All in the Family – Civil War Veterans – Hillside Cemetery, Edwards, Kansas

Cpl. George W. Watson and Pvt. William H. Morrison both served in the Indiana Infantry. They were also brothers-in-law who brought their families to Kansas in the late 1860s.

George W. Watson was born in Huntington County, Indiana on July 29, 1844. When the “War of Rebellion” broke out, “He enlisted in Co. K, 33rd IN Infantry August 1861, and served until June 1865, being wounded and taken prisoner at the battle of Spring Hill, Tennessee, March 3, 1863, and held prisoner three months before an exchange was made. He was again wounded at the battle of New Hope Church, in Georgia, during the Atlanta campaign.”1

William H. Morrison was born in Indiana on January 31, 1833. He enlisted in Co. E 86th IN Infantry. After the war, William returned to Indiana and married Eunice Watson, the sister of George W. Watson. The two were wed in 1856. They had no children.

George W. married Charity Thrapp in 1866. They were the parents of five children.

Both men brought their families to Alma, Wabaunsee County, Kansas in 1867. They resided there until 1900 when they relocated to Edwards County, Kansas.

While living in Alma, William and Eunice adopted two little children. They belonged to William’s sister. Their graves are in the Alma City Cemetery. William passed away on January 25, 1908, and Eunice died in November. They share the same stone in Hillside Cemetery.

George W. divorced Charity before coming to Kinsley. He passed away on January 6, 1912 and is buried at Hillside Cemetery.

1 Cutler’s History of Kansas – Shawnee County - 1883