March 12th Conrad Shares Newton County Civil War History with Kentland Rotary

Kyle Conrad shared his passion for Civil War history with the Rotary at Kentland’s March 5^th noon luncheon meeting.  Mr. Conrad reviewed the commitment of Newton County to the war effort. A total of 249 men served from Newton County served in the war. Newton County was formed in 1860 and these 249 men represented almost 10 per cent of the county’s population.   Troops from Newton County served in several regiments with the most notable being Company B of the 51st Indiana, Company B was made up entirely here in the county and mostly of Newton County men. This group was formed by John Ade and met at the Brook School located on the current site of the Brook Iroquois Library. 

Many of these soldiers were not buried in Newton County but many were returned here or died while living in Newton County.  Kyle shared stories of connecting different bits of information that confirmed locations of these Veterans.  Record keeping in past times was sketchy and often funeral records for another person give a clue.  There may be a name of a soldier but no burial record.  However a later burial record may indicate that a known person was buried next to her brother thus matching the name of a soldier that served in the Civil War.  Mr. Conrad has worked to receive a grant to mark all G.A.R (Grand Army of the Republic) in Newton County.  More information can be found at the Newton County Historical Center in Kentland.  Mr. Conrad was the guest of Tim Lohr.