James K Witham (1843 - 1935)

Born 9 Feb 1843 in Hartford, Connecticut, United States

Husband of Ella B (Pushee) Witham — married 21 Nov 1868 in Worcester, Massachusetts, United States

Husband of Martha A (Smith) Witham — married 19 Dec 1900 in Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts, United States

Descendants

Died 19 Feb 1935 at age 92 in Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts, United States

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Biography

Son of Jonathan and Relief (Henry) Witham.

On 12 Jul 1861 James, a farmer, mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry as a Sergeant, being credited to the quota of Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 16 years and 5 months old.

On 17 Sep 1862 James was wounded at The Battle of Antietam, Washington County, Maryland, on the arm.

On 10 Dec 1862 James was promoted to to Corporal, and on 1 Jan 1863 to to Sergeant.

On 24 Feb 1863 at the "Worcester Spy," Worcester, MA, James was mentioned (Volume 18 #47): "Fifteenth Regiment - James K. Witham of this regiment has been raised to the rank of corporal for good and soldierly conduct."

On 11 Jul 1864 James ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts having fulfilled his term of service.

James K. Witham married Ella P. Bushee, daughter of Sydney A. and Elizabeth A. (Brunandon) Bushee .

He was enumerated in the 1890 US Federal census, Veteran's Schedule in Jun 1890 at Springfield, MA, as having served in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Company C.

On 18 Jun 1897 Ella P. Bushee, his wife, died at Springfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts, of cancer. On 18 Nov 1898 James's daughter, Emma, married Jesse Stewart Peters at Springfield, MA.

In 1900, he remarried to Martha (Smith) Jaquith, a widow, in a second marrige for both.

James K. Witham died in Feb 1935 at Springfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts. He was 90 years old.

A report on James' funeral in the "Springfield Republican," 23 Feb 1935, p. 14, states in part: Townspeople Attend J. K. Witham Funeral Civil War Veteran, Retired B. & A. Engineer, Eulogized by Rev. R. S. Guptill The funeral of James K. Witham, Civil war veteran and retired railroad engineer, was held yesterday afternoon at his home, 1626 Westfield Street, West Springfield, with a large arrendance of townspeople. A group of retired engineers of the Boston & Albany railroad was present.

Rev. Roger S. Gupgill, Methodist church, officiated and bearers were Westley Peters, James Peters, Leland Smith, Roland Smith, Harrison Bliss and Charles Dudley. A committal service was held at the chapel in Springfield cemetery and the body was cremated.

Mr. Guptill spoke briefly in eulogy of Mr. Witham, stressing the quiet, unassuming character of the man whose principal aim in life was to do whatever job was his to the best of his ability.....

Sources

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/102192093/james-k-witham

• Evening Gazette Wednesday, Feb 20, 1935 Worcester, MA Page: 24, https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A1773BDF75FF7A17E%40GB3NEWS-1799C779CBB3F2AF%402427854-1799B3D188B413F8%4023-1799B3D188B413F8%40?h=35&fname=&lname=witham&fullname=&kwinc=&kwexc=&rgfromDate=1935&rgtoDate=1935&formDate=&formDateFlex=exact&dateType=range&processingtime=&addedFrom=&addedTo=&sort=old&page=2&sid=dbiwcxptatlvybbjoitffpqumpzvncec_wma-gateway001_1658171202115