Person:Edward Spileman (1)

CAPTAIN EDWARD B. SPILEMAN is a native of Boston, Massachusetts, and was born July, 1844. His father, Bartholomew Spileman, was born in Scotland, and was a merchant the greater portion of his life. He came to the United States when a young man, made two voyages across the ocean to Europe and died in 1858. Captain Spileman's mother, Mary (Cameron) Spileman, was born in Scotland, and died in Boston in 1860. They were Scotch Presbyterians. They had a family of four children, of whom Captain Spileman is the only survivor. He received his education in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. In 1862 he enlisted in Company D, Eleventh New Jersey, Volunteers, and re-enlisted in 1864. He served in the Army of the Potomac, and was in three very hot engagements, viz.: Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. He was wounded in the latter battle, receiving a gun-shot through his left thigh, and was laid up for nearly a year. While in the army he had the measles, from the effects of which he never fully recovered. His lungs were badly affected, and his weight reduced from 142 pounds to 115. In 1865 he was mustered out of the army and engaged in the lumber business at Tawas City, Michigan, from 1867 until 1887. He is a Republican, and always means to be one. While at Tawas City he was chairman of the Republican district committee. He cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. He has declined many offers of offices. He is interested in Minnesota mineral lands to the extent of 2,000 acres, from which he is receiving very encouraging reports. He came to San Diego in 1887 to die, but after getting here changed his mind, bought property and built himself a home. He was united in 1864 to Miss Mary Fogarty, a native of New Jersey, who was born in 1847. She was the daughter of John Fogarty, who was born in Connecticut, but a resident of New Jersey for many years. They had a family of six children, three of whom are still living: Edward E., born in Tawas City, Michigan, April 16, 1869; Hiram, also born in Tawas City, January 21, 1871, and Lilly May, born March 27, 1880. The Captain is a Presbyterian, a Knight of Pythias and a Thirty-second degree Mason, and has been Master of Lodges for six years. He has organized the San Diego Rifles, and is now their Captain.

SOURCE: An Illustrated History of Southern California: Embracing the Counties of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange, and the Peninsula of Lower California… Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1890. p.- 350-351

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

Col. E. B. Spileman

Civil War Union Army Officer. Colonel of the 11th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry

Burial: Mount Hope Cemetery San Diego San Diego County California, USA Plot: Section MAS, Lot 21, Row 11

Created by: Joseph Lehe Record added: Dec 15, 2005 Find A Grave Memorial# 12692761