Charles Frederick Stimm, Kenosha, Wis., Commander in 1889 of G. A. R.
Post No. 320 was born Jan. 14, 1848, in Pleasant Prairie, Kenosha
county, where his parents Charles F. and Catherine (Vollmer) Stimm,
settled on their emigration from Germany in 1844. They were of pure
German extraction and the father died in Chicago in 1865; the decease
of the mother occurred in Rochelle, Ill., in 1870. Their family
included several children named Margaret, Mary, Julia, Emma,
Catherine, Rosa, Augustus, Ada and Henry, all still surviving
excepting the last named. While Still a youth Mr. Stimm commenced to
learn the trade of wagonmaker with the Peter Wood Company at Kenosha
which suspended business before the termination of his apprenticeship.
He engaged with the Whitaker Skein and Engine Company at Kenosha and,
when his former employers resumed business, he resumed his connection
with them for the brief period in which they conducted business. He
then obtained employment with the Bain Wagon Company at Kenosha where
he has retained his relations with the exception of the period passed
in the war. In December, 1863, he enlisted, and, after passing about a
month at Camp Randall, he was mustered in Feb. 2, 1864, and was
assigned to Company C, 26th Wisconsin Infantry and joined the regiment
at Whitesides, Tenn. Colonel Winckler, whose sketch appears on another
page, was in command and about the last of April the regiment went to
Lookout Valley, having transferred to the 3d Brigade, 3d Division and
20th Corps, preparatory to the Atlanta campaign. Mr. Stimm was in
several fights at Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Cassville, Pumpkin Vine
creek, Pine Knob and Kenesaw. June 22d, when his regiment was under
severe fire at Kenesaw, he felt himself somewhat ambitious to give the
rebels as good as they sent and suddenly found himself alone, far in
advance of the Union lines. Bullets were flying and he concluded to
join his comrades, which he did on the double quick. He skirmished at
Big Shanty and Burnt hickory, and also at Kenesaw Pass, where Hooker's
advance was attacked by Johnston, the 26th losing 45 men and Colonel
Winckler receiving a ball in his hat. The next movement was to the
Chattahoochie River, remaining there a few days, exchanging civilities
with rebels in the way of tobacco and other small things. July 20th,
they crossed the river and were preparing dinner when they were
attacked by the 33d Mississippi. In the action the latter lost its
State and regimental colors, and after it was over 137 of its soldiers
received burial by the Union troops. All the superior officers were
killed. The brigade was commanded by Colonel Wood and 113 rounds were
fired. Mr. Stimm was in the battle at Peach tree Creek and went on the
22d to a position with his company in front of Atlanta and fought that
day. During a lull in its course, a sharpshooter, stationed behind a
stump, was making himself particularly disagreeable when General
Sherman came along. He asked a gunner if he could not stop that
fellow, and immediately the stump and the hidden scamp flew into the
air. General Sherman expressed his satisfaction over the success of
his suggestion. On that day McPherson was killed. The regiment
remained a few days on the field, and was under constant cannonading.
The next orders were to cross the Chattahoochie River, and protect the
crossings and while there the troops voted for the president. After
the fall of Atlanta they commenced the march into the city and
afterwards joined Sherman in his march to the sea, on which Mr. Stimm
participated in all the excitements of change which characterized the
movement. He was in several actions in the vicinity of Savannah and at
Averysboro and Bentonville. He was at Raleigh, April 13, 1865. While
there they heard of the fall of Richmond and were celebrating it when
an Orderly rode up to the speaker with a dispatch announcing the
assassination of Lincoln. Mr. Stimm was in the march to Richmond and
Alexandria, where the prepared for the Grand Review and after it, were
ordered to Company C, 3d Wisconsin Infantry at Louisville, Ku., (June
10, 1865), returning to Milwaukee on a cattle train to be mustered out
July 15, 1865. The father of Mr. Stimm was one of the first to enlist,
enrolling in the 11th Illinois Cavalry and remaining in the service
three years; he was with Grant at Vicksburg.
Dec. 11, 1873, Mr. Stimm was married to Anna M. Schwann; she was
born Nov. 14, 1851, in Kenosha and is the daughter of Matthias and
Gertrude Schwann, who were born respectively Sept. 9, 1822, and Oct.
11, 1817, in Germany; their children were named Christopher, Anna,
Herbert, Charles and Helena. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Still are
Matthias, William, Benjamin and Helena M.
Mr. Stimm is one of the leading citizens of Kenosha; in 1887 he
was elected Mayor of his city and served his term with honor. He is a
member of St. George and St. Michael's Benevolent Associations.
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