John Hotaling facts for kids
John Ritter Hotaling (born March 3, 1824 – died October 12, 1886) was an American soldier, engineer, and businessman. He was a brave soldier in the Mexican–American War and later a cavalry officer during the American Civil War. After the wars, Hotaling became the postmaster of Rochelle, Illinois, for 15 years. He then retired and moved his family to Huron, where he passed away in 1886.
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Early Life and Adventures
John Hotaling was born in Sharon, New York, and was the oldest of ten children. His father, Robert, was a farmer. When John was 15, he started learning to be a printer. After about a year and a half, his father let him move to New York City to work in a printing office.
After working for a year, John traveled to Europe. He visited cities like Antwerp and Rotterdam. When he came back to New York, he worked in a wire factory for several years.
Serving in the Mexican-American War
On March 20, 1847, Hotaling joined the New York militia as a dragoon, which was a type of soldier who rode horses and fought on foot. He wanted to serve in the Mexican-American War. Hotaling landed in Veracruz, Mexico, with the army led by General Winfield Scott. They fought their way towards Mexico City. During a fight, he was badly hurt with a cut to his throat. Luckily, another soldier helped him, saving his life. He was discharged from the army on July 21, 1848, when the war ended.
California Gold Rush and Building
In 1849, during the exciting California Gold Rush, Hotaling joined 60 other men on a sea trip to California. Their ship was slow, and they had to stop in Brazil. There, they were even invited to the birthday party of Brazilian Emperor Pedro II! Eight months after starting their journey, they finally reached California. Hotaling lived there for two years before returning to New York.
He married Sophia Waterhouse from Brooklyn. The couple moved West and settled in Lindenwood, Illinois, where they became farmers. In 1852, Hotaling was hired to build a two-mile section of railroad track in Ogle County. In 1855, he built what was said to be the first brick building in Lane, Illinois (now Rochelle). This three-story office building even had an elevator!
Civil War Hero
When the American Civil War began in 1861, Hotaling helped create a company of Union cavalry soldiers. The army recognized this group as Company A, 2nd Illinois Cavalry Regiment. His brother Nick also joined and served with him. Three of Hotaling's other brothers served in different regiments back East.
Hotaling became a captain and was one of the leaders of Company A. He also commanded Company B of the same regiment at different times.
Key Battles and Generals
Union General Grant often used Hotaling's companies in battle because they were very fast and effective. Hotaling's skills also caught the attention of Union General Edward Ord, who chose Hotaling and his men to be his personal escort. Hotaling commanded both companies A and B at the Battle of Fort Donelson. He and Captain Larison led 126 men at the Battle of Shiloh.
On November 19, 1863, Hotaling was promoted to the rank of major. After General Ord was injured, Hotaling and his men became the escort for Union General John A. Logan. General Logan later made Hotaling his personal chief of staff, which meant Hotaling was a very important helper and organizer for the general.
In the summer of 1864, Major Hotaling served under General Logan in the XV Corps during the Battle of Atlanta. As part of the Atlanta forces, Hotaling might have taken part in Sherman's famous march to the sea. However, General Logan had temporarily given command of the XVth Corps to General Oliver Otis Howard after Atlanta, so it's not completely certain. Major Hotaling definitely served under General Logan again in the Carolinas Campaign.
A Respected Leader
People who served with Hotaling thought he was a natural leader. They described him as charming, smart, and friendly. There was talk among the higher-ranking officers about promoting Hotaling to colonel and giving him his own command. However, General Logan liked Hotaling so much as his chief of staff that he didn't want to let him go. Because of this, Hotaling was often passed over for promotions and remained a major until the end of the war.
After the war, at army reunions, General Logan often praised Hotaling's bravery and cleverness. In 1868, General Charles C. Walcott even said that "Our forces owed their success before Atlanta more to him than any other man."
In February 1863, Hotaling received sad news that his first wife, Sophia, had died in Illinois from tuberculosis.
Life After the War
After the war ended, Hotaling retired from the army and returned to Illinois. He married a widow named Carrie Cass on December 9, 1868. In the fall of 1869, Hotaling was elected postmaster of Rochelle, which meant he was in charge of the local post office. He held this job until 1884.
Travels and Retirement
In 1871, Hotaling appointed his wife as temporary postmistress and traveled to Central America. He was interested in a railroad business opportunity there. However, the tropical weather was too difficult for him, and he returned home after six months. In February 1874, perhaps missing his earlier adventures in Brazil and California, Hotaling traveled to South America to explore gold mining. Again, the climate and challenges of the work were too much, and he returned home after only two months. This was his last known trip outside the United States.
In the 1880s, Hotaling bought some land in the Dakota Territory and moved to Huron. He died there in 1886 from a heart attack, at 62 years old. His body was brought back to Rochelle and buried in Lawnridge Cemetery.
His grave is still decorated every Memorial Day. A newspaper article in 2004 suggested that Hotaling might have played a part in creating Memorial Day because he worked so closely with General Logan, who is considered one of the "founding fathers" of the holiday. However, there isn't much clear evidence to support this idea.
John Hotaling had two children with his first wife, Sophia, and one son with his second wife, Carrie.
