Histories

The following is from William G. Cutler's
"History Of Kansas, Harvey County"
First published in 1883.






WILLIAM H. PROUTY, farmer, Section 9, P. O. Newton, owns 160 acres, 130 under cultivation, with orchard of four acres, and all enclosed with good stock-proof hedge; has a good frame dwelling 24 x 32, with L and porches, costing $800, with barn, stable and out buildings. He came to Kansas in 1870, and took the first claim in Macon Township. He was born in Wooster, Mass, August 6, 1838, and while a child came with his parents to Illinois where he lived until entering the army in August, 1862, in Company G, Twenty-seventh Regiment Illinois Infantry, and went to the department of the Tennessee. Shortly after joining the regiment he was detached to service in Battery A, First Illinois Light Artillery. Returned to regiment a few days before and participated in the battles of Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge and in the Atlanta campaign. After the taking of Atlanta he rejoined his regiment and went back to Thomas' command to engage Hood and at the battle of Franklin was on advanced line which was enveloped and overrun by the rebel charge, and made a prisoner and compelled to bury the rebel dead after the battle and taken from there to Andersonville prison, where he was confined as a prisoner of war until April 6, 1865, when he was paroled and sent to Vicksburg and barely missed being on the ill-fated Sultana by an accident and finally was mustered out June 1, 1865, and returned to his home in Illinois. He was married February 27, 1867, to Miss Calista Trask, a native of Iowa. They have four children living -- Edna, Alice, Bly and Corney. His daughter Alice is the first child born in Macon Township. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and has held the position of Treasurer of Harvey County Agricultural Society for six years; also treasurer of the Township six years, and is a member of the School Board, which position has held for four years