Edward D. McArdle

Edward D. McArdle was born in 1848 in Ireland, probably the son of Edward and Catharine.

Edward (younger) immigrated to America and came to western Michigan sometime before 1864.

He stood 5’9” with blue eyes, light hair and a florid complexion and was 16 years old and possibly working as a farmer in Muskegon, Muskegon County when he enlisted in Company E on February 8, 1864, at Grand Rapids, crediting Muskegon, and was mustered the same day. He joined the Regiment on March 29, 1864, and was wounded on May 12, 1864, at Spotsylvania, Virginia, probably by a gunshot in the left arm and thigh. He was subsequently hospitalized and apparently still in the hospital when he was transferred to Company E, Fifth Michigan infantry upon consolidation of the Third and Fifth Michigan Regiments on June 10, 1864.

Edward returned to duty on September 1 or 20 from Summit House hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. However, he was again absent sick from November of 1864 until he was discharged for disability on May 24, 1865, at Bristol, Pennsylvania.

He may also have served in Company G, First United States infantry, and Company G, Forty-third United States infantry (possibly Veteran’s Reserve Corps units).

In any case, Edward returned to Michigan sometime after the war, and by 1870 was working as a farm laborer and living with the Michael Downs family in Ada, Kent County. (Downs too had been born in Ireland.) He may have resided at one point in Tallmadge, Ottawa County, and possibly in Chicago, Illinois.

In any case, Edward married Michigan native Margaret (b. 1850) and they had at least four children: Mary (b. 1873), Juliet (1874-75), Irma (b. 1875) and James (b. 1878).

By 1880 Edward was working as a grocer and living with his wife and children in Grand Rapids’ Fifth Ward. He was living in Grand Rapids in 1883, when he was drawing $5.00 (pension no. 61,189, dated 1866).

Edward was a member of Old Third Michigan Infantry Association.