A comprehensive roster of casualties from Columbia County, Wisconsin, detailing the hometown, age, unit, location of death, and cause of death for soldiers, sailors, marines, and nurses who sacrificed their lives during World War I.
The Kickapoo Indians, part of the Algonquian linguistic family, historically occupied regions across states such as Illinois, Wisconsin, and Kansas. Initially settling near the Sauk in Michigan, they later moved southward following conflicts, including the War of 1812. They experienced population fluctuations, estimated at 2,000 in 1650 and 3,000 in 1759, but declined to 706 by 1875. Some Kickapoo migrated to Mexico, forming distinct groups. Their name is now associated with geographic features across several states, reflecting their enduring legacy.
The Menominee Indians, known as “Wild Rice Men,” inhabited regions along the Menominee River in Wisconsin and Michigan. They were part of the Algonquian linguistic family and lived primarily on wild rice. Their villages, noted in early 20th-century sources, included locations such as Keshena Falls and Portage. By 1854, the Menominee ceded most of their lands, retaining a reservation on the Wolf River. Their population estimates fluctuated from around 3,000 in 1650 to 2,221 by 1937, influencing place names across the region.
James A. Wilson, born December 23, 1850, in Wisconsin, emerged as a significant figure in Kansas’s oil industry, particularly noted for his Derby-Wilson lease near El Dorado. He arrived in Butler County during its pioneer days, establishing himself as a successful cattleman and landowner. His extensive holdings included 2,400 acres in the Whitewater Valley. Despite a modest role in politics, Wilson contributed significantly to community welfare, especially in education. He married Emma Lambing, with whom he had six children, continuing his legacy in the region.
Alex Furgason, born March 26, 1826, in Rouses Point, New York, was a significant early settler in Union County, Oregon. After working in lumber and participating in the Davis train expedition to Oregon in 1862, he became the first settler on the island where Island City now stands. Overcoming numerous hardships, Furgason improved his homestead and became a successful farmer, managing livestock and land. Married to Jenette L. Dwinell, he raised four children, and though he refused political office, he earned respect for his contributions to the community.
Charles A. Baker, born on June 30, 1870, in Rio, Wisconsin, moved to Arkansas City, Kansas, shortly after his birth. After completing his education in Wichita, he apprenticed in plumbing and established a successful business in Wichita in 1902. A thirty-second degree Mason and regimental quarter-master, he serves as captain in the Second Kansas Infantry. Married to Lillie E. Bennett, they have a daughter, Marcia Helen. Baker’s father, Thomas, was a pioneer Kansan and veteran of the Civil War, contributing to the family’s legacy in the state.
William Wesley Robb, born in Wisconsin in 1872 and of Scotch descent, began his career as a locomotive fireman before transitioning to various managerial roles in machinery and plant operations across Kansas. His father, Rev. J. W. Robb, was a pioneering Presbyterian minister who contributed to early Kansas communities. After an extensive career, Robb became the superintendent of the Chanute electric light plant in 1910. He married Ollie Hedges in 1902, and they had one son, James William. Robb is actively involved in local Masonic organizations and is a Republican.
The Kickapoo Tribe, part of the central Algonquian group, first emerged in recorded history around 1667-70 near the Wisconsin and Fox rivers. Their movements included alliances with other tribes and involvement in significant conflicts, such as the War of 1812 and the Black Hawk War. Over the years, they ceded lands to the United States and migrated to Missouri and Kansas, with a faction relocating to Mexico, where they became known as the Mexican Kickapoo. Today, some remain in Mexico, while others reside in the U.S.
The Hon. Orvin Kincaid was born in Grafton, New Hampshire, in 1821. His life journey began with an upbringing in a blacksmith family before he ventured westward during the gold rush. He traversed various states, engaging in mining and missionary work among the Creek Indians. Eventually, he settled in Washington’s Skagit County, where he became a significant figure in local politics, helping to establish the county and serving as a legislator. Kincaid ultimately chose Mount Vernon as his home, contributing greatly to his community.