George Bingham 1828-1883

George and his wife Eliza emigrated from Dublin, Ireland where they were born, grew to maturity and married. George was a son of a George, and at the time of his marriage was listed as a servant. They lived at 14 Stephens Green North in Dublin, Ireland. Eliza was the daughter of Thomas Dorrington, a farmer. They lived on Duke Lane also in Dublin, Ireland. Little is known of their life in Ireland nor of the Bingham family before him. George Bingham was the first known member of his family to immigrate to America, arriving with his wife at New York City on April 5, 1858. They were passengers on the ship 'Australia" which sailed from Liverpool, England. George was listed as 23 years old. Eliza was listed as 21 years old. Great Britain listed as "The country to which they soverally belong" and "Illinois" as their intended destination,[1][2] suggesting prior connections to that area. Their first son and eldest child, William was born at sea aboard this ship just a few days before they arrived in New York City. They resided in Jo Daviess County, in northwest Illinois. sometime prior to 1860, very soon if not immediately after arriving in America.

After settling in Illinois George and Eliza Bingham lived mostly in and around East Galena and Guilford, Illinois, in JoDaviess County, where all their children were born, raised and educated. Most of the children stayed in the area after they grew to maturity. One can now only speculate as why George and Eliza Bingham decided to emigrate or why they chose to settle in JoDaviess county, Illinois. This area, which is in the most northwestern part of the state, was hilly and fertile and probably appeared friendly and similar to the area in Ireland from where they emigrated. It is also possible the reputation of the city of Galena as a bustling Riverboat fed land of opportunity and wealth, fostered in the growth years of the 1830's and 1840's, was of some influence. Most likely however, it was for reasons centered around friends or perhaps relatives who lived in the area who were persuasive with their recommendations or possibly generous in their economic assistance.

George was a farmer by occupation. He rented and worked a farm in Section 19 of Guilford Township in JoDaviess County.[3] No records have yet been found of him owning any land. He stood five foot seven and on half inch high, had blue eyes and brown hair.[4]

George Bingham served as a volunteer Union soldier in the Civil War. He enlisted from Galena, March 24, 1865 and was with the 96th Regiment - A Company, later transferring to B Company 21st Illinois. He mustered out at San Antonio, Texas, December 16, 1865.[5] After the war George was a member of the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic), a Civil War veterans society organized to promote social activities, war record preservation and veterans' interests. He is buried in Mt. Hope Cemetery, on Heller Road, just outside Galena Illinois, in a grave marked with a GAR headstone.[6] Eliza his widow received a widow's military pension, until her death in 1903, based on his service in the Civil War.