Benjamin Franklin Williams

Civil WarVeteran's headstone dedication
October 25, 2003

Photos and photo descriptions contributed by Donna Nelson
Benjamin Franklin Williams served as a Civil War private in the 21st Indiana Light Artillery from August 15, 1862, to June 26, 1865.
On Saturday, October 25, 2003, about 50 descendants and friends gathered at Rolling Prairie Cemetery to honor his memory and
dedicate this veteran's headstone. Returning to the Rolling Prairie area after his military service, he married Esther Teeter.
Esther bought 100 peach trees from a traveling salesman and is credited as the founder of the still family-operated Williams Orchard.
Health issues caused by conditions endured during the war continued to plague Benjamin for the remainder of his life and, following a prolonged illness,
he died on March 1st, 1895.

American Flag flying overhead, Civil War re-enactors stand by artillery awaiting the opportunity to salute the memory of a dedicated soldier.

At the October 25, 2003 Veteran's headstone dedication to Benjamin F. Williams, color guards were provided by SUVCW David D. Porter Camp 116,
Gen. Benjamin Pritchard Camp 20, Colegrove-Woodruff Camp 22 and Rolling Prairie Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9423.

Civil War re-enactors of the 9th and 19th Indiana Volunteer Infantry and the 102nd United States Colored Infantry helped to honor the memory of Benjamin F. Williams.

The dedication of the Veteran's headstone for Benjamin F. Williams was conducted by Alan Loomis and Michael Downs, who represented David D. Porter Camp 116,
Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW). Three of Mr. Williams' grandchildren are shown at the stone.
From left to right: Esther Crawford Congdon, Kenneth Williams, and Edna Williams Gothe.

Descendants of Benjamin F. Williams were in attendance at the October 25, 2003 dedication at Rolling Prairie Cemetery.
Front row: Esther Crawford Congdon, Kenneth Williams, Edna Williams Gothe.
Back row: Carol Sult Kujawski (my sister's daughter), Steve Williams (Ken's son); Laurie ----- (Ken's dau), Gerald Gothe, Arlene Gothe
and ----,(unknown). She is either Ken's daughter or his niece, Esther.

Civil War re-enactors stand at-ease during a break in the activities of October 25, 2003 at Rolling Prairie Cemetery.

The 7th and 21st Indiana Light Artillery regiments prepare for cannon salutes at the dedication to Benjamin F. Williams.

Civil War re-enactors of the 7th and 21st Indiana Light Artillery participated in the October 25, 2003 dedication to Benjamin F. Williams.

Civil War re-enactors fire a salute to Private Benjamin Franklin Williams,
who served as a private in the 21st Indiana Light Artillery from Aug. 15, 1862, to June 26, 1865.

Civil War re-enactors of the 7th and 21st Indiana Light Artillery fire one of several salutes at the
October 25, 2003 dedication to Benjamin F. Williams.

As the smoke clears after a cannon volley, soldiers prepare for the next firing of their cannons.

Salutes are fired to honor the memory of LaPorte County Civil War Veteran Benjamin Franklin Williams,
who served as a private in the 21st Indiana Light Artillery from Aug. 15, 1862, to June 26, 1865.

The dense smoke surrounding artillery provides only a glimpse into the conditions on a Civil War battlefield.

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