Edward W. Serrell facts for kids
Edward Wellman Serrell (born November 5, 1826 – died April 25, 1906) was a talented civil engineer in the mid-1800s. He was known for designing and building railroads and bridges. During the American Civil War, he became a colonel in the Union Army. He even helped create a special engineer regiment from New York State. Later, he was honored as a brigadier general. One of his most famous achievements during the war was his work on the "Marsh Battery" during the Second Battle of Charleston Harbor.
Contents
Biography
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Early Life and Education
Edward Serrell was born in London, England, on November 5, 1826. He was one of eleven children. His family moved to New York City in 1831. Edward went to school there and later learned civil engineering from his father and older brother. In 1848, he married Jane Pound, and they had four children together.
Engineering Career Before the War
Before the Civil War, Serrell worked on many important railroad and bridge projects. He helped survey the route for the Erie Railroad. He also worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Topographical Engineers.
In 1848, he helped plan the railroad route across Panama. He also managed surveys for the Northern Railroad in New Hampshire. For a time, he was the engineer for the Central Railroad of New Jersey.
Serrell designed and oversaw the building of a suspension bridge over the Niagara River in 1850. He also supervised a bridge in Saint John, New Brunswick. He planned a bridge over the St. Lawrence River in Quebec. Later, he was involved with the Hoosac Tunnel (1858). He also worked on the Bristol Bridge in England, which had one of the longest spans at the time. He even contributed to the Union Pacific Railroad.
Civil War Contributions
During the Civil War, Colonel Serrell took part in 126 battles and actions. He was the chief engineer for the Department of the South. Later, he became the chief engineer for the 10th Corps and the Army of the James. He was even made chief of staff for that army. Because of his great work, he was honored as a brigadier general.
Serrell also invented many useful things during the war. These included long wire, armor plate, quick gun carriages, and iron viaducts.
After the War
After the war, Serrell continued his engineering work. He wrote many reports about railroads and canals. He was a consultant for many companies. He was also the president of the Washington County Railroad. He even thought about building a canal between the oceans from San Blas to Pearl Island Harbor. He was a consulting engineer for the American Isthmus Ship Canal Company.
In 1879, during the building of the famous Brooklyn Bridge, Serrell was asked to check its plans. He told a committee that the bridge's strength calculations might not be correct. He also worried about how strong winds might affect the bridge and people walking on it.
He was an honorary pallbearer at the funeral of President Ulysses S. Grant. Serrell even sketched his own idea for a flying machine!
Later Life and Family
One of his daughters, Josephine, married Robert Powell Page Wainwright. He was a U.S. Army cavalry officer. They had three children, including Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright IV. Jonathan became a famous general in World War II. Fort Wainwright in Alaska is named after him.
Another daughter, Harriette, married Clarence Deems in 1876. He was a graduate of West Point. Harriette died in 1885, but her son, Clarence Jr., also graduated from West Point in 1900.
Serrell's first wife, Jane, died in 1896. In 1900, he married Marion Seaton Roorbach, a longtime family friend. He was very ill at the time, but he recovered enough to move to her home on Staten Island. Marion died in 1904.
Death
Edward Wellman Serrell died on April 25, 1906. He passed away in Rossville, Staten Island, New York. He is buried at the Saint Luke's Cemetery in Rossville, New York.
