Robert Nolan

Name: Robert Nolan Company: I Discharged for disability.
Birth Date: about 1841-1844 Place: Canada	Mustered In Date: January 14, 1862 Rank: Private Age: 18-21 Residence prior to military service: St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota Vocation prior to military service: Raftsman (1860)
Death Date: Unknown	Mustered Out Date: March 14, 1863 Rank: Private Age: about 19-22 Residence following military service: St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota (1880) Vocation following military service: Drayman (1880)

Robert Nolan Biography and Civil War Narrative

Robert Nolan was born in Canada about 1841-1844 to Irish parents: Patrick and (possibly) Susan Nolan. In 1860, Robert and the Patrick Nolan family lived in St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, where Patrick worked as a Day Laborer and Robert worked as a Raftman. In addition to Patrick, Susan, and Robert, young children Patrick (age 3, born in Canada) and Rosana (age 10 months, born in Minnesota) were also in the household.

On January 14, 1862, Robert enlisted as a Private in Company I of the 5th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment. After organizing at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, Robert and the 5th Minnesota Regiment headed south on May 10th to serve in the Civil War. They reported to General John Pope near Corinth, Mississippi, on May 24th. While Robert Nolan was with the 5th Minnesota, the Regiment participated in the Siege of Corinth (May 26-30), an expedition to Rienzi, Mississippi (July 3-August 18), guarding the Memphis & Charleston Railroad at Tuscumbia, Alabama (August 22-September 13), the Battle of Iuka, Mississippi (September 19), and the Battle of Corinth (October 4) . Robert was discharged for disability on March 14, 1863.

Around 1871, Robert married Bridget, born in Canada about 1848 to Irish parents. At the time of the 1880 U.S. Census, Robert and Bridget lived in St. Paul, Minnesota, and had four children born in Minnesota: sons John (age 7) and Charles (age 5), and daughters Kate (age 3) and Mary (age 7 months). Robert worked as a Drayman.

The 1900 U.S. Census records the head of the Nolan household as "Francis," presumably another name for Bridget. Though Francis is listed as married, Robert is not included in the household. Six children reside with Francis in 1900: sons John (born October 1873), Charles (born December 1875), and Robert (born July 1885 in Minnesota), and daughters Catherine (born July 1876), Mary (born October 1880), and Helen (born March 1882 in Minnesota).

In 1910, the Census lists Bridget Nolan as a widow. Daughter Catherine continued to live with her in St. Paul, Minnesota.

[5th Minnesota Home] [Company I] [Tim Bode] [Tim Bode's Music Page]

This page is maintained by Tim Bode (timbode@juno.com ). Created on 8/22/08. Last modified on 4/19/09.