1838 - 1913
William A. Reading was born January 22, 1838, in Hunterdon County, NJ. He enlisted at Morris, IL, in Company C of the 76th Illinois Infantry as a Corporal on July 29, 1862. He was discharged at the close of the war on July 22, 1865, at Galveston, TX. On November 12, 1896, he applied for admission to the Illinois Soldiers' and Sailors' Home in Quincy, IL. His admission paperwork states he was a resident of Morris, Grundy County, IL. He was not married, had two children, ages 24 and 27. David M. Cook of Morris is listed to receive notification in the event of his death and as the executor of his will. Rheumatism was listed as his disability for admission. He was admitted November 12, 1896, registered number 3779, cottage number 3. He received a pension under certificate # 1049929. On his pension application, Nancy E. Reading is listed as his widow and filed on application # 1055023 on November 11, 1916, to receive his pension. A certificate number does not appear to indicate that it was approved. William A. Reading died of prostate cancer on January 13, 1913, at the Home and his body was shipped to Morris for burial in Evergreen Cemetery. His personal items were shipped to Nellie Reading in care of Nancy E. Reading, 1166 Washington Avenue, Kankakee IL on Feb.(?) 10, 1913.
Please click on the links below to view images of Mr. Reading's file from the Illinois Soldiers' and Sailors' Home in Quincy, IL. You will need the free program Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the files.