William E. Biederwolf

In 1898 President McKinley called for 75,000 volunteers to help fight in the war with Spain. The 161st Indiana Regiment was formed from companies located across the state. William E. Biederwolf who was minister at the Broadway Presbyterian Church in Logansport, Indiana, volunteered to serve as chaplain. As chaplain he held services in a tent and spent much of his time visiting sick and wounded soldiers in the hospital. He later wrote a history of the Regiment. He returned to Logansport in 1900 and became an evangelist. He wrote several books and was associated with the Winona Lake Bible Conference.Biederwolf is wearing the uniform of a military chaplain in the Spanish American War. A cross is in the center of both epaulettes. His collar bears the initials U.S.V. (United States Volunteer) and the 161st Regiment symbol. His hat is light colored with a moderate sized brim