Lewis William Talbott was born about 1822 in Jackson County, Indiana, the son of Edward Talbott and Mary Merritt Laning. He married Laurena Otwell on August 27, 1845 and found work as a carpenter and wagon maker. About 1851 the family moved to Iowa County, Iowa.

On April 25, 1861, just two weeks after the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter, Lewis Talbott was among those who answered President Lincoln’s initial call for 75,000 volunteers, being mustered in as a 1st Sergeant in Company B, 1st Iowa Infantry. His regiment was organized at Keokuk in April and May 1861 as a three-months regiment and was mustered in May 14. It left the state on June 13th, moving to Hannibal, Missouri, thence to Renick via Macon. From there it went to Boonville, joining Gen. Lyon’s command on June 19th, just after the defeat of Gov. Jackson’s forces. Sometime during this period Sgt. Talbott became ill, and when his company was mustered out on August 21, 1861 it was noted that he had been absent sick at Keokuk, Iowa since July 1st.

On June 4, 1864 Lewis Talbott re-enlisted and was commissioned a 1st Lieutenant in Company G, 47th Iowa Infantry, a 100-days regiment. The 47th was sent to Helena, Arkansas, where it suffered much from the malaria of that unhealthful locality. The regiment’s losses included one death from battle and 46 deaths from disease. Lt. Talbott was honorably discharged with the rest of his company on September 28, 1864.

After the war Lewis returned to Iowa, where he found employment as a clerk in clothing and dry goods stores in Iowa City. There he died on April 16, 1884, his wife Laurena surviving him until May 16, 1912.

Two of Lewis’ brothers are also known to have served in the Union Army, namely: Daniel E. Talbott of Company G, 8th Iowa Infantry; and Alexander A. Talbott of Company G, 28th Iowa Infantry.