Dr. Ludwell Gaines Thacker - Bishop Post, G.A.R

Born in Clermont County, Ohio, on April 29, 1843, Ludwell Gaines Thacker (L.G.)  was born to Dr. Isaac Newton Thacker and his wife, Lydia.

By 1860, the family was settled in Defiance and L.G.'s physician father was practicing medicine in the city.   His father,I. N. (Isaac Newton) Thatcher, was 49, he reported on the 1860 census.  In his household were his wife, Lydia, 47, and children: W. H., 20, who was a medical student, Ludwell, 17, also a student, and Sarah, 15, Newton, 11, and Mary, 8.

When only 19, L. G. enlisted in Company D of the 100th Ohio Infantry on July 23, 1862.  He mustered in as a private, but in just a few months was promoted to sergeant.  Although he had signed up for a three year term of service, he was mustered out on January 6, 1863 on a surgeon's certificate of disability.

Upon his return home, he either began or continued his medical training at various institutions, including New York University and Bellevue Hospital Medical College in New York.  Following in his father's path, he served the people of northwest Ohio as a dedicated physician.

On January 26, 1869, he married Ann Eliza Noble, often called Lillie.  L. G. also became more and more active in affairs of the community, serving on the Board of Elections and the school board, and he was active in the G.A.R.

In 1899, the Thackers built a fine home at 412 Holgate Avenue.  On the 1900 census, Anna noted that she had had seven children, but only two were living: Eugenia and Myrtle.  Myrtle, 22 and single, was still living at home at that time with her parents.

But just a few years later, tragedy would strike the family.  First in January, L. G.'s father became ill and passed away.  Dr. I. N. Thacker was aged and no longer practicing medicine at the time, but he was a greatly revered man in the community.
His obituary appeared in the Defiance Weekly Express on January 10, 1901.

Just five months later, L. G., himself, died of tuberculosis at the age of 48, a young death even for the times. His obituaries appeared in the Defiance Democrat on June 27, 1901.

 

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Mrs. L. G. Thacker lived on until 1911, and her obituary appeared in the Defiance Democrat on July 5, 1911.

(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!)