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NOTE: Martin Ouderkirk probably never had his portrait taken prior to the Civil War. However, during the 10 month period that the 86th Illinois was in the Nashville, Tennessee area in 1862-63, Martin, like most of the Union soldiers in the Nashville area, probably took the time to sit for a portrait to send home to the loved ones that he left behind. These portraits were most often printed in one of two forms. The first was a "Tin Type", but the most common was a new fangled process called a "CDV", which was a paper picture glued to...
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NOTE: Martin Ouderkirk probably never had his portrait taken prior to the Civil War. However, during the 10 month period that the 86th Illinois was in the Nashville, Tennessee area in 1862-63, Martin, like most of the Union soldiers in the Nashville area, probably took the time to sit for a portrait to send home to the loved ones that he left behind. These portraits were most often printed in one of two forms. The first was a "Tin Type", but the most common was a new fangled process called a "CDV", which was a paper picture glued to a heavier card stock about the size of a modern day baseball card, and the soldiers didn't just have one or two copies made. Most of the time, they had a dozen or more made, so they could swap pictures with their tentmates, messmates and for their friends, in the 86th and back home.
Martin then survived the war and lived into the 20th century. During his life, Martin probably had his picture taken dozens of times. I would dearly love to see a copy of his Civil War era picture added to his Find A Grave site for all with an interest to see. However, at this point, I would be thrilled just to see some pictures of him added to his Find A Grave Memorial, even ones of him as an old man. Can anyone help me? Thanks, Baxter
Private MARTIN OUDERKIRK was a member of Co. F of the 86th Illinois.
Martin Ouderkirk was born on June 14, 1839 in Saginaw County, Michigan, the son of Richard Bond Ouderkirk, who was born c. December 27, 1798 in Guilderland, Albany County, New York, the son of Frederick Ouderkirk and Elizabeth (Bond) Ouderkirk, and Amanda (Perkins) Ouderkirk, who was born on March 17, 1807. Richard and Amanda were married on March 1, 1827, probably in Osweigo County, New York in the late 1830's or very early 1840's. Seven children were born to Richard and Amanda, including;
1. Lewis Ouderkirk, born
2. Jacob S. Ouderkirk, born in 1831. Jacob S. Ouderkirk was married to Emily A. Smith on November 5, 1868 in Knox County, Illinois. Jacob died on ____________ __, 1887.
3. Phylander/Phylester/Philester Ouderkirk, c. 1835 in ____________. Philester Ouderkirk died on February 11,1912 in Sandyville, Warren County, Iowa at the age of 77 and his mortal remains were laid in the
4. Elizabeth H. Ouderkirk, born in 1837. WEST, WILLIAM G OUDERKIRK, ELIZABETH H 1860-04-05 OOB 0044 00003692 KNOX. Elizabeth died on ____________ __, 1902.
5. Martin Ouderkirk, born June 14, 1839. See his biography below.
6. Eliza Jane Ouderkirk, born
7. John Perkins Ouderkirk, born c. 1844/45 in New York.
The Ouderkirks resided there in Osweigo County, New York until c. 1835/37, when they moved their growing family to Michigan. It was there that Martin and his older sister, Elizabeth were born.
In the 1840's, the Ouderkirk's came to Illinois, where they settled in Knox County, Illinois. At the time of the 1850 census, the Ouderkirk family is found in Knox county, Illinois;
Richard B Ouderkirk M 52 New York
Amanda Ouderkirk F 44 New York
Jacob Ouderkirk M 18 New York
Phylander Ouderkirk M 15 New York
Elizabeth Ouderkirk F 13 Michigan
Martin Ouderkirk M 10 Michigan
Shortly after this census was taken, Amanda (Perkins) Ouderkirk died on January 30, 1852 at the age of 44 yrs, 10 mos and 13 days. Her mortal remains were laid in the Ouderkirk Family Cemetery in Maquon, Knox County, Illinois.
Richard B. Ouderkirk was then married in 1854, probably in Knox County, Illinois, to Frances (Thurman) Stephenson, who was born c. September/November 10, 1820/21/24 in Ohio, the daughter of John G Thurman (1798 - 1862) and Dorothy (Strange) Thurman (1797 - 1887). Frances had been previously married to ___________ Stephenson, by whom she had at least one son, William C. Stephenson. Seven more children were born to Richard and Frances, including;
8. Harmon Leslie Ouderkirk, born c. 1854/55 in Illinois.
9. Salinda/Celinda Irista Ouderkirk, born c. 1858/59 in Illinois. At the time of the 1880 census, Salinda is residing with her aunt and uncle, Jacob and Nancy Ouderkirk in Haw Creek, Knox County, Illinois;
Jacob Ouderkirk Self M 70 New York
Nancy Ouderkirk Wife F 67 New York
Salinda Ouderkirk Niece F 20 Illinois
Salinda I. Ouderkirk was married to Allison S. Graff/Groff/Graeff on April 24, 1881 in Knox County, Illinois. Salinda died on ___________ __, 1934.
10. Abraham Lincoln Ouderkirk (1860 - 1876)
11. Arminda/Aminda Jeanette Ouderkirk, born c. 1860 in ____________. Aminda J.Ouderkirk was married to R. E. Byerly on March 25, 1880 in Benton, Ringgold County, Iowa. R. E. was 21 years old, while Aminda J. Ouderkirk is listed as 20.
12. Miletus Ouderkirk (1865 - 1948)
13. William Sherman Ouderkirk (1870 - 1894)
14. Margaret Jane Ouderkirk (1870 - 1891)*
At the time of the 1860 census, Richard and his family are found in Maquon Township, Knox County, Illinois;
Richard B Ouderkirk M 55 N Y
Frances Ouderkirk F 35 Oo
Martin Ouderkirk M 22 N Y
John Ouderkirk M 14 N Y
Harmon L Ouderkirk M 5 Ill
Salinda Ouderkirk F 1 Ill
Wm C Stepenson M 24 Oo
In the 1860's, Richard Bond Ouderkirk moved to Iowa. At the time of the 1870 census, Richard and his family are found in Chariton, Appanoose County, Iowa;
Richard Bond Ouderkirk died on January 15, 1874 in Maloy, Ringgold County, Iowa. His mortal remains were laid in the Platte River Cemetery in Maloy, Ringgold County, Iowa.
At the time of the 1880 census, Frances and her children are found in Benton, Ringgold County, Iowa, where the family is farming;
Mrs Ouderkirk Self F 56 Ohio
Harmin L Ouderkirk Son M 22 Illinois
Melleus Ouderkirk Son M 16 Illinois
Wim Ouderkirk Son M 12 Illinois
Marget I Ouderkirk Daughter F 9 Iowa
Frances (Thurman) Stephenson Ouderkirk died on April 13, 1902 in Iowa. Her mortal remains were also laid in the Platte River Cemetery. See her Find A Grave Memorial# 16887635.
Now to continue with the biography of Martin Ouderkirk;
On August 2, 1862, Martin Ouderkirk volunteered at Maquon, Illinois to serve in a company which was being raised in Maquon, Illinois by a local Carpenter, Contractor and Businessman by the name of James L. Burhalter. At the time he enlisted, Martin listed Maquon as his place of residence.
ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name OUDERKIRK, MARTIN
Rank PVT Company F Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence MAQUON, KNOX CO, IL Age 23 Height 5' 10 1/2 Hair DARK
Eyes BLUE Complexion FAIR Marital Status SINGLE Occupation FARMER
Nativity SAGINAW CO, MI
Service Record
Joined When AUG 7, 1862 Joined Where MAQUON, IL
Joined By Whom J L BURKHALTER Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862 Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out JUN 6, 1865
Muster Out Where WASHINGTON, DC Muster Out By Whom LT SCROGGS
Remarks N/A
The very next day, August 3, 1862, Martin Ouderkirk was married to Eliza F. Stockdale near Des Moines, Iowa in Polk County, so he and Eliza must have got on a train, eloped and headed for Iowa, shortly after he volunteered on August 2nd. Within days, Eliza was also pregnant. Perhaps her parents did not approve of the marriage and they had to elope. Eliza is known to have been raised a Quaker, but is known, in early womanhood, to have joined the Methodist Church.
Elizabeth was born on June 17, 1844 in Knox County, Illinois, the daughter of Charles Stockdale and Elizabeth (__________) Stockdale. Four children were born to Marin and Eliza, including;
1. Boyd Ouderkirk, born c. April __, 1863 in Illinois. Boyd was married to Lorynda Ellen Moore (1866 - 1934) c. 1883/84. At the time of the 1900 census, the Ouderkirks are found in Julien Township, District 6 Dubuque city Ward 5, Dubuque County, Iowa. Lorinda is listed as being the mother of 3 children, all of whom are living;
Boyd Ouderkirk Head M 37 Iowa
Lorinda E Ouderkirk Wife F 34 Illinois
Nicolla Ouderkirk Daughter F 15 Iowa
William Ouderkirk Son M 13 Iowa
Manona Ouderkirk Daughter F 11 Iowa
At the time of the 1930 census, Boyd and Lorynda are found in Julien, Dubuque County, Iowa;
Boyd Ouderkirk Head M 66 Iowa
Lorynda E Ouderkirk Wife F 64 Illinois
Boyd died on January 19, 1938 in Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa and his mortal remains were laid in the Linwood Cemetery in Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 89162676.
2. Charles Blondy Ouderkirk, born ____________ __, 1866, near Yates City, Knox County, Illinois. Charles was married to Minnie E. Brown on January 6, 1892 in Clearfield, Ringgold County, Iowa. Charles is listed as being 26 at the time, while, Minnie is listed as 18. Minnie was born in Winfield, Iowa, the daughter of James M. Brown and Nancy Skinner. Charles died on ___________ __, 1946 and his mortal remains were laid in the Benton Cemetery in Benton, Ringgold County, Iowa. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 11776817.
3. Cora A. Ouderkirk, born August 22, 1869 in Polk County, Iowa. Cora was married to Josiah B. "J. B." Dalton on February 12, 1889 in Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa. J. B. was 27 at the time and born in Piqua, Ohio, the son of James Dalton and Margaret House. Cora was listed as 20 at the time. At the time of the 1900 census, Cora and her family are found in Platte Township Lenox town, Taylor County, Iowa. She has had two children, only one of whom is living in 1900;
Josiah B Dalton Head M 38 Ohio
Cora A Dalton Wife F 31 Iowa
Gale M Dalton Son M 8 Iowa
James Dalton Father M 71 Ohio
Cora A. (Ouderkirk) Dalton died on September 19, 1924 and her mortal remains were laid in the Benton Cemetery in Benton, Ringgold County, Iowa. See her Find A Grave Memorial# 11776822.
4. Sarah E. Ouderkirk, born ___________ __, 1881. Sarah was married to William Henry Fertig on March 23, 1899 in Ringgold County, Iowa. Sarah and William are known to have resided near Benton, Iowa. Sarah and William are believed to have had at least four children including;
A. Bertha Mae Fertig, born May 14, 1900 in or near Benton, Washington Township, Ringgold County, Iowa. Bertha was married on December 27, 1921 in Benton, Ringgold County, Iowa to Austeen Lee Schlapia, who was the son of William Schlapia and Nancy Jarman. At the time of the 1930 census, Bertha and her family are found in Benton, Ringgold County, Iowa;
Austeon L Schlapia Head M 34 Iowa
Bertha M Schlapia Wife F 29 Iowa
Doris I Schlapia Daughter F 7 Iowa
Roy E Schlapia Son M 5 Iowa
William R Schlapia Son M 1 Iowa
Bertha is known to have had at least one other son, Andrew Schlapia, who was born and died on April 15, 1926 and whose mortal remains were laid in the Benton Cemetery in Ringgold County, Iowa.
B. Cora Amanda Fertig, born c. 1902/03 in Iowa.
C. James Henry Fertig, born c. 1909/10 in Iowa.
At the time of the 1910 census, the Fertigs are found in Washington, Ringgold County, Iowa;
William H Fertig Head M 48 Minnesota
Elizabeth Fertig Wife F 29 Iowa
Bertha M Fertig Daughter F 9 Iowa
Cora A Fertig Daughter F 7 Iowa
James H Fertig Son M 0 Iowa
Sarah died on ___________ __, 1956 and her mortal remains were laid in the Benton Cemetery in Benton, Ringgold County, Iowa. See her Find A Grave Memorial# 11774777.
Now back to Martin Ouderkirk's service in the Union army. After his marriage, Martin and Eliza are known to have returned within days to Knox County. When Burkhalter had about 100 volunteers, he led the Maquon company into Peoria, Illinois, where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. Burkhalter was elected by the men of the Maquon company to be their Captain and on August 27, 1862, Captain Burkhalter and 93 of his volunteers, including now Private Martin Ouderkirk, were mustered in as Co. F of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois marched out of the gates of Camp Lyon, Capt. James L. Burkhalter leading Co. F, through the streets of Peoria, with much fanfare, down to the railroad depot. Somewhere in the crowd, was very likely a bride of just over a month, Eliza F. (Stockdale) Ouderkirk, who probably didn't even know she was pregnant yet.
There, at the depot, the men of the 86th were joined by the men of the 85th Illinois, who had been mustered into service at Camp Peoria. Together, the men of the 85th & 86th Illinois boarded trains bound for Camp Joe Holt, located in Jeffersonville, Indiana across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. Three weeks later, the men of the 85th & 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade, in pursuit of Confederate troops. On Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, the 86th Illinois suffering their first casualties. There would be many more in the coming years. After the Union victory at Perryville, the Confederate Army withdrew from Kentucky and McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee, where they went into winter camp.
The men of McCook's Brigade remained in the Nashville area on through the spring and summer of 1863.
Back in Central Illinois, on April __, 1863, Eliza F. (Stockdale) Ouderkirk gave birth to a son, Boyd Ouderkirk, probably there in Knox County, Illinois. Of this time, Kinnear in his HISTORY OF THE 86TH states, "On the 8th of April, the brigade was sent to Brentwood, in supporting distance of Franklin. Brentwood was a fine situation for a camp, and as spring was at hand it was rendered more pleasant still. Comfortable quarters were readily made, and for the first time we began to live like men. It was here the boys began a happy reform in that respect; for instead of lying on the bare ground in the dirt and grass they put up bunks, thus leading to their comfort. At this place the brigade built a fort called Fort Brentwood. It was triangular in form, having embrazures in the corners of the triangle for guns. Much time and labor was expended on this work only to be completed that it might be demolished---a change in the situation of our army affairs compelling the evacuation of the fort. Details were made, and on the 3rd of June the work of demolition was consummated, and on the evening of the same day the brigade returned to Nashville." It was probably some time before, Martin was to find out he was a father.
In the late summer of 1863, the men of McCook's Brigade participated in the Campaign for Chattanooga, Tennessee. During the next two and a half years, the men of the 86th served in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and North Carolina and Martin Ouderkirk was there to see all of it. During this time, Martin was a witness to and a participant in numerous battles and skirmishes, some of the bloodiest fighting in the Western Theatre of the war, including the Battles of Chickamauga, Georgia; Resaca, Georgia; Rome, Georgia, Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia; Peach Tree Creek, Georgia; Jonesboro, Georgia; Averasboro, North Carolina and Bentonville, North Carolina to name a few and marched with Sherman to the Sea.
After the war came to an end, the surviving members of the 86th Illinois & McCook's Brigade marched on to Washington City (now D.C.) where in May of 1865, they marched down Pennsylvania Avenue on the 2nd day of the Grand Review. On June 6, 1865, the men of McCook's Brigade were mustered out of the service in Washington and were soon on a train bound for Chicago. There they received their final pay and were discharged and by the end of June of 1865 the surviving members of Co F were back home with their families in Knox County.
At the time of the 1880 census, Martin and his family are found in Grant, Adams County, Iowa, where he is farming the land;
Martin Ouderkirk Self M 40 Michigan
Eliza Ouderkirk Wife F 36 Illinois
Boyd Ouderkirk Son M 17 Iowa
Charles B Ouderkirk Son M 14 Illinois
Cora A Ouderkirk Daughter F 11 Iowa
David Hannon Other M 82 Ireland
Martin Ouderkirk died on ____________ __, 1913, while, Eliza F. (Stockdale) Ouderkirk died on April 3, 1933. Their mortal remains were laid in the Benton Cemetery in Benton, Ringgold County, Iowa.
Bio by: Baxter Fite
(Baxter would enjoy hearing from anyone, especially descendants of the Ouderkirk family, who might be able to add to the biographical material that we have on Martin Ouderkirk and the Ouderkirk family. Baxter would also like to see copies of ANY photographs of Martin Ouderkirk, but especially any showing in uniform from his days in the service, for all to see and enjoy.) |
