The past always finds a way home. And thanks to a couple middle school students from Albion, N.Y., a Civil War veteran will finally get the recognition he deserves more than 100 years after his death.
Kendall Peruzzini and Mary McCormick, are both 14-year-old eighth graders at Albion Middle School, are ensuring that Union Army soldier Daniel Walterhouse is honored properly, more than a century after he died. Walterhouse, who served in the Fourth Michigan Infantry during the Civil War, died in 1910 and was buried in an unmarked grave at the Orleans County Alms House Cemetery.
One of the many documents the teens looked over during their research. Photo by Maggie Stewart/Albion Central School District
Walterhouse’s life after the war was marked by hardship. Injured in battle and imprisoned in a Confederate camp, he later spent about a decade in the Orleans County Alms House, a refuge for people who had no one to care for them. It served a wide range of individuals, from the elderly and immigrants to those with disabilities. Despite his service and sacrifice, Walterhouse was laid to rest in an unmarked grave, along with around 200 others who could not afford headstones.
Kendall and Mary learned of Walterhouse’s story through their former teacher, Tim Archer, a retired service learning educator at Albion Middle School. Archer had been contacted by a historian from Michigan who was curious about the Civil War veteran buried in the cemetery. Seeing a valuable learning opportunity, Archer presented the research project to Kendall and Mary, both of whom share a love for history.
I knew they were good students and great girls,” Archer said. “I knew they’d be willing, even over the summer months, to participate in it.”
The girls’ research into Walterhouse’s life was not without challenges. Many of the poorhouse’s records had been lost in a fire, but Kendall and Mary managed to piece together details about the veteran’s life. Their findings revealed Walterhouse’s significant contributions, including being stabbed during battle and surviving captivity. Despite the gaps in the records, the girls were determined to ensure his service was honored.
The two teens both found details about Daniel Walterhouse’s life during their research. Photo by Maggie Stewart/Albion Central School District
“I really wanted to give him a headstone, because of all he’s been through,” Kendall explained. “He had been stabbed in the leg. We really wanted to honor him and give him a proper burial and a headstone.”
Mary agreed. “He should be respected and appreciated for all that he’s done,” she said. Mary added that Walterhouse’s role in the Civil War, especially as a Union soldier, meant he had played an essential part in fighting for the abolition of slavery. “He really deserves it, especially as somebody who helped our country,” Mary said.
Driven by their passion, the girls took their findings and request for a headstone to the Orleans County Legislature, who fully supported their mission. The next step is to apply for a headstone through the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, which will provide one free of charge once approved. A spokesperson from the VA said, “It is our honor to help provide this long-overdue headstone to this Union veteran who served our country, and VA is grateful for the work of Kendall and Mary.”
Looking back on the project, both girls expressed deep pride in their involvement. “It’s an honor for me and Mary,” Kendall said. “We’ve learned so much about the alms house and how hard it was for all these people.”
If approved, the headstone will be unveiled at a ceremony in the spring. Archer is impressed with the girls drive to do this project, “This is something that, when they’re my age, they will look back on and be able to tell their children and grandchildren about,” he said.
