Was living in Grants Twp, Vermilion Co., IL in 1900.

Participated in the Civil War and his records are listed as: William W. Wakeland of Company "G" 102nd Illinois Infantry, recuited 28 Mar 1864 in Millersburg, transferred to Co. C 16th Illinois Infantry.

From Marna Wakeland Wilson:

TAKEN FROM THE ROCK ISLAND ARGUS SEPTEMBER 18, 1928

Among the exihibitors at the Mercer County Fair is William Walter Wakeland, Civil War veteran of Millersburg, who enjoys the singular record of having attended every one of the county fairs, except those held during the Civil War period, but who is exhibiting this year for the first time. Mr. Wakeland over 82 years old, recalls with interest the first fair ever held in the county.

"It was held in the southwest corner of the town of Millersburg." said Mr. Wakeland, "in what is now the northeast corner of the Lyle Bridgford farm on October 1854. Millersburg had about 400 residents at that time and was the county seat and being centrally located was the logical place for the exhibition. The fair was first organized at the suggestion of some of the more progressive farmers and I remember that Tyler McWhorter, Leon McWhorter's father, Hiram Thornton, grandfather of Lee Thornton, William Drury, Mr. Willits and J.E. Bay, father of John Bay, and my father Charles Christian Wakeland and other men of the county were active in organizing the fair."

"The grounds on the north and south sides of the grounds were fenced with a high board fence and brush was piled high on the other side , making it impossible to get in any other way, except through the gate. My father C.C. Wakeland and James Gibson were the gatekeepers."

"The livestock exhibits were good," continued Mr. Wakeland "and would perhaps attract more attention at a county fair today than they did then. Mr. Drury of New Boston exhibited a number of Elk, Deer and Buffalo from his large estate. While they were partly domesticated, some of the animals were quite vicious and required the expert care of the trainers to handle them. One of the exhibits that attracted considerable attention was made up of several span mules. To the early settlers from the east, mules were a curosity and they were one of the big attractions."

"Of course, there were a number of exhibits in the farm and garden departments, most everyone taking something to the fair, with the big livestock show it made a good display."

"The event was certainly well attended even though it was not advertised only by word of mouth. In fact, there was not a newspaper in the county at that time. Everyone seemed to have a good time. There was plenty of liquor, the woods were full of it, but there was little intoxication and practically no disorder."

The entertainment consisted primarily in horse races, according to Mr. Wakeland and he still regards the races as the feature of the fair from the amusement viewpoint. The track was a quarter mile around and he recalls that he often ran foot races around the track with other young men of the county. "There was no permanent buildings," said Mr. Wakeland. "but my father built a frame structure with a roof that served as a sort of floral hall for the display of farm and garden products and such as that."

"There was not much opposition to moving the fair to Aledo in 1878, although some of the men close to Millersburg thought that the new grounds might be a little too flat, not well enough drained. I remember walking over what is now the site of Aledo in 1855, when it was nothing but a hay marsh."

"Naturally there have been a lot of changes in the fair over a period of 75 years," continued Mr. Wakeland,"But what impresses me most regarding it, has been the interest in the educational exhibits. The people of the county seem to be more interested in the exhibits than they are in the amusements and that is, I think, the chief reason for the sucess of the association."

Mr. Wakeland has followed the occupation of carpenter throughout his life and for many years was one of the leading contractors of the county. He is one of the few remaining veterans of Company B, 102nd Illinois Infantry serving through the Civil War and enjoys the distinction of being one of the few remaining who marched with Sherman to the Sea. He enjoys good health and is active in his workshop and and garden and will have exhibits from both at the fair this year. He reads much and is well informed on current events. He plans to spend at least two days at the fair this year.

THIS NOTE WAS WRITTEN ABOUT WILLIAM WALTER WAKELAND BY HIS GRANDSON GERALD WAKELAND

Granddad helped build the Millersburg school. While that was being built classes were held in a building directly east of the school and in Steve Millers building. He was baptized a member of the Reorganized Church Of Latter Day Saints on April 22, 1900 by J.W. Adams. He attended the Millersburg Illinois Branch. Source: RLDS Deceased Files 1872-1905 Book J Millersburg Illinois RLDS Branch records Early Organization Minutes.

On my grandfathers application for pension, his physical description on May 17,1912 was 5ft.7in. light complexion, grey eyes and black hair. He was with General Sherman on his march to the sea during the Civil War and was for a short time in the Andersonville Prison. Birth and death dates taken from Oak Ridge Cem. tombstone Millersburg, Mercer County, Illinois. Death date also taken from Illinois Death Index by name Jan. 1916- Dec. 1938.