Civil War discharge papers of William Rude of Blanchester. William was one of four Rude brothers who fought for the Union in the Civil War. He and his brother Nicholas survived the war and returned to Blanchester. Their brothers Lewis and Felix died in the war.
William and Nicholas are buried in the Garrison Corner cemetery in Blanchester. Because their bodies were never returned to Ohio, Felix and Lewis are honored by a cenotaph at Garrison Corner near their brothers.
WILLIAM RUDE, farmer, P. O. Blanchester, son of Peter and Nancy (Abbott) Rude, was born on the farm where he now lives, August 31, 1836. He was reared on the farm, and was married in August, 1857, to Esther A., daughter of Asahel and Eliza J. Shull, born in this township, near their present home. They have five children-Peter, Felix, Emeline, Nancy and Mattie.
In 1864, Mr. Rude enlisted at Hillsboro in Company I, One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. Wolf, of Wilmington, and served eleven months. He was wounded at the battle of Franklin, while conducting prisoners from the field. He was discharged at Nashville, Tenn., and returned to Marion Township. In 1875, he bought the homestead of 150 acres, 100 of which are under cultivation.
Source: The History Of Clinton County. W. H. BEERS & CO. 1882.
