Identity and Service Overview
Albert Cashier was a transgender man who lived as male and served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Born Jennie Irene Hodgers in Ireland around 1843, Cashier enlisted in 1862 in the 95th Illinois Infantry and served through the end of the war, maintaining the male identity that defined much of adult life. This evergreen profile explains Cashier’s military service, lived identity, postwar circumstances, and the modern recognition of this historically significant figure.
Biographical Timeline and Verified Service Record
Cashier’s life can be summarized across key periods that shaped a consistent, documented narrative of service and identity. Available records consistently support the following milestones.
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| c. 1843 | Born Jennie Irene Hodgers, likely in County Louth, Ireland | Establishes origin and early context |
| 1862 | Enlisted in the 95th Illinois Infantry as Albert D. J. Cashier | Began three years of documented Union Army service |
| 1862–1865 | Served in multiple campaigns, including the Siege of Vicksburg | Highlights sustained combat role and reliability of records |
| 1865–1913 | Lived as a man; resided in Illinois and eventually moved to Saunemin | Demonstrates continuity of male identity after the war |
| 1913 | Injured in a car accident; sex assigned at birth discovered during hospitalization | Triggered institutional awareness and changes in living situation |
| 1914 | Moved to the Illinois Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home in Quincy | Official institutional care and recognition of veteran status |
| 1915 | Died and was buried with military honors; will included male name and pronoun usage | Final affirmation of lived identity documented in records |
Military Duties and Civil War Contributions
During three years of service, Cashier performed standard infantry duties that were crucial to Union operations. These responsibilities confirm the authenticity and continuity of service under the name Albert Cashier.
- Enlisted in August 1862 and mustered into Company G, 95th Illinois Infantry.
- Participated in the Siege of Vicksburg and other Mississippi campaigns.
- Served as a private in infantry drill, picket duty, and battlefield maneuvers.
- Continued service until discharge in August 1865.
Postwar Life and Consistent Identity
After the war, Cashier maintained a male identity, working as a farm laborer and later holding a groundskeeper position at the Illinois Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home. Medical and pension records from this period refer consistently to Cashier as a man, supporting the historical narrative of sustained identity.
Discovery, Controversy, and Historical Recognition
The revelation of Cashier’s sex assigned at birth emerged only after the 1913 accident, when hospital staff and subsequent investigations became aware of the discrepancy between anatomy and identity. Despite this, Cashier’s pension and veteran status were retained, and local communities continued to honor the person known as Albert Cashier. Modern LGBTQ+ history recognizes Cashier as an early example of transgender experience in America.
Legacy, Scholarship, and Commemoration
Today, Cashier is remembered through historical markers, academic research, and inclusion in LGBTQ+ history. The consistency of military, medical, and personal records provides a reliable basis for understanding this life within its 19th- and early 20th-century context. Cashier’s story contributes to ongoing discussions about gender identity, veteran experiences, and the erasure of marginalized histories.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Name and Place | Jennie Irene Hodgers, County Louth, Ireland | Census, pension, and biographical records |
| Service Name and Unit | Albert D. J. Cashier, 95th Illinois Infantry | Regimental rosters and enlistment documents |
| Key Campaigns | Siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi operations | Military history and pension files |
| Postwar Residence | Saunemin, Illinois; later Illinois Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home | Census, local records, institutional archives |
| Death and Burial | 1915; buried with military honors as Albert Cashier | Death certificate and burial records |
Relationship to Modern Understanding
Cashier’s life illustrates how individuals navigated gender identity in eras with limited medical and social frameworks for transgender people. Historical research relies on primary documents that consistently treat Cashier as a veteran named Albert Cashier, while modern scholarship contextualizes the lived experience within contemporary understandings of gender diversity. This profile remains relevant for historians, educators, and community members seeking inclusive accounts of Civil War service.
Conclusion
Albert Cashier represents a documented case of a transgender man who served in the Union Army during the Civil War and maintained a consistent identity throughout most of life. Available records support a clear narrative of service, postwar stability, and eventual institutional care, while ongoing research continues to refine the personal and historical context. This evergreen account consolidates verified details to support long-term public understanding and scholarly reference.