SLUSSER-William D. - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

William D. SLUSSER, farmer, Newtown was born in Miami Co Ohio Oct 11, 1834. He was the 4th child and eldest son of Henry and Polly Jackson Slusser who moved to Ft Co in Jan 1850. He arrived the following August. In June 1861 he enlisted in Co D 20th Ind Vols and was the 1st 3-years volunteer from Richland Twp. His service was in the army of the Potomac. He participated in all the operations of his regiment except when absent on the occasions to be noticed. Therefore, to save repetition, reference is made to the account of the marches, skirmishes and battled of this command given in the biography of Azariah T. LEATH of Logan Twp. These two men were comrades in the same company. While on the Peninsula campaign Mr. Slusser was taken prisoner which occurred June 29, 1862. His capture was due to the bursting of a shell, which killed a comrade by his side; the concussion knocking him down, he was left for dead by his regiment, which was the rear guard covering the retreat. This casualty has rendered him since totally deaf in the left ear. He was confined 15 days ina tobacco warehouse at No. 19 Carey Street, Richmond and then removed to Belle Isle, where he was kept 45 days longer after which he was paroled. During this imprisonment he suffered from the only considerable sickness he had while in the army. In this condition he was Masonically recognized by a rebel surgeon, who treated him with so great kindness and humanity that he recalls this episode and holds in memory this "friend in need" with grateful pleasure. After his liberation he was with his regiment until May 19, 1864 when in a skirmish he received a wound in his left foot from which he did not recover before the expiration of his term. He was discharged at Indianapolis Aug 1, 1864 having been subject to military duty 3 years. In 1867 he moved to Illinois near Wilmington, Will Co and there bought a farm and lvie duntil 1874. At that date he returned to Fountain and in 1877 sold his Illinois property. He now owns 125 acres in Richland Twp and 156 in MN. He has been a Mason since the spring of 1856 and is a democrat in politics. Mr. Slusser married Jan 18, 1877 Miss Mary C. Meek, who was born July 10, 1859. Their only child, Almeda was born Sept 24, 1878. Their marriage took place at Union Cemetery Church the Rev. Warbington officiating. Next evening this couple united with the same church, Mrs. Slusser by letter. In 1859 Mr. Slusser traveled somewhat on the frontier and since in the SW and NW.