2nd Wisconsin, 6th Wisconsin, 7th Wisconsin, 19th Indiana, 24th Michigan, Bttry B - 4th US Art.

Thomas Dobyns

The shadowy figure above is the only known image of Fond du lac Constable Thomas Dobyns.  Seen hear in front of his Rose Avenue home, taken some time around 1870, Thomas proudly displays his GAR pin and armless coat sleeve.  The house still stands at 110 Rose Avenue in Fond du Lac and until 2001 was still owned by the Dobyns Family.  

We really don't know much about Thomas as the records of his life are scant and the family history contradictory.  For example, his grave marker in Rienzie Cemetery has his name spelled "Dobbins" and indicates he was a member of the 17th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry.  He died February 3rd, 1873.  Two of his obituaries (in 19th century style)  are below.

Poor Tom Dobyns has left this vale of tears.  He rests in yonder cemetery, free from pains, sorrows and misfortunes.  He lost an arm while serving in the late war, was well known in this city and had a large heart.  He will be missed by many of our citizens.

Tom Dobyns, our one armed constable, is no more.  He died of dropsy* on Sunday, from which disease he suffered many months.  Many an honest tear will be dropped to the memory of Thomas, respected by all who knew him as an honest, noble hearted man, who, though he left with his arm on his country's battle field half his life's chance for usefulness, did not leave with it a single trait that makes an honest man the noblest work of God.

What more we know of Tom is little.  Records in Madison have not yet revealed that he was a member of any Wisconsin Volunteer unit.  Fortunately, family oral history tells us more.  According to that history, Thomas came from Ireland and was a solider in the Queens service and fought in the Crimean war.  He immigrated to Fond du Lac sometime before the Civil war and registered at St. Paul's Cathedral as a member of the Episcopal faith.  Tradition has it that Tom was wounded in battle and then made prisoner.  He lost his arm at this time.  The family has in their possession the knife which he is said to have carried during his service, recovery, and imprisonment (hiding it in his boot).  The story elaborates that one day one of the Dobyns Ladies was at the Rose Avenue home when a bearded and ragged vagabond came up to the hose.  She noticed that he had lost his arm.  And as she soon discovered it was Thomas whom they had not heard from and had thought dead. 

As the 2nd obituary indicates, after the war he became a constable and passed from this earth less than a decade after the end of the war.