Text By: Strong School 7th and 8th Graders, 2011-2012 Many young
men from Strong and Freeman fought in the Civil War. Many were
cavalry soldiers, who traveled and fought on horseback. This was
probably because of their farm background and being familiar
with horses. John C. Bangs enlisted in the First Maine Cavalry
in September 12, 1862. He was the son of Richard and Isabel
Bangs of Strong. Mr. Bangs served in Company L. After the Civil
War ended he transferred to the Veterans Reserve Corp on April
15, 1865. By 1870 he became a tailor in Otisfield. By 1880 John
Bangs was a clothing manufacturer. Mr. Bangs had a wife, Clara,
and three sons, and by 1910 he was a widower, living in
Nebraska. John was listed in Broken Bow, Nebraska, on the 1890
Veterans Schedule and in 1910 he was a widower and resident of
the Soldiers Home in Washington Precinct, Hall County, Nebraska.
After the War many Maine residents had moved West in search of a
better life or to join family members who had also migrated.
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