(NOTE: Of the 992 men who served in the 86th Illinois during the Civil War, on July 31, 1935, only 9 were still living. Private William Caulkins was the last living veteran of Co. F. When he died the following day, August 1, 1935, only 8 remained.
William Caulkins probably never had his portrait taken prior to the Civil War. However, during the 10 month period that the 86th Illinois was in the Nashville, Tennessee area in 1862-63, William, like most of the Union soldiers in the Nashville area, probably took the time to sit for a portrait to send home to the loved ones that he left behind. These portraits were made in the form of what was called a "tin type" or, most often, printed in the form of what was called a CDV, a paper picture glued to a heavier card stock about the size of a modern day baseball card, and the soldiers didn't just have one or two copies made. Most of the time, they had a dozen or more made, so they could swap pictures with their tentmates, messmates and for their friends, in the 86th and back home.
William then survived the war and lived well into the 20th century. During his life, William probably had his picture taken dozens of times, if not hundreds of times. I would dearly love to see a copy of that CDV added to his Find A Grave site for all with an interest to see. However, at this point, I would be thrilled just to see ANY pictures of him added to his Find A Grave Memorial, even ones of him as an old man. Can anyone help me? Thanks, Baxter)

Private WILLIAM CAULKINS, Co. F, 86th Illinois

William Caulkins was born on October 30, 1843 in Campbellsburg, Washington County, Indiana, according to his death certificate, the son of Samuel Caulkins and Sarah Ann (Stewart) Caulkins. Samuel Caulkins (Calkins) was born c. October 28, 1821 in Washington County, Indiana, while Sarah Ann Stewart was born c. March of 1823. Six children were born to Samuel and Sarah including;
1. William Caulkins, born October 30, 1843 in Washington County, Indiana; See his biography below.

2. Elizabeth Caulkins, born ____________ __, 1845 in Washington County, Indiana; Elizabeth was married to Samuel H. Hopper on August 19, 1863 in Knox County, Illinois, Levi Massey, JP officiating; At the time of the 1870 census, Elizabeth and Samuel are found in Knoxville, Illinois.

3. Henry Caulkins, born __________ __, 1847; lied about his age enlisting in Co. G of the 36th Illinois Infantry during the Civil War in 1864 claiming he was 18 years of age; Died on March 17, 1897 and his mortal remains were laid in the Knoxville Cemetery in Knoxville, Knox County, Illinois.

4. Francis M Caulkins, born November 18, 1849 in Washington County, Indiana; died December 13, 1851; His name is listed on the central family stone in the Knoxville Cemetery in Knoxville, Knox County, Illinois, but his earthly remains are actually buried in the Hop Cemetery in Campbellsburg, Washington County, Indiana.

5. Catherine Caulkins, born 1851 in Indiana; died 1879 in Knoxville and her mortal remains were laid in the Knoxville Cemetery.

6. John R. Caulkins, born 1854 in Indiana; Married Mary B. Moore in Knox County, Illinois on 1 July 1875; They were divorced by 1900. He is last found living in Knox County in the 1900 census.

7. Priscilla Isabelle Caulkins, born 25 Nov 1855 in or near Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois, the first member of the family born in Illinois; She married Ullman Richmond on 7 Aug 1873 in Knox County, Illinois; Priscilla died on 22 Nov 1922 in South Haven, Sumner Co, Kansas.

8. Samuel Caulkins, born January 18, 1858; died on April 5, 1859 and his mortal remains were laid in the Knoxville Cemetery in Knoxville, Knox County, Illinois.

9. Martha Caulkins, born __________ __, 1860; died on Nov. 10, 1889 in Knoxville, Knox County, Illinois and her mortal remains were laid in the Knoxville Cemetery in Knox County, Illinois; married to Frank Peterson on September 13, 1877 in Knox County, Illinois; See her Find A Grave site for more
information about her and her family.

10. Mary Caulkins, born __________ __, 1864; died __________ __, 1888 and her mortal remains were laid in the Knoxville Cemetery in Knoxville, Knox County, Illinois.

Samuel and Sarah brought the family to Knox County, Illinois from Indiana around 1855. Samuel Caulkins died on June 26, 1898, while Sarah Ann (Stewart) Caulkins died on __________ __, 1900. Their earthly remains were laid in the Knoxville Cemetery in Knoxville, Knox County, Illinois.

Now to continue with the biography of William Caulkins;
On July 31, 1862, William Caulkins volunteered at Maquon, Illinois to serve in a company which was being raised in Maquon, Illinois for service in the Union Army during the Civil War by a local well known Carpenter, Contractor and Businessman by the name of James L. Burkhalter.

ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name CAULKINS, WILLIAM
Rank PVT Company F Unit 86 IL US INF

Personal Characteristics
Residence MAQUON, KNOX CO, IL Age 18 Height 5' 7 Hair BROWN
Eyes BLUE Complexion LIGHT Marital Status SINGLE Occupation FARMER
Nativity WASHINGTON CO, IN

Service Record
Joined When JUL 31, 1862 Joined Where MAQUON, IL
Joined By Whom J L BURKHALTER Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862 Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out JUN 6, 1865
Muster Out Where WASHINGTON, DC Muster Out By Whom LT SCROGGS
Remarks N/A

William Caulkins was married 1st to Mary Catherine Ward on October 10, 1866 in Knox County, Illinois. Mary C. Ward was born on Nov. 12, 1847 at Knox County, Illinois, the daughter of Sylvester Ward and Mary (Dempsey) Ward, whose family is found in Persifer Township of Knox County, Illinois at the time of the 1860 census;
Sylvester Ward M 49 Ohio
Mary Ward F 40 Ohio
Pheba Ward F 18 Illinois
James Ward M 15 Illinois
Mary C Ward F 12 Illinois
Isaac S Ward M 8 Illinois
Cornelius Ward M 4 Illinois
Joseph Russle M 22 Ohio

Ten children are believed to have been born to William Caulkins and Mary Catherine (Ward) Caulkins, including;
1. Sarah Luella "Ella" Caulkins, born c. May __, 1868 in Illinois; married to James William Weikert, who was born on __________ __, 1862 in Pennsylvania. Sarah and James are known to have had at least 4 children;
A. Donnie Weikert (1890 - 1893)
B. Earl Harper Weikert (1895 Illinois - 1990)
C. Ralph Weikert (1899 Illinois - 1918)
D. Louise Weikert, born c. 1901/02 in Illinois

James William Weikert died on __________ __, 1933, while Sarah Luella (Caulkins) Weikert died on __________ __, 1952; Their mortal remains were laid in the Knoxville Cemetery, Knoxville, Knox County, Illinois; Her FAG memorial is #5450439.

2. Mary H. "Mamie" Caulkins, born c. November 2, 1869 in Illinois; Married to Albert Sentman Weikert, brother of William J. Weikert, on ___________ __, 1893; Albert S. Weikert was born on ___________ __, 1879 and died on ___________ __, 1935 and his mortal remains were laid in the Wethersfield Cemetery in Kewanee, Henry County, Illinois.
The children born to Mamie and Albert include;
A. Portia L. Weikert, born c. 1894/95 in Illinois.

At the time of the 1900 census, Mary and Albert are Ward 1 - 3 of the City of Knoxville, Knox County, Illinois. Mary has had one child, who is living. Mary and Albert have been married 7 years at this time;
Head Albert S Weikert M 30 Pennsylvania
Wife Mary W Weikert F 31 Illinois
Daughter Portia L Weikert F 5 Illinois

19 year old Portia L. Weikert was married to Harry Lesley Henry on September 7, 1915 in Los Angeles, California. His parents are listed as John Henry and Tresa M Roll, while her parents were listed as Albert Weikert and Mary W Caulkins.

Mary and Albert are believed to have been divorced before 1910 and Albert is found living alone in Will County, Illinois. At the time of the 1920 census, Mary H. Caulkins is found divorced in Los Angeles Assembly District 75, Los Angeles County, California, though her age is several years off. Her father and mother are listed as having been born in Indiana and Illinois, respectively. Portia is also now divorced;
Head Mary Weikert F 42 Illinois
Daughter Portia Henry F 24 Illinois
Grandson Edward Henry M 3 California

At the time of the 1930 census, Portia is found in Los Angeles (Districts 0501-0750), Los Angeles County, California. Edward is not with her so he has either died or he is with his father.
Mary W. (Calkins) Weikert died on September 13, 1944 in __________, California. She is listed as having been born on November 2, 1880, which is several years off to say the least; Her mortal remains were laid in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, Los Angeles County, California and her Find A Grave Memorial# is 85544536.

3. Cora Isabelle Caulkins, born c. February 16, 1872 in Illinois; Cora was married to Fred Moody Campbell in Knox County, Illinois on March 13, 1897.
The children born to Cora and Fred include;
A. Ralph W. Campbell, born c. 1897/98 in Illinois. Ralph W. Campbell may be the Ralph W. Campbell, who was born on Jan. 4, 1897, who died on Apr. 6, 1964, who was a PVT, US ARMY and whose mortal remains were laid in the Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon.
B. Charles Burton Campbell. born c. 1899/1900 in Illinois.
C. Forest M. Campbell, born c. 1901/02 in Illinois.
D. Edith F. Campbell, born c. 1906/07 in Illinois.

At the time of the 1900 census, Cora and Fred are found in the City of Harvey, Thornton Township in Cook County, Illinois. They have been married 3 years and she has had 2 children, both of whom are living;
Head Fred M Campbell M 25 Illinois
Wife Cora Campbell F 28 Illinois
Son Ralph W Campbell M 2 Illinois
Son Charles B Campbell M 0 Illinois

At the time of the 1910 census, Fred and Cora are found in Ellington, Chautauqua County, New York;
Head Fred M Campbell M 34 Illinois
Wife Cora I Campbell F 37 Illinois
Son Ralph W Campbell M 11 Illinois
Son Burton C Campbell M 10 Illinois
Son Forest M Campbell M 8 Illinois
Daughter Edith F Campbell F 3 Illinois

At the time of the 1920 census, either Fred has died or more likely, they, too, are divorced. Cora and her children are found in Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon. She is listed as single;
Head Cora I Campbell F 47 Illinois
Son Burton C Campbell M 20 Illinois
Son Forest F Campbell M 18 Illinois
Daughter Edith Campbell F 13 Illinois

At the time of her father's death in 1935, Cora was residing in St. Charles, Illinois. At the time of the 1930 and 1940 census records, Cora is found residing in St. Charles, Kane County, Illinois. At the time of the 1940 census, she and a Betty Campbell are found residing at 925 S. Fourth Street in Ward 2 of the city of St. Charles, St. Charles Township, Kane County, Illinois. Betty, who is 45, is a factory worker for a Printing company;
Betty Campbell F 45 Kentucky
Cora Campbell F 68 Illinois

Cora E. (Caulkins) Campbell died on April 25, 1958 in San Mateo, California, but it is not known where her earthly remains were laid at this time.

4. Olive Z. "Ollie" Caulkins, born c. October __, 1874/75 in Illinois. Olive was married to John Arthur Youngquist on November 23, 1892 in Knox County, Illinois; John was born on ___________ __, 1869, the son of Olof N. Youngquist, who was a member of Co. F of the 112th Illinois Infantry during the Civil War; After Olof's 1st wife died he married Nellie Mary Peterson Goldquist, sister of the great grandma of Nancy Gawthrop, Find A Grave Contributor #47512913, Emily Peterson Means, and also sister to Frank Peterson, who married Martha Caulkins, sister of William Caulkins. Nancy wrote that, "while we are on the subject, Frank, Nellie, and Emily Peterson's father was Peter Peterson, and Peter is also a veteran of the Civil War. He was born 1820 in Sweden, immigrated to the United States in 1853, Naturalized on 22 Feb 1860, enlisted in Co. E, Illinois 83rd Regiment, and was discharged 3 July 1863 with a disability discharge. His Find a Grave memorial is #5465271. It's a very interesting story of his life. Olof Youngquist's memorial is #5461357."
At the time of the 1900 census, Olive and Arthur are found in Ward 1 - 3 in the City of Knoxville, Knox County, Illinois. They have been married 7 years and Olive has had two children, both of whom are living;
Head Arthur J Youngguist M 31 Illinois
Wife Olive Z Youngguist F 25 Illinois
Son Sterling L Youngguist M 7 Illinois
Daughter Cecil M Youngguist F 4 Illinois

The children born to Ollie and John include;
A. Sterling L. Youngguist, born c. 1892/93 in Illinois. Sterling L. Younquist was born on June 12, 1894 in Knoxville, Illinois. He was married to Ruby A. ___________. At the time of the 1930 census, Sterling and his family are found in Knoxville, Knox County, Illinois, but at the time of the 1940 census, Sterling and his family are found in Upper Arlington Village, Perry Township, Franklin County, Ohio;
Head Sterling L Youngquist M 45 Illinois
Wife Ruby A Youngquist F 38 Iowa
Son Robert G Youngquist M 13 Illinois
Son Jack B Youngquist M 9 Illinois

B. Cecil M. Younguist, born c. 1895/96 in Illinois.

At the time of the 1910 census, Olive is found boarding in
Ward 1 of Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois. She is listed as Widowed, but, in fact may be seperated or divorced at this time;
Head Mrs. Arnna Sevnerson F 50 Sweden
Roomer Mrs. Olive Youngquist F 35 Illinois
Daughter Cecil Youngquist F 13 Illinois
Son Youngquist M 15 Illinois

John A. Youngquist died on __________ __, 1917 and his mortal remains were laid in the Knoxville Cemetery in Knoxville, Knox County, Illinois.
Ollie was later married to ______________ Hooper and at the time of her father's death in 1935, is residing in Oregon City, Oregon. It is not known when Olive died or where her remains were laid at this time.

5. Delmer Caulkins, born c. 1876 in Illinois; he is not listed in the 1880 census and may have died young.

6. Franklin William Caulkins, born November 19, 1877 in Knoxville, Knox County, Illinois; the Rev. F. W. Caulkins was married to Gertrude E. Stokes on June 15, 1898 in Knox County, Illinois; Gertrude lived 8 Mar 1880 to 30 Apr 1971, died in Belvidere, Boone Co, IL. Franklin died November 1, 1953 in Rockford, Winnebago County, Illinois and his mortal remains were laid in the Willwood Burial Park in Rockford. Find a Grave memorial #44573396.

7. Charles W. Caulkins, born December 27, 1879 in Illinois. Charles was married to Alberta ____________.
The children born to Charles and Alberta include;
A. Dorothy Caulkins, born c. 1921/22 in Illinois.

At the time of the 1940 census Charles and his wife, Alberta, are found with their family in Cedar Township in Knox County, Illinois;
Head Charles Caulkins M 60 Illinois
Wife Alberta Caulkins F 52 Illinois
Daughter Dorothy Caulkins F 18 Illinois

Charles W. Caulkins died Nov. 15, 1959 at ___________, ____________ and his mortal remains were laid in the Knoxville Cemetery in Knoxville, Knox County, Illinois; His Find a Grave memorial is #5450442.

8. Frederick Isaac Caulkins, born September 8, 1882 and died January 24, 1974 in Medford, Oregon; he was married to Clara H Shawver (1887-1946) on __________ __, 1910; The mortal remains of Fred Issac Caulkins and Clara H. Caulkins were laid in the Siskiyou Memorial Park in Medford, Jackson County, Oregon.

9. Lorissa (or Lurissa) E. Caulkins, born c. May __, 1885 in Illinois. Lorissa was married to ______________ Cox and at the time of her father's death in 1935 is residing in St. Charles, Illinois.

10. Ray Cornelius Caulkins, born September 18, 1887 in Orange Township, Knox County, Illinois. Ray was married to Metta Kurtz before 1918.
They are believed to have had one daughter;
A. Ruth C. Caulkins, born c. 1917/18 in ______________. Ruth was married to ___________ Ford and they are known to have had at least one daughter;
a. Barbara Gayle Ford, born c. 1936/37 in ____________.

At the time of the 1920 and 1930 census records Ray and his family are found in Lee County, Iowa; At the time of the 1940 census, they are found at;
444 South Eighth Avenue
La Grange,
Cook, Illinois
Household Members Age
Head Ray C Caulkins 52
Wife Metta Kurtz Caulkins 53
Daughter Ruth C Ford 22
Granddaughter Barbara Gayle Ford 3

Ray C. Caulkins died on February 14, 1968 in Lakeland, Florida and his mortal remains were laid in the Socrum Cemetery in Lakeland, Polk County, Florida. See his Find A Grave Memorial #210777068.

Now to continue with the biography of William Caulkins and his family;
William Caulkins farmed for many years. He and Mary are found in Persifer, Knox County, Illinois at the time of the 1880 census, where William is farming for a living. His parents are listed as having been born in Indiana;
Self William Caulkins M 36 Indiana
Wife Mary C. Caulkins F 32 Illinois
Daughter Sarah L. Caulkins F 12 Illinois
Daughter Mary Caulkins F 10 Illinois
Daughter Cora E. Caulkins F 8 Illinois
Daughter Olive Z. Caulkins F 5 Illinois
Son William T. Caulkins M 2 Illinois
Son Charles W. Caulkins M 0 Illinois

In 1887, some of the men of the 86th Illinois organized and held a reunion for the old 86h in Peoria during the week of August 27, 1887, the 25th anniversary of their being mustered into service in Peoria back in 1862. The reunion was attended by some 130 veterans of the 86th and their families and was such a hit, that it was decided that they would continue to hold them every year on the anniversary as long as the veterans could attend. The reunions continued to grow for several years as more and more veterans of the 86th were located and they continued to hold them through the year 1923, when it was tearfully decided by the 20 aged veterans of the 86th who were able to attend that last reunion, that they were getting too old and too few to continue them after that 1923 reunion.
For some unknown reason, the men of Co. F never got into the reunions and were almost always the least represented company. Only one man from Co. F attended more than 10 of the 37 reunions and that was C. W. McKown, who only missed one reunion from 1887 to 1914. William Caulkins only attended 2 reunions, those being the reunion of 1911, when 3 men from Co. E attended, and the reunion of 1919, when he was only representative of Co. E. No member of Co. E attended any of the last 4 reunion, from 1920 to 1923.

Mary Catherine (Ward) Caulkins died on Apr. 7, 1898 in Orange Township, Knox County, Illinois, south of Knoxville, and her earthly remains were laid in the Knoxville Cemetery in Knoxville, Knox County, Illinois.
William Caulkins was married 2nd to Mrs. Mary E. (Briggs) Runyon on December 31, 1898 in Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois. At the time of the 1900 census, William and Mary are found in War 1 - 3 of the City of Knoxville, Knox County, Illinois. William's father and mother are listed as having been born in New York and Ohio, respectively;
Head William Caulkins M 58 Indiana
Wife Mary E Caulkins F 45 Ohio
Stepdaughter Flora E Runyon F 17 Illinois
Stepson Edgar M Runyon M 15 Illinois
Stepson Verne O Runyon M 9 Illinois
Stepson Harold J Runyon M 6 Illinois

At the time of the 1900 census, several of the younger Caulkins children are living with the oldest sister, Ella, in Orange Township, Knox County, Illinois;
Head Wm J Weikert M 37 Pennsylvania
Wife Ella Weikert F 32 Illinois
Son Earl H Weikert M 5 Illinois
Son Ralph V Weikert M 1 Illinois
Sister-in-law Lorissa E Caulkins F 15 Illinois
Brother-in-law Ray C Caulkins M 13 Illinois
Brother-in-law Charles W Caulkins M 21 Illinois

At the time of the 1910 census, William and Mary are found in Ward 1 of the City of Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois. His parents are again listed as having been born in Indiana;
Head William Caulkins M 66 Indiana
Wife Mary H Caulkins F 54 Ohio
Stepson Myron Caulkins M 22 Illinois
Stepson Verna A Caulkins M 18 Illinois
Stepson Harold J Caulkins M 16 Illinois
Stepdaughter Flora Eppley F 26 Illinois

At the time of the 1930 census, William and Mary are found in Carbon Cliff, Rock Island County, Illinois. His parents are listed as having been born in Indiana;
Head William Caulkins M 86 Indiana
Wife Mary E Caulkins F 75 Ohio

William Caulkins died on August 1, 1935 at Carbon Cliff, Rock Island County, Illinois where he resided at that time and his mortal remains were laid to rest on August 4, 1935 in the Knoxville Cemetery in Knoxville, Knox County, Illinois.
The August 1, 1935 edition of THE DAILY TIMES newspaper, of Davenport, Iowa, carried the following obituary;
"WILLIAM CAULKINS, G. A. R. VETERAN TAKEN BY DEATH
William Caulkins, 91, a veteran of the Civil war and former justice of the peace and police magistrate in Carbon Cliff, died at 12:50 a.m. today at his home. Death was caused by complications of old age. He had been ill since Saturday. He had resided in Carbon Cliff for the last 14 years, having previously been engaged for many years in farming in the southern part of Illinois.
Mr. Caulkins was born in Campbellsberg, Ind., October 30, 1843. He enlisted for service in the Civil was August 27, 1862, serving as a Private with Company F of the 86th regiment of Illinois infantry and receiving his honorable discharge June 6, 1865 in Washington, Ind (actually D. C.).
He was a member of the G. A. R. post in Peoria. His wife died a year ago in Carbon Cliff, where the couple moved after Mr. Caulkins retired from farming. He was a member of the Carbon Cliff Methodist church and was active on church work.
Surviving are four sons, Frank W., of LaPorte, Ind., Charles W., of Abingdon, Ill., Ray C., of Madison, Ia., and Fred I. Caulkins, of Medford, Ore., and five daughters, Mrs. Ella Weikert, of St. Paul, Minn., Mrs. Cora Campbell and LorissaCox, of St. Charles, Ill., Mrs. Ollie Hooper, of Oregon City, Ore., and Mrs. Mamie Weikert, of Los Angeles, California. He also leaves 30 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.
The body was taken to the W. R. First mortuary in Silvis. Burial will be in the Knoxville, Ill., cemetery."

by Baxter B. Fite III and Nancy Gawthrop, Find A Grave Contributor #47512913, whose email address is [email protected]

(Baxter would enjoy hearing from anyone, especially descendants of the Caulkins family who might be able to add to the biographical information that we have on William Caulkins and the Caulkins family. Baxter would also like to see copies of any photographs of William Caulkins, that may have survived the years, added to his Find A Grave site for all to see.)