Daughters of the Union Wreath Laying

The John Butler Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the Union 1861-1865 (NSDU) has been laying wreaths at the graves of civil war ancestors.  I attended the most recent of these this past week.  After driving for about 3 hours to Elmwood, IL (north of Peoria), we honored Joseph Wheeler.  His great-granddaughter and great-great-granddaughter are members of our chapter.   They were present, along with other family members.
The ceremony was very nice - developed by chapter Regent Shari Worrell.  We learned about Joseph Wheeler, born in 1837 in England and died in 1917 in Elmwood, IL.  He immigrated in 1844, settling first in New Jersey, then making his way west to Illinois.  He enlisted in the 47th Illinois Volunteer Infantry in 1861 and served for over 3 years.  After discharge he was paid the lofty sum of $100.
One of the reasons that I enjoy my membership in these lineage societies is the ability to honor our ancestors by laying wreaths and learning about their lives.

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