William Edward Pittman

PITTMAN, W.E. - William Edward Pittman passed quietly away at his house east of town at 9 o’clock Wednesday morning, May 19, lacking just two days of living 80 years of age. Few men have ever lived in a community all of his life and keep the love and respect of all through these years. He possessed a strong yet pleasing personality, always cheerful, even though these last years of suffering which at times was intense. His love for children was beautiful indeed and to the large number of grandchildren, he was the dearest grandfather in all the world. Mr. Pittman was born at Prairie Grove on the old Pittman homestead, where he died, May 24, 1840. He was educated in the Prairie Grove schools and at Cane Hill College. In the year ‘61 when the cry of war was heard throughout the land, he enlisted in the Home guards where he served for two months when he entered the Confederate army, serving as Lieutenant in Company G, 16th Arkansas. During the war he was captured and suffered the hardships of a Northern prison until June 23, 1865 when he was released and returned to his home. October 5, 1870, he was happily married to Miss Margaret Ellis of Ottoway, Kansas. Seven children came to bless this house, four sons and three daughters. William Edward died in infancy and Dr. James Pittman died last December; Mrs. Liza Johnson of Ottawa, Kansas; Mrs. Jesse Cravens of Westville and Mrs. Earl Pyeatt of Cane Hill; Mr. Ellis Pittman who lived in the home and Mr. Porter Pittman lives near the home. All the children were present at the funeral except Mrs. Johnson. She was with her father some days, returning to her home last week. Mrs. James Pittman and daughter, Miss Margaret Pittman and her son, James Pittman of Cincinnati were present for the funeral. The funeral took place from the Cumberland Presbyterian church Thursday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock Rev. F.A. Grundy, assisted by Rev. J.F. McCuistion and Rev. J.FR. Parker, officiating and burial was made in the Prairie Grove cemetery. The Camp of Confederate Veterans and the Daughters of the Confederacy attended in a body, the Veterans having charge of the body at the grave. His old comrades acted as pallbearers and bore him tenderly to his last resting place. Many beautiful floral tributes from friends and loved ones were placed upon the casket, in the center of which lay a Confederate marker tied with the red and white ribbon. One by one they are passing away. [Prairie Grove Herald 5/20/1920]

Mrs. M.C. Pittman, widow of W.E. Pittman, who died May 19, 1920, filed Widow Application #29251 with the Confederate Pension Board of Washington County for a Confederate pension and it was received as allowed August 15, 1927 at the state, citing her husband’s service with Company G, 16thArkansas Infantry from enlistment thru 1865. Mrs. Pittman died March 22, 1938. [State of Arkansas Confederate Pension Archives]