John Somerville Izatt Company H, 72nd Illinois Volunteer Infantry

Thanks to Bonnie M. (Gallagher) Gilson, gr-gr-granddaughter of John S. Izatt, for contributing the photo and bio. If you have Izatt connections, please visit her website - http://www.members.home.net/bgilson John Somerville Izatt was a soldier in Company H, of the First Board of Trade regiment, otherwise known as the Seventy-second Illinois. The following is his obituary from "The Pantagraph" newspaper in Bloomington, McLean County, Illinois, dated 16 Feb 1914:

JOHN S. IZATT IS DEAD; OLD TIME ALTON SHOP MAN WAS A NATIVE OF ENGLAND - SERVED WITH DISTINCTION IN ARMY - HIS SURVIVING FAMILY John S. Izatt, one of the oldest residents of Bloomington and employee of the Alton shops, died at 10:55 last night at his home, 1202 North Park Street. He had been sick but about two weeks, with hardening of the arteries. Up to that time had been able to pursue his labors at the shops. Mr. Izatt was a native of England, being born at Woolwich on Dec. 11, 1837. At the age of 5 years his family removed to Ayershire, Scotland, where he lived until he was 15 years of age, when he came to America. He first located at Dubuque, where he learned the carpenters trade. He went from there to Chicago, where he worked until 1860, when he came to Bloomington. He entered the employ of the Alton road in the coach shops and worked there until July, 1862, when he enlisted in the army under Lincoln's second call for volunteers. Mr. Izatt became a soldier in Company H, of the First Board of Trade regiment, otherwie known as the Seventy-second Illinois. He served with distinction to the close of the war. On returning to Bloomington after the war, he again entered the employ of the Alton shops. He remained there until his fatal illness overtook him. For many years he was foreman of the truck department in the passenger coach shops. On October 17, 1867, Mr. Izatt was married to Miss Christina Heptonstall, daughter of John Heptonstall, of East St. Louis. The wife and the following children survive: James Edward, of St. Paul; Mrs. Beatrice Mary Hogan, of Danville and Leota Christina, at home. One daughter, Clara Sarah, died many years ago. There are five grandchildren and the following brothers and sisters: Mrs. Archibald Buchanan, of Chicago; David and James Izatt, living in Scotland. Mr. Izatt was a member of Bloomngton Lodge, No. 43 of Masons, of Sherman post of the G.A. R., and was affiliated in former years with the Presbyterian church.

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