Private AARON POOL, Co. B, 86th Illinois

(NOTE: Aaron Pool kept a diary for at least the years 1864 and 1865. These diaries were passed on to his great grandson, William R. Pool. I was in contact with Bill for a while and was hoping to get some photographs of the diaries and some transcripts of the diaries, but, Bill is no longer at the email address that I have for him. If Bill or anyone knowing anything about these diaries sees this, I would love to hear from them. Thanks, Baxter)

Aaron Pool was born on April 4, 1842 in Putnam County, Illinois, the son of Guy W. Pool and Sophronia (Bascom) Pool. Guy W. Pool was born on March 6, 1800 in Morgan County, Ohio, the son of Simeon Pool, while Sophronia was born on __________ __, 1819/18 in New York State. Guy W. Pool was reared to agricultural pursuits, and grew to manhood farming the land beside his father. His educational privileges were limited. Guy was a soldier in the Black Hawk War in 1832. Guy and Sophronia were married on June 17, 1838 in Putnam County, Illinois.
Ten children, seven sons and three daughters, are known to have been born to Guy and Saphronia. They are;
1. Lucy Mariah Pool, born c. 1839/38 in Putnam County; married to John Black; Lucy is buried in the Wyoming Cemetery in Stark County, Illinois.

2. Henry Pool, born c. 1841/40 in Putnam County.

3. Aaron Pool, born April 4, 1842 in Putnam County; buried in Calvary Cemetery, Alliance, Box Butte County, Nebraska.

4. George Pool, born c. 1844/43 in Putnam County.

5. Isabelle Augusta Pool, born September 30, 1845 in Putnam County; married to Augustus J. DeLong on September 20, 1871 in Magnolia Township, Putnam County, Illinois; Isabelle died on November 11, 1893 in Gilman, Illinois; buried in the Gilman Cemetery, Gilman, Iroquois County, Illinois.

6. Franklin Pool, born 1847/46 in Putnam County.

7. Sidney Pool, born July 3, 1849 on the Hennepin Road, five miles north of Henry, Illinois in Putnam County; moved to Cheyenne, Nebraska about June 1886; died in Julesburg, Nebraska on December 8, 1917; buried in the Dalton Cemetery, Julesburg.

8. Sarah G. Pool, born __________ __, 185__ in Putnam County; married to George W. Dennis on September 26, 1872 in Magnolia Township, Putnam County, Illinois.

9. Edward Pool, born __________ __, 185__ in ___________ County, Illinois.

10. Charles Dickens Pool, born __________ __, 185__ in __________ County, Illinois.

Guy and Saphronia are known to have resided a number of years on the Hennepin Road, five miles north of Henry, Illinois. At the time of the 1850 census, the Pool family is found in Putnam county, Illinois;
Guy W Tool M 50 Ohio
Sophronia Tool F 31 New York
Lucy M Pool F 11 Illinois
Henry Pool M 9 Illinois
Aaron Pool M 8 Illinois
George Pool M 6 Illinois
Isabell Pool F 4 Illinois
Franklin Pool M 3 Illinois
Sidney Pool M 0 Illinois
Sanford Smith M 22 New York
Otto Halbleat M 21 Germany
Frances Talbott F 16 Pennsylvania

Guy Pool died on October 21, 1857 in Putnam County. Guy's earthly remains were laid to rest in the __________ Cemetery in ____________ County, Illinois. At the time of the 1860 census, the family is found in Hennepin Township, Putnam County, Illinois;
Sophronia Pool F 41 New York
Lucy Pool F 21 Illinois
Henry Pool M 19 Illinois
Aaron Pool M 18 Illinois
Geo Pool M 16 Illinois
Isabella Pool F 14 Illinois
Franklin Pool M 13 Illinois
Sidney Pool M 10 Illinois
Sarah Pool F 8 Illinois
Edward Pool M 6 Illinois
Charles Pool M 3 Illinois

Saphronia died on November 8, 1905, possibly in Wyoming, Illinois where she may have been residing with her eldest daughter, Lucy, and her earthly remains were laid to rest in the Wyoming Cemetery in Wyoming, Illinois on her oldest daughter's plot. Perhaps Guy's earthly remains rest there as well although his more likely lie somewhere in Putnam County.

Now to continue with the biography of Aaron Pool;
Aaron grew up farming the land in Putnam County beside his father and older brother. On August 8, 1862, George Pool, Aaron Pool's next youngest brother, volunteered to serve in a company which was being raised in the Henry, Illinois area of Marshall County, by a man by the name of Elias C. Brearly. At the time he volunteered George listed Henry, Illinois as his place of residence. Three days later, Aaron came over to Henry and also volunteered to serve in the Henry company. At the time he enlisted, Aaron gave his place of residence as Hennepin, Illinois in Putnam County.

ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name POOL, AARON
Rank PVT Company B Unit 86 IL US INF

Personal Characteristics
Residence HENNEPIN, PUTNAM CO, IL Age 20 Height 5' 8 1/2 Hair DARK
Eyes BLACK Complexion DARK Marital Status SINGLE Occupation FARMER
Nativity IL

Service Record
Joined When AUG 11, 1862 Joined Where MARSHALL CO, IL
Joined By Whom CPT BREASLEY 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

When Brearly had about 100 volunteers, he led the Marshall County company into Peoria where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. On August 27, 1862, Brearly and 88 of his volunteers, including now Privates George Pool and Aaron Pool, were mustered into service as Co. B of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Brearly was elected Captain of Co. B.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois marched out the gates of Camp Lyon, through the streets of Peoria, with much fanfare, and boarded a train bound for Camp Joe Holt, Jeffersonville, Indiana. Three weeks later, the men of the 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade, in pursuit of Confederate troops. On Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, the 86th Illinois suffering their first casualties. There would be many more in the years to come.
After the Battle of Perryville, the Confederate troops withdrew from Kentucky and the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee where they would go into winter camp. During the next two and a half years, Privates George and Aaron Pool served faithfully in Co. B as the men of the 86th served in Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. During this time, they were witness to and participants in numerous battles and skirmishes, some of the bloodiest fighting in the Western Theatre of the war, including the Battles of Chicakamauga, Georgia; Resaca, Georgia; Rome, Georgia; Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia and Peach Tree Creek, Georgia, Jonesboro, Georgia, Averasborough, North Carolina and Bentonville, North Carolina and marched with Sherman on his infamous "March to the Sea."
After the war came to a close, the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Washington City (now D.C.) where they were mustered out of the service on June 6, 1865. They were soon on a train bound for Chicago, Illinois, where they were discharged from the service. By the end of June, George and Aaron were back home in Marshall County and Putnam County, along with the rest of the surviving members of Co. B.

Aaron Pool was married to Sarah Jane Janney on March 26, 1868 in Henry, Illinois. Sarah Jane Janney was born on November __, 1847 in ___________, Georgia, the daughter of Israel Heath Janney and Mary Jane (O'Hara) Janney. The 1900 census states that Aaron and Sarah were the parents of nine children, but there are believed to have been 10. They are;
1. Mary Elizabeth Pool, born April __, 1871 in Putnam County, Illinois. Mary was married to Nathaniel Calkins in the 1890's, but the marriage appears to have been short lived. Mary is listed as being married in the 1900 and 1910 census records, but Nathaniel is in neither census. Mary is listed as divorced in the 1920 census.
Mary and Nathaniel are believed to have had just one son;
A. Louis Anthony Calkins, born February 19, 1898 in Nebraska. Louis was married to Marion S. __________ on April 14, 1926. Louis died on February 15, 1972 in Keith, Nebraska and his mortal remains were laid in the Calvary Cemetery in Alliance, Box Butte County, Nebraska. See his Find A Grave Memorial #72009866.

At the time of the 1900 census Mary and her son, Lewis, are found residing with her brother, Louis, in Arnold & Hayes Townships, Custer County, Nebraska;
Louis Pool Head M 27 Illinois
Lizzie Calkins Sister F 29 Illinois
Louis Calkins Nephew M Feb 1898 2 Nebraska

Mary is found living with her parents in the 1910 and 1920 census records, seen below. Mary Elizabeth died on __________ __, 1922; Her earthly remains were laid to rest in the Calvary Cemetery in Alliance, Nebraska near her parents.

2. Lewis John Pool, born December 25, 1873 in Senachwine Township, Putnam County, Illinois. The January 1, 1874 edition of the local newpaper, probably the Henry Republican carried the following announcement;
"POOL
January 1, 1874
Born at Snachwine, Dec. 25, a son (Christmas gift) to Aaron POOL"

At the time of the 1880 and 1885 census, seen below. Lewis is found with the family. At the time of the 1900 census, Louis is found in Arnold & Hayes Townships, Custer County, Nebraska. His sister and nephew reside with him;
Louis Pool Head M 27 Illinois
Lizzie Calkins Sister F 29 Illinois
Louis Calkins Nephew M Feb 1898 2 Nebraska

Louis J. Pool died on 4 Oct 1902 and his mortal remains were laid in the Saint Joseph Cemetery in Broken Bow, Custer County, Nebraska. See his Find A Grave Memorial #45564780.

3. Philip Henry Pool, born October 26, 1875 in Hennepin Township, Putnam County, Illinois. The Henry Republican newspaper edition of October 28, 1875 carried the following announcement;
"POOL
In Hennepin township, Oct. 26, a son (Philip Henry) to Aaron Pool."

Phillip is believed to have died before the 1880 census was taken and if he did, his mortal remains must lie in Putnam County, Illinois.

4. William Joseph Pool, born in 1876 in Putnam County, Illinois. William was married to Margaret _______________ in the early 1910's. They were the parents of at least 2 children;
A. Philip Pool, born c. 1914/15 in Colorado.

B. Gerald Pool, born c. 1918/19 in Colorado.

At the time of the 1930 census, William and his family are found residing at 1550 Logan Street in Denver, Denver County, Colorado, where he is working as a Railroad Mail Clerk;
William Pool Head M 54 Illinois
Margaret Pool Wife F 38 Nebraska
Philip Pool Son M 15 Colorado
Gerald Pool Son M 11 Colorado

In the 1930's, where his younger brother, Alfonso, is living in the Soldiers Home in Hot Springs, South Dakota, William is listed as his next of kin. In the 1930's, William's address is given as 1550 Logan Street, Denver, Colorado.

William Joseph Pool is believed to have died in Denver County, Colorado and his mortal remains were laid in the ________________ Cemetery in ____________ County, _____________.

5. Justin Leo Pool, born c. February __, 1877 in Putnam County, Illinois. Justin was married to Helen _____________ in the early 1900's. At least 4 children were born to them including;
A. Hubert L Pool, born c. 1904/05 in Michigan.

B. Geneves Pool, born c. 1906/07 in Michigan

C.

D.

At the time of the 1910 census, Justin and his family are found living in the 600 block of Niobrara in Ward 2 of the city of Alliance, Box Butte County, Nebraska, where he is working as a Laborer in a local Brick Yard;
Justin Leo Pool Head M 30 Illinois
Helen Pool Wife F 30 Michigan
Hubert L Pool Son M 5 Michigan
Geneves Pool Daughter F 3 Michigan

In 1942, when his brother, Alfonso, registers for the draft, Leo is listed as next of kin and Leo's address is 31 Portsmouth Terrace in Rochester, New York.

Leo is believed to have died on ______________ __, 1952 in Rochester, ____________ County, New York and his mortal remains were laid in the _______________ Cemetery in ____________ County, New York.

6. George Pool, born c. 1876/77 in Putnam County, Illinois. The September 19, 1878 edition of the HENRY NEWS REPUBLICAN newspaper of HENRY, Illinois carried the following notice;
"Died In Hennepin Township, September 10, of cholera infantum, infant son, one year old of Aaron and Sarah Pool."

7. Francis Xavier Pool, born August 22, 1882 in Magnolia Township, Putnam County, Illinois. The Henry Republican edition of August 24, 1882 carried the following announcement;
"POOL
Born in Magnolia township, Aug. 22, twins, boy and girl to Aaron Pool."

Francis is believed to have died in 1884. He and his sister may have died in Illinois, on their way to Nebraka or after the arrived in Nebraska. It just is not known.

8. Jane Frances Pool, born August 22, 1882 in Magnolia Township, Putnam County, Illinois. Jane is also believed to have died in 1884.

9. Alfonso Matthew Pool, born October 26, 1884 in Nebraska. Alfonso was a very talented musician. Alfonso enlisted in the United States Army on November 1, 1916 at Fort Logan, Colorado. He was assigned as a Musician 3/Class to 1st Bn, 164th Division Band. Alfonso was discharged from the service on February 12, 1919 at Camp Funston, Kansas.
Alfonso was a Piano Tuner for some time. At the times the 1900, 1910 and 1920 were taken, Alfonso is found residing with his parents. In the 1930's, he was admitted to the Soldiers Home in Hot Springs, South Dakota on several occasions, always listing Alliance, Nebraska as his place of residence.
In April of 1942, Alfonso registers for the draft in Storm Lake, Iowa, but is listed as a Transient with no mailing address. His next of kin is listed as L. Leo Pool, his brother.
Alfonso eventually moved to Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio, where he worked for some time as a Letter Carrier. Alfonso died on April 10, 1970 in Cincinnati, Hamilton, Ohio. Alfonso Matthew Pool's mortal remains were laid in the Saint Joseph New Cemetery in Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. See his Find A Grave Memorial # 129308017.

10. Charles B. Pool, born July 19, 1887 in Nebraska; married to Helen M. Grave on __________ __, 19__. Helen was born c. 1891/92 in Arkansas. At least one daughter was born to Charles and Helen;
A. Elizabeth A. "Betty" Pool, born July 26, 1919 in New York. At the time of the 1930 and 1940 census records, Betty is found residing with her mother and father in Los Angeles.
Sometime after 1940, Betty was married to _____________ Schwartz. Betty (Pool) Schwartz died on 27 Apr 1986 and her mortal remains were laid in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Canandaigua, Ontario County, New York. See her Find A Grave Memorial #119160474.

At the time of the 1930 census, Charles and his family are found residing at 2927 Fifth Avenue in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, where Charles is a Bookkeeper in a lumber yard;
Charles B Pool Head M 43 Nebraska
Helen M Pool Wife F 38 Arkansas
Elizabeth A Pool Daughter F 10 New York
Donald W Graves Brother-in-law M 22 Nebraska
Agnes H Spitz Sister-in-law F 34 Arkansas
Donald E Spitz Nephew M 7 New York
Helen S Spitz Niece F 3 New York

Charles B. Pool died on 18 Aug 1966 in Van Nuys, Los Angeles County, California and his mortal remains were laid in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Canandaigua, Ontario County, New York. See his Find A Grave Memorial #119677943.

Now to continue with the biography of Aaron Pool and his family;
At the time of the 1870 census, Aaron and Sarah Jane are found in Hennepin Township, Putnam County, Illinois;
Aaron Pool M 28 Illinois
Sarah Jane Pool F 22 Georgia

At the time of the 1880 census, Aaron and Sarah are found residing in Hennepin Township in Putnam County with four of their children. Aaron is farming the land.
Aaron Pool Self M 38 Illinois
Sarah J Pool Wife F 32 Georgia
Mary E Pool Daughter F 9 Illinois
Lewis J Pool Son M 6 Illinois
Justin L Pool Son M 3 Illinois
William J Pool Son M 4 Illinois

In the summer of 1883, Aaron and Sarah moved the family west, where they settled in Nebraska. Bill Pool, one of their great grandchildren emailed me the following in July of 2020. "Aaron and Sarah traveled by covered wagon from Illinois to Nebraska in the early 1880's with all their children. Could you imagine such a trip? My grandpa, William J. Pool, was 7 years old at the time. He told my dad that each child was allowed to bring one item. He brought some real marbles. I still have them and have attached a picture with documentation from my dad. My grandpa was executor for Aaron's and Sarah's estates in the 1920'sand so that is why my branch of the family has quite a few of the family heirlooms. But, I have no letters of Aaron's during the war….except two which Aaron's brother Henry wrote from the POW camp." Bill continued, "They initially were farmers near Broken Bow, NE, but that didn't work out so well and they ended up in Alliance, NE. I know they rented one of their rooms in their house (which still stands), but I have no idea how they survived all those years with all those kids."

At the time of the 1885 Nebraska State census, the Pools are found in Saint Paul, Howard County, Nebraska, where they are farming;
Aron Pool Father M 43
Sarah Pool Wife F 37
Lizzie Pool Daughter F 14
Louis Pool Son M 11
Wm Pool Son M 9
Leo Pool Son M 5
Alfones Pool Son M 0

In 1887, the surviving members of the 86th Illinois held a reunion over the August 27, 1887 time period, the 25th Anniversary of the mustering in of the 86th. During the next 36 years, reunions were held in Peoria, Illinois every year over that August 27th anniversary. Aaron was never able to attend any of these reunions, the great distance to be traveled and the expense and difficulty of making that trip undoubtedly playing a part. Through the years, the surviving members of the 86th tried to keep track of each other and periodically published mailing addresses to help stay in contact with each other. In 1895, an address of Anselmo, Nebraska was published for Private Aaron Pool. After this his address was always published as Alliance, Nebraska.

At the time of the 1900, the Pools are found in Arnold & Hayes Townships, Custer County, Nebraska. Sarah is listed as being the mother of 9 children, six of whom are still living at this time;
Aaron Pool Head M Apr 1842 58 Illinois
Sarah J Pool Wife M Nov 1847 53 Georgia
William J Pool Son M 25 Illinois
J Leo Pool Son M 20 Illinois
Alfonzo N Pool Son M 16 Nebraska
Chas B Pool Son M Jul 1887 13 Nebraska
Elmer S June Servant M Aug 1869 31 Ohio

Then in the early 1900's, they moved to Box Butte County, Nebraska, where they resided in or near Alliance, Nebraska. At the time of the 1910 census, the Pools are found living at 613 Niobrara Avenue in Ward 2 of the city of Alliance, Box Butte County, Nebraska;
Aaron Pool Head M 68 Illinois
Sarah J Pool Wife F 62 Georgia
Mary E Calkins Daughter F 39 Illinois
William J Pool Son M 34 Illinois
Alfonso M Pool Son M 25 Nebraska
Louis Calkins Grandson M 12 Nebraska
Elizabeth Janney Sister-in-law F 58 Georgia

At the time of the 1920 census, the Pools are still found residing at 613 Niobrara Avenue in Alliance, Box Butte County, Nebraska. This home is believed to be still standing as of May of 2019;
Aaron Pool Head M 77 Illinois
Sarah J Pool Wife F 72 Georgia
Alphonso M Pool Son M 35 Nebraska
Mary E Calkin Daughter F 48 Illinois
Mary E Janney Sister-in-law F 67 Georgia

Private Aaron Pool died on July 5, 1923 at Alliance, Nebraska. His earthly remains were laid to rest in the Calvary Cemetery in Alliance, Nebraska in Box Butte County. In the 1923 reunion booklet that was published for what proved to be the last reunion that was to be held by the surviving members of the 86th, Aaron Poole's name appears the the Death Roll, along with the names of eighteen other members of the 86th, whose deaths had been reported in the previous year.
The July 12, 1923 edition of the HENRY NEWS - REPUBLICAN newspaper carried the following obituary;
"FORMER PUTNAM COUNTY RESIDENT DIES IN NEBRASKA
Aaron Pool, a brother of the late A. M. Pool, of Henry, and a resident of Putnam county for forty-one years, passed away at his home in Alliance, Neb., on July 6, 1923. Aaron, son of Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Pool, was born in Putnam county on April 4, 1842. At the age of 26 he was united in marriage with Sarah J. Janney. The couple resided in their native county until 1883, when they moved to Nebraska, where they have since resided.
The deceased was a Civil war veteran, having served in Co. B, 86th Illinois Vols. He is survived by his wife and four sons, William J., Leo, Alfonso and Charles. Funeral services were held at the Holy Rosary Catholic church at Alliance."

Sarah Jane Pool died in Alliance, Nebraska on __________ __, 1931. Her earthly remains were laid to rest beside those of her husband of 55 years.

by Baxter B. Fite III, William R. "Bill" Pool, a great grandson of Aaron's, who lived in Phoenix, Arizona and whose email address is [email protected] and Maureen Smith, whose email address is [email protected]

(Baxter and Maureen would enjoy hearing from anyone, especially descendants of the Pool family, who might be able to add to the biography of Private Aaron Pool and the Pool family. Baxter would also love to get copies of any pictures of Aaron Pool which may still exist, especially any showing him in uniform from his days in the 86th, for his Find A Grave site and for the local historical societies.)