Served in Civil War, Company A, 8th Wisconsin Infantry (Eagle Regiment), wounded in the hand severely during the battle of Vicksburg (grave has a civil war headstone). Studied law in Salem, Iowa and married Anna J. Frazier. Moved to Tacoma, WA in 1883, served as Tacoma City Attorney 2 years, helped write Tacoma City Charter, served 4 years as Superior Court Judge, ran for Congress. Died in flu epidemic of 1918 while being nursed by his daughter, Maude, who lost her husband, Frank McDunnah, from the flu two days after Thomas died. A large double funeral was held for them both. Both are buried in the family plot at Oakwood Hill Cemetery in Tacoma, WA.

Born in Pennsylvania. A resident of Mukwa, Waupaca County, Wisconsin when he enlisted in the 8th Wisconsin Infantry. Wounded at Vicksburg, Warren County, Mississippi. Mustered out at Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee. A member of Custer Post No. 6 of Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington. In 1886 served as Post Commander. Died in Springfield, Pierce County, Washington.

Thomas Turner Carroll Soldier, Husband, Judge

Contributed By

Maureen Isaman

Thomas T. Carroll was mustered into the Union Army after enlisting at Waupaca, Wisconsin, as a Private in Capt. Redfields, Company A, 8th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, of the Regular Army. He reported for duty on October 11, 1861 at Camp Randall, Madison, Wisconsin at the age of 19. The Eighth Wisconsin Infantry, known as the Eagle Regiment left the state of Wisconsin on October 12th of 1861 and proceeded to Pilot Knob, MO, where it was shortly thereafter assigned to duty with various expeditions and engaged in actions in Southeast Missouri prior to the siege of Island No. 10, March 15 to April 8, 1862. While campaigning, the Eighth took part in the battle of Fredericktown, MO, October 21, 1861. In late April of 1862, the Eighth was transferred to Corinth, MS, and participated in the various movements connected with the siege of Corinth and the battles of Farmington, MS, May 9, 1862, and Corinth October 3-4, 1862. In November of that year an army under General Grant was collected at Grand Junction, TN, to advance overland on Vicksburg, in what was known as the Central Mississippi Campaign. After the destruction of the store of supplies at Holly Springs, December 20, 1862, the plan of General Grant was somewhat changed, and operations were thereafter conducted from Memphis on the river. The Eighth reached Young's Point, LA, March 29, 1863, and was actively engaged until the surrender of Vicksburg July 4, 1863. Thomas T. Carroll was listed on the Casualty Sheet as wounded in the hand, severely, in the vicinity of Vicksburg, Miss. "List of Casualties in 5th Army Corps, May 6th and 7th the date of debarkation of Grand Gulf Miss. Up to and including the assault on Vicksburg, Miss. on May 22, 1863. Signed by M. T. Sherman, Major General Commander. No. 27, Index 17 G." He was sent North to a hospital at Keokuk, Iowa and discharged at Memphis, Tenn on September 16, 1864 by reason of expiration of term of service. He was charged for 1 haversack at 49 cents and 1 canteen at 41 cents and given transportation money in the amount of $2.25. The orders showed that he was due a bounty of $100.00. For the Federals, the attack on Vicksburg on May 22 had been the bloodiest battle of the campaign. Grant's losses amounted to 3,199 men, 502 of whom had been killed. The Confederates had suffered fewer than 500 casualties.

Thomas Carroll read (or studied) law in Salem, Iowa. Located on the 1880 US Federal Census for Town of Salem, Henry County, Iowa. Census listed Thomas Carroll, Age 34, attorney at law, born in Ireland, wife Anna, age 35, keeping hourse, born in Iowa, son Frank, age 11, born in Iowa, attending school, and son Arthur 4, born in Iowa.

Thomas T. Carroll came to Tacoma, WA in 1883 and in the spring of 1884 and formed a law partnership with B. W. Coiner. They had their first office in the Littlejohn Building on Pacific Avenue between 13th and 15th Streets. In 1887 Thomas Carroll was elected city attorney. Thomas ran again for City Attorney in 1888 and was re-elected to that office, winning the democratic nomination and defecting his opponent by nineteen votes. Thomas was voted out of office in 1889. In the 1890's he served for four years as Judge of the Superior Court, for Pierce County, WA and was the Democratic nominee for Congress, making a strong campaign.

On November 3, 1885 a Tacoma mob marched the city's streets rounding up all the Chinese citizens and forcibly loading them on railroad cars bound for Portland, Oregon. The leader of this group had made the plans for this raid, and met with his committee; which contained many prominent city leaders, in a small, dark rented room in the offices of Carroll & Coiner. The secret organization had conducted itself so quietly while in their offices that neither Carroll nor Coiner ever had suspected their tenant of even nursing anarchistic thoughts. Both Carroll and Coiner were cleared of any involvement.

In 1888 Thomas Carroll built a fine residence for his family at 1421 G Street in Tacoma. With a large porch and many gables, the East Lake Stick style home was set on a large lot surrounded by a picket fence. He also built a double house, or duplex, across the street from his residence in 1890. In the 1950's the residence was torn down to make way for a modern apartment building. The double house still stands and has been restored to it's former elegance.

In 1890 a special election was held on June 10th to elect fifteen freeholders to write a new city charter for the City of Tacoma. Thomas Carroll was elected to serve on this committee and was instrumental in drafting the first city charter which was approved by the voters on October 16, 1890.

In September of 1889 James Wickersham filed and platted the town of Springfield, on Henderson Bay, about thirty miles from Tacoma. The name of the post office was later changed to Wauna. This area was known for the best dairy farming and small fruit growing in Pierce County and known as an ideal location for a summer home. Thomas built a summer home on property he purchased in this area and would later retire to this site.

In July of 1897 there was a mini-gold rush on the Gig Harbor peninsula and Judge Carroll, who was staying at his summer cabin, was noted as trying his hand at the strike when he and his son both set to digging.

Located Thomas in the 1910 US Federal Census for Purdy, Pierce County, Washington, Series, T624, roll 1663, page 195B, retired lawyer, living alone as a widower. Thomas retired and lived it this area later on the Gig Harbor Peninsula with his daughter, Maud, where he died during the Flu Epidemic of 1918 along with his daughter's husband. He was a life member of Elks, a member of the Odd Fellows and of the G.A.R. He was buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Tacoma, WA (a double funeral with his son-in-law) a Civil War headstone marking his final resting place.