3rd g-grandfather of Katherine Hoover Ballard

Pvt.   Co. D    37th Illinois Infantry 

Dates of Service: 15 Aug 1861 - 9 Jun 1864

Stillman Stubbs was born November 17, 1808 in Bucksport, Hancock County Maine, the son of Reuben and Anna (Fanny) Eldridge Stubbs.  He was the 8th of 14 children born to Reuben and Fanny.  Around 1840, Stillman married Louisa Meredith Hanney in Hancock County, Maine.  The children born to Stillman and Fanny were Wesley born 1842, Freeman born 1844, Hester born 1846, Deforest born 1847, and Sarah born 1851.  Around 1850, the family moved to Illinois.  Louisa died January 9, 1854 Lee County, Illinois.  Stillman then married Caroline Shaffer on October 12, 1857 in Kane, Greene County, Illinois.  Stillman’s and Caroline’s children were George (Katherine’s Great-great-Grandfather), born 1859 and Chauncey in 1860.  By 1860, the family had moved to Manistee, Michigan where Stillman worked as a logger.  

On August 15, 1861 at the age of 52, Stillman enlisted as a Private in Co. D, 37th Illinois Infantry with his son Freeman in Manistee, Michigan.  Illinois came across Lake Michigan and recruited men from Northern Michigan.  On July 23, 1863, Stillman was hospitalized in Vicksburg, Mississippi.  He returned to his unit, but was again hospitalized in New Orleans, Louisiana.  Stillman was discharged by reason of disability on June 9, 1864.  The reason given on his discharge papers was “disability and old age”.  His son Freeman served his three years and re-enlisted as a Veteran on February 10, 1864 at New Orleans, Louisiana.  He mustered out at Houston, Texas on May 15, 1866.  Stillman’s son Wesley served as a Private in Co. E, 8th Illinois Cavalry.  

Stillman was awarded a pension on December 26, 1879 at the age of 71.  He died on February 23, 1883 and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Manistee, Michigan.  His wife Caroline passed away on October 25, 1905. 

GRAVESITE: Oak Grove Cemetery, Manistee, MI

Written by Bethany Hoover, PDP, March 2020

Eva Gray Tent No. 2, Grand Rapids, Michigan