Charles F. Hubert
- The most famous resident of Fowler, Illinois was probably Mr. Charles
Flanders Hubert. Mr. Hubert lived most of his life in Adams County, and
most of his life in the county was spent in Fowler, where he was a merchant
and postmaster. I believe Charles Hubert was responsible for building both
the Schulte house on the highway (which he used as a general store), and
the old print shop, which served as the post office and print shop. Later
his store was consolidated with the post office in the print shop building.
- The reason for Mr. Hubert's fame dates to his involvement in the Civil
War and the book he wrote about it. Charles Hubert was a great patriot
who participated in the march across the South at the end of the Civil
War. His book on his actions in the war can be found in many libraries.
- Mrs. Pete Miller of Clinton, MO has been kind enough to send me a considerable
amount of information about Charles Hubert, and I am happy to share it
here with all of you. The descriptions below are from several pieces of
information written both by and about Mr. and Mrs. Hubert during their
life in Fowler. The text in parentheses that follows is my own.
- Adjutant Charles F. Hubert
- (The biographical sketch of Charles Hubert that follows is contained
in his book, History of the Fiftieth Regiment: Illinois Volunteer Infantry
in the War of the Union)
- The subject of this sketch was born in Beverly, Mass., January 9, 1843.
When 13 years of age removed with his parents to Beverly, Adams county,
Ills., and became a farmer, receiving a limited education at the district
school. Was of slender build and delicate health. At the first sound of
war was ready and early endeavored to enlist with Captain Harvey, afterwards
Governor of Kansas, but was rejected on account of his frail appearance.
- A few weeks later, Sept. 25, '61, aged 18 years and 8 months, found
him a soldier in the part of company D that was recruited by H.C. Cusick.
Served with the company in all its moves; at Corinth was slightly wounded
by a splinter knocked from a tree by a shell fired by the guns of battery
B, while in the charge of the 52nd Illinois to retake them; was rendered
nearly deaf by the roar of the artillery.
- In November was detailed as Headquarters Orderly, serving as such until
the 20th of September, '64, when he was assigned to duty as Seargeant major;
Seargeant Major James DeVany having been detailed to recruit a copany for
the 1st Alabama cavalry. Served as Acting Sergeant Major until May 22nd,
'65, when he received his appointment; this would have been issued before
had it not been for the fact of the command starting out on the march through
Georgia before reports from Sergeant Major DeVany had been received.
- Was promoted to Adjutant June 26th, 1865, and mustered out with the
regiment July 13, 1865, a veteran; returned home and endeavored to farm
for a few years, and then entered mercantile pursuits at Fowler, Ill.,
where he now resides. He is a P.C. of Post 542, G.A.R., Department of Ill.,
has been Postmaster for four terms and is Secretary of Re-union Association
and History Committee.
- Family Records
- (The text that follows appears to have been handwritten by Mr. Hubert
in 1918. As noted below, some parts are not legible. As always, I have
tried to copy the spellings exactly as on the original documents.)
- Famley Record
- (unreadable word) March 10 - 1918.
- Charles Flanders Hubert
- Son of Louis and Elisabeth Levett Wallis Hubert, born in Beverly Mass.
Jan 9, 1843.
- Dorothy Frike (his wife), daughter of Frederich and Anna Frike, born
at (unreadable word) Hartford (scribble) Co. Ills, Jan 16-1843. Married
at Beverly Adams Co. Ills, June 1, 1866.
- Frederick Louis Hubert (his son)born in Fowler Adams Co. Ill Dec. 15,
1871 (the following date is crossed out - Jan 29, 1904)
- Deaths
- Frederick Louis Hubert. Died in Kansas City MO Jan 29, 1904
- Dorothy F. Hubert. Died in Fowler Ill. Jun 28 - 1916.
- Chiropractic Healer
- Charles Hubert practiced as a Chiropractic Healer, according to Mrs.
Miller. He believed in the power of focused thinking on the cure of diseases.
I have a couple of references that he used his house (immediately north
of the old Cattle store) as a clinic and a place for teaching his art.
- Information from his business card is reproduced below:
- Charles Hubert most likely sold the building that served as his home
and chiropractic clinic when he moved to Quincy in 1919. The purchasers
were probably Elmer and Flora O'Harrow, who moved into the house at about
that time.
- Historian
- Mr. Hubert was keenly interested in preserving the memory of soldiers
who fought in all wars. He assisted the Adams County Historical society
in identifying Civil War military sites of interest in the Quincy area.
- Obituary
- Charles F. Hubert,
- Civil War Veteran
- Dies of Influenza
- Widely Known Adams County Resident Succumbs in St. Mary's
- Charles F. Hubert, 86, Civil war veteran, and for 80 years a resident
of Adams county, died in St. Mary's hospital, Friday morning at 9:30. Mr.
Hubert became ill with influenza a week ago and was taken to the hospital
Saturday afternoon.
- Born in Beverly, Mass., January 9, 1842 (this appears to be a newspaper
typo - by his own accounting at left, he was born in 1843), the son of
Mr. and Mrs. Louis Hubert, he came with his parents to a farm near Beverly,
when six years old and had since made his home in Adams county.
- For forty years he was postmaster at Fowler, where he also owned a
general merchandise store. During this time he was also interested in farming,
and from the time of the death of his parents, until a few years ago, owned
the old homestead near Beverly. Mrs. Hubert died in Fowler in 1916. Since
1919 Mr. Hubert had made his home with a niece, Mrs. D. A. Bigelow, 1414
North Ninth street. During this time he held a membership in the Soldiers'
Home where he spent two years because of illness.
- Surviving are one granddaughter, Mrs. Mabel Miller of Independence,
Mo., and a sister, Mrs. Ann Stinson of Oakland, Cal. Mr. Hubert was a member
of the Central Baptists church and of John Wood post of the G.A.R.
- Member of Blind Half Hundred
- Mr. Hubert enlisted as a volunteer in the Civil war in 1861, and after
serving out his time, re-enlisted as a veteran volunteer, and served until
the close of the war. He was a member of the famous 50th Infantry, Illinois
Volunteers, organized at Quincy in August, 1861, known as the Blind Half
Hundred. This regiment took part in the grand review at Washington following
the close of the war, and won the prize banner in the competitive drill
between the 63rd Illinois, 7th Iowa, and 59th Illinois infantry regiments.
Mr. Hubert was a seageant major in the regiment, and was promoted to adjutant.
He was always active in arranging the reunions of the regiment in Quincy,
and was deeply interested in everything which pertained to its history.
- Several years ago Mr. Hubert became interested in a plan to place markers
at the spots in Adams county where companies of soldiers were encamped
during the various wars. Out of this plan grew the Adams County Patriotic
Society, which was instrumental in having several markers placed in the
parks and in the court house grounds.
- Mr. Hubert also sponsored a movement to have a monument to World War
veterans placed in the cirlce on the south side of the court house, but
failing health prevented his carrying out the plans. For some time he had
been confined to the house.
- (Charles F. Hubert, one of Fowler's favorite sons is buried in the
south Fowler cemetery.)