William Spear

Civil War

William Spear was born on April 8, 1825, in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. His father was an immigrant from Ireland and his mother was an immigrant from England. He attended local schools in Pennsylvania. On February 2, 1850, he married Elizabeth Leighty and, shortly thereafter, the couple moved to Des Moines County, IA. In 1856, they moved to Tama County, IA and were residing there when the Civil War started in 1861. William joined the Union Army on January 4, 1864, at the relatively old age of 38. He was immediately assigned to Company G, 14th Iowa Infantry, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division of the 16th Army Corps.

The 14th Iowa Infantry had been in major battles at Shiloh, TN and Corinth, MS in 1862 but subsequently was in garrison duty at Columbus, KY. By early 1864, this unit was marching south to engage in the long battle at Vicksburg, MS. This was an intense battle that evolved into a siege. There were numerous battles in this area as the Union soldiers surrounded and isolated the city. At some point, William was transferred from Company G to Company A. The 14th Infantry was involved in fighting at Pleasant Hill, LA, Tallahatchie, MS and Yellow Bayou, LA. By July, 1864, they were engaged in fighting at Tupelo and Old Town Creek, MS. It was at this time that William suffered a severe episode of sunstroke. It brought on asthma and left him totally disabled.

William was hospitalized in Memphis, TN (presumably a Union hospital) and later in hospitals in St. Louis, MO and Keokuk, IA. After many months of recuperation, he was mustered out of the US Army at Davenport, IA on May 17, 1865 for disability.

He returned to Tama County to farming. However, he never fully recovered and, in 1875, moved to a farm in Eden Township to live with his daughter and her family. William died of consumption (tuberculosis) near Templeton on June 6, 1883 at age 58. Templeton had been founded the year before and was still being developed. William was buried at Elba Cemetery near Templeton.