Born on May 10, 1832, in Hinesburg, Vermont, William Pitt Deming moved with his family to Kalamazoo County, Michigan, in 1833. After working on his father’s farm, Deming moved to Burlingame, Kansas, in 1860.

On September 4, 1862, Deming enlisted as a private in Company I, 11th Kansas Cavalry, in Burlingame, and was mustered into service on September 15. In late April 1863 the 11th Kansas Infantry was reorganized as the 11th Kansas Cavalry. The 11th saw service in northwest Arkansas, Kansas, and Missouri against guerrillas and regular Confederate forces, and participated in the Battle of Prairie Grove.

Deming was discharged from the 11th and mustered into service as a first lieutenant in Company H, 65th U.S. Colored Infantry in January 1864. Promoted to captain of the company in May 1866, Deming and the other members of the 65th U.S. Colored Infantry were mustered out of service on January 8, 1867, at Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The 65th U.S. Colored Infantry was organized from December 1863 and January 1864 at Benton Barracks (St. Louis), and served on garrison duty at Morganza, Port Hudson and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Following his service, Deming returned to his farm, raised livestock, and became a bank president.

He died on May 24, 1916, in Burlingame, Kansas, and is buried in the Burlingame City Cemetery.

Carte-de-Visite by A.D. Lytle, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 31971