Thomas Yates
My gr-gr-grandfather, Thomas Yates, is buried in Bridges Cemetery. He was a Union civil war veteran, serving in Co E, 31st IL Inf. He was awarded a 17th Army Corps Gold Medal of Honor (not the Congressional MOH) for action on 22 Jul 1864 in the battle of Atlanta.
His grave was marked with an older Veteran's Administration issue headstone that was very, very badly worn and barely legible. This older headstone was manufactured by Vermont Marble Company, Proctor, Vermont, under contract dated June 28, 1897. The form issuing the headstone states that he died on Nov 13, 1896. However, the original issuing form states that the cemetery was in Samoth, Illinois, which I understand is in Illinois. I don't know whether he was originally buried there, and then moved to Bridges Cemetery. Regardless, moved or not, the headstone was last year in Bridges Cemetery. Possibly Samoth was a delivery point only for the headstone?
I obtained a new VA Union civil war type headstone from the VA. It included his name, rank, unit, year of birth, and exact date of death. I had the prestigious "Gold Medal of Honor" added to the headstone. I removed the old stone, and replaced it with the new.
He lived in the Belknap community at the time of his death. Survived by wife Mary and some children. Would very much like to learn where Mary is buried and any information on any surviving descendents.
Thanks,