Nathan H. Lake, Belle Plaine, Shawano County, Wisconsin, and a member of the G.A.R. Post No. 81, was born June 30, 1847, in Granville, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, and he was a resident of that town until he became a soldier. He is the son of Jesse and Rebecca (Taylor) Lake, and both his parents are dead.

Four of his brothers were in the United State service in the Civil War. Benjamin enlisted in Company C 14th Wisconsin, and after fighting the war, died at St. Louis. Boyd Lake enlisted in Company H, 32nd Wisconsin Infantry, and died after the war in Milwaukee. Marion is a resident of Missouri and John lives in Dakota. They enlisted respectively in Company G, 14th Wisconsin.

A sister of Mr. Lake, Eliza, is the widow of George Snyder. Caroline is widow of Nathan Wheeler and lives in Dakota. Laura T. married John Trentlage, of Fond Du Lac County, who is postmaster at Waucousta.

Mr. Lake enlisted in February, 1864 at Milwaukee, for 100 days in Company F, 41st Wisconsin Infantry, and was discharged at Milwaukee. He accompanied the command to Memphis and was at that place when Forrest made his midnight raid and performed guard duty in protecting the lives and property of pretended Unionists who possessed the sort of bravery which incited them to shoot men unawares.

After his return to Milwaukee, Mr. Lake enlisted in Company A, 51st Wisconsin Infantry for one year or during the war. The companies were forwarded to St. Louis, where they were stationed when the events transpired which closed the war, and Mr. Lake was engaged in guarding the construction forces on the Pacific Railroad until August, when he was mustered out.

When he returned to Wisconsin, he came to Milwaukee and thence went to Fond du Lac which was his home until 1877 when he located on his farm in Shawano County.

In 1867 he was married to Ella Hull, of Ashford, Fond Du Lac County and five of their seven children are living. They are named Minnie, Jesse, Clara, Boyd, and Daisy. Those deceased were named Marion and Alice. Mr. Lake is a substantial farmer of Shawano County.

About 1925, he moved to Waupaca, where he died on 29 Apr 1941 at the age of 94. He was buried at Woodlawn cemetery.

Information Sources:
Shawano County Family History Center
Biographical Sketches Soldiers Album
Shawano County Journal, 6 May 1941
Rootsweb.com

Researched and submitted by Bro. Vince Barker

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