Josiah D. Wickham

Josiah D. Wickham was born on July 20, 1809, in New York.

Josiah married Pennsylvania native Sarah (b. 1817), and they had at least two children: George (b. 1835) and a daughter Frances (b. 1840). By the time George as born they had settled in New York but sometime between 1835 and 1840 they moved to Michigan, and by 1850 Josdiah was working as a farmer (he owned $600 worth of real estate) and was living with his wife and two childrenin Sunfield, Eaton County.

Josiah was married to New York native or Vermonter Charlotte B. (1823-1890), and they had at least three children: Deming (1859), Frank B. (1866-1876) and Henry K. (1863-1896).

Josiah and his family were probably living in Clinton County in 1859 when their infant son Deming died (he was buried in South Riley cemetery). By 1860 Josiah and Charlotte were living on a farm in Riley, Clinton County (Josiah owned some $5,000 worth of real estate). Also living with them was 41-year-old New York native Susan Bassett and her 6-year-old son William (born in Michigan). Josiah eventually left New York and settled in western Michigan. By 1863 Josiah was working as a gunsmith in South Riley, Clinton County.

Josiah stood 5’10” with gray eyes, brown hair and a light complexion and was a 45-year-old farmer probably living in Riley, Clinton County, Michigan, when he enlisted in Company D on January 4, 1864, at Corunna, Shiawassee County or Riley for 3 years, crediting Riley. (He may have been related to Case Wickham of Company G. Case’s father James moved from Clinton County to Shiawassee County just before the war and lived there for many years afterwards.)

Josiah joined the Regiment on February 18 at Camp Bullock, Virginia, was absent sick in March and was still absent sick when he was transferred to Company A, Fifth Michigan infantry upon consolidation of the Third and Fifth Michigan Regiments on June 10, 1864. He remained absent sick until he was discharged for disability on April 3, 1865, at Detroit.

Josiah returned to Michigan after the war, probably back to his farm in Clinton County where he was living in 1870 with his wife Charlotte (reportedly worth some $7,000 in real estate), their two children and Susan Bassett and her son William.

In September of 1865 he applied for a pension (no. 84557; service listed as Company D, Third Michigan cavalry).

Josiah died of cancer of the stomach on November 29, 1874, in Dewitt, Clinton County, and was buried in South Riley cemetery: lot no. 43 grave 1.