Contributed by: Christine Fisher-Thiessen

Theodore Wilmes was born 04 Feb 1827 in Lennep, Germany in the Ruhr Valley.  He married 
Emma Handwerker before emigrating to the United States in 1852. He died in Lebanon, 
Leclede County, Missouri 12 Jun 1902.

He was a Sergeant in the 144th Illinois Infantry.

His death is noted in the Lebanon Rustic Newspaper

--"Theodore Wilmes, for years a resident of this place, died at his home here after a lingering 
illness.  He was about 70 years old, and a soldier in his time, having served 3 years in the 
Prussian Army, 3 years in the United States Regular Army and 4 years in the Civil War.  
He came to this country in 1854." ( He actually came to this country in 1852.)

 

He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Head Quarters Geo. G. Meade 
Post No 48.

 

The Lebanon Newspaper also notes:

 

                                                To the Memory of Theodore Wilmes.

 

Whereas, Comrade Theodore Wilmes, after a life of more that three score years, has been called 
from his labors and by his death Gen. George G. Meade Post has lost one of its most faithful 
members, and in his death one of the brave heroes whose services maintained the integrity of the 
Union has been finally mustered out.  

Therefore, Resolved,

 That while we have been called upon to pay the last sad rite to a departed Comrade, we recognize 
that death came to him in the fullness of time, and in tendering our sympathy to his bereaved widow 
we commend her to the sympathy and protection of the members of the G.A.R., who will protect 
her interests as her husband defended the interests of our Common country.

Resolved,

 That the Post room be draped in mourning for the period of thirty days and that a copy of this 
resolutions be delivered to the widow of Comrade Wilmes.

                                                       J.W. Farris,

                      W.I. Wallace, Committee

                      E.R. Clough








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