Monches, WI – It was an overcast Friday afternoon as members of the Civil War Monument committee gathered at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Monches along with the United Vietnam Veterans of Hartford, American Legion Post No. 19, and VFW Post 8834. The group was there to recognize veterans who fought in the Civil War, 1861 – 1865. A special monument dedication was held which included firing a 3-round volley and the playing of Taps.
Veterans listed on the monument include Michael Flynn, John Lynch, Michael McGrath, Thomas O’Neil, Michael Shields, and Dennis Sullivan.
No tax money is used for the monuments. The Civil War Monument Committee is a volunteer organization that researches and raises money for the monuments. To help support this effort, donations can be mailed to the American Legion Post #36 P.O. Box 921 West Bend, Wi 53095
April 7, 2025 – Slinger, WI – The families of Johann Diefenbach and Michael Schubert gathered over the weekend at Diefenbach Corner Union Cemetery in Slinger to remember their relatives who fought in the Civil War, 1861-1865. “This monument needs to be here, and they’re need to be recognized.”
Veteran Richard Lindbeck presided over the dedication ceremony. “The Civil War was a significant time in our nation’s history. Washington County was one of the areas with a rich veteran history and this monument is to make sure that those that served are not lost to our history,” he said.
Henry Schacht, 12, is in sixth grade at Faith Lutheran Evangelical School. He researched the history of his great, great, great grandfather Michael Schubert.
“When the Civil War was going on a man from Barton offered Michael $100 if he would take his place going to war. He was just 16 years old and only spoke German, but he went, no doubt to help his family financially,” said Schacht as he read from a script.
“Michael became a private in the 17th Wisconsin Infantry. In the second battle of Kinston North Carolina on March 10, 1865, Michael was captured and confined at Libby Prison in Richmond Virginia. Gratefully the war ended one month after that, and he was formally discharged on August 1, 1865. Michael Schubert returned home and began a new life. He was blessed with a family and many friends whom he loved to share his war experiences with we are grateful to be honoring him today.”
Both Schubert and Diefenbach are buried at Diefenbach Corner Union Cemetery. Next to both headstones are bronze Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) markers.
Family at the event said the Civil War monument at the entrance to the cemetery is well deserved recognition for their service.
Henry Schacht, 12, said he likes history and researching war. Asked to define some of the hardships young people experienced in the mid-1800’s he said, “Going to the bathroom and taking a shower whenever you want would have been hard and not having a microwave.”
No tax money is used for the monuments. The Civil War Monument Committee is a volunteer organization that researches and raises money for the monuments. To help support this effort, donations can be mailed to the American Legion Post #36 P.O. Box 921 West Bend, Wi 53095
Below is a monument dedication from 2022 in Hartford, WI.
Hartford, WI – The newest Civil War Monument Dedication was at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Hartford, WI. The event was held Saturday, May 21, 2022.
“The county’s Civil War monument group is made up of veterans from all the different groups and part of this project is to make sure we honor all our Civil War veterans buried in Washington County,” said veteran Mark Baldwin.
“The project to recognize Civil War veterans is a labor of love. This project was started by Gene Wendelborn, a key researcher at the Washington County Historical Society, and he passed away before we ever got to this phase of placing monuments.”
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This monument was sponsored by:
VFW Post 8834
American Legion Post 19
Hartford United Vietnam Veterans of America
Eugene B. Wendelborn of West Bend, died on Monday, Aug. 18, 2014, at The Kathy Hospice at the age of 89 years. He was born on Dec. 5, 1924, in West Bend to the late Chester J. and Louise C. (nee Richter) Wendelborn.
On June 7, 1947, he was united in marriage to Shirley W. Koch at Holy Angels Catholic Church. Shirley predeceased June 6, 2000.
After graduating from West Bend High School, he served with the United States Navy in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Following his discharge, he returned to West Bend and continued working at the Gehl Company. He was a purchasing manager, retiring after more than 44 years of faithful employment.
Following his retirement, he became active with the Research Center at the Washington County Historical Society. He also enjoyed fishing, spending time outdoors, gardening and was a member of the Hexelbank Club at Gehl Company.
He was a devoted husband and father and was very proud of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include three children: Robert of West Bend, Kathryn of West Bend and William (Colleen) of South Bend, Indiana; five grandchildren, Lisa (Greg) Garstka, Amy, Mark (friend Ann), Andrew, and Caitlin (Brent) Vlaeminck; six great-grandchildren: Jason, Nicholas, Michael, Matthew, Tucker and Myles; one sister, Audrey Brumm of West Bend, one brother, Donald (LaVerne) of Clintonville; one sister-in-law, Muriel Hadfield of Glendale; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Bonnie, and two sisters, Carol (Floyd) Potter and Noraleen (Marvin) Gutterman.
Private services were held with burial in Holy Angels Cemetery. Those who wish may give memorials to the Holy Angels School Trust Fund, The Kathy Hospice or the Research Center of the Washington County Historical Society.
