Voltaire P. Twombly | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 21 February 1842 near Farmington, Iowa Territory |
| Died | 24 February 1918 (aged 76) Des Moines, Iowa |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1861–65 |
| Rank |  Captain |
| Unit | 2nd Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment |
| Battles / wars | Civil War |
| Awards |  Medal of Honor |
| Spouse(s) |
Chloe A. Funk (m. 1866) |
Voltaire Paine Twombly (February 21, 1842 – February 24, 1918) was a Union veteran of the American Civil War and a recipient of the Medal of Honor. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Fort Donelson on February 15, 1862, when he picked up and carried his regiment's national colors after three other members of his regiment were killed or incapacitated by Confederate fire while attempting to secure the flag. Twombly also participated in a number of other engagements in the Civil War, including the Siege of Corinth and Sherman's March to the Sea.
After being mustered out of service in 1865, Twombly attended business school and entered into a number of business ventures. In 1880, he entered politics upon being selected to be the treasurer of Van Buren County, Iowa. He served as the mayor of Keosauqua, Iowa from 1884 to early 1885, and as the treasurer of Iowa from 1885 to 1891.