Napoleon Thoroman was 21, and living in East Waterloo, Black Hawk Co., Iowa, when he enlisted as a Private in Co. H of the 4th Iowa Cavalry on Dec 22, 1863.

He was mustered into federal service the same day. He later mustered out of the service on Aug 8, 1865, in Atlanta with the rest of his company.

Napoleon's sister, Mary Ann Thoroman was married to Lyman C Rowley. Napoleon served in Company H alongside his brother-in-law Lyman and Lyman's four younger brothers, George, James, Amos and Volney.

The Waterloo Daily Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Tuesday Evening, July 1, 1902

DEATH BY OWN HAND
Napolean B. Thoroman Commits Suicide Yesterday Afternoon
Ends His Life With a Bullet in His Brain
Injuries Received in Civil War Unbalanced His Mind

Napoleon B. Thoroman, a citizen of Waterloo since early boyhood, shot himself at his home, 1227 Bluff Street, about 5 o'clock last evening. The only reason assigned for the act is his despondency over money matters brought on by ill health. While serving with his regiment the Fourth Iowa Cavalry, as a member of Troop H in Tennessee, he was thrown from his horse, receiving injuries from which he never fully recovered. He was subject to fainting spells and melancholia, the attacks finally becoming so acute as to lead him to take his own life.

The account of the suicide as nearly as can be learned is as follows: It is supposed that his despondency was aggravated by his attempts to get an increase of pension. He had been receiving $12 per month from the government on account of the loss of his eyes, but all efforts to secure an increase over this amount because of the injuries received in the fall from his horse had proved unavailing up to this time. Yesterday, however, all the papers were signed and forwarded to Washington and it seemed that his hopes were about to be realized. Anxiety and the fear that he would fail weighed heavily upon him until the strain proved too great. In some way he obtained possession of a revolver and cartridges and exhibited them before his wife yesterday afternoon. In the fear that he would take his own life, Mrs. Thoroman started to go to a neighboring house for help to disarm him just as Mr. Thoroman turned to go up stairs. Before she could get assistance he had returned to the porch, placed the muzzle of the revolver to his head and fired. The bullet entered the skull just back of the right temple, crashed through the brain and was found almost uncovered over the left ear. Death must have been almost instantaneous.

Coroner McManus was called as soon as possible, and summoned a jury composed of W.A. Scott, F.O. Dow and U.G. Kramer. The witnesses called were D.S. Burbank and W.C. Brennan. The revolver was found in the dead man's hand and without delay a verdict of death by his own hand was rendered.

Napoleon B. Thoroman was born at Davenport, Iowa, Feb. 8, 1842 and removed with his parents to Waterloo when a boy. He enlisted in the 4th Iowa Calvary, Dec. 22, 1863, and was discharged in August 1865. While serving in Tennessee he received the injuries which have made him a sufferer ever since. He was the father of five children, three of whom died in infancy, a boy of ten died about ten years ago as a result of an accident. Besides his wife he leaves one married daughter, Mrs. T.L. Casteel of Eagan, S.D. He united with the First Baptist church about 15 years ago and has always been a faithful and consistent member. The funeral will be held at the house tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock, the services being the charge of Rob't Anderson Post No. 68, G.A. R. of which the deceased was a member.

Napoleon B Thoroman