Civil War Pension File of Reuben H. Huddleston

WC 766.515
Unit: Private, Company B, 31st Ill. Vol. Infantry & Company A, 46th Ill. Vol. Infantry
Enrolled: 20 Aug 1861, 31st Ill. Vol. Inf. – Discharged: 30 May 1862
Enrolled: 29 Feb 1864, Company A, 46th Ill. Vol. Inf. – Mustered Out: 20 Jan 1866
Description: height, 5 feet, 9 inches; complexion, dark; eyes, dark; hair, dark.

Documents:

(1) Request for Statement of Service – 29 Aug 1890 – Washington, D. C.
The officer in charge of the record and pension division of the War Department requests an official statement of the enrollment, discharge, and record of service of R. H. Huddleston, enlisted 20 Aug 1861 as a private in Company B, 31st Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and also served as a private in Company A, 46th Illinois Volunteer Infantry from 29 Feb 1864 to 20 Jan 1866.  While on duty at Ft. Donelson, Tennessee, on or about February 1862 he was disabled by pneumonia and was treated at Mount City Hospital, Cairo, Illinois.

(2) Record of Service – 1 Sep 1890 - [no location]
Reuben H. Huddleston, Company B, 31st Illinois Volunteer Regiment was enrolled 20 Aug 1861 and discharged 30 May 1862 (near Corinth, Miss) by order of General Halleck for protracted absence as shown per Company Discharge.  Reuben H. Huddleston, Private, Company A, 46th Illinois Volunteer enrolled 29 Feb 1864 and was mustered out 20 Jan 1866.  He was a musician in the 31st Regiment.
Muster rolls show him present except for 28 Feb 1862, in DeWitt Co, Illinois, on furlough.  Other reports show that he was taken sick with Typhoid Fever at Ft. Donelson 22 Feb and was in the hospital at Dover until the 1st of March.  Absent from there to Mound City Hospital where he remained about three weeks, and was furloughed home where he has been since.  There is no medical certificate on file.  Medical records show him treated on March 13 to 15, 1862, for catarrhus and returned to duty.

(3) Declaration for Pension – 4 Feb 1909 – Dade Co, Florida
Reuben Huddleston, aged 70 on 18 Feb 1909, resident of Miami, Dade Co, Florida, states he is the identical person who enrolled at Springfield, Illinois on [blank] August 1861 as a private in Company B, 31st Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment and was honorably discharged at Springfield, Illinois on [blank] February 1866.   He also served as a private in Company A, 46th Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
His personal description at enlistment was: height, 5 feet, 9 inches; complexion, dark; color of eyes, dark; color of hair, dark.  His occupation was that of oculist.  He was born 18 Feb 1839, Farmer City, DeWitt Co, Illinois.  His places of residence since leaving the service have been Farmer City, Illinois (1866 to 1873); Champaign, Illinois (1873 to 1879); Waterloo, Nebraska (1879 to 1883); Bartow, Florida (1883 to 1898); Miami, Florida, (1898 to present time).  He has previously applied for a pension, Certificate 767.893.  He makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the pension roll of the United States under the provisions of the Act of February 6, 1907.  His post office is Miami, Dade Co, Florida.
Signed: "X" Reuben H. Huddleston, his mark
Witnesses: W. J. Cole & Ray A. McLeod

(4) Declaration for Pension – 8 May 1909 – Dade Co, Florida
[Note: This is a typed duplicate of the Declaration for Pension dated 4 Feb 1909.  The only difference is that Reuben H. Huddleston signed this declaration with his signature instead of an "X."

(5) Circular, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions – 9 Dec 1911 – Filled out by R. H. Huddleston, 23 Dec 1911    ·  Wife’s full name: Elvira G. Huddleston, maiden name Arnold
   ·  When, where and by whom married: 11 May 1862 at Clinton, Illinois, by Rev. Shaw
   ·  Record of marriage: Family and County of DeWitt, Illinois, Clinton, “Capital or County Seat”
   ·  Previously married: No
   ·  Living Children: (1) Harry Allen, B. 15 Jan 1864
   ·  (2) Clarence L., b. 4 Apr 1867
   ·  (3) Clyde E., b. 18 Oct 1868

(6) Circular, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions – 19 Dec 1911 - Filled out 23 Dec 1911
   ·  Where born: DeWitt Co, Illinois
   ·  Where enlisted: Harrisburg, Saline Co, Illinois
   ·  Residence before enlistment: DeWitt Co, Illinois
   ·  Occupation: Oculist
   ·  Where discharged: Co B, 31st Ill. & Co. A 46th Ill, discharged at Springfield, Ill.
   ·  Residence since discharge: Ills. till ’78; Indiana till ‘79; Neb. till ’83 and since then in Florida
   ·  Serve in the Confederate army or navy: No
   ·  Present occupation: physician and surgeon
   ·  Height - 5 feet, 9 inches. Color of skin – "passes for white." Permanent marks or scars –      broken jaw bone on right side showing plainly when clean shaven.
   ·  In the military service under a different name: No
   ·  Known by any other name: No
   ·  Name known by now: Dr. R. H. Huddleston
   ·  Actual residence at this time: Miami, Florida
Witnesses: R. H. Huddleston & L. D. Llewellyn

(7) Declaration for Pension – 4 Jun 1912 – Dade Co, Florida
Reuben H. Huddleston, aged73, resident of Miami, Dade Co, Florida, enlisted as a private in Company A, 41st Illinois Volunteer Infantry and was discharged 22 Feb 1866 at Springfield, Illinois.  He also served in Company B, 31st Illinois Volunteer infantry and was discharged about May 1862 under order of General Halleck on account of sickness.  Enlistment and discharge papers were lost during this service.  His occupation was oculist.  He was born 18 Feb 1839 at Mount Pleasant, Illinois, now Farmer City, Illinois.  Since leaving the service he has lived at Farmer City, Illinois, 2 years; Chicago, Illinois, 3 years; Champaign, Illinois, 7 years; Waterloo, Nebraska, [blank] years; Bartow, Florida, 16 years; Miami, Florida to date.
He has a pension under certificate No. 969893 and he makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the pension roll of the United States under the provisions of the act of May 11, 1912.
Signed: Reuben H. Huddleston
Witnesses: J. N. [unreadable] & L. G. Navtou

(8) Miami City Cemetery Application – 17 May 1913 – Miami, Florida
Request for a permit for the burial of Reuben H. Huddleston in Lot 18, Block 24.  Born at Farmer City, Illinois.  Last residence 634 – 13th Street, Miami, Florida.  Aged 74 years, 2 months, 29 days.  Married.  Retired Physician.  Father Henry Huddleston.  Mother Elizabeth Huddleston.  Friend V. A. Rutherford.  Date of death was 16 May 1913.  Cause apoplexy.  Attending physician A. G. Holmes.  Undertaker H.M.King.
PERMIT: 17 May 1913 - Directed to John Shisler, Sexton Miami City Cemetery, to prepare grave in accordance with the above application and make report of same to John L. North, City Health Office.
REPORT: 17 May 1913 – Directed to Dr. John L. North, City Health Officer.  The burial of Dr. Reuben H. Huddleston was made this day at about 4 o'clock p.m. in accordance with above application and permit.
Signed J. B. Shisler, Sexton

(9) Drop Notice – 27 May 1913 – Washington, D. C.
Reuben H. Huddleston, who was last paid at $24 per month to 4 May 1913 has been dropped from the roll due to death 16 May 1913.

(10) Declaration for Widow’s Pension – 2 Jun 1913 – Dade Co, Florida
Elvira Sophia Huddleston, aged 66, resident of Miami, Dade Co, Florida, states she is the widow of Reuben H. Huddleston.  She was married under the name of Elvira Sophia Arnold at Clinton, Illinois on 11 May 1862 by Rev. Shaw.  The said soldier died 16 May 1913 at 634 – 13th Street, Miami Florida.  There are no children under the age of 16.  Her post office address is 634 Thirteenth Street.
Signed: Elvira Sophia Huddleston
Witnesses: Henrietta Corell & Joseph F. Canova

(11) Certificate of Record of Marriage – 27 Aug 1913 – DeWitt Co, Illinois
R. H. Huddleston was married to Miss Elvira S. Arnold on 11 May 1862 by James Shaw, Minister of the M. E. Church.
Signed E. F. Campbell, County Clerk, by Mae Tracey, Deputy

(12) Newspaper Obituary of R. H. Huddleston – Pension Office Stamp 2 Sep 1913
DEATH YESTERDAY OF DR. R.H. HUDDLESTON
Aged and Respected Citizen Expired While Asleep—
Was Seventy-four Years of Age and Had Resided Here Thirteen Years—
Funeral This Afternoon.
With a peaceful smile upon his lips, Dr. Reuben H. Huddleston died in Miami yesterday morning at ten o'clock, in his home at 634 Thirteenth street, while lying in his bed asleep.  His last words were addressed to his wife, as she smoothed his pillow so that he might sleep well.   Deceased was seventy-four years old, and had lived in Florida since 1882, and in this city for the past thirteen years.  He was born in Farmer City, Ill.
A widow, three sons and several grandchildren survive to mourn the loss of a kind and loving husband, father, and grandfather.  Clarence L. Huddleston, of Miami; Clyde Huddleston, of Farmer City, Ill., and Harry Huddleston, of Arizona, are his sons.
The funeral services will be held at the home at three o'clock this afternoon, to which intimate friends are invited.  According to his often expressed wish, the ceremony will be simple, and no flowers will be carried to the grave.  Rev. John A. Wray, pastor of the First Baptist church, will conduct the services and interment will follow in the city cemetery, under the direction of Undertaker H. M. King.

(13) Affidavit – 13 Oct 1913 – DeWitt Co, Illinois
Mary E. McDonald, aged 70 years, and Hester A. Jones, aged 67 years, Post Office address Farmer City, Illinois.  Mary E. McDonald states she first became acquainted with the soldier, Reuben H. Huddleston in April 1862.  Hester A. Jones first became acquainted with the soldier in 1858.  Both knew him continuously thereafter until his death.  The said soldier was never married prior to his marriage to Elvira S. Huddleston which occurred on 11 May 1862.  They lived together thereafter as husband and wife until the death of the soldier which occurred 16 May 1912 and they were never divorced.
Mary E. McDonald first became acquainted with Elvira S. Arnold in April 1962 and Hester A. Jones first became acquainted with Elvira S. Arnold in 1860.  Both knew Elvira continuously thereafter and Elvira was never married prior to her marriage with the said soldier, which occurred 11 May 1862 at Clinton, Illinois, and Elvira lived continuously thereafter as his wife, until his death which occurred 16 May 1913.
Signed: Mary E. McDonald & Hester A. Jones

(14) Request for Increase of Pension – Sep 1916 – Miami, Florida
Elvira S. Huddleston declares she is pensioned under the certificate number 766515 because of the service of Reuben H. Huddleston.  She is 71 years of age, having been born 24 Aug 1847 at Dubuque, Iowa.  She is entitled to the increase of pension provided by the first section of the Act of September 8, 1916.
Signed Mrs. Elvira S. Huddleston, 639 - 13th Street, Miami, Florida

(15) Drop Notice – 9 May 1929 – no location
Elvira S. Huddleston, last paid at the rate of $50 a month to 4 Apr 1929, has been dropped from the roll because of death 5 Apr 1929.

Combined Service Record, Reuben H, Huddleston, Private, Company B, 31st Illinois Volunteer Infantry and Company A, 46th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, File Designation WC 766.515, National Archives, Washington, D.C.