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William Plantt was born in Ireland about 1834. He subsequently emigrated to the U.S. ending in Lima, Sheboygan County, Wisconsin. On April 30, 1861 he was enlisted by E.B. Gray into C Company of the 4 Wisconsin Cavalry, and mustered in on July 2, 1861. At the time he gave his occupation as that of a farmer. During the war he took part in the engagement at New Orleans 4/24/1862, Grand Gulf 5/26/1862, Baton Rouge 8/5/62, Bonne Care 10/18/62. During the period of March through May 1863 he was recovering from sickness in Baton Rouge Louisiana. He returned to his unit and participated in action at Port Hudson 7/8/1863, Grosse Tete 2/19/64, and Olive Branch 5/3/1864. During the war he rose to the rank of corporal and was subsequently mustered out on July 14, 1864 and Worgauzia, Louisiana when his term of service expired.

Death Certificate Records

William Plantt died in East Santa Cruz on Sept. 20, 1892. Dr. A.J. Bailey attributed the cause of death to pneumonia.

Evergreen Cemetery Records

In Santa Cruz, William Plantt took up residence on Caledonia St. in Branciforte and worked in the area as a laborer. Voter Registration information indicated that he was of fair complexion, gray eyes, and dark hair.

Santa Cruz Sentinel (November 15, 1888)

William Plant was granted a pension on Tuesday.

Santa Cruz Daily Surf (September 21, 1892)

Death of Willliam Plantt

William Plantt, a comrade of W.H.L. Wallace Post G.A.R. and a resident of Santa Cruz for several years died at his home in E. Santa Cruz, after a short but painful attack of pneumonia.

Mr. Plantt was a native of Ireland and was 58 years of age. He was a corporal in Company C 4th Wisconsin Cavalry in the War of the Rebellion, and was a Comrade of A. Hoskins of East Santa Cruz. He leaves a widow and six children, Mrs. Sam Price of Boulder, Misses Ella, Minnie and Carrie Plantt, and two sons Frank and William Plantt.

The funeral will take place tomorrow afternoon under the auspices of the Wallace Post.

Santa Cruz Sentinel (September 21, 1892)

Wm Plantt, an old soldier, an old citizen of Santa Cruz, and a hard working man in the days of his strength, will soon be laid beneath the lilies of the cemetery, having been translated to the unseen land after seven days' sickness. The deceased was an honest man, and he loved his comrades of smoke and battle dearly.

Santa Cruz Surf (September 22, 1892)

ATTN G.A.R -- Members of the Wallace and Reynolds Posts, and all old soldiers are requested to be at Wallace Post Room at 1 PM Thursday, September 22d to attend the funeral of our late comrade Wm. Plantt.....MS. Patterson Cmndr.

Santa Cruz Sentinel (September 23, 1892)

The funeral of the late Wm. Plantt took place from the family residence on Caledonia St. East Santa Cruz, Thursday afternoon under the auspices of the G.A.R. Members of Wallace and Reynolds post [Rev. J.B. Andrews]; accompanied by a firing squad marching at the head of the procession, and at the grave at Evergreen Cemetery the remains were interred with military honors.

Editorial Notes from Robert L. Nelson

Santa Cruz Sentinel, December 1889

During the year 1890, Wm. Plantt served as Senior Vice Commander of the Wallace Post No. 32 G.A.R

NARA Pension/Military Research

On May 15, 1886, William Plantt, a 22 year resident of Santa Cruz, applied for a pension. He indicated that he had enrolled in Co E of the 4 WI Cav commanded by George Durgin on April 30, 1861. In September of that year he was admitted to a military hospital at Sheboygan Wisconsin for "debility." Upon his release he returned to his unit and served until discharged at Morganzia GA on July 9 1864. He was described as being 53 years of age, 5' 8 1/2" in height, dark complexioned with brown hair, and his occupation was that of a farmer and laborer. Plantt indicated that while on board a steamer on the Mississippi River in Louisiana in May of 1863 he had contacted Rheumatism "caused by exposure in low swampy lands of the bayou." He was admitted to a convalescent hospital in Baton Rouge for the condition and has subsequently required 2 crutches in order to walk. Plantts wife Carrie applied for his pension upon his death in 1892 for herself and apparently two children Frank and Carry. Carrie Plantt's pension was stopped at her death on Aug 7, 1924.

Date of Birth: 1834

Date of Death: 1892-09-20

County: Santa Cruz

Cemetery/City of Burial: Evergreen Cemetery

Plot: G06

Mortuary: S&E

Cause of Death: Pul/Pnmnia

Spouse: (Plantt)_ Caroline

Occupation: Laborer

Height: 5'8

Complexion: Dk

Eye Color: Bl

Hair Color: Br

Local Address: Caledonia St

Last City: Santa Cruz

Native of: IR

Enlisted: 1861/04/30

Discharged: 1864/07/14

Military Unit: WI_ 4 Cav_ Co C

Rank: Cpl

Military Notes: R-Lima_ D-Morganzia GA

GAR#: W32

Available records used to obtain information:
Cemetery records
Santa Cruz County death records
Military records
Santa Cruz and Monterey newspapers
Voter Records

CW Reference: WHL 1886 Roster