Interesting! 1880C shows wife's name as Kittie, two years younger than H.W.M.

Point taken with respect to comparison of Sig Sgt to modern W.O., yet I have had no problem getting my point across to modern mil audience in making a comparison: The SigSgt was appointed, not commissioned (nor did he
hold a warrant). His tech knowledge and experience often superior to that of commissioned signal officer who was his superior. He could, under special circumstances, "command"--be in charge of an isolated unit (somewhat akin e.g. to modern army band under command of a CWO). Because of statutory limits on numbers of CS sig officers, SigSgts served as sig officers to small regional commands. Normally the SigSgt was paired with an officer as principal aide and assistant, functioning much as senior NCO in a line company. (CS Signal Corps had no NCOs other than the Sig Sgt--no other grades of sgt, no cpls--and had no other organic EM...privates or "other ranks" were men on detail from other arms.)