The Early Years

Samuel Joseph Churchill was born on 1 Nov 1842 in Hubbardton, Rutland, Vermont, United States, son of Samuel Sumner Churchill (1800–1845) and Mary Richardson (~1803–1862).

Corporal. Samuel Joseph Churchill was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. He received the country's highest award, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Battle of Nashville in Tennessee on 15 Dec 1864. He was honored with the award on 20 Jan 1897. Prior to enlisting in the Union Army, Samuel was described as 5' 7", dark complexion, blue eyes, brown hair. The Lawrence, Kansas Army Reserve Training Center is named in his honor

Samuel's father, Samuel Sumner Churchill died on Thursday, 23 Jan 1845 at the age of 44 years, 1 month, 28 days.

In 1850, Samuel, age eight, resided with his brother-in-law Fayette Holmes, the head of household and Farmer and sister Sylvana “Sylvia” (Lydia) in Hubbardton, Rutland, Vermont, United States. Lydia managed the home and also raised his niece Julia. In addition, his older sisters Alzina (aka Alsina) and Lucinda were also residents in the household.   By 1860, Samuel, age seventeen and Farm Laborer, resided with his brother-in-law Fayette Holmes, the head of household and Farmer and sister Sylvana “Sylvia” in Sudbury, Rutland, Vermont, United States. Lydia managed the home and also raised Julia, Willard and Carrie. In addition, a boarder and servant were also residents in the household.

Samuel's mother, Mary “Polly” Richardson Churchill died on Saturday, 18 Jan 1862 at the age of 58 years, 7 months, 3 days.

The Civil War

Samuel Joseph Churchill a Farmer and resident of Dekalb County, Illinois, enlisted in the Union Army for three years as a Private on 6 Aug 1861. On 5 Oct 1861, he was assigned to Battery G, 2nd Regiment, Illinois Light Artillery.

During his furlough, Samuel, age twenty-one married Adelia Holmes, age twenty daughter of Plinny Holms & Holms, on 4 May 1864 in Sudbury, Rutland, Vermont, United States. They had five known children:  Adelia May Churchill Sloan (1 Jun 1867-30 Dec 1947), Frank Holmes Churchill (28 Sep 1868-18 Jan 1891), Estelle Maude Churchill (26 Feb 1870-9 Aug 1870), Winifred Grace Churchill Owen (23 Jul 1873-Sep 1967), Lena Blanche Churchill (12 Oct 1874-8 Jul 1898).

On 15 Apr 1864, Private Churchill reinlisted and was mustered out on 4 Sep 1865 at Springfield, Sangamon, Illinois. Prior to 1865, Private Churchill was promoted twice to Corporal, shortly after his marriage in 4 May 1864 and Quarter Master Sergeant.

After the Civil War, Corporal Samuel Joseph Churchill resided in Lee's Summit, Missouri and then Lawrence, Kansas.Kansas and died on 3 Jun 1932 and was interred in Oak Hill Cemetery, Lawrence, Kansas.

Civil War Engagements with the Battery G, 2nd Illinois Light Artillery Regiment (Organized: Springfield, Illinois, United States on 31 Dec 1861; Mustered out: 4 Sep 1865):

Siege of Vicksburg, 18 May-4 Jul 1863, Warren County, Mississippi, United States, Union Victory

Battle of Tupelo, (aka Battle of Harrisburg), 14-15 Jul 1864, Near Tupelo, Mississippi, United States, Union Victory

Battle of Nashville, 8 Jun 1864-25 Mar 1865, Nashville, Tennessee,, United States, Union victory, End of the Army of Tennessee as an effective fighting force

Battle of Spanish Fort, 27 Mar-8 Apr 1865, Baldwin County, Alabama, United States, Union victory

Battle of Fort Blakeley, 2-9 Apr 1865, Baldwin County, Alabama, United States, Union victory, Fort Blakeley surrendered to the U.S.

Corporal Samuel Joseph Churchill fought in the American Civil War and received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the assault at the Battle of Nashville in Tennessee on 15 Dec 1864, United States, while serving with Battery G, 2nd Illinois Light Artillery Regiment.

President Grover Cleveland of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, took pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Corporal Samuel Joseph Churchill, United States Army, on 20 Jan 1897 for gallantry in action at the Battle of Nashville in Tennessee, United States on 15 Dec 1864. When the fire of the enemy’s batteries compelled the men of his detachment for a short time to seek shelter, Corporal Churchill stood manfully at his post and for some minutes worked his gun alone.

Later Years

As of 1870, Samuel, age twenty-seven the head of household and a Farmer, resided with his wife of six years, Adelia in Jackson County, Missouri, United States. Adelia managed the home and raised Mary A., Frank H. and Estella W. (aka Estela). The real estate value was $5000 and the personal estate value was $1200.   Samuel was a settler and resident of Lawrence County, Kansas, United States.

By 1880, Samuel was remarried to his second wife Louana A. Grant Churchill for one year.

Samuel, age twenty-seven (closer to thirty-seven) the head of household and a Farmer, resided with his wife of one year, Louana (aka Lu) on New Hemphill Street in Lawrence, Douglas, Kansas, United States in 1880. Lu managed the home and raised her stepchhildren Mary A., Frank H. and Winnie.   Samuel was in a pension record in 1890 in Kansas, United States.   In 1895 Samuel, age fifty-two the head of household and a Farmer, resided with his wife of sixteen years, Louana (aka Ian) in Douglas, Kansas, United States. Ian managed the home and his adult daughter Winifred (aka Winefred) and two boarders also resided in the household.

As of 1900 Samuel, age fifty-seven the head of household and a Clerk, City Won Oils employee, resided with his wife of twenty-one years, Louana in Lawrence, Douglas, Kansas. Louana managed the home, they were empty nesters but the household did have one boarder. The census indicates that Luana did not give birth to any children.   In 1901, Churchill wrote Genealogy and Biography of the Connecticut Branch of the Churchill Family in America in which he recounts his Civil War experiences.

Samuel was in a pension record in 1907-1933 in United States.   Samuel, age sixty-seven the head of household and a Bookkeeper, resided with his wife of thirty-one years, Louana (aka Loana) on Ohio Street in Lawrence, Douglas, Kansas in 1910. Loana managed the home and the household also included Samuel's sister-in-law Amelia Grant Nichols and three boarders. The census indicates that Loana has four children, two still living, these would be her stepchildren, but I show three died before 1900.

Samuel's second wife of thirty-five years, Louana A. Grant Churchill died on Thursday, 18 Jun 1914 at the age of 70 years, 3 months, 23 days. They had been married for thirty-five years.

In 1915, Samuel married his third wife, Laura E. Engle at noon on Thursday, 16 Sep 1915 at her parent's home. Samuel's nephew Rev. Ralph Owen officiated the ceremony. After a honeymoon to California, they will make their home at 147 East Twenty-Third Street, Lawrence, Kansas.

Samuel (aka Daniel J.), age seventy-seven the head of household and a Bookkeeper, resided with his wife of five years, Laura on 147 East Twenty-Third Street, Lawrence, Kansas in 1920. Laura managed the home and the couple were empty nesters.   In 1925 Samuel, age eighty was the head of household and resided with his wife of ten years, Laura in Lawrence, Douglas, Kansas. Laura managed the home and the couple were empty nesters.   Samuel, age eighty-seven was the head of household and resided with his wife of fifteen years, on 147 East Twenty-Third Street, Lawrence, Kansas in 1930. Laura managed the home and his sister-in-law Ella M. Engle was also a resident of the household.

In accordance to military tradition, service members salute Medal of Honor recipients, regardless of rank. This is a matter of respect for the recipients' sacrifices and is not required by law. Department of Defense Saluting MOH Recipients. In addition, MOH Recipients receive special benefits: 1. A Monthly Pension and Special Retirement Pay; 2. Uniform Allowances; 3. On-Base Parking Spots; 4. Priority Space-A Travel; 5. Invitations to Presidential Inaugurals; 6. Academy Appointments for Dependents; 7. A Medal of Honor Flag; 8. Full Military Burial Honors Military Times, Special Benefits for MOH Recipients.

Death and Burial

Medal of Honor Recipient Corporal Samuel Joseph Churchill died at his home on Friday, 3 Jun 1932 at the age of 89 years, 7 months, 2 days in Lawrence, Douglas County, Kansas, United States due to an attack of heart disease. Corporal churchill was commemorated and interred at Oak Hill Cemetery, Lawrence, Douglas County, Kansas, United States on 5 Jun 1932.