Colonel William C. Kise

COLONEL WM. C. KISE.

Wm. C. Kise was born in Fayette County, Kentucky, January 30, 1815. In the year 1821 he came with his parents to Indianapolis, where they remained one year; again moving to Hendricks County, remaining there until the Mexican War broke out in 1846, when he enlisted first as a private in the First Regiment under the late J. P. Drake, serving one year. During the remainder of the war he served as a commissioned officer under Gen. J. H. Lane. At the close of the war in 1848 he returned to Hendricks County, where he remained only a short time when he came to Boone County. Soon after his arrival he was elected County Clerk, in which capacity he served eight years. In 1860 he was one of the presidential electors of Douglas and Johnson. When the late war broke out in 1861 he again buckled on his armor, raised a company of young men for the three months’ service and was elected as captain. His company formed a part of the 10th Indiana Volunteers, which took such a gallant part in the “Rich Mountain” battle. After the three months were out the regiment re-organized for three years, when he was commissioned as Lieut-Colonel by Governor Morton; was soon after promoted to Colonel, in which capacity he served until he was, on the 17th of November, 1862, honorably discharged. He was in command of his regiment at the battles of Mill Springs, Perryville, and Corinth. After his return to Lebanon his health having improved, he organized the 116th Indiana Regiment and was commissioned Colonel, and again entered the service, serving six months, participating in several battles and skirmishes. Mr. Kise was a war Democrat, and as such went to the front when his country called, always ready to defend the flag he loved so well, serving all along the line from private to General. After the war was over and peace once more smiled he returned home, where he was loved and honored as well as in the field. He is the father of the late Reuben C. Kise and J. W. Kise, of Lebanon. He died September 10, 1884, and was buried at the new cemetery in Lebanon.

Source: "Early Life and Times in Boone County, Indiana," Harden & Spahr, Lebanon, Ind., May, 1887, pp. 315-316
Transcribed by: Julie S. Townsend - June 28, 2007