Jacob Billings 1831/VT to 1921/WA
Jacob Billings 1830 to 1921
Jacob Billings marriage to Celia E Dorrah 1916 WA
Full Unit History
1st INDIANA VOLUNTEER CAVALRY
Organized: 1861 Evansville, IN
Mustered In: 8/20/61
Mustered Out: 5/31/65 Indianapolis, IN
Regimental History
REGIMENTAL HISTORY:
This three year western theater regiment was organized in 1861 as the 28th Indiana Volunteer Infantry. The designation was subsequently changed to the 1st Indiana Volunteer Cavalry before the unit took to the field. The first eight companies were mustered in to Federal service on August 20th and left the state the following day headed for St. Louis, MO.
Once in Missouri they were ordered to Ironton and were there engaged in a sharp skirmish with the enemy at Black River. This part of the regiment was then stationed a Pilot Knob during the fall of 1861 and the winter of 1861/'62. During this period it saw action at Fredericktown.
In February, 1862 this portion of the 1st moved into Arkansas. There, in July, it was engaged with Rebel forces at Round Hill. With the exception of company "C" this part of the regiment remained on duty in Arkansas during the remainder of its term of service. The last year of its tenure was spent at Pine Bluff. It was mustered out at Indianapolis on 9/6/64.
Company "C" which had been detached for escort duty marched with Union General U.S. Grant's army to Vicksburg, MS. It then moved into Louisiana before rejoining the regiment in July, 1864.
Recruits remaining in Arkansas were organized into two companies and stationed at Pine Bluff. There, they participated in a severe engagement in September, 1864. Later, they were stationed at White River and St. Charles before being mustered out at Indianapolis in June, 1865.
Soldier History
SOLDIER:
Residence: Posey Co., IN Age:
Enlisted/Enrolled: 8/20/61 Rank: Blacksmith (Pvt.)
Mustered In: 8/20/61
Disability Discharge: 1/10/63
Highest Rank: Blacksmith (Pvt.)
Family History
PERSONAL/FAMILY HISTORY:
NOTE: The birth - to - death biographical profile below was created "by request". It was created without the assistance of documents housed in the National Archives located in Washington, D.C. As such, it suffers from the depth and details of bios written with such documentation at hand.
****************************************************************************************************
Born 18 June 1830 in Franklin, Vermont
Died 7 March 1921 (age 89-90)
Buried at Washington Soldiers Home Cemetery
Orting, Pierce County, Washington
Find a Grave Memorial #5550568
Note: The Find a Grave Memorial is in error on the year of Jacob Billings’ birth which was
actually 1830 (and not 1831).
“Jacob lived in Posey County when he enlisted on 08.20.1861 as a Blacksmith.
On 08.20.1861 he mustered into “D” Co. IN 1st Cavalry.
He was discharged for disability on 01.10.1863.”
Timeline of Jacob Billings’ Life
compiled and prepared by Andy and Ann Marie Liakos who live in Murphy, North Carolina
Jacob Billings was Andy’s Great x3 Grandfather
18 June 1830 Jacob was born in Franklin, Vermont. Verification of Jacob’s birth date
comes from Civil War enlistment records. Jacob’s parents were both born
in Ireland. His parents were probably Jacob Billings and Mary (Elkins)
Billings, although there is at least one suggestion that Jacob’s parents
were Joseph Billings and Mary (Auldrich or Aldrich) Billings.
11 November 1851 Jacob Billings married Julia Ann Green in Indiana. Abraham Moore
officiated. She was born on 1 May, 1834 in Ripley, Brown County, Ohio.
Source 1) Pioneers and Early Settlers, Sanders County Montana,
Camas Area. Book One of Nine. Volume 1 of 2. By Ann Miller. Source
2) Indiana Marriages 1811-2008, County Clerk’s Office.
June 1853 Jacob’s son, William Thomas Billings, was born in June in Indiana.
02 September 1855 Jacob’s son, Joseph A. Billings, was born on 2 September, in Indiana. He
married Mary Jane (Inman) Billings. Joseph would go on to run for
Railroad Commissioner in Montana. Joseph A. Billings died on 06 July,
1931 in Montana.
1860 Census shows residence in Troy Troy Township, Perry, Indiana.
18 August 1860 Jacob’s daughter, Mary Charlotte “Lottie” Billings was born on 18 August
in Cannelton, Perry, Indiana. She married James B. Inman in 1879, in
Kansas. Her husband James was born on August 14, 1856, in Janesville,
Rock County, Wisconsin. Mary Charlotte “Lottie” passed away on 08
July, 1954 in Centralia, Lewis County, Washington. “Lottie” is buried at
the Napavine Cemetery in Napavine, Lewis county, Washington. Find a
Grave Memorial #1240333.
20 August 1861 Jacob enlisted in Union service during the Civil War. Reference: “D”
Company IN 1st Calvary. He was a Blacksmith and Farrier (later worked
as a shoemaker in civilian life). At the time of his enlistment, Jacob lived
in Posey County. He is said to have enrolled in Evansville, Indiana (28th
Regiment). He was discharged for disability on 10 January, 1863.
Indiana Digital Archives Accession Number 1938001.
https://secure.in.gov/apps/iara/search/Home/Detail?rId=1115109
April 1862 Jacob Billings served in the capacity of “orderly” for Colonel Baker. He
was a Private with Company D, 1st Regiment, Indiana Cavalry. Records
of Civil War Service from the National Archives.
September 1862 Jacob Billings is shown as a “Saddler” with Company D, 1st Regiment,
Indiana Cavalry. He was present at the Company Muster Roll. The record
remarks read: “Furnished his own horse & horses equipment for the
period for which he draws pay.” Records of Civil War Service from the
National Archives. Similar records exist across 1861 and 1862.
December 1862 Jacob Billings was absent from duties due to hospitalization from
December 1862 to March 1863. Records of Civil War Service from the
National Archives.
10 March 1863 The Army of the United States issued a Certificate of Disability for
Discharge for Jacob Billings of Captain Talbot’s Company due to chronic
gastritis. At the time of discharge, he had been off duty for seven months,
two of those having been confined to a hospital. He was said to be 5’ 8 ½”
tall, and to have had gray eyes. His occupation was listed as “shoemaker.”
Army of the United States Certificate of Disability for Discharge. 1863.
1864 Jacob’s son Henry E. Billings was born. He may have been called
“Hank”. Henry died on 16 November 1927. Note: It is also possible
that Jacob had a brother named or nicknamed “Hank”.
@ 1867 Jacob’s daughter Alice Catherine Billings was born. The exact date
is not known. Alice Catherine Billings passed away in November
of 1914, in Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington. Her married name
was Costello, and she lived in Salido, Colorado as of 1912.
1870 Census shows residence in Union, Perry, Indiana.
09 April 1879 “Homestead Notice. U.S. Land Office, Grand Island, Neb., April 2, 1879.
Complaint having been entered at this office by John Dahams against
Jacob Billings for abandoning his Homestead Entry no. 7424, dated
March 19, 1878, upon the east ½ of the southeast ¼ Section 32, Township
19 north, Range 3 west in Platte county, Nebraska, with a view to the
cancellation of said entry: the said parties are hereby summoned to
appear at this office on the 8th day of May, 1879 at 10 o’clock a.m. to
respond and furnish testimony concerning said alleged abandonment.
Depositions to be used in said contest will be taken at the office of
Samuel C. Smith, in Columbus, Nebraska, May 5th, 1879 at 10 a.m.
M.B. Hoxie, Register. Wm. Anyan, Receiver. The Columbus Journal.
April 9th, 1879. Note: This notice was reposted in the April 30, 1879
edition of The Columbus Journal.
1880 Republican County Convention references Jacob Billings in notes about
the Fifth Ward – “Fifth Ward – Thos. Cummins for James Shields; John
McDonnell for Jacob Billings; Ed Leader for Geo. Redman.” Omaha
Daily Bee. August 30, 1880, Morning Edition.
1880 Census shows residence in Medicine Lodge, Barber, Kansas.
14 February 1884 Jacob Billings was a candidate in the election of justices. Returns showed
65 votes for S.G. Pillsbury, 27 votes for Jacob Billings, and 46 votes for
I.W. Nettleship. Phillipsburg Herald. Phillipsburg, Kansas. February
14, 1884.
1885 Jacob Billings was living in Long Island, Kansas. He was a farmer.
1885 The Kansas Census shows Jacob’s son, Joseph Billings and his wife
Mary, living in the area with their sons, Roy, Lewis, and Willie. Joseph’s
occupation is shown as “shoemaker” which was also the trade of his
father, Jacob Billings. Roberta Gebhardt, Library Manager, Montana
Historical Society Research Center. 225 North Roberts. Helena, MT
59620. Note: “Roy” referenced above is actually “Ray Orr Billings”.
24 October 1885 “Jacob Billings, of Long Island, has opened up a boot and shoe repair
shop in Phillipsburg. Mr. Billings will have all the work he can do.”
Phillipsburg Herald. Phillipsburg, Kansas. October 24, 1885.
21 November 1885 “We believe in protective tariff, to protect our home mechanics. Now
patronize our boot and shoe establishment conducted by Jacob Billings.
Room six, up stairs in Bissell’s block.” Phillipsburg Herald. Phillisburg,
Kansas. November 21, 1885.
20 November 1886 “David Close and Link Nipps have bought out the east side meat market
and will move into their new shop as soon as completed. Mitchell &
Hatfield will soon take up quarters in the old Durks building and the
south room will be occupied by Jacob Billings for a shoe shop. These east
side fellows are rustlers but we usually manage to keep run of the shifts.”
Phillipsburg Herald. Phillipsburg, Kansas. November 20, 1886.
1889 Jacob was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic’s Conrad Baker
Post in Voltaire, Sherman, Kansas. See also a reference to the Phillipsburg
Post No. 77.
25 October 1893 “Olate, Ks. October 21st. – The A.W. Little habeas corpus proceedings
were resumed before Judge Burris this morning. Jacob Billing testified
that he was acquainted with A.W. Little while he lived at McPherson,
Kansas, and that he had trouble with him.” Barbour County Index.
Medicine Lodge, Kansas. October 25, 1893.
1897 Jacob Billings was a Justice of the Peace in Kalispell, Montana. Annual
Report of the Bureau of Agriculture, Labor and Industry of Montana
for the year ended November 30, 1897.
1897 Jacob Billings is listed in the proceedings as a delegate of the Department
of Montana Grand Army of the Republic. Roberta Gebhardt, Library
Manager, Montana Historical Society Research Center. 225 North
Roberts. Helena, MT 59620.
07 December 1888 “We also met here our old soldier friend, Jacob Billings. He has just
opened a boot and shoe repair shop and we found him quite busy. Long
Island has many other good citizens we should like to mention personally,
but space forbids.” Phillipsburg Herald. Phillipsburg, Kansas.
December 7, 1888.
1898 Jacob Billings was a Justice of the Peace in Kalispell, Montana. Annual
Report of the Bureau of Agriculture, Labor and Industry of Montana
for the year ended November 30, 1898.
1899 Jacob Billings is listed in the proceedings as a delegate of the Department
of Montana Grand Army of the Republic. Roberta Gebhardt, Library
Manager, Montana Historical Society Research Center. 225 North
Roberts. Helena, MT 59620.
09 April 1899 “At a meeting of George G. Mead post No. 16, G.A.R., held last evening,
the post was visited by Comrades N.H. Morley of the Soldier’s home at
Columbia Falls, and Jacob Billings of Kalispell. Both of these old
veterans were called upon for a few remarks, and they responded in a
manner that touched the hearts of the “old boys” of Anaconda. The affair
was an exceedingly pleasant and social one.” Anaconda Standard.
April 9, 1899. Page 5.
1900 Census shows that Jacob was a shoemaker whose residence was in
Kalispell Township, Kalispell City, Flathead County, Montana.
1900 Jacob Billings was a Justice of the Peace in Kalispell, Montana. Annual
Report of the Bureau of Agriculture, Labor and Industry of Montana
for the year ended November 30, 1900.
07 September 1900 Jacob Billings is shown as having received $35.50 in justice fees.
The Kalispell Bee. September 7, 1900. Page 4.
20 December 1900 Jacob Billings is shown as having received $800 in payment for an
addition to a store building in Kalispell, Montana. The Kalispell Bee.
December 20, 1900. Christmas Edition. Page. 11.
1901 Jacob Billings is listed as a Commander of the Nat Lyons Post No. 23,
Grand Army of the Republic. Polk City Directories. Flathead and
Lincoln County. Montana Memory Project. Mtmemory.org
05 February 1901 “The resignation of Jacob Billings as justice of the peace for Kalispell
township, was accepted, and A. McArthur appointed to fill the vacancy.”
Kalispell Bee. February 5, 1901. Page 3.
27 November 1901 “Attention, Comrades! All old soldiers in Kalispell and vicinity are
invited to meet with the members of Nat Lyons Post No. 23 on Saturday
evening, November 20, at 7 o’clock p.m., at the office of Jacob Billings,
post commader. 227 First Avenue East, for consideration of important
business. Jacob Billings, Post Commander.” The Kalispell Bee.
November 27, 1901. Page 6.
1902 Jacob Billings is listed in the proceedings as a delegate of the Department
of Montana Grand Army of the Republic. Roberta Gebhardt, Library
Manager, Montana Historical Society Research Center. 225 North
Roberts. Helena, MT 59620.
1902 Jacob Billings is listed as a Past Post Commander and Delegate for the
Nat Lyons Post No. 23 Grand Army of the Republic. Journal of
Eighteenth Annual Encampment of the Department of Montana. Held
at Helena, Montana, April 24-26, 1902.
02 April 1902 “Vote for honest old Jacob Billings for Police Judge if you want money in
the treasury.” The Kalispell Bee. April 2, 1902. Page 8.
12 August 1902 “Suffrage Club Formed. As a result of the two lectures given by Miss Gail
Laughlin at Kalispell last week, a universal suffrage club has been
formed, consisting of a charter membership of 32, men and women. Of
the new organization, Dr. Rosencrans is president, Mrs. A.J. Edwards
treasurer, and Jacob Billings recording secretary.” (article continues)
Kalispell Bee. August 12, 1902. Page 5.
28 October 1902 “Mrs. Alvira Kline of Benton, Ill., is in the city on a visit to her sister,
Mrs. Jacob Billings.” The Kalispell Bee. October 28, 1902. Page 3.
17 April 1903 “While climbing to the loft in his barn last Thursday night, Judge Jacob
Billings slipped and fell, breaking his shoulder blade and sustaining other
bruises. He was confined to his bed for several days, but is now able to be
around.” Kalispell Bee. April 17, 1903. Page 8.
29 September 1903 “Jacob Billings has disposed of his farm interests on the lake and returned
to Kalispell to reside.” Kalispell Bee. September 29, 1903. Page 5.
1906 Jacob Billings is listed as a Past Post Commander for the Nat Lyons Post
No. 23 Grand Army of the Republic. Journal of Eighteenth Annual
Encampment of the Department of Montana. Held at Helena,
Montana, March 12th, 13th, and 14th, 1906.
1910 Census shows that Jacob was a resident of Kalispell, Flathead County,
Montana.
1911 “Jacob Billings moved to Hot Springs, Mont.” Polk City Directories.
Flathead and Lincoln County. Montana Memory Project.
Mtmemory.org
10 November 1911 “Next Saturday afternoon at six o’clock will be the 60th anniversary of
Grandpa Billings, and his wife. They are arranging to have a few close
friends with them on the occasion. Few people live to celebrate such an
event.” Sanders County Signal. November 10, 1911. Page 3.
19 April 1912 “Mrs. Alice Costello, of Salido, Colorado, is here visiting her father,
Grandpa Billings. She was accompanied by her grandson, a boy about
nine years old.” Sanders County Signal. April 19, 1912.
21 June 1912 “Grandpa Billings was a pleasant caller at the Signal office Tuesday. He
came in and told us that the 18 of June was a very important date in
history so far as he was concerned. It was the anniversary of the battle of
Waterloo, the Republican National Convention at Chicago and last his
birthday. Grandpa Billings was 82 last Tuesday. The Signal wishes
Grandpa many more birthdays.” Sanders County Signal, Camas, MT.
Friday, June 21, 1912.
16 July 1912 Jacob’s 1st wife, Julia Ann (Green) Billings, passed away on 16 July,
1912, in Camas Prairie, Sanders County, Montana. She is buried at the
Lone Pine Cemetery in Bigfork, Flathead County, Montana. Find a
Grave Memorial #39307721. Funeral services were held at the Camas
schoolhouse by Reverend Thomas Howland who was said to have
preached a most touching sermon. Pioneers and Early Settlers, Sanders
County Montana, Camas Area. Book One of Nine. Volume 1 of 2. By
Ann Miller.
1912 Jacob “Jake” Billings moved to the state of Washington. Pioneers and
Early Settlers, Sanders County Montana, Camas Area. Book One of
Nine. Volume 1 of 2. By Ann Miller.
07 February 1913 “Camas now has two regular justices of the peace. Judge Arnold and
Jacob Billings have received books and documents and are ready for
business.” Sanders County Signal. February 7, 1913. Page 3.
26 February 1913 “Jacob Billings has returned from an extended trip through the west.”
Daily Missoulian. February 26, 1913. Page 3.
28 February 1913 “Jacob Billings returned this week from an extended visit in California
and the state of Washington. He spent most of the winter in Los Angeles.
He did not like the climate on account of the extreme changes in the
weather. In the middle of the day it was very warm and at night quite
cold. He spent some time in Washington and liked that climate very
much. He came from Ronan with a son.” Sanders County Signal.
February 28, 1913. Page 3.
November 1914 Jacob’s daughter, Alice Catherine (Billings) Costello, passed away in
Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington.
25 December 1916 Jacob Billings (at age 86) married his 2nd wife, Ceila Ellen (Ramey)
Dorrah Billings (at age 56). They were married at the home of a son in
Chehalis, Washington. Cecil R. Blunden, minister of the 1st Christian
Church officiated. Celia was the daughter of John Ramey and Elizabeth
(Mallet) Ramey. Washington County Marriage Returns.
07 March 1921 Jacob died in Chehalis, Washington at the age of 90 years, 8 months, 19
days. He is buried at the Washington Soldiers’ Home Cemetery in Orting,
Pierce County, Washington. Find a Grave Memorial #5550568.
16 November 1927 Jacob’s son, Henry Billings, passed away in Dash Point, Pierce County,
Washington at the age of 63 years, 6 months, 4 days. He was born on
May 12, 1864. Henry’s wife was Hattie Billings. Henry Billings was
buried at Mountain View memorial Park in Lakewood, Pierce County,
Washington. Plot #R 4 38. Find a Grave Memorial # 102980861.
06 July 1931 Jacob’s son, Joseph A. Billings, passed away on July 6th, 1931 in
Montana. Joseph’s wife, Mary Jane (Inman) Billings, passed away the
following year on October 24th, 1922, in Columbia, Oregon.
16 February 1939 Jacob’s 2nd wife, Celia Ellen (Ramey) Dorrah Billings, passed away on
February 16, 1939, in Chehalis, Lewis County, Washington. Celia is
buried at Greenwood Memorial Park in Centralia, Lewis County,
Washington. She was born on 22 November, 1861, in Eagleville,
Missouri. Celia’s parents were John Preston Ramey, and Elizabeth
(Mallet) Ramey. She married Branson Dorrah in about 1880 (Missouri).
Find a Grave Memorial #48441592.
08 July 1954 Mary Charlotte “Lottie” Billings Inman passed away in Centralia, Lewis
County, Washington. “Lottie” is buried at the Napavine Cemetery in
Napavine, Lewis county, Washington. Find a Grave Memorial #1240333.
PATRIARCH.
During the last few years of the life of Demersville the town harbored a picturesque old fellow who
was a shoemaker by trade. Although he was eighty-ish in age, the old gentleman still put in hours on
the bench working at his trade of keeping the Demersville dogs in dry shoes. His name was Jacob
Billings, and his look was that of a patriarch of Biblical days. He had a heavy shock of snow-white
hair, and a long full beard equally silvery.
His life history, as gathered from his stories of early experiences, was full of colored and sometimes
hazardous incidents. He was one of those who took part in the stirring scenes of the settlement of
Kansas before the Civil War, when it was touch-and-go whether that newly-established commonwealth
was to be slave or free. His lot in that historical adventure was cast with the free-soilers, and he could
relate many of the scenes enacted when the slavery adherents made armed raids upon their adversaries,
sometimes committing outright murders of abolitionists. Though personally he had never met with
injury in those struggles, he had had several quite narrow escapes with his life.
When the war broke out the young man joined up with the Federal army, and during the struggle he and
his companions were engaged in keeping order in the Kansas and Missouri territory.
After the war ended, Billings settled in Nebraska where he was elevated to the position of justice of the
peace of his township, a job that he held for many years. The name of judge clung to him for the rest of
his life. He was quite elderly when he came to Montana, and after settlement got underway he came to
the Flathead to make his final home.
As a recounter of events of the raw West in the fifties and sixties, the old gentleman always had, and
could hold an audience of interested listeners. He was quite a popular character in the western town,
and was highly esteemed by all who came into contact with him.
Two grandsons, 12 and 13 years old, were the town’s newsboys, selling the local papers, and others that
came to the town. Their connection with their dignified and kindly grandfather made them very popular
as news vendors, so that they had a large patronage, and as a dime was the regular price for any
newspaper – nickles being scorned – they did a very profitable business.
Cemetery
Adopt-a-Vet Sponsor
Requester: Ann Marie & Andy Liakos
Murphy, NC