Nelson Pooler

Nelson S. Pooler was born in Skowhegan, Maine, on January 20, 1844. He came to Michigan in 1853 with his father, his mother, and his older sister Sarah (later Mrs. George Bartlett). Nelson's parents bought a farm on Hanford Road in Canton Township, six miles from Plymouth. This was Nelson Pooler's home from that time until he enlisted in the Army. When he returned from war, it was again his home. With the exception of short periods spent in Ypsilanti and Plymouth, he lived on his farm the rest of his life.

Nelson Pooler enlisted in company C on August 5, 1862 at Plymouth. He was 18 years old. Along with the rest of company C, Nelson was mustered into service on August 15, 1862.

Nelson was taken prisoner in the Wilderness on May 5, 1864. Nelson was taken to Andersonville. He managed to escape his captors and reach Sherman's lines on February 17, 1865. After a 30 furlough home, Nelson Pooler returned to the Regiment on March 16, 1865. He was finally promoted to Corporal on April 1, 1865.

Nelson Pooler Mustered out with the Regiment on June 30, 1865 at Detroit.

He married Abbie Moore. They had two sons, Elwin and Willard. Later there were three grandchildren, Ralph, June and Betty. Nelson was an active member of the old Free Church. At one time he was township supervisor. Nelson was very active in veterans affairs and was a long-time member of Eddy Post #231, G.A.R.

Nelson Pooler died in 1921, His health had been affected by his war experiences but he lived to be 77 years old. His grave is in Riverside Cemetery.

We are very fortunate that Nelson wrote his memoirs in 1905, and that they have survived to the present day. Some of the information in this biography comes from the introduction to those memoirs