John D. Reel Company I, 5th Illinois Volunteer Cavalry

John D. Reel was born July 1838 in Knox Co., Indiana. His volunteer enlistment was February 9th, 1864, 5th Regiment, Company I of the Illinois Cavalry in Olney, Richland County, Illinois. His residence was listed as Dennison, Lawrence County, Illinois. He was 25 years of age and a farmer by trade. He had black hair, brown eyes, and a dark complexion. He died at Vicksburg, Mississpiip, November 9th, 1864 and is buried in the Vicksburg National Cemetery, Section L, Grave Number 6179. Items totaling $4.70 were returned to the regiment February 1st, 1865. His parents were Lewis Reel and Margaret Lindy of Knox Co., Indiana. He married Susan ane Grass, 14 May 1855 in Harriso Township, Knox Co., Indiana. They had four children: Alfred Reel, Carrie Reel, Henry Grass Reel and John F. Reel, the last being just a year old when his father died. His wife never remarried and went on to move with her children t Montgomery Co., Kansas where they farmed. Later moving to Lincoln Co., Oklahoma where she died 28 August 1910. Submitted by Opal Specht

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