Arno Voss facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Arno Voss
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| Born | April 16, 1821 Rahden, Prussia |
| Died | March 23, 1888 (aged 66) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Buried |
Waldheim Cemetery
Forest Park, Illinois, U.S. |
| Allegiance |  United States (Union) |
| Service/ |
 U.S. Army (Union Army) |
| Years of service | 1861–1864 |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Unit | 12th Illinois Cavalry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Arno Voss (born April 16, 1821 – died March 23, 1888) was an important German American figure. He was a military leader, a lawyer, and a politician. Voss studied law in Ohio. Later, he moved to Chicago, Illinois to work as a newspaper editor. He then started his own law business there.
In 1862, Arno Voss became a colonel in the 12th Illinois Cavalry. He led this group of soldiers until 1864. After the Civil War ended, Voss went back to being a lawyer. He also served one term in the Illinois House of Representatives, which is part of the state government.
Contents
Who Was Arno Voss?
Arno Voss was born in Rahden, Prussia (now part of Germany) on April 16, 1821. He got married in Germany, but he and his wife did not have children. When he was a young man, he moved to the United States. He settled in Lancaster, Ohio, where he became a lawyer.
His Career in Chicago
Voss moved to Chicago, Illinois in 1848. He became the editor of a German-language newspaper called Illinois Staats-Zeitung. The next year, he opened his own law practice.
He also joined a citizen soldier group in Chicago. This group was part of the Illinois State Militia. In 1852, Voss was elected as the Chicago City Attorney. He was re-elected for this job the next year. By 1854, Voss was an adjutant (a military assistant) in a new regiment. He was still in this role when the Civil War began.
Serving in the Civil War
On September 4, 1861, Voss became a major in the 6th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Cavalry. On February 1, 1862, he helped create the 12th Illinois Cavalry. He even closed his law firm to focus completely on this new group of soldiers.
His regiment was sent to Virginia as part of the Peninsula Campaign. They were involved in the difficult Battle of Harpers Ferry. During this battle, Voss led two thousand cavalry soldiers. He helped create a way for his regiment to escape.
His group then met up again in Greencastle, Pennsylvania. They joined the Army of the Potomac in time for the Battle of Antietam. Voss's regiment also saw action at the Battle of Gettysburg. They were also part of Stoneman's 1863 Raid. In early 1864, Colonel Voss had to leave the army because he was not well.
Later Life and Death
After leaving the army, Voss spent a few years getting better. He lived on his farm in Will County, Illinois. In 1869, he went back to Chicago and started his law practice again.
In 1876, he was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives. He was a member of the Democratic Party. He served one term, which lasted two years. On December 1, 1880, he was named a master of chancery. This was a special legal role in the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Arno Voss died at his home on March 23, 1888. He had suffered a stroke earlier that day. He was buried in Waldheim Cemetery. After his death, President Grover Cleveland signed a bill. This bill gave money to Voss's widow because a trunk was lost during the war.
Images for kids
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Voss's grave at Forest Home Cemetery
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