Cornelius McGuire - Bishop Post, G.A.R.

Photo taken in 1919 (according to Bishop Post minutes)

CORNELIUS McGUIRE

Cornelius McGuire was Irish by birth, born there on March 14, 1840 and traveling to America in 1860 as a 21 year old.  

The new immigrant enlisted in the Ohio Infantry, Company K, 12th regiment first on April 25, 1861.  He served a three month term, and he was discharged on August 18, 1861.

Later, he re-enlisted in Co. K, 10th (11th?) regiment Ohio Cavalry and this time served 2 years, 4 months and 18 days.  He enlisted on March 3, 1864, and was discharged on July 21, 1866.

On the 1890 veterans census, it was noted that he had fallen from a horse and was disabled in his left knee.

In the spring of 1864, that particular company was just reorganizing itself after losing its horses to starvation in 1863.  Company K was involved in the Atlanta campaign, charging the Rebels at Resaca, Georgia with high losses in the battle.  They marched with Sherman to the sea, fighting the enemy all the way, and then moved north through the Carolinas.  They were in active service until the end of the war.

Cornelius's pension card

After the war, Cornelius settled with his wife, the former Rachel Beavers, in Defiance and worked as a day laborer.  The couple had five children, but four were living at the time of the 1910 census: Mary E., Christena, C. Henry, and Claud.

Several references were made to Cornelius in the local papers.  On April 18, 1890, the Defiance County Republican Express reported:
"While Cornelius McGuire of East Defiance was removing dirt from his lot Wednesday, an Indian skeleton was unearthed.  There were gold bracelets on the wrists and gold ear rings near the head.  A tomahawk, pocket knife, and bullet moulds were also picked up and were in a good state of preservation."

On April 4, 1891, The Defiance Daily Crescent noted this court news:
"This morning Cornelius McGuire was arrested at the instance of Mrs. Andrew Baker of East Defiance and charged with the malicious destruction of property.  The trouble grew out of a line of fence which separates the complainant and defendants lots.  The trial caused considerable excitement and was heard before the Mayor.  There was evidently some misunderstanding on behalf of the prosecuting witness, for after hearing testimony, Mr. McGuire was discharged as it was proven he had not infringed on Mrs. Baker's premises."

It was interesting that in May, 1906, Cornelius ran for street commissioner and did not receive a single vote, according to the Defiance Daily Crescent.  Perhaps there is a story behind that?

In the 1920 census, Cornelius reported himself as a widower, as his wife had died on November 15, 1919, at the age of 85.  She was older than he was by about five years.  Cornelius was living at 425 Auglaize Street, a home that he owned.
Cornelius died August 9, 1921, while visiting or staying with his daughter in Mansfield, Ohio, and his obituary appeared in one of the papers.

   

"CORNELIUS McGUIRE

Cornelius McGuire died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Crossland at Mansfield.  The body arrived over the Baltimore and Ohio railroad this afternoon and was taken to the home at 425 Auglaize avenue.  He was a member of the Bishop Post of G.A.R.

The funeral services will be held  tomorrow at 9 a.m. from the St. Mary's church with Rev. Fr. Merickel in charge.

Members of the G.A.R. and American Legion will be pallbearers.  Members of Bishop's Post are asked to meet at Mansfield's Undertaking establishment so as to attend the services in a body." 

Defiance Crescent-News, August 1921

Riverside Cemetery - www.findagrave.com

(This is part of a series on Civil War veterans of Defiance County who were part of the G.A.R., Bishop Post, that headquartered in the city.  Formed in 1879, the post was named after a local man, Captain William Bishop, Company D, 100th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Army who died as a result of wounds received in battle.  The veterans' photos are part of a composite photo of members that has survived.  If you have other information or corrections to add to the soldiers' stories, please add to the comments!)