Captain Henry Wilhelm

Union Ancestor of Rodger B. Pearce

(Article written for “Heroes of Baltimore County” between 1897-1911)

(Additions made in italics)

Captain Henry Wilhelm was one of the brave defenders of the Union during the trying days of the Civil War, doing his duty nobly and unflinchingly on the field of battle or in the camp. Today he is found in the foremost rank of Baltimore County’s honored citizens, men who are devoted to the best interests of the county in the days of peace as well as in the times of strife. For many years he was actively and successfully engaged in general farming, but has now laid aside business troubles and is enjoying a well-earned rest.

The Wilhelm family was founded in America by the great-grandfather of our subject, a native of Germany, who came to America during the Revolutionary War and aided the colonies in achieving their independence. He acquired a large estate in the sixth district. Baltimore County that has been handed down through four generations of the family. Its members have ever been noted for their patriotism and loyalty, and in the War of 1812, Henry Wilhelm, our subject’s grandfather, served as a soldier. He was born in the sixth district, where he was later extensively engaged in farming.

The Captain’s parents Peter B. and Elizabeth (Kone) Wilhelm, spent their entire lives here and reared their family of nine children, seven of whom are still living: George W., Jeremiah, Daniel W., Caroline, Julia A., Mary E., and Henry.

Captain Wilhelm was born May 17, 1836, and was reared and educated in the sixth district, where he is still owner of part of the estate belonging to his great-grandfather. Several years of his early manhood were devoted to the service, as he enlisted July 29, 1862, in Company F, Fourth Maryland Infantry Volunteers as a private. Henry was promoted to corporal, and subsequently to the ranks of sergeant December 31, 1862, second lieutenant February 21, 1863, first lieutenant April 21, 1864, and captain September 20, 1864, of his company, being an officer of the last named rank at the time of his discharge at Arlington Heights, May 16, 1865. Captain Wilhelm participated in twenty-one important engagements, including the following: Antietam, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, Hatcher’s Run, Laurel Hill, Harris Farm, and Five Forks. His skull was fractured by being hit with a gun at the battle of Spottsylvania, and at Cold Harbor he was wounded, by a shell, in the thigh. For one year after his return home, he was a conductor on the Baltimore City Railroad, but at the end of that period returned to his father’s farm in the sixth district, and successfully devoted his time to agricultural pursuits until 1887, when he retired from business life.

In 1868 the captain married Miss Chloe Dorsey, a native of the sixth district, by whom he had two children, Carrie and May, both now deceased. During her girlhood Mrs. Wilhelm obtained an excellent education, and for a few terms successfully followed teaching. She is next to the youngest in the family of seven children born to Enoch and Susan (Macabee) Dorsey, prosperous farming people. Her father was a commissioned officer in the War of 1812.

Captain Wilhelm has ever taken an active interest in civic societies, and is today a prominent member of Charity Lodge no. 134, A.F.&A.M of Parkton Maryland: Wilson Post No. 1 G.A.R., of Baltimore Maryland; Middletown Lodge No 92, I.O.O.F., of Middletown Maryland, with which he has been connected for the long period of forty years: Eklo Council No. 134, J.O.A.M., of Eklo; and Summit Grange No. 164, of Middletown. He was an ardent Republican in politics, and in 1896 acceptably served as assessor of his district.

Henry Wilhelm died July 13, 1911, in Middletown, Baltimore County, Maryland and is buried at Middletown Cemetery in the same small country town.

Submitted by Rodger Pearce

June 27, 2001