The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has an interesting story on a South Milwaukeean’s personal tie to the Civil War — and the renewed interest in the war 150 years after it began.
Check out the story here. From it:
The shadow box containing an old tintype photo and medal hung on the wall of Bill Doan’s family home for as long as he can remember.
The soldier who posed for the photo and what he did to earn the medal were unknown to Doan, of South Milwaukee, until a few years ago. That’s when Doan learned the medal wasn’t just any decoration for valor, it was a Medal of Honor that had been conferred on his ancestor by Abraham Lincoln a few days before the president was assassinated.
That set Doan on a quest to learn more and ultimately join a Wisconsin chapter of Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.
“It kind of went from something hanging on the wall to maybe I should be doing something with this,” said Doan, 58. “My belief is this is American history, and I think it should be shared.”
Do you have a family or other tie to the Civil War? I’d like to hear about it. Post your comments below!
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