Civil War Pension File of Henry Clearwaters
WC 516.215
Unit: Private, Company G & I, 107th Illinois Volunteer Infantry
Enlisted: 1 August 1862
Discharged: 21 Jun 1865 – Salisbury, North Carolina
Physical Description: Aged 38 at the time of enlistment.
Documents:
(1) Declaration For An Original Invalid Pension – 30 Apr 1890 – Ida Co, Iowa
Henry Clearwaters, Post Office Ida Grove, Iowa, declares he was enrolled as a Private on 1
Aug 1862 in Company G, 107th Illinois Volunteer Infantry and was discharged at Salisbury,
North Carolina, on 21 Jun 1865. His present personal description is as follows: age,
67; height 5 feet, 10 inches; complexion, fair; hair, light; eyes, hazel. While a
member of that organization in the service and line of duty at or near Munfordville,
Kentucky, around the middle of July 1863, on the forced [march] after General Morgan,
he was overheated and partially paralyzed on the right leg and side. That he was
placed in the hospital for treatment at Munfordville the second day of the said
paralization. He was unconscious at the time and was under treatment for four
months. That he has never fully recovered from the said affliction along with
rheumatism. He is about totally disabled from manual labor. Since leaving
the service he has resided at McLean Co, Illinois, and now is a resident of Iowa.
His occupation has been that of a farmer.
Signed: Henry Clearwaters
Witnesses: P. M. James & P. O. VanWagnoner
(2) Declaration for Invalid Pension – 28 Dec 1891 – Ida Co, Iowa
Henry Clearwaters, a resident of Galva, Ida Co, Iowa, declares he is totally unable to earn
a support by reason of rheumatism and old age (Act of 27 Jun 1890) also paralysis, overheating
& results, inguinal hernia left side and disease of heart and "gravel." He
has received a pension, Certificate 541.109, and makes this declaration for the purpose of being
placed on the Pension Roll at a higher rate.
Signed: Henry Clearwaters
Witnesses: B. M. Miller & Byron E. Whealen
(3) Affidavit – 5 Mar 1895 - Ida Co, Iowa
D. W. Farnsworth, M.D., aged 44, resident of Galva, Ida Co, Iowa, states that he is a practicing
physician. That he treated Henry Clearwaters for acute inflammation of the bladder in March
1891 and that when he was straining to move bowels and to empty the bladder he caused an incomplete
hernia of the left side. The hernia has been about the same since that date and remains the
same now.
Signed D. W. Farnsworth, M.D.
(4) Testimony of Employers, Neighbors or Acquaintances of Soldier (Other than Near Relatives) – 26 April 1897 – Ida Co, Iowa
In the matter of the pension claim of Henry Clearwaters personally appeared John Hoyt, aged 57,
resident of Galva, and S. K. Challman, aged 40, resident of Galva, who state they have known Henry
Clearwaters since 1883. He is afflicted with gravel and chronic inflammation of the bladder
and heart disease. They have seen him at least once a week and know that he has been unable
to do any manual labor and at times has been confined to his bed for weeks. "His
disability would be as great as the loss of both legs." His disabilities are not
due to vicious habits. "He is also getting very old."
Signed John Hoyt and S. K. Challman
(5) [Affidavit] – 12 Mar 1898 – Ida Co, Iowa
Statement written on the personal stationery of S. K. Challman, Real Estate, Insurance, and Notary
Public. S. K. Challman states he is 40 years old and has known Henry Clearwater since 1883.
The first he knew of the soldier having a left inguinal hernia was in 1891. He has
the same trouble now. "Henry Clearwater is a good, sober and peaceable man. Never
to my knowledge drinking any intoxicating drinks. And a religious man with good habits."
Signed: S. K. Challman
(6) Circular, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions – 15 Jan 1898 – filled out by Henry Clearwaters on 2 Jul 1898
· Wife’s maiden name: Jane Swift
· Married: 29 Jun 1848 at Greencastle, Putnam Co, Indiana by Rev. Helm
· Record of marriage at Greencastle, Indiana. Was not previously married
· Living Children: Mary E. Clearwaters, born 18 Mar 1849; J. E. Clearwaters,
born 30 Sep 1851; Emma L. Clearwaters, born 4 May 1856; Jennie A. Clearwaters, born 31 Mar 1866
(7) Statement of Service, Adjutant General's Office – 9 Nov 1899 – Washington, D.C.
The company roll of 31 Dec 1863 shows "Det. Service," same to 30 Apr 1865. The roll
of 30 Apr 1864 shows him present with det. on the march near Linden, Tennessee. On 30 Jun 1864
present and near Marietta, Ga. On the roll of 31 Aug 1864 present near Rough and Ready, Ga.
On the roll of 31 Oct 1864 present near Calhoun, Ga. On 30 Apr 1865 present near Raleigh, N. C.
While detached he served with Engineer Batt. His age at enlistment was 38 years.
(8) Declaration for Widow's Pension – 10 Jul 1900 – Hamilton Co, Iowa
Jane Clearwaters, a resident of Jewell, Hamilton Co, Iowa, declares that she is the widow of Henry
Clearwaters who enlisted 1 Aug 1862 in Company G, 107th Illinois Volunteer Infantry and was honorably
discharged 2 Jun 1865. The said soldier died 27 Jun 1900. She was married under the name
of Jane Swift on 29 Jun 1848 by Rev. Helms. She has not remarried since the death of Henry
Clearwaters and has no children now living under the age of 16.
Signed: Jane Clearwaters
(9) Certificate of Marriage - 6 August 1900 – Putnam Co, Indiana
Henry Clearwaters and Jane Swift were joined in marriage on 29 Jun 1848 by George Helm. John
W. Houck, Clerk of the Putnam Circuit Court, hereby certifies that this a true, full and complete
copy of the marriage record.
(10) General Affidavit – 18 Aug 1900 – Pottawattamie Co, Iowa
Edward Saddler, aged 68, resident of Oakland, Pottawattamie Co, Iowa, Post Office Oakland, Iowa,
and Emeline Jane Saddler, aged 66, resident of Oakland, declare they have known Henry and Jane
Clearwaters for over 55 years and know that neither of them were married previous to their marriage
and that they lived together as man and wife until the death of Henry Clearwaters.
Signed: Edward Saddler
Emeline J. Saddler
(11) General Affidavit – 17 Oct 1900 – Ida Co, Iowa
C. Ackert, resident of Galva, Ida Co, Iowa, Post Office Galva, and T. F. Ball, resident of Galva,
declare that they were acquainted with the late Henry Clearwaters, deceased, and that he was buried
at Galva, Iowa, on 30 Jun 1900. They were present at his funeral and burial. His widow,
Jane Clearwaters, has not remarried since the burial and she was never divorced from said soldier.
There is no one legally bound for her support and she is possessed of no property, real,
personal or mixed.
Signed: C. Ackert and T. F. Ball
(12) Physician's Certificate of Death – 5 Nov 1900 – Des Moines, Iowa
Henry Clearwater died 27 Jun 1900, the chief cause being enlarged prostatic gland, and the contributing
cause was age. His occupation was clergyman. He died at Mercy Hospital, 4th Ward. He
was there 3 days. His residence was Jewel, Iowa.
Signed: Lewis Schooler, physician
(13) General Affidavit – 7 Mar 1901 – Ida Co, Iowa
T. F. Ball, aged 60, resident of Galva, Ida Co, Iowa, and C. Ackert, aged 47, resident of Galva,
declare they are close neighbors to Jane Clearwaters and know that she is possessed of no property
real, personal or mixed, and no source of income and there is no one legally bound for her support.
She has owned no property since the burial and has no source of income whatever.
Signed: T. F. Ball and C.Ackert
(14) Request for Increase of Pension – 6 Jan 1917 – Winterset, Iowa
Jane Clearwaters, Post Office Winterset, Madison Co, Iowa, Widow's Certificate 516215, declares
she was married to Henry Clearwaters on 29 Jun 1848. She is 85 years of age, born 17 Aug 1831
at Greencastle, Indiana. "I am entitled to the increase of pension provided by the first
section of the Act of September 8, 1916."
Signed: Jane Clearwaters
(15) Drop Notice – 7 Jan 1920
Jane Clearwaters, last paid at $25 to 4 Oct 1919, has been dropped from the roll because of death,
24 Dec 1919.
Compiled Service Record, Henry Clearwaters, Company G & I, 107th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, File Designation WC 516.215, National Archives, Washington, D.C.