This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Pokett / Beckstead Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/ok.2ADE/4278 Message Board Post: I have the civil war file for Ezra Pokett. I also found out that he is buried at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis. A copy of his death certificate is attached. Ezra Pokett, was the third of seven children born to Paul Pokett (1814) and Mary L. (Beckstead) Pokett, in Nauvoo, Hancock Co., IL on November 8, 1847. He was married twice. Ezra married his first wife, Beaulah Gear, in Iowa in 1875 who died in 1881. His second wife was Amy Townsend whom he married Nov. 1, 1885 in Lyons County, Iowa. Ezra and Amy had seven children, five of whom were still living in 1900. The children listed on that Census are: Hazel b: Dec. 10, 1888 in Iowa Cecil b: Jul 1891 in Minnesota Grace b: Apr 1893 in Minnesota Vernie b: Feb 1895 in Minnesota married Arthur Skyberg in 1917 Malissa b: Mar 1898 in Minnesota They had another child, Gladys, who probably wasn’t born when that Census was taken. Ezra was a Union soldier in the Civil War. Ezra was in the 4th Independent Battery Iowa Light Artillary; Captain Van Sant's Mounted Riflemen, Company "F", 5th Missouri State Militia Cavalry. He enlisted at Rock Port, Missouri on March 13, 1862 at the age of 15 years. That unit organized at St. Joseph, Missouri, March and April, 1862. It was attached to District of Central Missouri, Dept. of Missouri, to February, 1863. He deserted on May 13, 1863, however, these charges were afterwards removed and he was discharged on May 13, 1863. On July 9, 1863 he re-enlisted in the 4th Independent Battery Iowa Light Artillery where he served as a Private. He was given a discharge on July 14, 1865 while in confinement at Fort Jefferson, Florida. That date is when his unit mustered out. His name was spelled Pokett on the US Veterans Schedule, but the site I looked at has his name spelled Poquette. The website: http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/soldiers.htm Ezra died July 29, 1931 at the Minneapolis Soldier’s Home at the age of 83 years 8 months. The Minnesota legislature authorized the establishment of the Minnesota Soldiers' Home in 1887, as a "reward to the brave and deserving." http://www.mvh.state.mn.us/historytf.html He was buried on August 1, 1931 at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis, site id B24-10-16. On other Pokett's, I received a photo of Simon Pokett and of Myrtle Mary Pokett that one of my relatives found in her mother's things. See attached phot of Simon and Mert. I've come to a standstill tracing Paul Pokett (b 1814) back through Canada and his line to France. If anyone has any idea's on that, I could use the advice. Paul's wife Mary Beckstead has been relatively easy to trace. I have lots of stuff on other Pokett family members if anyone is interested.