Family:Whitney, Albert Read (1835-1872)

Albert Read⁸ Whitney (Samuel Dorwin⁷, Paul⁶, Timothy⁵, Jonas⁴, Moses³, Richard², John¹), son of Samuel Dorwin⁷ and Clarissa (Read) Whitney, was born 11 Apr 1835, Williston, VT, and died 9 Sep 1872, Mallett Bay, NY.

He married, 31 Aug 1869, Harriet Augusta⁸ Whitney, daughter of William Wallace⁷ and Sarah Maria (Eaton) Whitney. She married secondly, 16 Feb 1874 (also recorded as 17 Jul 1879, Lebanon, St. Clair Co., IL), General Dennis T. Kirby, of New Orleans, LA.

He was the fourth child. Was just eighteen when his father died, and though tall, was like him in complexion, disposition, and quick in motion, and born to command. He soon started out into the world to earn a livelihood and educate himself, and developed a remarkable business capacity. He studied the physician's course at Pope's medical college, St. Louis, MO, where he received a diploma. Just before the close of the Civil War he enlisted as acting assistant surgeon on board a hospital steamer on the Mississippi river, and at the close of the campaign was in charge of the army hospital at Natchez, MS. Afterward he was physician and merchant in Waterproof Parish, LA, whence he was elected to the state legislature for 4 years, residing meanwhile in the city of New Orleans, enjoying his own home in the suburbs, the beautiful grounds with orange grove occupying one square. He gathered the luxuries of life about him, but near the close of his term died, at the age of 38 years, of hemorrhage from overwork, at Mallett Bay, Lake Champlain, VT, where he had gone for his health in the summer of 1872. He was buried in Williston, beside his father. He had been married about three years; had no children. He had a handsome face and form, and made a fine appearance in military costume.

Albert Reed Whitney was born in Williston, VT, in 1835, on the 11th day of April, and was raised at said place. When he finished his school education he went to St. Louis, Missouri, and entered the St. Louis College of Medicine. He enlisted while attending the medical college on a hospital steamer on the Mississippi river and was in charge of a hospital at Natchez, MS. At the close of the war he returned to medical college and graduated with honor on 1 Mar 1865. He then went to Waterproof, Tensas Parish, LA, where he became a merchant, and practised his profession as a physician until he was elected to state (Louisiana) Senate in 1869 for a term of four years. He served in the position but three years, dying at Mallett Bay, VT, 9 Sep 1872.

Brevet Brigadier General Dennis T. Kirby was born in Niagara County, NY, 15 Sep 1837 [or 15 Sep 1838], moved with his parents to Buffalo, NY, in 1847, and to St. Louis, MO, in 1854. He entered the service as captain, Company E, Eighth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, 25 Jun 1861. Served in Missouri and Kentucky to Feb 1862. He was promoted lieutenant-colonel 3 Aug 1863. He was mustered out with regiment 7 Jul 1864; commissioned colonel and aide-de-camp on the staff of Gov. W. P. Hall, of Missouri, and colonel of Fifth Regiment St. Louis City Guard, 1 Oct 1864; lieutenant-colonel Twenty-Seventh Missouri Volunteer Infantry, 6 Oct 1864, and at once detailed as chief picket officer of the Seventeenth Army Corps, on the staff of Major General Frank P. Blair, commanding. He was on the march to the sea Nov. 16 to Dec. 13. He was brevetted colonel and brigadier-general for gallant and meritorious services during the war, to date from 13 Nov 1863; and present at the surrender of General Joseph Johnston, and in the grand review at Washington, May 24. Mustered out 13 Jun 1863, he was appointed captain of Company E, Thirty-Ninth U. S. A. Infantry, 28 Jul 1866, brevetted major for gallant conduct at Chickasaw Bayou, lieutenant-colonel for gallant conduct in the assaults on Vicksburg, and colonel U. S. A. for gallant and meritorious conduct at Chickamauga Creek, GA, Mission Ridge, TN, and Rivers' Bridge, SC. He served in the regular army until the fall of 1868, when his services ended. He resided Washington, DC, 132 11th St., S. E., in 1895.

Children of Dennis T. and Harriet August (Whitney)(Whitney) Kirby: William Tommas Kirby, b. 10 Apr 1875; Martha Wynona Kirby, b. 19 Jun 1880; Wallace Whitney Kirby, b. 17 Sep 1881.

Albert Read⁸ and Harriet Augusta (Whitney) Whitney had no children.

Census

• 1860: not found.
• 1870: not found.

References

• All data imported from Frederick Clifton Pierce, The Descendants of John Whitney, Who Came from London, England, to Watertown, Massachusetts, in 1635, (Chicago: 1895), pp. 317-319.

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Copyright © 2012, Robert L. Ward and the Whitney Research Group.