Effects of Wounds; Continuing Life of Wm. Edward Cooper

The following is a partial listing of the results of William's wounds, and his life-long attempts to get fair compensation from the United States government as pension payments due to the nature of his wounds, and his inability to work a full day as a farmer, which was his occupation. According to the pension application records, Wm. Edward was only able to walk beside his team doing normal farm work for about half a day. After that period of time, his legs would swell and he would be unable to continue. So, in spite of the fact that he came back from the war alive, and was able to marry and have children, he was not able to support his family in a normal manner. I assume that as soon as his male children were old enough to work, they helped in supporting the rest of the family by assisting neighbors with their field work. I wish I had thought to ask my father more about this time and how his grandfather's family coped with his disability with so many children to feed. It is obvious from his marriage a year after Rachel's death to her younger sister, that he was in need of someone to help with his children and with running the household. Julia did not live a long life, either. So, Wm. Edward was once again left with small children to raise. At that time, he lived in Sac City, Iowa, as did several of his grown children, and I'm sure they all helped with taking care of the children and of him.

1.  Casualty Sheet of Wounded [07-04-1864]
     Wm. Cooper, Private, Company 'K', 16 Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, at the battle near Atlanta, July 4, 1864
2.  Casualty Sheet [07-07-1864]
     Name: Wm. Cooper
     Rank: Private, Company 'K', Regiment 16 Arm. Infy., V.V., State Illinois
3.  Place of Casualty, Near Atlanta
4.  Nature of Casualty, Wounded slightly (in actuality, his wounds are described on a later document as follows: 'That while in said service, and in the time of his duty at the crossing of the Chattahoochee River on a march from Maryetta to Atlanta in the State of Georgia while in the State of Georgia on the fourth day of July, 1864, he was wounded in the following manner, hit with a musket ball. Said ball entered thru the right leg in the front part near the knee passing through into the left leg above the knee joint passing through into the left leg above the knee joint, passing outwards and backwards, severing the ligaments and tendons and permanently disabling him.
    That since leaving the service said applicant has resided at Pittsfield, County of Pike, and State of Illinois, and his occupation has been light farming labour at intervals.
     He makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the Invalid Pension Roll of the United States, by reason of the disability above stated; and hereby constitutes and appoints Richard M. Atkinson at Pittsfield, County of Pike, and State of Illinois his Attorney to prosecute this claim and procure a Pension Certificate. (Following lines show the expected annual income for farm work in 1870 and in 1920, and the monthly amount of Invalid Pension Wm. E. Cooper received from the government in both 1870 and 1920. Apparently being a soldier did not make one wealthy, even if you were wounded and suffered from those wounds for the rest of your life...)

1870 Net Cash Annual Income for a Farm: $220

1920 Annual Income for Farm Work: $850

1870 Monthly Military Invalid Pension for Wm. E. Cooper: $2 ($24 Annual)

1920 Monthly Military Invalid Pension for Wm. E. Cooper: $50 ($600 Annual)