Roster and Genealogies of the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry

Charles Henry Wilder

b. 22 October 1841, d. 12 May 1909

Gravemarker of Charles H. Wilder

Father: Henry A. Wilder b. 6 Aug 1812, d. 15 Dec 1882
Mother: Susan Johnson b. between 1816 - 1817, d. 21 Mar 1849

Company: A

Charles Henry Wilder was born on 22 Oct 1841 at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, son of Henry A. Wilder and Susan Johnson.
On 21 Mar 1849 his mother, Susan Johnson, died at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, of consumption.
Charles Henry Wilder was enumerated in the household of Henry A. Wilder in the 1850 US Federal Census on 28 Aug 1850 at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, where father Henry A. WILDER is noted as a widower and comb maker by occupation. Also enumerated -- Felicia EASTMAN, 52, widow, b. Stow, MA.
In 1861 Charles was living at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, in 1861, Charles gave his occupation as operative.
On 12 Jul 1861 Charles mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, being credited to the quota of Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 19 years, 8 months and 20 days old.
On 21 Oct 1861 Charles was taken prisoner at The Battle of Ball's Bluff, Leesburg, Virginia.
On 30 Oct 1861 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Charles Henry Wilder was included among "The Killed Wounded and Missing of the Fifteenth Regiment," after Ball's Bluff.
On 20 Nov 1861 at "The Worcester Daily Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Charles H. Wilder was listed among the prisoners taken at Ball's Bluff.
On 20 Feb 1862, Charles was paroled from prison.
On 28 Jul 1864 Charles ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts having fulfilled his term of service.
He was enumerated in the household of Hannah Spaulding in the 1870 US Federal Census on 1 Jun 1870 at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
Colburn, Hannah S., 63, housekeeping, b. MA (as were all in the household)
**---, Charles A., 32, hostler
---, Charles H., 8
---, Fannie E., 10
Shepley, David, 45
---, Sarah F., 36, dressmaker
---, Nellie C., 8
Wilder, Henry A., 57, day laborer
**---, Charles H., 28, works in ?? shop
Heyes, Luella H., 20, works in paper box shop
(Note: two veterans of the 15th Massachusetts in the same house.).
Charles Henry Wilder made application at Massachusetts for a veteran's pension on 10 Aug 1878, and received certificate number 1017427.
On 29 Jul 1903 Charles entered the Soldiers Home.
Charles Henry Wilder was was one of many soldiers who resided at one time or another at Soldiers' Home, Crest Avenue, Chelsea, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.
He died on 12 May 1909 at Soldiers' Home, Crest Avenue, Chelsea, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, unmarried. He was 67 years, 6 months and 20 days old.
An obituary for Charles Henry Wilder was published on 13 May 1909 at "The Fitchburg Sentinel", Fitchburg, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as follows:
Death of Charles H. Wilder at Soldiers' Home
Charles Henry Wilder, a life-long resident of Leominster, and member of Charles H. Stevens Post 53, G. A. R., died Wednesday afternoon at the age of 67 years. Death resulted from the infermities of old age after an illness of several years. He was a native of Leominster and was born Oct. 22, 1841.
He entered the service June 28, 1861, with several other Leominster men at Fort Scott, Worcester. He entered as a private in Co., A, 15th regiment, Mass. infantry, and was discharged as a private in July, 1864, at the expiration of his term. He fought at Balls Bluff where he was taken prisoner by the soldiers of the Eighth Virginia Confederates, Oct. 21, 1861, and was imprisoned in Richmond until Feb. 22, 1862. He was paroled and went to Washington. He came home on a furlough and was soon ordered back to camp and went to Annapolis until exchanged. He served in the quarter-master's department until mustered out of service.
His intimate comrades during his service were Sumner M. Frost, L. A. Cook, John M. Robbins, Eugene A. Bennett, Curtis G. Morse and Jacob Rugg.
He was buried on 15 May 1909 at Evergreen Cemetery, Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
Credits: Dana Ringquist, who provided the cemetery photography.

Last Edited: 11 Apr 2012

Cornelius Erasmus Wilder

b. 22 February 1838, d. 14 March 1902

Father: Erasmus Darwin Wilder b. 29 May 1811, d. 18 May 1870
Mother: Avilla Lincoln b. 28 Dec 1802, d. 10 Feb 1879

Company: A

Cornelius Erasmus Wilder was born on 22 Feb 1838 at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, son of Erasmus Darwin Wilder and Avilla Lincoln.
Cornelius Erasmus Wilder was enumerated in the household of Erasmus Darwin Wilder and Avilla Lincoln in the 1850 US Federal Census on 4 Sep 1850 at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
Erasmus D. Wilder, 39, m, $1300, b. Leominster, MA
Arvilla Wilder, 48, f,
**Cornelius E. Wilder, 12, m, b. Leominster, MA
**Edwin L. Wilder, 8
Albert A. Wilder, 4
Otis Wilder, 4.
At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, in 1861, Cornelius gave his occupation as cabinet maker.
In 1861 Cornelius was living at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
On 12 Jul 1861 Cornelius mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, being credited to the quota of Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 23 years, 4 months and 20 days old.
Cornelius Erasmus Wilder and Edwin Lincoln Wilder, brothers, served together in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.
On 22 Jun 1864 Cornelius was taken prisoner at Petersburg, Prince George County, Virginia.
On 25 Jun 1864, Cornelius was paroled from prison.
Daniel W. Freeman wrote a letter on 25 Jun 1864, mentioning Cornelius Erasmus Wilder, as follows: published in the Webster Times. (Click icon to read.).
On 28 Jul 1864 Cornelius ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts having fulfilled his term of service.
On 24 Aug 1864 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Cornelius Erasmus Wilder was reported among the prisoners, for a total of four commissioned officers and seventy-seven enlisted men.
On 19 Jul 1871 Cornelius Erasmus Wilder, 33, married Ella Martina Pitts, 24, daughter of James Pitts and Lucinda Burditt, at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
Cornelius Erasmus Wilder and Ella Martina Pitts were enumerated in the 1880 US Federal census in Jun 1880 at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
On 25 Apr 1885, at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Cornelius was appointed night watch policeman by the town Selectmen.
On 1 May 1886 at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Cornelius retired from his position as night policeman.
He was enumerated in the 1890 US Federal census, Veteran's Schedule in Jun 1890 at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as having served in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Company A, noting that he was a prisoner at Richmond.
He was a pall bearer at the burial of Edward Wilson on 22 Nov 1896 at Evergreen Cemetery, Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
Cornelius Erasmus Wilder was a pall bearer at the burial of Charles Franklin May on 25 May 1898 at Evergreen Cemetery, Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
Cornelius Erasmus Wilder was a pall bearer at the burial of A. W. Rice on 19 Dec 1898 at Evergreen Cemetery, Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
Cornelius Erasmus Wilder and Ella Martina Pitts were enumerated in the 1900 US Federal census on 8 Jun 1900 at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, where he is a salesman of dry goods, and she works in the store with him. Their one child is still living. Her widowed mother, Elvira D. PITTS, b. July 1825, in NY, lives with them. Also enumerated -- Delia BABSON, 28. b. Ireland, servant, and Edith M. RICHARDSON, 29, b. MA, a boarder.
Cornelius Erasmus Wilder died on 14 Mar 1902 at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, (click icon to read report). He was 64 years and 20 days old.
He was buried on 17 Mar 1902 at Evergreen Cemetery, Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, in Section 13, Lot 37, after a funeral from his late home, which was attended by a large number of relatives and friends. Rev. F. J. Gauld conducted the services. The pall bearers were members of Post 53, G. A. R.
From Crane's Worcester Memoirs --.
In Apr 1902 Ella Martina Pitts received a pension to surviving family member in Massachusetts based on Cornelius's service; and received certificate number 645927.
After 1902 from the History of Shirley, Massachusetts --
He enlisted, July 12, 1861, at Camp Scott in Worcester, as private in Company A, 15th Massachusetts Infantry, serving three years, never being absent on account of sickness, being in 31 battles and skirmishes. He was urged several times to take an officer's position but preferred that of a private; was taken prisoner at Petersburg, remaining in Libby prison from June 24 to July 8, when he was released and sent home with his Company. Mr. Wilder was a piano maker in Leominster, but his long service in the Civil war told upon his health. He d. in Leominster, Mar. 14, 1902. Mrs. Wilder is a dealer in dry goods and small wares, in Leominster.
On 19 May 1909 Cornelius's son, an unknown person married an unknown person at Brooklyn, Kings County, New York.
Cornelius's wife, Ella Martina Pitts, died and was buried in Oct 1928 at Evergreen Cemetery, Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, with her husband n Section 13, Lot 37. At age 81 years and 10 months.

Last Edited: 3 Mar 2012

Family: Ella Martina Pitts b. 12 Nov 1846, d. 19 Oct 1928

Clifton White Wilder b. 6 Oct 1876, d. 15 Aug 1954

Edwin Lincoln Wilder

b. July 1842, d. 20 May 1922

Father: Erasmus Darwin Wilder b. 29 May 1811, d. 18 May 1870
Mother: Avilla Lincoln b. 28 Dec 1802, d. 10 Feb 1879

Company: A

Edwin Lincoln Wilder was born in Jul 1842 at Massachusetts, son of Erasmus Darwin Wilder and Avilla Lincoln.
Edwin Lincoln Wilder was born on 10 Jul 1844 at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, son of Erasmus Darwin Wilder and Avilla Lincoln.
Edwin Lincoln Wilder was enumerated in the household of Erasmus Darwin Wilder and Avilla Lincoln in the 1850 US Federal Census on 4 Sep 1850 at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
Erasmus D. Wilder, 39, m, $1300, b. Leominster, MA
Arvilla Wilder, 48, f,
**Cornelius E. Wilder, 12, m, b. Leominster, MA
**Edwin L. Wilder, 8
Albert A. Wilder, 4
Otis Wilder, 4.
In 1861 Edwin was living at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, in 1861, Edwin gave his occupation as comb maker.
On 12 Jul 1861 Edwin mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, being credited to the quota of Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 19 years old.
Edwin Lincoln Wilder and Cornelius Erasmus Wilder, brothers, served together in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.
About 1862 Edwin was promoted to Corporal. Ford's history notes that he "voluntarily gave up his warrant."
On 28 Jul 1864 Edwin ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts having fulfilled his term of service.
On 7 Nov 1867 Edwin Lincoln Wilder, 25, married Mary Jane Tisdale, 20, daughter of Seth H. Tisdale and Lucinda Coolidge, at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
Edwin Lincoln Wilder and Mary Jane Tisdale were enumerated in the 1880 US Federal census in 1880 at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
On 27 Jun 1889 Edwin's daughter, Mary Arvilla Wilder married Jacob V. Cook at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, in a first marriage for both.
Edwin Lincoln Wilder was enumerated in the 1890 US Federal census, Veteran's Schedule in Jun 1890 at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as having served in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Company A.
He made application at Massachusetts for a veteran's pension in Aug 1890, and received certificate number 616514.
He and Mary Jane Tisdale were enumerated in the 1900 US Federal census on 12 Jun 1900 at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, where he works with combs. They live in a mortgaged home. Of their 9 children, seven are still living.
Edwin Lincoln Wilder, a member of Charles H. Stevens post, G. A. R., was a pall bearer at the burial of Francis Edwin Colburn in Apr 1901 at Evergreen Cemetery, Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
On 21 Oct 1903 Edwin's daughter, Carrie Ann Wilder married George Clifford Caswell at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, in a first marriage for both.
On 21 Oct 1903 Edwin's daughter, Gracie Lucinda Wilder married Alton Charles Oakes at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, in a first marriage for both.
In 1906 Edwin was living at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
On 20 Oct 1906 at Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Edwin Lincoln Wilder attended the 40th annual reunion of the 15th regiment association, with some 75 other veterans of the regiment. (Report believed to be from the Worcester Spy.).
Edwin Lincoln Wilder was also mentioned in attendance in the Fitchburg Sentinel coverage of the 1906 reunion.
On 21 Oct 1907 at Grand Army Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts, Edwin Lincoln Wilder attended the 41st annual regimental reunion and banquet on the 46th anniversary of the Battle of Ball's Bluff, as reported in the Fitchburg Sentinel the following day.
On 22 Jun 1910 Edwin's daughter, Lena Estella Wilder married Ernest R. Andrews at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, in a first marriage for both.
On 27 Oct 1910 at The State Mutual Building, Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Edwin Lincoln Wilder attended the 44th reunion of the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.
He and Mary Jane Tisdale were enumerated in the 1920 US Federal Census on 10 Jan 1920 at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
Edwin Lincoln Wilder died on 20 May 1922 at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 79 years and 10 months old.
He was buried in May 1922 at Evergreen Cemetery, Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Section 5, Lot 51.
On 5 Jun 1922 Mary Jane Tisdale received a pension to surviving family member in Massachusetts based on Edwin's service; his wife, received certificate number 920829.
Mary, his wife, outlived Edwin and died on 16 May 1931 at age 83.

Last Edited: 4 Oct 2010

Family: Mary Jane Tisdale b. 15 Oct 1847, d. 16 May 1931

Mary Arvilla Wilder b. 21 Feb 1868, d. 10 Apr 1953
Franklin A. Wilder b. Sep 1870, d. 24 Apr 1934
Christie E. Wilder b. Feb 1874
Carrie Ann Wilder b. Feb 1874, d. 26 Aug 1974
Fanny L. Wilder b. 19 Sep 1876
Gracie Lucinda Wilder b. 13 Feb 1880
Victoria L. Wilder b. Apr 1882
Lena Estella Wilder b. Jul 1884

Ezra K. Wilder

b. 19 April 1842, d. 11 November 1893

Father: Merrick Wilder b. 18 Jul 1803, d. 20 Jul 1883
Mother: Catherine Day b. between 1808 - 1809

Company: A

Ezra K. Wilder was born on 19 Apr 1842 at Stow, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, son of Merrick Wilder and Catherine Day, according to White Genealogy, not Leominster as per Ford.
Ezra K. Wilder was enumerated in the household of Merrick Wilder and Catherine Day in the 1850 US Federal Census on 9 Sep 1850 at Sterling, Worcester County, Massachusetts, where Merrick WILDER works as a butcher.
In 1861 Ezra was living at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
On 12 Jul 1861 Ezra mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, being credited to the quota of Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 19 years, 2 months and 23 days old.
On 1 Aug 1861 Ezra ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts due to disability.
At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, in 1862, Ezra gave his occupation as chair maker.
In 1862 Ezra was living at Sterling, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
Starting 6 Sep 1862, Ezra also served in the 53rd Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Militia), Company K.
He ended his service on 2 Sep 1863.
On 23 Nov 1864 Ezra K. Wilder, 22, married Aline Annette Whitcomb, 20, daughter of James Whitcomb and Fidelia Brown, at Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island.
Ezra K. Wilder and Aline Annette Whitcomb were enumerated in the 1880 US Federal census on 2 Jun 1880 at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
Ezra K. Wilder, 38, works in factory, b. MA (as were all)
Aline A., 35
Eveline A., 14
Harry C., 9.
On 1 Feb 1888 Ezra's daughter, Evelyn A. Wilder married Herbert A. Morse at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, in a first marriage for both.
Ezra K. Wilder died on 11 Nov 1893 at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 51 years, 6 months and 23 days old.
He was buried in Nov 1893 at Evergreen Cemetery, Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Section 5, Lot 2.
On 3 Feb 1894 Aline Annette Whitcomb received a pension to surviving family member in Massachusetts based on Ezra's service; his wife, received certificate number 396259, for his service in the 53rd MA Regiment.
Aline, his wife, outlived Ezra and died on 28 Apr 1925 at age 80.

Last Edited: 23 Oct 2011

Family: Aline Annette Whitcomb b. 3 Nov 1844, d. 28 Apr 1925

Evelyn A. Wilder b. 19 Dec 1864
Isabelle Wilder d. before 1880
Harry C. Wilder b. 15 May 1870

George E. Wilder

b. 17 June 1842, d. 16 May 1864

George E. Wilder

Father: George Wilder b. 1807, d. 1 Feb 1871
Mother: Mary S. Low b. 18 Oct 1813, d. 16 Jul 1897

Company: A

George E. Wilder was born on 17 Jun 1842 at Petersham, Worcester County, Massachusetts, son of George Wilder and Mary S. Low.
George E. Wilder was enumerated in the household of George Wilder and Mary S. Low in the 1850 US Federal Census on 30 Aug 1850 at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
George Wilder, 43, blacksmith, b. Petersham
Mary, 35, b. Leominster
**George E., 8, b. Petersham
James A., 5, b. Petersham
Jennie L., 0, b. Leominster
Andrew May, 23, blacksmith, b. Ireland
Mary Mcmaunice, 23, b. Ireland.
At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, in 1861, George gave his occupation as clerk.
In 1861 George was living at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
On 12 Jul 1861 George mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry as a Sergeant, being credited to the quota of Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 19 years and 25 days old.
On 12 Nov 1862 George was promoted to Corporal.
On 13 Dec 1862 George E. Wilder was wounded at The Battle of Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania County, Virginia, in the side.
On 1 Jan 1864 George was promoted to Sergeant.
On 11 May 1864 George E. Wilder was wounded at Spotsylvania, Virginia, shot in the head.
He died on 16 May 1864 due to wounds. He was 21 years, 10 months and 29 days old.
On 24 Dec 1869 George's sister, Jenny Low Wilder, married Dwight N. Jackson at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
On 1 Feb 1871 his father, George Wilder, died at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, of consumption.
On 5 May 1875 George's sister, Jenny Low Wilder, married Albert W. Allen at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
On 14 Nov 1877 his sister, Jenny Low Wilder, died at Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, of consumption at age 27.
On 16 Jul 1883 Mary S. Low received a pension to surviving family member based on George's service; his mother, made application number 306679, but no certificate number is recorded.
In 1888, George was included on p. 98 of the Civil War section of Emerson's "Leominster Historical" as follows:
"Sgt. George E. Wilder, son of George Wilder, was shot in the head at the battle near Spottsylvania, and died May 17th, 1864."
Credits: Portrait from "Leominster: Historical and Picturesque", by William A. Emerson, 1888.

Last Edited: 22 Jan 2012