Joseph H. Wait (sometimes Waite) was born 6 March 1839 in Union (now Allen) Township, Miami County, Indiana. He enlisted in the 26th Indiana Infantry in 1861. After organizing in Indianapolis the regiment was sent to Missouri under the command of John C. Fremont. The 26th Indiana remained on duty in Missouri until May 1863 when they were ordered to join Grant's army at Vicksburg during the final days of the siege. By October 1863 they were again on the move to Texas along the Mexican frontier. In February 1864, the regiment returned to Louisiana until the Mobile Campaign in March and April 1865. Wait was mustered out in January 1866. He married Marietta H. Wright on 2 May 1864 while he was home on furlough. They had eleven children and Marietta died in 1881 at their home in Gilead, Indiana. Wait then married Susan Rhodes. He was appointed Postmaster of Gilead in 1897 and held the post until 1914. He died 21 March 1916.
From the description of Diaries, 1862-1915. (Indiana Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 57450185
