Oliver A. Fradell

From The Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wis., publ, 1889 - page 731, 732

OLIVER A. FRADELL, who is engaged in blacksmithing in Milton, Wis., was born in Germany, Jan. 24, 1840, and is a son of Jacob and Katherine FRADELL. When nine years of age he left the Fatherland and came with his mother to Wisconsin, settling in Jefferson in 1846. Later he went to Rome, Jefferson County, where for seven years he engaged in farming and in the fall of 1856, came to Rock County, making his home in Lima. For two and a half years he was in the employ of J. WINCH, farmer, after which he went to Janesville, where he learned the trade of blacksmithing with Adam WILSON and followed that occupation until the beginning of the late war. Mr. FRADELL was one of the first to respond to the country's call for troops during the late war, enlisting in the spring of 1861, in Captain Ely's Company. After drilling in Janesville until May, he went with the company to Madison, where the 2d Wisconsin Infantry was organized, and on the 11th day of June the company was mustered into service for three years, as Company D of that regiment, and, nine days later, left Madison for Washington. After camping about a week, the command crossed the river, in July, to Arlington Heights, where the company did picket duty. On the 13th of July, they moved to Centerville, and on the 18th met the enemy in an encounter at Blackburn's Ford. The 21st witnessed the first battle of Bull Run, in which the 2d was the only regiment from Wisconsin participating. When the union forces were obliged to retreat, Mr. FRADELL went with the company to Fort Corcoran, thence to Chain Bridge, on the Potomac, to erect fortifications, and then on to Fort Tillinghast, where the army went into winter quarters. In the spring of 1862, Mr. FRADELL, with his command, moved on to Centerville, and then returned to Alexandria, where it remained a week, when under the command of Gen. McDowell, the army took possession of Fredericksburg. The Federals met Lee's army at Cedar Mountain, where the Union forces were successful, and not long afterwards were engaged in the second battle of Bull Run, which lasted for more than two day. The Unionists then moved on to Frederick City, Md., by way of Washington, and on the 14th day of September, 1862, engaged in the battle of South Mountain, which lasted several hours. The next battle occurred on the 17th, both sides losing heavily. After remaining in that vicinity for about a month the Union forces proceeded to Belle Plain, near Fredericksburg, where they went into winter quarters. During the winter occurred the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. General McClellan was superseded by Gen. Burnside while on the march after the battle of Antietam. In the spring of 1863, Gen. Burnside was succeeded by Gen. Joseph E. Hooker. After the battle of Chancellorsville the army remained in camp until June, when it moved north to Gettysburg, and on the eve of battle Hooker was superseded by Gen. George G. Meade. The greatest conflict in the history of our country then took place, raging during the first three days of July, 1863. Our subject was in the first corps under Gen. Reynolds, which arrived on the field about 10 o'clock, July 1, and supported Buford. The "Iron Brigade," of which Mr. FRADELL's regiment formed a part, was the first to open fire on Archer's brigade, and the battle lasted until darkness came. By daybreak the next morning the forces were in position and the battle was resumed, continuing all day and far into the night. It ended on the eve of July 3d, victory favoring the Union Army. During the conflict of the first day, Mr. FRADELL was wounded, a ball entered his side between the ribs and passing out at his back. He remained in sight of the battle field for many hours and then was sent to the hospital at Germantown, Pa., until he had sufficiently recovered to rejoin the command. While lying in the rear of his regiment, he saw the fall of Gen. Reynolds, who was killed close to the rear of the Iron Brigade, a ball entering his left eye. January, 1864. Mr. FRADELL rejoined his regiment at Culpepper Courthouse. May 1st he was again wounded in the fighting in the wilderness, receiving a flesh would in the hip. For three months he lay in the West hospital, Philadelphia. In August he participated in the capture of the Weldon railroad. During the winter of 1864-65 he bore a part in the fighting at Hatcher's Run. Later he was in the general movement of the army which preceded the close of the war and was present at the surrender of Gen. Lee. His service may be thus outlined: In 1861, he enlisted in Company D, of the 2d Wisconsin Volunteers. In June, 1864, he was transferred to company B of the same regiment. In September, 1864, he was transferred to Company H, of the 6th Wisconsin. He was discharged July 14, 1865, after having re-enlisted in 1864 and seen more than four years' hard fighting on the Southern battle fields. With the exception of the times when disabled by his wounds he was never off duty, but was always found at his post, faithful and true to his country's call. Mr. FRADELL married Miss Helen M. TEED, April 15, 1866. They have two children - Charles M., born Dec. 30, 1868, was educated at Milton College, and is now working with his father; Alta, born Dec. 10, 1879, is with her parents. On his return home Mr. FRADELL resumed business at his trade, which he as carried on continuously since. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, is Commander of the Grand Army Post of Milton, and for twelve years has been an Odd Fellow. Upright and honorable in all his dealings, he is a man of sterling worth and is held in high regard by a large circle of acquaintances.

Submitted By Carol