Lieutenant Joseph Marsh, Co. G, 107th Illinois Infantry, USA

1836

  • August 15: Joseph Marsh was born in Pickaway County, OH to John and Eliza Marsh.

1850

  • December 30: The U.S. Federal Census enumerated in Dewitt County, IL showed 15-year-old Joseph living with his parents and siblings. His father, John, was a farmer.

1858

  • October 31: Joseph married Margaret A. Day in Dewitt County, IL.

1860

  • July 30: The U.S. Federal Census enumerated in Dewitt County, IL showed Joseph, a farmer and carpenter, living with his wife Margaret and his young son, George.

1862

  • August 6: Joseph Marsh enlisted in the U.S. Army and was mustered in to Co. G 107 IL Infantry. His rank at enlistment was Sergeant.

1864

  • October 31: Joseph was promoted to Lieutenant.

  • November 30: Joseph fought in the Battle of Franklin.

1865

  • June 21: Joseph mustered out of the U.S. Army in Salisbury, NC with his regiment.

1868

  • Migrated to Ottawa, Kansas.

1869

  • November 19: Joseph married Sarah K. Woods in Ottawa, Kansas.

1870

  • July 28: The U.S. Federal Census enumerated in Franklin County, KS showed Joseph, a carpenter, living with his second wife Sarah and children.

1875

  • March 1: The Kansas State Census showed Joseph, a farmer, and his family living in Franklin County, KS.

1880

  • June 3: The U.S. Federal Census enumerated in Ottawa, Franklin County, KS showed Joseph, a farmer, and Sarah living with their children.

1889

  • September 3: The Ottawa Daily Republic, Ottawa, KS.

Picture1.png

  • November 15: Joseph bought a building from the Quenemo Hotel Co. and he opened the Marsh House Hotel.

1890

  • May 2: Joseph Marsh applied for and was granted a pension for his military service.

1893

  • Joseph Marsh started a tradition that would last until he died. He held a Thanksgiving dinner honoring his and his comrades’ survival of the Battle of Franklin. The dinners were actually changed to December 15-16 after a few years because too many people had schedule conflicts for Thanksgiving. Franklin was not the only battle Joseph Marsh experienced, but it did leave a lasting impact in his memory, which is clearly illustrated in the following newspaper articles.

  • November 25: The Ottawa Daily Republic, Ottawa, KS

Picture2.png
Marsh House Ottawa Kansas.jpg

1900

  • June 6: The U.S. Federal Census enumerated in Ottawa, Franklin County, KS showed Joseph, a hotel keeper, and Sarah living at the hotel with eight of their children and many employees who lived on site.

1902

  • December 17: The Evening Herald, Ottawa, KS.

Picture3.png

1905

  • November 13: The Evening Herald, Ottawa, KS.

The Evening Herald, Ottawa, KS 13 Nov 1905.jpg

  • November 15: The Evening Herald, Ottawa, KS.

The_Evening_Herald_Wed__Nov_15__1905_.jpg

1908

  • November 30: The Ottawa Daily Republic, Ottawa, KS.

The_Ottawa_Daily_Republic_Mon__Nov_30__1908_.jpg

1909

  • November 30:

The Ottawa Daily Republic, Ottawa, KS 30 Nov 1909.jpg

1910

  • April 21: The U.S. Federal Census enumerated in Ottawa, Franklin County, KS showed Joseph, a hotel landlord, and Sarah living at the Marsh House Hotel with four of their children and many employees.

1911

  • May 16: The Evening Herald, Ottawa, KS.

The Evening Herald Ottawa KS 16 May 1911.jpg

  • May 25: Joseph’s widow Sarah applied for and was granted a widows’ military pension.