William B. McGrorty

Name: William B. McGrorty Company: Field & Staff Resigned.
Birth Date: August 16, 1825 Place: Inver, County Donegal, Ireland	Mustered In Date: December 20, 1861 Rank: Quartermaster Age: 36 Residence prior to military service: Ireland (1826); New York; Vermont (1849); St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota (1860) Vocation prior to military service: Contractor (1860)
Death Date: February 16, 1865 Place: La Crosse, La Crosse County, Wisconsin Burial: La Crosse, Wisconsin	Mustered Out Date: September 15, 1864 Rank: First Lieutenant/Quartermaster Age: 39

William B. McGrorty Biography and Civil War Narrative

William B. McGrorty was born August 16, 1825, in Inver, County Donegal, Ireland. Coming to America in 1844, he settled in New York city and worked in several commercial houses and also as a commercial traveler. In 1848 he married Bridget (born in Ireland about 1826) in Vermont. In 1853 he and his family came to St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota. He built a stone grocery store at the corner of Robert and Fourth streets, a location later occupied by a building of the German National Bank. He had purchased the lot for $800 in 1853. In 1856 he also purchased a 100 foot lot on Jackson Street for $1800 and built a large stone residence in which he lived until selling it to Mr. N. W. Kittson.

McGrorty also entered politics as a member of the Democratic party. He was elected Alderman of the 2nd ward in 1856 and served as County Commissioner for three years. In 1857-1858, McGrorty served as a member of the Minnesota state house of representatives, 2nd District.

T. M. Newson, in Pen Pictures of St. Paul, Minnesota, and Biographical Sketches of Old Settlers, described William McGrorty:

Capt. McGrorty was a true-blue Irishman, and yet an American. He was a good-sized man with sandy hair and whiskers, retaining all the impulsiveness of his nationality and yet so schooled by experience as to be calm and self-possessed in times of emergency. He was bold and aggressive in his character, self- reliant, insinuating, yet positive when necessary, courageous, a man of considerable force of character, and who always inspired confidence in those about him. He was in command of the Minnesota company that went to visit Gen. Gorman at Helena—an incident noted in the history of the Governor's life. He never forgot the green old sod of his fatherland, for, in connection with the late Gen. Shields and others he sought to do in 1854 what Bishop Ireland has since successfully accomplished, viz.: to establish colonies of Irishmen on the soil of Minnesota and Dakota. He was social in his nature, kind-hearted, and has left behind him many pleasant memories.

At the time of the 1860 U.S. Census, William B. and Bridget McGrorty were living in St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, with his family and working as a Contractor. Their children in 1860 were Bridget (age 11, born in Vermont), Mary M. (age 6, born in Minnesota), Wm. B. Jr. (age 4, born in Minnesota), Frances E. (age 2, born in Minnesota), and Walter W. (age 5 months, born in Minnesota).

McGrorty enlisted in the 5th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment on December 20, 1861, and served as the regimental Quartermaster.

During the Battle of Corinth, Mississippi, on October 3, 1862, Quartermaster McGrorty went into town to procure rations for the regiment. That morning the 5th Minnesota had been posted about four miles southeast of Corinth at a crossing of Tuscumbia Creek. The Confederates were approaching the town from the west. As the day progressed, the sounds of battle grew nearer and more distinct until they indicated that fighting was taking place between town and the position of the 5th Minnesota. McGrorty reported to General Rosecrans the position of the 5th Minnesota. Rosecrans responded by issuing an order for the 5th to retire into the town. McGrorty, with an escort of Cavalry, brought the order to the regiment, which then proceeded under the cover of darkness into town where they bivouacked for the night. The following day the regiment played a significant part in the Battle of Corinth.

On September 15, 1864, Quartermaster McGrorty resigned his position, which was later filled by Francis G. Brown from Company K.

William B. McGrorty died by accidental drowning in the Mississippi River on February 16, 1865, in La Crosse, La Crosse County, Wisconsin, at the age of 39. Newson described the circumstances of his drowning:

He had ridden down in the stage from St. Paul to a point nearly opposite La Crosse, when it was found unsafe to go over the ice in a vehicle and he concluded to walk, so in company with a gentleman by the name of Temple, of this city, they trudged on their way together, talking gaily of the war and of other matters, when, all of a sudden, they broke through the ice or walked directly into an air hole, (as it was in the evening and they could not see very clearly,) and both disappeared out of sight. Search was made and at last McGrorty's body was found and buried by the soldiers at La Crosse.

Bridget McGrorty continued to live in St. Paul, Minnesota. In 1880 she lived with children Mary (age 25), Wm. B. (age 24), Francis E. (age 21), Walter W. (age 19), and Jeraldine B. (age 17). In 1900 she lived at 313 Somerset with two daughters: Eugene (age 38) and Geraldine (age 33). Son Walter (age 41) also lived in St. Paul, while Wm. B. (age 46) lived at the Rochester State Hospital in Olmsted County.

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