California Genealogy and History Archives
Civil War Veterans
| Capt. Thomas Theodore Tidball, Mexican-American War Veteran and Civil War Veteran of Monterey County, Ca Thomas Theodore Tidball was born in Allegheny City, PA on October 2, 1826 a resident of Ohio where he learned, first, the hatter’s trade under his father and then turned to printing. At the outbreak of the Mexican War, he enlisted with Company “A” of the 3rd Ohio Infantry, serving 14 months. Overland with one friend for California, meeting up with a party at Independence, Mo. They contracted with the party to bring them across for the sum of $75.00. At Platte he and his friend purchased a ferry for $50.00, and operated it for a week, accumulated $150.00. And they funded their travel to San Bernardino then proceeding to Los Angeles. Then they caught a vessel bound for San Francisco. They chopped wood to make money after they arrived. The tried their luck in the placers with little success. Tried Ranching near Sacramento, illness set him back. And the venture crashed. He then elected to settle in Soquel as the editor of a newspaper. In 1858 Tidball was elected Assessor and again in 1861. When the first shots were fired at Charleston, he formed & organized Company K, of the 5th California Infantry, with himself as Captain. After his commission and activation by Gov. Downey in November of 61, he and his company were off to Arizona to protect the southern routes from potential assaults from the Apache and possible Confederate gun running outfits. He was cited for outstanding work and service by the Arizona Legislature – for “15 enlisted men of Company K composed of the expedition under the direct command of CPT: T.T. Tidball, met the Apache in combat in Canon di Arivaype, in the Arizona Territory on May 7th 1862, the battle claimed the lives of 47 Apache warriors, 10 prisoners, and captured 66 head of stock and lost only one man in the conflict, he returned to Tucson on the 11th of May marching 180 miles in five days. Company K left Fort Bowie and was mustered out in the fall of 1864 in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Between 1867-70 he held elected seats in Santa Cruz as county clerk and Assessor. He later became a Revenue Collector for San Jose. For many years the Tidball family farmed in the Jolon area of Monterey County, buying a General Store and partnership in Hotel/Livery stable with his former LT: George Dutton of company K., later Dutton bought Tidball out, and Capt. Tidball sold the General Store, he and his wife moved to Monterey, California where he died on January 28, 1913. He was a member of the “Grand Army of the Republic” and a mason of the Lodge #.217, F. & A.M. of Monterey, Ca. On March 12th, 2001: Camp Abraham Lincoln # 10 of the “Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War” installed a headstone monument on the unmarked grave of Capt. Thomas T. Tidball of the 3rd Ohio Infantry in the Mexican-American War and the 5th California Infantry, Company K in the Civil War. The following are photos and newspaper clippings from that day at “EL ENCINAL CEMETERY“ on Lake El Estero, Monterey, California, as well as some clippings of a biographical sketch of Capt: T. T. Tidball from local newspapers. He was nationally recognized for his service in the War with the Apache and stopping Confederate gun running in the South-West states. His regiment was part what was known as the “California Column“. {See: California Civil War Rosters Fifth Regiment of Infantry, Company K. “Records of California Men in the War of the Rebellion, 1861 to 1867.” 1890. Near Allegheny City, Pa., Captain Tidball was born October 2, 1826, being a son of Joseph and Eliza K (Lynn) Tidball. When he was a year old his parents settled in Holmes county, Ohio, where they remained until 1838, and then settled in Mansfield, same state. There the son learned the hatter’s trade under his father’s instruction, and later he also acquired a knowledge of the printing business. In 1846 he enlisted in Company A Third Ohio Infantry, for service in the Mexican war. With his regiment he proceeded to Mexico and thence still further southwest. After fourteen months as a private he was honorably discharged and returned to Mansfield, where he secured work as a clerk in a warehouse. In 1849, in company with a friend he stared for California. At Independence, Mo., they joined a party westward bound, it being the agreement that they were to pay $75 for their passage to California. However, when they reached the Platte river he and his partner bought a ferry for $50 and remained behind after their companions had proceeded on the way. In a little more than a week they had cleared $150. With this welcome addition to their funds they again started westward, overtaking their former companions and proceeding via Salt Lake, where they saw Brigham Young. Thence they walked to the present site of San Bernardino, where they arrived weary and hungry. Going on to Los Angeles, they took a boat to San Francisco, where they arrived with $10 in their combined possessions. A few days later Mr. Tidball s worked as a wood chopper at $5 per cord. The then bought an axe and some provisions on credit from a man he had never seen before, and for six weeks engaged in cutting wood, soon making enough to repay his accommodating creditor. His next venture was at Placerville, where he tried his luck at mining. From there he went further up the Feather river, where he remained for six months. For two years he engaged in ranching near Sacramento, and then for six months he was interested in a store at Jackson, Cal. At the expiration of that time he returned to Indiana with a partner, expected to buy cattle and drive them across the plains. However, on account of sickness, the project was abandoned. For two years he edited a paper at Albion, Ind. and while there married Helen M. Hill. Three children were born of their union, but May and Minnie died in girlhood. The only one now living is Nellie H., wife of John D. Hall, and mother of four children, John J. Helen H., Stella and Charles S. During 1857 Captain Tidball came to California via the water route and settled in Santa Cruz, where he was employed on a paper when the Civil war broke out. Inspired with the patriotic spirit of his ancestors, he at once raised a company of eighty men, which was mustered into the United States service at Sacramento, with himself as captain. Ordered to Southern California, they remained several weeks near the coast, and then marched to Fort Yuma to suppress the Apaches, who were on one of their customary fierce outbreaks. About the 1st of October they were sent to San Pedro, and on the 1st of February were ordered to Tucson, Ariz., form which point they proceeded after the Apaches. they were obliged to be cautious in their pursuits, as they had a cunning foe to deal with. For five nights they traveled on foot, sleeping in the daytime. No camp fires were built, lest the Indians might see the smoke. There wee only twenty five white men in Company K, the balance of the one hundred and four men being Indians and Mexicans. On the morning of the fifth day they surprised the Indians, killing eighty of the braves, and capturing eighteen women and children, also sixty six horses and some government property. The expedition had been one of great hardship, but the successful termination caused the soldiers to forget their annoyances, and all rejoiced at the fortunate outcome. They had traveled about one hundred and eighty miles, with pack-trains to carry supplies, and had crossed one stream thirty six times. It was just at break of day when they surprised the Indians who were in the act of building a camp fire. With the loss of only one man, the expedition returned to Tucson, bringing with them their prisoners of war and the booty taken in the battle. From Tucson Captain Tidball was ordered to the Rocky mountains, where he had command of a post at Bowie, Ariz., for sixteen months. During that time he commanded an expedition to the San Carlos reservation, and meanwhile killed thirty or more hostile savages, including the chief of the tribe. Frequently he went on scouting expeditions, and more than once crossed the desert on foot. Mustered out of the service November 30, 1864, he then returned to Santa Cruz, and in the fall of 1865 was elected county clerk. At the expiration of his term of two years he was appointed internal revenue collector of the second district. Resigning two years later, he moved to Tulare county and ranched there for a year. His next location was on the Cooper ranch in Salinas Valley, where he spent three years. In 1876 he came to Jolon and opened a store in partnership with Mr. Dutton. Two years later he erected a building, which he utilized as a hotel and store. He also conducted feed yards, and has served as postmaster, while at this writing the post office is in charge of his wife. for sixteen years he has been a notary public. His political affiliations are with the Republican party, among whose members in Monterey county he occupies a leading position. In 1853 he was made a Mason and has since been identified with the fraternity, being now past master of the lodges at Santa Cruz and Castroville. At the first meeting of the legislative body of Arizona, its members adopted a resolution commending Captain Tidball for his services in the Apache outbreaks, and the letter forwarded to him from the legislature was cherished by him as indicative of the appreciation in which his l abors were held. He also received recognition in another manner no less acceptable than the former, this being in his promotion to major and brevet-major in the army, which honor his faithful and intelligent services amply merited. (Santa Cruz Riptide and Evergreen Records) Born near Allegheny City, Pa., Oct. 2 ‘26 a resident. of Ohio where he learned, first, the hatter’s trade under his father and then turned to printing. At outbreak of the Mexican War he enlisted with Co. A, 3rd Ohio inf., serving 14 months. Overland with one friend for Calif., meeting up with a party at Independence Mo., who contracted to bring them across for$75. At the Platte he and his friend purchased a ferry for $50, operated it for a week during which they cleared $150; with this welcome addition to finances caught up with their friends and proceeded to San Bernardino. Going on to LA they caught a boat for SF, made a living chopping wood for a time before trying their luck in the placers with little success. As a rancher near Sacramento he had high hopes of becoming wealthy, went east to buy cattle, but was taken sick and did not get back for three years. The second trip was made by water ‘57. This year he settled in Soquel as the editor of a paper perhaps with Judge Skirm, elected pub. adm. ‘58 and appointed assessor vice Wm. Henderson resigned, candidate for county clerk ‘59 and for assessor ‘61 being a vice president of the Union the latter year. When the shot was fired at Charleston he organized what was organized as Co. K 5th Calif. inf. himself as Capt. and was on his way to Arizona to protect the southern routes overland from potential rebel assaults, engaged for the most part in fighting Apaches for which he was cited by the Arizona legislature. Mustered out in the fall of ‘64 he returned to Santa Cruz and in the fall of ‘65 was elected country clerk, grantee of a home site by the town council ‘66, possessed of a large taxable income ‘67, Union party leader, part owner Santa Cruz Times ‘68 in which year he became collector of revenue at SF. He never again called this city ‘home.’ Lived for the most part in Jolon in later years. Still living 1902. His wife was an Ind. lady nee Helen M. Hill. They were the parents of three, only one of whom survived to become the mother of four of her own. (Scrapbook # 7 [Ruth Baldwin] Safety First) Circuit Rider Column- Column 1- Page 3 ------Thomas T. Tidball was a young fellow who was appointed Santa Cruz county assessor in 1855 when the incumbent, William T. Henderson left un- expectedly. (It was rumored that a few Hundred dollars of county funds and another man’s wife left at the same time.) Tidball made an unsuccessful race for country clerk in 1859. Two years later he was vice president of the Union Club and elected Captain of the Cavalry [infantry] company raised in Santa Cruz county which spent the Civil War fidgeting Apaches in Arizona. Back from the wars he was elected country clerk in 1865 but soon afterwards left for Jolon. (Annals of Santa Cruz by Leon Rowland) Thomas T. Tidball was one of the first vice presidents of the Union club started May 8, 1861. Began recruiting an infantry (became Captain) unit in the fall of 1861 and by November he had 36 men enrolled and word was sent to Governor Downey. It was sworn in as Company K 5th California Infantry, November 22, 1861. They stayed on the California Texas border fighting against Apaches. See Citation. “15 enlisted men of Company K composed of the expedition sent under command of Captain T.T. Tidball against Apache Indians in Canon di Arivaype, Arizona Territory. The expedition left Tucson May 2 at dusk, made five successive night marches, built no fires, hid during the day. It surprised and attached the Apache rancheria in Canon de Arivaype on the morning of the 7th. Killed 47 Indians, took 10 prisoners, captured 66 head of stock with the loss of one man, a citizen of Arizona. Returned to Tucson on the 11th, having marched 180 miles in five days.” In the fall of 1864, the regiment marched from Fort Bowie to Las Cruces to be mustered out. Captain Tidball returned to Santa Cruz where his war record won him immediate election as country clerk and appointments in 1867 to fill a vacancy as assessor. He moved to Jolon and died January 28, 1913 near Monterey.
Please Note: that the birth place of T. T. Tidball in his obit reads Ohio, while his local biographical sketches indicates Pennsylvania, also his birth year has been recorded as 1826 or 1827 in some records. The best “estimate” would be in PA in 1826 as indicated by local biographical record & Military records. Civil Servants Monterey County Herald, March 13, 2001
Tidball’s service spanned nation Monterey County Herald, March 13, 2001
Front Page from the Monterey County Herald Newspaper on Tuesday, March 13th, 2001. Participating in the Headstone installment Ceremony is Camp Commander of Camp Lincoln 10: Robert L. Nelson of Santa Cruz, Junior Vice Commander: Timothy P. Reese of Monterey, Historian, Peter McGettigan of Santa Cruz, Sec. and Treasurer: Wayne Thalls of Santa Cruz, and member: Brian Zetwig of Castroville. More information on the “Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War “, “Department of California and Pacific“ can be found at: (WWW.SUVCW.ORG ) just scroll down to web index to California and Pacific. The SUVCW is a non-profit organization, congressionally chartered by the 2nd session of the 83rd US congress in 1954. The SUVCW was created by the members of the GAR – “Grand Army of the Republic “in 1886. Paying homage to a hero Salinas Californian March 13, 2001
The Honcho from Jolon Salinas Californian March 14, 2001
The installed Headstone monument (2 views below) to Captain Thomas Theodore Tidball, Civil War Veteran, 5th California Infantry, Company K. Mexican-American War veteran: 3rd Ohio Infantry. Born: October 2nd 1826 in Allegheny, PA. Died in Monterey, California on Jan 29th, 1913. The headstone was ordered from the US Veterans Administration and marked his death date for Feb 1st - that was the date of internment. Tidball was a General Store owner in Jolon, California (1979 Restoration of General Store studied. Hotel partnership with his former Lt. George Dutton of Jolon, Ca. On the day of T. T. Tidbal’s actual internment, Members of the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) Posts – James Blair Steedman #56 of the Salinas Valley, Lucius Fairchild #179 of Pacific Grove & the Sherman Circle Post 41 of the LGAR of Monterey (Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic) officiated at the service and ceremony.
Letter to the Monterey American March 2000 Monterey American (Letter from Meg Clovis
to Kevin Howe of the Monterey Herald March 15, 2000) Dear Kevin: I
enjoyed your article on Capt. Tidball. I just wanted to let you know a
little more information. Capt. Tidball opened a business in Jolon in
1878 in an adobe built in 1868 by the Pacific Coast Stage Co. He
incorporated parts of the adobe into a two story redwood structure. He
ran a hotel, general store, post office, livery stable and saloon until
1900. The store is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The County of Monterey was given the store by the San Antonio Valley
Historical Assn. (SAVHA) in 1978. Since then, with the help of SAVHA,
the store has been stabilized and will hopefully be restored in the near
future. The County has contracted with the Salinas Nation to do this
work. They plan on opening a Cultural Center in the building.
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Compiled
and Submitted: by Tim P. Reese, PCC Camp
Abe Lincoln #10 based out of Santa Cruz, Ca Dept.
of Calif. and Pacific Sons
of Union Veterans of the Civil War P.
O. Box 1641, Monterey, Ca. 93942-1641 WWW.SUVCW.ORG
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