William Henry Bacon, son of Rev. Joseph Franklin Bacon and Catherine Ann Algard was born on October 22nd, 1846 in Mukwonago, Waukesha County, Wisconsin. He later came to Adams County with his parents. On May 17th, 1866, he married Mary Catherine Monk, daughter of John and Susan Monk, in Easton, Wisconsin.

William H. "Willie" Bacon served his country in the Civil War and enlisted in the 49th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment in February 1865 while living in Easton, Wisconsin. He was mustered out of service on November 8, 1865. He entered the service as a drummer boy though it says on his certificate of service that he was a cook during the war. His flag is hanging in the court room of the Adams County Courthouse* and his uniform is in the Museum at Madison, Wisconsin.** His great-grandson Fay Garthwaite donated the uniform to them. Fay's son Gary still has his drum and music.

Mother (Maude Colburn) always told that when she was a girl Grandma (Mary 
Catherine Bacon) kept them in a trunk at the top of the stairs and would only let the grandchildren peek at them. She also tells that he had a complete set of carpenter's tools that were kept in a case and only peeked at. His profession was that of a carpenter though he did farm some. Maude told how he loved to dance though Grandma Bacon didn't, but she didn't stop him from enjoying it.

They were the parents of eight children, (one dying in infancy). William died on July 24th, 1902, in Easton Township. Mary followed him 21 years later dying on August 6, 1923. They are both buried in White Creek Cemetary, White Creek, Wisconsin.

                                  Adapted from The Bacon Family Newsletter, Fall 1986 by Carol (Colburn) Smith

*As of 2023 the Adams County Courthouse has no record of having this flag.
** The Wisconsin Veterans Museum.