Charles Frederick Stimm, Kenosha, Wis., Commander in 1889 of G. A. R. Post No. 320 was born Jan. 14, 1848, in Pleasant Prairie, Kenosha county, where his parents Charles F. and Catherine (Vollmer) Stimm, settled on their emigration from Germany in 1844. They were of pure German extraction and the father died in Chicago in 1865; the decease of the mother occurred in Rochelle, Ill., in 1870. Their family included several children named Margaret, Mary, Julia, Emma, Catherine, Rosa, Augustus, Ada and Henry, all still surviving excepting the last named. While Still a youth Mr. Stimm commenced to learn the trade of wagonmaker with the Peter Wood Company at Kenosha which suspended business before the termination of his apprenticeship. He engaged with the Whitaker Skein and Engine Company at Kenosha and, when his former employers resumed business, he resumed his connection with them for the brief period in which they conducted business. He then obtained employment with the Bain Wagon Company at Kenosha where he has retained his relations with the exception of the period passed in the war. In December, 1863, he enlisted, and, after passing about a month at Camp Randall, he was mustered in Feb. 2, 1864, and was assigned to Company C, 26th Wisconsin Infantry and joined the regiment at Whitesides, Tenn. Colonel Winckler, whose sketch appears on another page, was in command and about the last of April the regiment went to Lookout Valley, having transferred to the 3d Brigade, 3d Division and 20th Corps, preparatory to the Atlanta campaign. Mr. Stimm was in several fights at Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Cassville, Pumpkin Vine creek, Pine Knob and Kenesaw. June 22d, when his regiment was under severe fire at Kenesaw, he felt himself somewhat ambitious to give the rebels as good as they sent and suddenly found himself alone, far in advance of the Union lines. Bullets were flying and he concluded to join his comrades, which he did on the double quick. He skirmished at Big Shanty and Burnt hickory, and also at Kenesaw Pass, where Hooker's advance was attacked by Johnston, the 26th losing 45 men and Colonel Winckler receiving a ball in his hat. The next movement was to the Chattahoochie River, remaining there a few days, exchanging civilities with rebels in the way of tobacco and other small things. July 20th, they crossed the river and were preparing dinner when they were attacked by the 33d Mississippi. In the action the latter lost its State and regimental colors, and after it was over 137 of its soldiers received burial by the Union troops. All the superior officers were killed. The brigade was commanded by Colonel Wood and 113 rounds were fired. Mr. Stimm was in the battle at Peach tree Creek and went on the 22d to a position with his company in front of Atlanta and fought that day. During a lull in its course, a sharpshooter, stationed behind a stump, was making himself particularly disagreeable when General Sherman came along. He asked a gunner if he could not stop that fellow, and immediately the stump and the hidden scamp flew into the air. General Sherman expressed his satisfaction over the success of his suggestion. On that day McPherson was killed. The regiment remained a few days on the field, and was under constant cannonading. The next orders were to cross the Chattahoochie River, and protect the crossings and while there the troops voted for the president. After the fall of Atlanta they commenced the march into the city and afterwards joined Sherman in his march to the sea, on which Mr. Stimm participated in all the excitements of change which characterized the movement. He was in several actions in the vicinity of Savannah and at Averysboro and Bentonville. He was at Raleigh, April 13, 1865. While there they heard of the fall of Richmond and were celebrating it when an Orderly rode up to the speaker with a dispatch announcing the assassination of Lincoln. Mr. Stimm was in the march to Richmond and Alexandria, where the prepared for the Grand Review and after it, were ordered to Company C, 3d Wisconsin Infantry at Louisville, Ku., (June 10, 1865), returning to Milwaukee on a cattle train to be mustered out July 15, 1865. The father of Mr. Stimm was one of the first to enlist, enrolling in the 11th Illinois Cavalry and remaining in the service three years; he was with Grant at Vicksburg. Dec. 11, 1873, Mr. Stimm was married to Anna M. Schwann; she was born Nov. 14, 1851, in Kenosha and is the daughter of Matthias and Gertrude Schwann, who were born respectively Sept. 9, 1822, and Oct. 11, 1817, in Germany; their children were named Christopher, Anna, Herbert, Charles and Helena. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Still are Matthias, William, Benjamin and Helena M. Mr. Stimm is one of the leading citizens of Kenosha; in 1887 he was elected Mayor of his city and served his term with honor. He is a member of St. George and St. Michael's Benevolent Associations. |