with near blindness; still he delighted to talk with friends, especially of the stirring times immediatley precededing and during the Civil War.  Always intensley patriotic, he could  no brook slighting remarks regarding the flag of his country.  Religion and patriotism were close akin to him.  Naturally he was a member of the local Congregational Church, coming by letter.  Always he carried his church letter with him.  The funeral took place from the home of Mrs. Carrie E. Bestor on Third Street, Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock, Rev. O.W.Smith of the Congregational church officiating.  Beside the many relatives and friends gathered to pay him honor was the little group of Civil War veterans, a pitiful remnant of the Grand Army of the Republic, who, with representatives of the American Iegion Post, laid the body to rest in the cemetery.  Hail and farewell, comrade and brother.

My research is currently focused on finding out more about Alva's war experience and finding out more about the Co. 1 28th Wisconsin Infantry.  I'm very proud to have him in my family tree.

My connection to Alva Beach Hubbard:

Alva Hubbard>>Carrie E. (Hubbard) Bestor>>Donald H. Bestor>>Bartley R. Bestor>>Sherri C. Bestor>>Me

The other Civil War veterans in my tree are not direct ancestors, but are uncles and cousins in my tree.