EMERSON OPDYCKE
(1830-1884)

The adventurous Emerson Opdycke was born in Trumbull, Co, Ohio, Jan. 7, 1830. He set out to seek his fortune in the gold fields of California but returned to Ohio and became a merchant. When the Civil War broke out, being an avid abolitionist, he enlisted early in the 41st Ohio. He was appointed 1st Lieutenant on Aug. 26, 1861 and rose to captain on Jan. 9, 1862.

While with the 41st, he fought as a company commander at Shiloh, where he was wounded. He resigned on Sept. 17, 1862 and returned to Ohio in order to recruit a new regiment, the 125th Ohio Volinteer Infantry. As a Lieutenant Colonel, he organized the 125th and saw it through its training. Prior to the Tullahoma Campaign, he was promoted to Colonel and commanded the 125th until he was elevated to brigade commander (1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 4th Corps, Army of the Cumberland) on Aug. 4 1864. He took over as Division Commander on June 24, 1865. On July 26, 1865, he was made Brigadier General, USV.

He resigned from the army on Jan. 1, 1866 and settled in New York as a merchant. On 1884, he shot himself while cleaning his pistol.