William was the oldest surviving son of Richard and Elizan. He was born on 10 October 1843 in New Amsterdam, Indiana. William spent most of his life in the area of the bustling river town of New Amsterdam. However, from February 1864 through July 1865, William was part of Company K, 38th Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and saw action as a soldier for the Union Army in the Civil War. This unit, comprised largely of soldiers from New Albany, Corydon, Laconia, and surrounding areas, fought battles in Perryville, Kentucky and Chickamauga, Georgia.
William returned to New Amsterdam after his service, and five years later at the age of 27 married Miss Emeline French on 22 May 1870. Census records list his occupations as day laborer, and later farm laborer.
I know of four children born to William and Emeline. Only two of these children lived to adulthood. Charles Lee William was born 5 August 1871 in New Amsterdam. He later moved to the Fort Wayne, Indiana, and many of his descendants live in the Fort Wayne area to this day. Charles was married to Frances "Fannie" McAdams on 14 May 1899.
Julia Redden was born 19 November 1875. She married George "Yeller" Fleshman on 18 March 1890. Julie died in Bruceville, Indiana on 18 November 1933.
Another son, Robert, was born 15 September 1873 and died 7 August 1874. A son named Jesse was born in 1879, but I can find no further records for Jesse and assume he died in infancy.
Emeline died on 10 September 1912 at the age of 67. William lived alone until his passing in May 1923, at the age of 80, although family lived nearby. William's obituary is headlined, "Answers Last Roll Call -- William Redden, An Old Soldier Dies in Washington Township in Eightieth Year." His obituary states that he had been in poor health for some time, and blind for several years. He was survived by his son and daughter, brothers Robert, Charles, and Mayo, and 11 grandchildren. "He was a member of the United Brethren Church and was a good Christian man."
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