Walkinshaw Family - John Henry Walkinshaw - Eduard Casillas American Civil War Studies Soldier Project - Page 15

equal difficulty recalling the birthdates of his children, giving conflicting days for three of them (re: table 1). There was even a lack of consistency on the name of his fourth child, (Jennie May vs. Mary F.) from documents in his own hand. On the 1910 census he wrote that his father was from Scotland, though his other documents claimed an Irish origin. [53] Further, at his enlistment before he entered the army, John Walkinshaw's height was listed as 5 feet 7 inches. He was described as being of light complexion with dark hair. [9] His later surgeon certificates listed his height as 5 feet 10 inches [54] with auburn hair and a dark complexion. (Of course, it is not unreasonable to assume that a 19 year old could grow three more inches.) Taken together it is more likely that John Walkinshaw was not an imposter, but rather an unhappy older man with a poor memory or a contempt for details. On the other hand, caution on the part of the biographer is always wise.

Bibliography

 1.    1850 Census of Free Inhabitants in Londonderry, Township, County of Guernsey, State of Ohio. Oct. 16, 1850, p.        494.
 2.   1880 Federal Census: Inhabitant in Dist. 1 Lincoln Twp. East 1/2 in the county of Atchison, State of Missouri.          June 4, 1880, p.343.
 3.  1860 Federal Census: Free Inhabitants in Yellow Spring Township in the County of Des Moines,                            State of Iowa. p.50
 4.  Huss, W.. Personal Communication, July, 2010.
 5.  Scott,J.W., General Affidavit in the Matter of Pension Claim of John H. Walkinshaw. August 20th, 1880.
 6.  Paisely, F.F., General Affidavit State of Iowa, County of Louisa in the Matter of Invalid Pension of John H.         Walkinshaw. August 19th, 1881.
 7.   Walkinshaw,J., War of 1861, Declaration for Invalid Army Pension. August 23, 1880.
 8.   McCaughan, D., Medical Testimony. March 22, 1883.
 9.  Company Descriptive Book/Muster-in-Roll, Muster Rolls, Muster-out Roll, and Returns. July 1863 - August          1865.
10.   Walkinshaw, J.H., History of Disability Form. Feb 22, 1900.
11.   Iowa State Census Collection, 1915.    

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