Lewis Whitman was born in Wisconsin in 1847. He joined the army at the age of 18 and fought in the battle at Gettysburg and witnessed the surrender of General Lee at Appomatox Court House.
Shortly after the war Mr. Whitman married. He lost his wife, a small son and a daughter within a month of each other of typhoid fever.
Another child, aged 4, was burned to death in a fire accident. His only other child was Lura. He married again later.
After leaving the army, Mr. Whitman worked as a laborer, then retired and moved to Grace City.
Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 65B