ABEL CARTWRIGHT -- 153rd INFANTRYPASSED THROUGH CLINTON COUNTY - Abel Cartwright was very much his ownman. He was born in Hinesburg, VT, to Silas Cartwright and Sallie Heath.He told the military he was born in 1823, however, he was born in 1814.This would make him almost 50 when he enlisted in the 153rd Infantry inBeekmantown to serve for 3 years.He was mustered in as a private on December 26, 1863 and was never heardof again. Strange he should disappear in the year when bounties wereintroduced.Abel spent most of his youth in Vermont. He moved to Plattsburgh andmarried Adeline Hilliard in 1848. Like her husband, she was thedescendant of Revolutionary War soldiers. In the same year as he wasmarried, he was jailed by the Hon. L. Stetson of the Clinton CountyCourt of Sessions for Contempt of Court. He willfully failed to attendcourt as a witness and was fined \$6 as well as spending time in jail.\By 1865, the family moved to LaSalle County, IL, and bought 160 acres ofland where they farmed until 1903. Later, they moved to Butler County,KS, and bought 480 acres of land which became one of the finest farms inthe county. In all, they had 10 children.Abel lived until he was 101 years old and died in 1916. He was buried inthe Oak Hill Cemetery in Utica, IL. Adeline died two years later and wasburied with him.
