Nathan Heald
Nathan Heald (
Heald was a captain stationed in Fort Wayne, Indiana, prior to his appointment at Fort Dearborn, where he relieved the fort's first commander, John Whistler, in 1810. The following year, Heald traveled back to Fort Wayne to marry Rebecca Wells, and returned to the fort with his bride.
On August 9, 1812, Heald received orders from General
The Healds made their way across Lake Michigan and eventually arrived at Fort Detroit, then in British hands, where they surrendered. The British transported them to Buffalo, New York, where they were ransomed back to the Americans. Heald was promoted to major shortly after his release, and was given a disability discharge in 1814. His wife and he returned to Fort Wayne.
In 1817, Heald moved to O'Fallon, Missouri, and purchased the former Fort Zumwalt. His wife and he had three children, Mary, Darius, and Margaret.
Heald Square in Chicago is named after Heald.
References
- ISBN 0-8239-4515-4.