History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century/4/Joseph D. Fegan
JOSEPH D. FEGAN is one of the pioneers of Iowa, having lived in the State since 1849. He was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, July 26, 1831, and had but few educational advantages, learning the tailor's trade when fourteen years of age. In 1849 he came West, and stopped at Fairfield, Jefferson County, Iowa. In 1850 he removed to Princeton, Scott County, and later settled in Clinton County. In 1862 Mr. Fegan enlisted as a private in Company I, Twenty-sixth Iowa Volunteers and was promoted to sergeant-major, participating in twenty-one engagements and several sieges. He was in the battles of Arkansas Post, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Ringgold, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain and in the sieges of Vicksburg, Atlanta and Savannah and the march to the sea. Mr. Fegan was promoted to first lieutenant and adjutant of the regiment in 1863, and later became captain of company B, of the regiment. He was commissioned by President Lincoln Assistant Adjutant-General in the regular army. He was chairman of the Commission appointed by Governor Jackson to locate and mark the position of Iowa troops engaged in the battles of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge and was also one of the commissioners appointed by Governor Shaw to locate and mark the lines of Iowa troops at the siege of Vicksburg. Captain Fegan was formerly a Democrat but since the Civil War has affiliated with the Republicans.