Joseph Toma Tolmich

Joseph Tomas Tolmich

Joseph Tomas Tolmich was born around 1821 in Turkey or Hungary (not confirmed). He died November 19, 1898 in Huerfano County, Colorado. He married Maria Guadalupe Benavidez and they had eight children: Tomas, Toribio, Miguel, Francisco, Maria Rosa, Virginia, Manuel Reyes, and Juanita.

From his obituary taken from the Walsenburg World dated November 24, 1898, Thomas Tolmiche [Joseph Tomas Tolmich] died at Rouse Colorado November 19, 1898 at 8 a.m. at the age of 77 years. Mr. Tolmiche was born in the year 1821 in Baranza [should be Baranya] Megye, Turkey, being of Italian and Austrian parentage. At the close of the war between Cashut [should be Kasheau] and Austria where Mr. Tolmiche proved a valiant soldier for Austria he emigrated to America in 1849. [He] enlisted as a soldier in the United States Army in 1850 in the struggle against Mexico, served through the war and [was] honorably discharged. The deceased was married in 1855 to Guadalupe Benavides at Sabellita, New Mexico. This marriage resulted in 12 children, eight sons and four daughters of which five sons and three daughters are still living [at time of article]. In 1861, Mr. Tolmiche enlisted again in the United States Army casting his fortunes with the Northern side. He served throughout the Civil War and at the close received an honorable discharge. He enlisted again to fight against the Indians [and] had many close encounters with the native American. He continued in the ranks till 1864 when he was discharged from service. Mr. Tolmiche was a member of the local GAR [Grand Army of the Republic] Post⁽¹⁾ of which he was a highly respected member. He suffered for about 30 days and almost without warning was called away by palpitation of the heart. The body was laid to its final resting place Sunday at 2 p.m. from the Catholic Church attended by many friends [St. Mary's]. Additional information may be obtained at the following web site: http://apachetribe0.tripod.com/. Photograph and information submitted by Jane Tolbert Tolmich Kinzle.

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(1) As far as the family can determine, he was probably a member of J.B. Hawkes GAR Post 61 in Walsenburg, Huerfano, Colorado.

Joseph Tomas Tolmich
and daughter, Maria Rosa Tolmich