By: Mark Holtsberry
Benjamin F. Holister Hankins was born May 21, 1843 in Ohio. The son of Samuel S., born June 20, 1800 in New Jersey and Ann P. Hankins, born September 12, 1809.
By 1850, the couple had moved from New Jersey to the Charloe area. The couple had eight children. Samuel was a carpenter and Benjamin, also known as Holister, was in school.
On April 15, 1852, Samuel passed away. He was buried in Charloe-Blakeslee Cemetery. On May 5, 1853, Ann remarried a fella named, Nathan Shirley. He was born in 1791.
He served 21 days with Captain Jacob Rickart’s Company from Ohio in the War of 1812. His first wife, Mary Farmer (Minear) passed away in 1844. By 1860, Benjamin was living with his older sister, Sarah S. and her husband, John W. Ayers. As Civil War broke out, Benjamin enlisted on April 22, 1861 as a private to serve with Company G. 14th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. An enlistment of 3 months service. He was mustered out of service August 13, 1861 at Toledo, Ohio.
On October 22, 1861, Benjamin enlisted into Company C. 68th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, to serve as a private for three years. He was appointedSergeant. Then on June 30, 1862 at Lexington, Kentucky, Benjamin was discharged on a Surgeon’s Certificate of Disability.
On May 2, 1864 at the age of 21, Benjamin was made Captain of Company H. 132nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry. This Company was formed at Camp Chase, Ohio. Comprised of Paulding County men. This company was formed to serve 100 days service. This Company was mustered out of service, September 10, 1864.
Benjamin met a gal Nancy Kniss. On February 25, 1865 the couple was married in Paulding. An opportunity to serve came up again in the form of Company E. 192nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry. This Company was to serve 1 year. Benjamin enlisted on February 28, 1865 and on April 22, 1865, Benjamin was appointed Sergeant. He was mustered out of service with the Company, September 1, 1865. After his service, Benjamin and Nancy settled down in the Charloe area.
A daughter Anne Belle was born, November 25, 1865. Followed by a daughter, May B. born June 24, 1867, and a son, Charles R. born March of 1869. By 1870, Benjamin was working as a retail merchant. And the family was living in the Charloe area. In 1871, Benjamin’s stepfather, Nathan, passed away. He was buried in Potter-Klein Cemetery outside Junction. By 1875, the family had moved to Kansas. A son, John Calvin was born, January 14, 1876. On October 1, 1883, Benjamin’s mother, Ann, passed away. She was buried in Charloe-Blakesly with her husband Samuel.
While in Kansas, something happened to Benjamin. His wife Nancy, on June 14, 1887, had filed for a Civil War Pension, listing Benjamin as invalid.
By 1900, Benjamin and Nancy were living on East Lyons Street in Sims, Grant County, Indiana, son John was living with them. By 1910, Benjamin, Nancy and John were back living in Charloe area living on the Charloe trail.
On March 30, 1913, Benjamin F. Holister Hankins passed away. On April 2, 1913, Nancy filed for Benjamin’s widow’s pension. On June 10, 1927, Nancy passed away.
They are both buried in the Charloe-Blakesly Cemetery.
…Until Next Time!
