Only one grave is marked by a tombstone in Leeman Cemetery. There are at least 6 unmarked graves. The marked stone belongs to J. (G. or C.) Shelton and has no dates. His tombstone does provide a clue to his life. The inscription reads Co. E. Osage Co. MO Home Guards. He has now been identified, by the Pulaski County Obits editors, as James C. Shelton, a Union Private in the Civil War. He enlisted June 22, 1861 in Miller County, Missouri, and was mustered out December 6, 1861. His widow, whose name remains unknown, filed for pension benefits August 12, 1890.
View Soldier Record
James C. Shelton's Widow's Pension Application. Photo by Pulaski County Obits.
I believe that this person was married to Margaret Louisa Lawson. I have a record of their marriage on Dec 1, 1861. It was common in those days for people to get married just before the man left for military service. She did not die until 1910.
ReplyDelete