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Capt. Thomas N. Stevens
Company C


This biography was printed in the booklet commemorating the 28th Regiment's 11th Reunion on 21-22 June 1893 at Mukwonago, Wisconsin.

Capt. Thomas N. Stevens Thomas N. Stevens was born at Varysburgh, Wyoming County, New York, May 6th, 1835. At the age of 17 he removed to Wisconsin, and was for a time employed as a clerk at Oconomowoc and Columbus. Later he engaged in business in New Lisbon, Juneau Co., but returned to Oconomowoc in 1859. In May, 1861, he was appointed post-master at that place, which position he held when he enlisted, about August 1, 1862 (and continued to hold during his entire term of military service), and assisted in recruiting a company which became Company C of the 28th Regiment Wisconsin Infantry, of which company, Charles Whitaker was chosen Captain and Mr. Stevens first lieutenant. Upon the organization of the regiment, Capt. Whitaker was commissioned lieutenant colonel, and Mr. Stevens was commissioned captain of the company, Sept. 2, 1862; in which capacity he served until finally discharged with the regiment, at Camp Randall, Madison, Wis., Sept. 22, 1865; having been in command of the regiment for some months in 1864 and 1865.

Early in 1866 he removed to Greenville, Mich., and engaged in business. In 1879 he removed to Stanton, Mich., where he now resides. He has filled various public offices -- was elected mayor of the city of Greenville in 1874, and was register of deeds for Montcalm County for ten years. In Grand Army circles he has been active, having been commander of Stanton Post No. 37 for three years. Once an alternate and twice a representative in the National Encampment at Milwauke and Detroit. Politically he is a Republican, and was a delegate from the Eighth District of Michigan in the National convention of 1880. He was married, Jan. 31, 1857, to Miss Caroline E. Silsbee, of Columbus, Wis., by whom five children have been born to him. A son, March 17, 1858, who died in infancy; Lou E. (Mrs. Delos A. Fowle), April 28, 1860; Mary F. (Mrs. Chancey S. Barnes), December 30, 1862; Carolyn N., August 16, 1866, died February 3, 1891; and Bertha, November 6, 1870.

Letters written by Capt. Stevens:


Captain Stevens also served as president of the 28th Regiment reunion association for several years. He died January 1, 1908, at his home in Stanton and was buried at the family lot in Forest Hill Cemetery, Greenville.

During the Civil War, Capt. Stevens was a prolific correspondent with his wife, Caroline, whom he called "Carrie". She saved his letters, and many years later they were compiled and edited by George M. Blackburn, and published by Central Michigan University in 1984 as a book entitled, "Dear Carrie..... the Civil War Letters of Thomas N. Stevens."



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