James Wesley Kays, L112, is the son of: William Kays, b. Apr. 11, 1804 KY, d. Mar. 30, 1891, Knox Co., IL, & Elizabeth Bracken, b. 1810 KY, d. Jan. 5, 1871, Knox Co., IL And the grandson of: William Kays, b. Apr. 30, 1781, PA, d. Abt. Mar. 1865, Putnam Co., IL, & Jane BEATTY, b. Dec. 27, 1774, PA, d. Apr. 24, 1854, Putnam Co., IL Civil War Pension of James Wesley Kays (Certificate #102,068 and #79, 719) James W. Kays of Abingdon, Knox Co., Illinois, applied for an Invalid pension on February 7, 1866. James W. Kays, 34 years old, a resident of Cedar Twp., Knox Co., appeared before a clerk of the County Court and declared that he was a Captain in Company "K" commanded by himself in the 55th Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, commanded by Colonel Charles Andrews. He volunteered at Abingdon, in the State of Illinois, on or about the 22nd day of October, 1861, for the term of three years. He was honorably discharged at Little Rock, Arkansas, on the 14th day of August 1865. While in service and in the line of his duty he contracted diarrhea near Savannah, Georgia, on or about the 18th day of January 1865, which became chronic, reducing him in flesh, leaving him quite weak and unable to do manual labor. He reenlisted at Larkins Landing, Alabama, March 31, 1864. He was commissioned Captain May 19, 1865. He appointed Jacob Stewart of Galesburg, IL, as his attorney to prosecute his claim. Alexander Ewing and W. H. Burnaugh, residents of Knox Co., IL, testified that they were personally acquainted with James W. Kays and to the veracity of his claim. March 27, 1867, the Adjutant General's Office, Washington, D. C., acknowledges receipt of application for Pension No. 102,068 and states that "It appears from the Rolls on file in the Office, that James W. Kays was enrolled on the 31st day of Mar, 1864, at Larkin Landing, Ala, in Co. "K", 55th Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, to serve three years, or during the war, and mustered into service as a Veteran from the 31st day of March 1864, at Larkinsville, Ala, in Co. "K", 55th Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, to serve three years, or during the war. On the Muster Roll of Co. "K" of that Regiment, for the months of May & June 1864, he is reported Sergt "Absent, wounded June 27/64. Muster roll for Jan'y & Feb'y 65 report him Sergt. "Present." Muster out roll dated Aug 14/65 reports him "Captain" Present at Muster out. Promoted as Captain June 1/65." Edward Breck, Assistant Adjutant General March 23, 1876, Knox Co., Illinois, "Wm. D. Lomax being first duly sworn on oath says he is a resident of Knox County Illinois, and was late 2nd Lieut. Co. K 55 Regt. Illinois Inft. Vols. And is well acquainted with James W. Kays who was a member of said Co. and Regt. That said Kays was wounded through the left thigh at the battle of Kennesaw Mountain on June 27, 1864, by a musket ball. That his knowledge of this fact is derived from being present, at the time, and being wounded at the same time, thinks by the same ball that passed through the leg of said Kays. He further says that he is not interested in his application for a pension." William D. Lomax, Late 2nd Lieut. Co. K 55 Ill Vol August 29, 1876, the Adjutant General's Office, Washington, D. C., acknowledges receipt of application for Pension No. 79,719, and states that "It appears from the Rolls on file in this Office that James W. Kays was enrolled on the 22 day of Oct. 1861, at Abingdon, in Co. K, 55 Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, to serve 3 years or during the war, and mustered into service as a Corporal on the 31 day of Oct. 1861, at Chicago, in Co. K, 55 Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, to serve 3 years, or during the war. He reenlisted March 31, 1864. Roll for May & June, 1864, reports him Sergeant - absent wounded since June 17, 1864. (Regt. Being in action at Kennesaw Mountain, Ga., on that date.) Mustered out with Company Aug. 14/65 as Captain." S. W. Benjamin, Assistant Adjutant General January 11, 1878, the War Department, Surgeon General's Office, reports that "It appears from the records filed in the Office, that Sergt. James Hays or Kays, Co. K, 55th Ills. Vols., was in Field Hospl. 2d Div. 15th A.C. (date admitted not stated) with G.S.W. left thigh, flesh, rec'd in action at Kenesaw Mt., near Big Shanty, Ga, June 27, '64, & sent to G.H." J. J. Woodward, Surgeon, U. S. Army October 26, 1898, James W. Kays states that he is married to Sabina Kays. Her maiden name is Sabina Reed. He was married on the 14th of August 1864 by Rev. Benjamin Bradberry, and the record of his marriage is on record at the Knox county seat. He states he was not previously married. His living children are James Reed Kays born March 6, 1868 and Fannie S. Kays born Dec. 2, 1871. On his May 22, 1912 Declaration for Pension, James W. Kays declares he is 80 years of age and a resident of Abingdon, County of Knox, State of Illinois. He was enrolled at Abingdon, IL on Oct. 22, 1861 as a Corporal in Co. K, 55 Reg., Ill Inft. Vol. in the Civil War, and was honorably discharged at Little Rock, Ark., Aug. 14th, 1865. He describes himself at time of enlistment as 5 feet 10 inches tall, florid complexion, gray eyes, and dark hair. His occupation was farmer, and he was born November 17, 1831, at Putnam Co., Indiana. He has resided at Cedar Township, Knox Co., IL, and Abingdon, IL. March 16, 1915, Dr. C. E. Weir of Abingdon, Knox Co., IL, attests that he is a Physician & Surgeon, and that he is acquainted with and has attended in a professional capacity, J. W. Kays of Abingdon, Illinois, Pensioner under Certificate #79,719, Co. K, Ill. Inf.; that the said J. W. Kays by reason of the disabilities for which pensioned, gunshot wound of left thigh, varicose veins of left leg, rheumatism and resulting disease of heart, and as a further result of the conditions of the heart, and independent of all other causes, said J. W. Kays has suffered a stroke of paralysis of the right side, which has rendered him so helpless as to require the constant attendance of another person. March 18, 1915, Fannie S. Kays of Abingdon, Knox Co., IL, attests that she is a housekeeper, and that since the 16th of September, 1914, she has been the attendant for Mr. J. W. Kays, Pensioner under Cert. #79,719, that the said J. W. Kays has required and received her aid in dressing and undressing, and in being assisted to and from his bed at morning and evening and at numerous times during each night at times of bowel movements, that the said aid still continues and that this affiant is at all times in attendance upon the said J. W. Kays. July 23, 1917, James W. Kays was dropped from the pension roll because of his death on May 20, 1917. 1900 Cedar Twp., Knox Co., IL KAYS, James W. Nov 1831 68 M35 IN KY KY farmer ....Sabine wife May 1832 68 M35 6/5 IN VA SCOT ....Fanny S. dau Dec 1871 28 S IL IN IN Georgia Minklein, L112