G2G: U.S. Civil War Veterans of the 106th NYV “Men of the Cloth”

Question

Hi wikitreers and fellow US Civil War project members,

We have two men with the same name who served in the US Civil War of the glorious 106th New York Vols  

Their ages are very close being only separated between five and seven years apart and yet their lives are very similar however with some differences.

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The first veteran and the one we need collaboration in connecting is 

WAGGONER, WILLIAM H.—Age, 44 years. Enlisted at Malone, to serve one year, and mustered in as private, Co. G, September 8, 1864; discharged, May 6, 1865, at Albany, N. Y. 

This fold3 record shows a 44 year old from Palatine enlisting September 8, 1864 in Malone into Company G. Discharged May 6, 1865 as a private. His bio description is blue eyes, dark hair, light complexion, 5’ 7 3/4” tall, occupation listed as a clergyman

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The second veteran we don’t want to conflate with is  Rev. William Henry Waggoner (1812 - 1893) who was a Chaplain in the 106th New York Vols see Field and Staff

WAGGONER, WILLIAM H.—Age, 50 years. Enrolled at Washington, D. C, to serve three years, and mustered in as chaplain, August 27, 1862.  discharged, February 3, 1863, at Washington, D. C. Not commissioned chaplain.

Any collaboration in getting him better connected is appreciated

Thank you

Let’s get these veterans connected

Note: please see research notes and comments on profile for recent updates  

Comments

Oddly the man in company G of the 106th is also listed as chaplain in records

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A Reverend William H. Waggoner Chaplain is mentioned here St Lawrence Republican and Ogdensburgh Weekly Journal, 14 October 1862 — Page 2

The One Hundred and Sixth

Headquarters Camp Jessie New Creek Virginia October 5, 1862 

Editor Republican & Journal:-

At a meeting held by the officers of the 106 regiment New York State volunteers the subject of a successor to Colonel S.F.  Judd being under consideration and it being at once apparent that Lieutenant Colonel Edward C. James was the choice of the regiment a petition was made out to his Excellency Gov. Morgan, of which I sent you a copy for publication we all consider Lieutenant Colonel James eminently fit for said position, I trust he may receive the appointment

1st Lieutenant A.W. Briggs, Sec. Headquarters 106th New York state volunteers camp Jessie, New Creek Virginia Oct., 8d 1862 

To his Excellency Edwin D. Morgan governor of New York whereas Colonel Schuyler F Judd has resigned his commission as Colonel…

The article continues and states

very very respectfully your obedient servants

with a list of names which includes 

Reverend W.H. Waggoner chaplain

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Another article mentions Rev. Waggoner 

St Lawrence Republican and Ogdensburgh Weekly Journal, 30 December 1862

performing a marriage here for Luther Abernathy Esq. of Madrid and Mrs. Hannah Dwinell in this Article: St Lawrence Republican and Ogdensburgh Weekly Journal, 26 September 1863 — Page 4 Your 

Rev. Waggoner transitions into insurance business The Daily Journal, 14 December 1866 — Page 3 Your

“Speaking of insurance we noticed that Reverend W.H. Waggoner, lately of Madrid has been appointed special agent of the national life and national travelers insurance companies with Stryker and Woodworth, General Agents at Syracuse New York by correspondence published in the Syracuse daily league we noticed that the national Travelers pays its losses most promptly meeting one of $4000 at Port Byron New York several weeks before actually due, without any deduction whatsoever. Mr. Waggoner will be in the Saint Lawrence County after the holidays looking after insurance Matters? “

Answer 1

I found a William H. Wagner on the 1880 census, age 60, widower, occupation Clergyman, born in NY, living in a boarding house in Rochester, NY. The last name could easily be misspelled, especially since the information was likely provided by a non-family member. Age 60 seems to imply that it could be the soldier you seek, though there is not enough information to be certain. Though the age is not as close for the second soldier, his wife, Emily, died in 1876, so he would be a widower in 1880, making him a likely candidate. Do we know where the second soldier was in 1880 to rule him out? I did not attach the record to either soldier, but posted it here for your consideration:

"United States, Census, 1880", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MZDV-8X1 : Tue Jan 21 22:09:09 UTC 2025), Entry for Richard D. Cole and Frances E. Cole, 1880.

Comments

Hi Star 

Thanks for the response to this g2g question 

This is what we have thus far…

Rev. William Henry Waggoner (1812 - 1893) who was a Chaplain in the 106th New York Vols see Field and Staff

He died 12 Sep 1893 at age 81 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States

Cause of death enlarge of prostate gland and heart failure 12 years at 20 Warrenton Street. 

Occupation clergyman 

Birthplace listed on death record as Palatine Bridge, New York 

Father listed as Peter Wagner 

Mother listed as Catherine Loucks

Note: not finding him in 1880 yet but he died in Mass 13 years later and I doibt he was near Rochester New York as our other veteran in 1880 so probably in mass in 1880…

Still researching both men are so similar in genealogy research  

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The short obit in Watertown Re-Union, 13 September 1893 Page 5 shows he was formerly of this town 

Watertown New York when he died September 6, 1893

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I think both were born in Palatine and another at Palatine Bridge

The letter from the war department seems to also have tried to figure out the two separate individuals see profile for details of it from fold3

Quote “ From a comparison of signatures It would appear that he is not identical with the William H Waggoner who served as chaplain of said Regiment and was discharged February 6, 1863 on tender of resignation.”

They had to look at their signatures for comparison 

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I live near Watertown where he is buried.  I believe one of his sons is also here. In better weather I will see what they have on him.  In the meantime you might try contacting the genealogy room at the Flower Memorial Library, Washington Street, 13601.  They seem very friendly.  They have one particularly great volunteer you might be lucky enough to get.
Phone315-785-7705

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Note in my sources my man was living outside Albany with his wife and brother in 1892 census