Stilwell - Stephen A.
Source: H. W. Beckwith History of Montgomery Co IN (HH Hill, Chicago 1880) p 162
Stephen A. Stilwell, Deputy City Treas, Crawfordsville, was born in Montgomery County March 22, 1838 on a farm near Crawfordsville. His father, Jeremiah Stilwell, came from Ky and settled in this County in 1820, and assisted in laying out the city of Crawfordsville. He is still living, at an advanced age, an honored and highly respected citizen. His mother's name was Didama. He lived upon a farm until he was 23 years of age, and obtained such an education as might be obtained at the district school. When the call was issued asking for brave men to defend our country, Mr. Stilwell enlisted in co C, 40th Ind Vol. Inf, Nov 15, 1861 as a private. For 3 years he served his country and was then mustered out. He again enlisted and gallantly fought until the struggle closed, coming home as Capt, given him as a reward for his courage, participating in Bowling Green, Perrysville and Crab Orchard.
Source: H. W. Beckwith History of Montgomery Co IN (HH Hill, Chicago 1880) p 241
Stephen A. Stillwell, deputy city treasurer, Crawfordsville, was born March 22, 1838, in Montgomery County.
His father, Jeremiah Stillwell, was born in Shelby County, Kentucky, July 14, 1796, and is still living with his son Stephen.
In 1826 he entered 120 acres of land seven miles south of Crawfordsville, upon which he lived until a couple of years after his wife's death, which occurred May 8, 1870.
He is still the owner of his old home.
His wife, Didama (Hollaway) Stillwell, is a sister of Judge Hollaway, and was born April 11, 1800. They were both members of the Old School Baptist Church. Mr. Stillwell was one of the first settlers of Montgomery County, and assisted in carrying the chain in laying out the state roads. When he first visited this city there was but one dwelling and the land-office in its limits. He was formerly a whig, now a staunch republican. Stephen's early educational advantages were not the best, but in 1857 and 1858 he attended a private school, and by hard work paid his own way. He then began teaching in the winter, and farming in the summer, until his twenty-third year, when he enlisted as a soldier under Capt. Harry Leming, and was mustered in in Co. C, 40th Ind., in La Fayette, Indiana, November 15, 1861, and was mustered out in February, 1864, at Dalton, Tennessee.
He then reenlisted, and was mustered in at Chattanooga, Tennessee, in the same month, and was mustered out June 30, 1865, at New Orleans, on the Jackson battle-ground. He participated in the following engagements in the order mentioned: Stanford, Perrysville, Stone River, Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge, Chickamauga, Resaca, Peachtree Creek, Shiloh, Corinth, Buzzard Roost, Atlanta.
He then came back with Thomas, and was in the battle of Nashville, and was on the skirmish-line that began the batttle of Franklin.
He was wounded at Kenesaw Mountain, June 27, being shot through the right leg, breaking the front bone, from the effects of which he passed through an untold amount of suffering. He did his duty fighting for the nation, amply described by his military record. At the expiration of the war he became engaged in farming.
After two years he was employed in the plaining-mill of Boats & Canine, at which for five years he was noted as a steady worker, having lost but twenty-four days in the entire time.
He then was engaged in the grocery business fourteen months.
His appointment as deputy treasurer of Montgomery County dates from the expiration of this time and for four years he was known as an efficient officer. He is now holding the office of deputy city treasurer.
He is a member of the Odd-Fellows' fraternity, and the Knights of Pythias.
He is in religious belief a Universalist.
May 15, 1866, he was married to Martha A. Hardee, of this city, a most exemplary woman. His zeal for the principles of the republican party is unbounded.