| John Wilcox | 10th Ohio Voluntary Cavalry |
| by Julie Shaw |
John Wilcox born in 1840 in Kirkersville, Ohio is where he began the adventures of his life. John was enlisted into the 5th Independent Battalion O.V.C. at the age of 23. While he was enlisted with this regiment he was a part of the group that formed a part of the Army of Occupation of Arkansas. His service with this regiment lasted a little over six months. John soon enlisted with another regiment, the 10th O.V.C. This regiment had a huge role throughout the war. During John’s period from late February 1864 to late July 1865, this regiment was involved heavily with Sherman’s March through Atlanta. John was a part of the organization that destroyed the enemy’s communication lines and supply-lines during the war in Georgia. They helped to secure the area in and around Atlanta and then moved onto other rebel controlled cities within Georgia. There is also another regiment he was involved with and that is the 88th O.V.I; the regiment stayed local to the Columbus area by manning the prisoner camp of Camp Chase. This regiment so desperately wanted the chance to prove themselves but never got the opportunity to fight for their country. I think John got mixed up within different regiments and spent time with this regiment in-between the time he was with the 10th. His experiences within the war are from all aspects as being a fighter in the west and then moving to the east to fight under General Sherman and finally being involved with Camp Chase as a possible prisoner guard.
When John mustered out of the war he was not heard of until the 1880’s. He was located in Westerville listed in the 1880 Westerville Census as a laborer and a boarder. He soon was married and living on his own within Westerville. He married Emma Budd and had three children with her, one dying in infancy, and the other two Violanta and Mabel. The two daughters were married in the early 1900’s and had very prominent husbands. John was involved with the local G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic) chapter in Westerville called, James Price Post. John was also a huge admirer of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Westerville. He was part of the men’s organization called the Brotherhood around the turn of the century. He was part of two organizations that were devoted to helping people. John was remembered as a very kind person who would go out of his way to help someone else. He died on April 12, 1919 and was buried in the Otterbein Cemetery.
Bibliography
Author Visit to Otterbein Cemetery, Otterbein Cemetery, Westerville, Ohio, February 15, 2005.
Campbell, James, Daniel Ryan, and Thomas Dill. Official Roster of the Soldiers of the State of Ohio in the War of the Rebellion 1861-1866. Vol. XI, Authority of the General Assembly, 1891.
Foraker, Governor, James Robinson, and H.A. Axline. Roster of Ohio Soldiers - Three Years Service 87th – 108th Regiments – Infantry. Vol. VII, Authority of the General Assembly: The Ohio Valley Press, 1888.
Gelbert, Doug. Civil War Sites, Memorials, Museums, and Library Collections: A State-by-State Guidebook to Places Open to the Public. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, 1997.
James Price Post, Vertical Files, James Price Post Local G.A.R. Chapter, Local History Center, Westerville Public Library.
“Obituary John Wilcox.” Public Opinion, Microfilms, Local History Center, Westerville Public Library, April 17, 1919, 1.
“Obituary John Wilcox.” Public Opinion, Microfilms, Local History Center, Westerville Public Library, April 24, 1919, 12.
Reid, Whitelaw. Ohio in the War: Her Statesmen Generals and Soldiers. Vol. 2, Cincinnati, Ohio: The Robert Clarke Company, 1895.
Sammons, H.P. – Local Furniture Ads, 1919 Westerville City Directory, Local History Center, Westerville Public Library.
The Methodist Episcopal Church Bulletin November 7, 1919, Churches, Vertical Files, Methodist Episcopal Church, Local History Center, Westerville Public Library.
Ward, Stephen H. Buckeyes All: A Compendium and Bibliography Ohio in the Civil War. Vol. 1, Dayton & Cincinnati, Ohio: Privately Printed by Author, 1999.
Wilcox, John, Civil War Memorial List, Otterbein College Archives, Otterbein College Library.
Wilcox, John, Westerville City 1880 Census Records, Local History Center, Westerville Public Library.
Wilcox, John, Westerville City 1910 Census Records, Local History Center, Westerville Public Library.