Biographical Sketch of
Thomas C. Kershaw
Transcribed by Robert Schieber Source: Memorial and Biographical Record and Illustrated Compendium of Biography of Citizens of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, Wisconsin, published 1901 by G. A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, 1901, Pages 731 - 732 Thomas C. Kershaw is one of the honored veterans of the civil war, whose devotion to his country was tested not only by service on the field of battle but in the still more deadly dangers of southern prisons. This gallant soldier is now successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits on section 3, New Haven township, Adams county, Wisconsin. Mr. Kershaw was born June 22, 1833, in Larne, county Antrim, Ireland. His father, William M. Kershaw, was born in the same place, in February, 1807, and in his native land followed the rope-maker's trade. In 1845 he came to the United States and located in West Troy, New York, where he remained eight years while working on the canal. In 1853 he came to New Haven township, Adams county, Wisconsin, where he entered two hundred and eighty acres of government land, which he at once began to improve, but was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, as he died March 15, 1862. In 1829 he married Miss Catherine Clark, who was born in Newtownards, county Down, Ireland, in January, 1798, and to them were born children: William J., Thomas C., Catherine and Mary A. The latter is the wife of Robert Warner, of Trempealeau county, Wisconsin. William J. was for some years a prominent citizen of Adams county, and represented his district in the lower house of the state legis- lature and also in the senate. In the fall of 1862 he was commissioned captain of Company K, Eighteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and joined the army in Tennessee. In the battle of Shiloh he was slightly wounded and in the fall of 1862 he came home on a sick furlough. After his recovery he was deputy provost marshal for this section of the state, and served in that capacity for four months. Later he was commissioned major of the Thirty-seventh Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. In the battle of Petersburg he was shot through both legs and sent to Alexandria hospital in the District of Columbia. After his recovery he rejoined his regiment and took part in the battles of Hatcher's Run, Deep Bottom and Chapin's Farm, and was mustered out in the spring of 1865. He died in Kilbourn City, April 5, 1883. Thomas C. Kershaw accompanied his parents on their emigration to America, and came with them to Adams county, Wisconsin. He received a common-school education and in early life worked on the home farm, in the pineries and upon the river. He is now the owner of a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 3, New Haven township, sixty acres of which are under excellent cultivation and forty acres in meadow land. He is engaged in diversified farming and is meeting with well merited success. On the 5th of August, 1879, Mr. Kershaw was united in marriage with Miss Adaline Stafford, who was born in Madison, Wisconsin, June 26, 1852, a daughter of Daniel Stafford, of New haven township. She was educated in the common and high schools of her native city, and was granted the first teacher's certificate under Thomas Freeman, county superintendent of schools for Adams county. Before she was sixteen years of age she began teaching and successfully followed that profession in Adams county for eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Kershaw have three children: Robert W., born August 5, 1880, is at home; Jennie K., born December 10, 1882, was educated in the Kilbourn high school, and is now engaged in the Public schools of Adams county; and Katie, born November 7, 1887, is at home. In 1864 Mr. Kershaw joined the Boys in blue as a member of Company K, Thirty-seventh Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was in front of Petersburg from June 29 to July 30, when he was taken prisoner. After being held at Petersburg for a time, he was sent to Danville, Virginia, where he remained six months, and then to Libby prison, where he was incarcerated for six weeks. He was then paroled at Richmond and sent to the parole camp in Annapolis. He was mustered out at St. Louis, May 30, 1865. He is an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a quiet, unassuming citizen, but his friends and neighbors recognize his worth and ability and have called him to several local offices, the duties of which he has most capably and satisfactorily discharged. He has been town supervisor several times, has filled a number of school offices, and is now district treasurer.Transcribed by Robert Schieber
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