Biography of James HIRST, DeWitt County, Illinois Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Copyright 1999 Earliene Kaelin Source: People from the Histories 1882 History JAMES HIRST The subject of the following sketch was born in Leeds, England, January 8th, 1828. He came with his parents Edward and Hannah Hirst to America, in 1840, and settled in Edwards county, Illinois. James, in 1848, went to Clark county, Ohio, where he engaged in farming, and continued there for seven years, then he came west to De Witt county and worked for the Weedmans until he got married. He then rented land in the township and commenced farming. On the breaking out of the late war he enlisted for three years in company " I," of the 39th regiment Illinois Volunteers. The regiment was organized in Chicago, and from there ordered to St. Louis, and then to the front at Williamsport, Maryland, where the regiment was placed under the command of Gen. Landers. From the latter place the command went to Hancock, then to Black Oak Bottoms, then up the Potomac to guard the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. At Bath, the command was attacked by "Stonewall " Jackson's forces and driven out and back to Martinsburg, from which point they went to Winchester, and were in the battle there, then up to White House Bridge, in the Shenandoah, then made a forced march of one hundred and five miles to Fredericks- burg, and the next day were ordered back to keep Jackson from cross- ing the Shenandoah. From there, marched to Alexandria, then to Harrison's Landing, on the James River. The regiment went into winter quarters at Suffolk, and in the spring of 1863, went to Newbern, North Carolina, and embarked at Buford for Port Royal, South Carolina. Mr. Hirst was discharged at Folly's Island, October 22nd, 1863, on account of physical disability, and returned home and re-engaged in farmiiig and stock raising, in which calling be has continued to the present time. On the 15th of January, 1856, he married Ruby Dart; she died in 1863. Three children are the off- spring of that marriage. On the 15th of October, 1866, he married Mary E. Kirby nee: Page. She is a native of New Jersey. She had two children by her former marriage, named William Henry and Flora E. Kirby. Mr. Hirst's children by his first wife are named Frances, Mary, Isabel and James Louis Hirst. By his last wife there is one child living, named Jane Winnefred Hirst. His wife is a member of the M. E. Church. He is an active member of the order of I. 0. 0. F. and also of the Encampment, and has represented both orders in the Grand lodge of the State. In politics he votes the Republican ticket. He has held various local offices, and has been township collector and road commissioner for eight years. In his habits he is temperate, but liberal upon the question of temperance. Mr. Hirst is a good citizen and a reputable man, and has many friends in Santa Anna township. ------------------------------------------------------------------ USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organiza- tions or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contri- butor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ----------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Earliene Kaelin