William Persky
Sharp, Milam County, Texas
Marker Inscription
(Nov. 21, 1844 - Feb. 9, 1945) A native of Germany, William Persky migrated to the United States with his family at the age of eight. He enlisted in the Confederate army during the Civil War and served time as a prisoner of war. A farmer, Persky lived in Austin and Bell counties before moving to this area in 1925. He lived to be 100, and at the time of his death in 1945 was the oldest resident and the last Confederate veteran of Milam County.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Born in Germany in 1844, William Persky came to the United States with his family at age eight and grew up to enlist in the Confederate army, spending part of the Civil War as a prisoner of war. He farmed in Austin and Bell counties before settling in the Milam County area in 1925. Living to 100, he was at his death in 1945 both the oldest resident and the last surviving Confederate veteran of the county.
Why it matters
Persky's life joins the immigrant experience to Civil War service, and his long life marked the passing of the last generation to remember that war firsthand.
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Related people
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Nearby & related markers
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