WI BIO - Dane Co - LOVEJOY, Harry W.
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol I, pp 220-221

Among the names of those old settlers who have been prominently connected 
with the history of Madison [Dane County, WI] occurs the name of Harry W. 
LOVEJOY. For many years he was the efficient messenger and waiting clerk of 
the State Executive officer, serving nearly twenty-six years in all, during 
which time he became well known as a good and capable servant of the people, 
as well as a loyal and public-spirited citizen. Harry W. LOVEJOY was born in 
Hudson [Columbia County], NY, 18 Feb 1827, but chiefly reared and educated 
near Sandusky [Erie County], OH.

When the trouble with Mexico arose, Harry D. LOVEJOY was one of the first to 
engage in service with the 4th OH Volunteer Regiment, under Colonel Charles 
BROUGH, engaging a the battle of Atlixco del Rio or Broken Bridge, where the 
U. S. troops crossed the river by wading after the Mexicans had blown up the 
bridge. In this way the American soldiers were enabled to surprise the 
Mexicans, capture many of them, besides sixteen pieces of artillery. Later 
he was in the battle of Pueblo, under General HURLBERT commanding. The 4th 
Regiment did not do any more service, but was discharged after two years of 
service. During the entire time, Mr. LOVEJOY only suffered one slight wound, 
in the left leg.

So brave a soldier could not remain quietly at home while so mighty a 
struggle was convulsing the nation, in 1861, so he enlisted in Company K, 32nd 
WI Volunteer Infantry, Captain John E. GROUT and Colonel James H. HOWE 
commanding at the time of his entering the service. After a short time spent 
in the State the regiment went South, joining the Army of the Tennessee under 
General SHERMAN, and marched with him through GA, participating in the many 
engagements of that memorable campaign. While before Atlanta, after night 
had come on, it was found necessary to strengthen the fortifications. Mr. 
LOVEJOY, with others, volunteered to set up pickets of chevaux de frise*, the 
command being given [p 221] to our subject by General HOWARD. After 
conducting the work with skill and energy, during which time he never 
flinched, although it was a task which required a great amount of bravery to 
accomplish. Mr. LOVEJOY was about to retire, when he was struck by a 
sharpshooter's ball, which entered his head a little back and below the eyes 
and passed entirely through. The great marvel was that he escaped with his 
life, as he was shot so many times, in the bright moonlight, by 
sharpshooters. So badly was he wounded, on this 19 Aug 1864, that he was 
thrown for dead in the dead house; but upon further examination it was found 
that life was not quite extinct; so he was taken to a hospital and carefully 
nursed back to health, in the city of Madison [Dane County, WI]. After his 
recovery he was discharged from the hospital and the service 27 May 1865, 
with the rank of brevet Captain and was given a commission. [* The author 
here refers to "horses of Friesland," a beam filled with spikes or a 
collection of stones or wooden obstacles used to impede the advance of enemy 
horses, named from its use in the siege of Groningen, Friesland in 1594.]

After the war was over, in 1866, he came to Madison [Dane County], WI, where 
he has since continued to reside. The Captain was married in Madison, Lake 
County, OH, in 1852, to Miss Helen M. FOX, born, reared and educated in Lake 
County, OH, dying at her home in Madison [Dane County], WI, 09 Aug 1871, at 
the age of forty. She was the mother of four children, all dead but Frank H; 
Jennie, married Frank B. SALMON, and died in CA, without issue. Frank H. is 
a yardmaster at Stevens Point [Portage County, WI] for the Wisconsin Central 
Railroad, and married Miss Mattie MARTIN, of Peoria [Peoria County], IL. 
[Note only two of the four children named.]

Our subject was married a second time, in Madison [Dane County, WI], to Miss 
Lucy MILES, born, reared and partly educated in Chautauqua County, NY, but 
has resided in Madison and Dane County for forty years. She is the mother of 
no children. Mr. and Mrs. LOVEJOY are members of the Congregational Church, 
of which the former is janitor. During his sixty-five years of life, our 
subject has passed through some stirring events, and engaged in some very 
severe battles, yet notwithstanding his age he is still very active and 
possesses more bodily strength than many a younger man. He is a stanch 
Republican and is a member of C. C. Washburn Post, G. A. R., No. 11. By his 
genial, pleasant manner he has made many friends wherever he has been, both 
in public and private capacity.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly