Our Past Is Present May 30, 2017

May 30, 2017

            This is “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.

 Many of Geary County’s early settlers fought during the Civil War, in both the Union and Confederate armies.  After the war, the settlers had to learn to set aside their differences and work together in their growing community.

            One of these Confederate settlers was Caleb Estes.  He enlisted with the Confederate States Army in June of 1861 and served with Co. F, 26^th North Carolina Infantry Regiment.  This regiment is known for having the most casualties on either side throughout the entire war. During the war, Caleb fought at Gettysburg and was captured twice. 

            After his return from the war, Caleb and his wife, Mary, decided to move west.  They settled on the Geary-Riley County line and raised a daughter by the name of Ariel.

            Nearly 30 years after Caleb fought at the battle of Gettysburg, his daughter, Ariel, married Ed Hudson, the son of a Union soldier who fought on the other side at Gettysburg.  Ed and Ariel raised a family and Ed served as a blacksmith with the 7^th Cavalry during the Indian Wars.  It really is interesting how life experiences turn us from being enemies to … well …even marriage.