By Gari Voss
Private David Silence of Civil War Co. I 102 USCI was honored during a gravestone dedication at Oakwood Cemetery in Allegan on Sunday, October 8, 2023. The dedication was sponsored by the Friends of Allegan’s Oakwood Cemetery and the Gen. Benjamin Pritchard Camp 20, Department of Michigan Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.
A gravestone dedication formally places a marble headstone at a veteran’s grave. Pvt. Silence’s dedication began with the gathering of members of Gen. Benejamin Pritchard Camp 20, Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War, a Color Guard from the Hopkins Future Farmers of America, members of the Friends of Allegan’s Oakwood Cemetery, and other visitors.
The dedication ceremony began with the arrival of the watcher who placed a rifle against the headstone. Other representatives offered floral wreaths before a pine bough, rose and vine wreath were added. The final offering was a flag of the United States.
After a gun salute and taps, a bell was tolled six times in memory of the 600,000 who lost their lives in this bloody war on U.S. soil.
Private Silence was a respected member of the Allegan community. Born April 16, 1828, Silence hailed from Vincennes, Knox County, Indiana. After marrying Catherine Cox on Sept. 23, 1852, in Tippecanoe, IN, the couple had children Isaac and Harriet. They left their families in IN and moved to Michigan as the Civil War was beginning.
July 24, 1863, Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton requested that all men of color support the war effort. While researching this summons, it was discovered that “to these troops no bounty will be paid. They will receive ten dollars per month, with one ration per day, three dollars of which monthly pay will be deducted for clothing; these troops will be commanded by white officers.”
Originally called the First Michigan Colored Regiment, the name was changed on August 12, 1863, to the 102nd United States Colored Troops (USCT) by then Governor of Michigan Austin Blair. It was this regiment that Silence joined on January 19, 1864, in Fillmore Township, Allegan County when he was 35 years old. On January 29th of that year, he was mustered into the service with 894 other men of color.
The 102nd successfully proved themselves as they engaged the Confederate troops in ten engagements during their march through South Carolina, eastern Georgia, and Florida. On Sept. 30, 1865, Silence mustered out of the Union Army and returned to Detroit with his unit; leaving 150 men behind who had succumbed to disease or injuries.
The 1870 Census found the Silence family living in Battle Creek, MI where David was a barber. The 1880 Census found them in Allegan.
Research discovered that Silence continued using his barber skills, but also was a laborer for the village and appeared to be highly respected. “In 1985, he was elected as a delegate to the Republican county convention alongside Lyman Lilly, Edwy Reid, D.C. Henderson and others. That same year, he was appointed a member of the committee for the organization of the 1896 reunion of the First Michigan Colored Infantry.”
David’s respect grew from the caring he and Catherine gave to family and friends. When he died on October 21, 1908, at the age of 80, his obituary read, “an orderly, industrious and honest man, he was esteemed highly by those who knew him.”
These gravestone dedications require an extreme amount of time and planning beginning with identifying a Civil War veteran then digging into the research. Uncovering the story of an individual who lived 150 years ago can be daunting. Then there is the organizing of the celebration. Special thanks go to Commander Len Sheaffer, Patriotic Instructor Comer Skinner and Chaplain Bill Brennan of the Gen. Benjamin Pritchard Camp 20, and to Sisters Patti Townsend and Liz Grossman of the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War Cornelia Stockbridge Shelton Tent 58.
Also, thanks to the Hopkins FFA Honor Guard under the direction of Harry Kiraly, and Amanda Strickfaden who provided the pageantry and colors. Special thanks go to Zaynee Miller, Pastor Jon Gruss, Dr. Peter Savage, Tarra Fitzhugh, Alex David, and Company W 14th Michigan Inf. SVR.
For more information on the Sons or Daughters of the Civil War Veterans, go to https://suvcwmi.org/.