Meeker County MN Archives Biographies.....Bogar, Thomas H. 1810 - 1868
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 December 28, 2019, 6:35 pm

Source: Alden, Ogle & Co.
Author: See Below

THOMAS H. BOGAR, who came to Minnesota, in the spring of 1866, was born November 10,
1810, in Juniata county, Penn., on the banks of that beautiful river known in poetry
as the “Blue Juniata,” where his childhood years were spent. He was brought up as a
miller, that being his father’s occupation. When a mere lad the family moved to
Hawkins county, Tenn., where he assisted his father in running a large flouring
mill. On leaving the mill he learned the saddler’s trade; and at the age of
twenty-one he went to Russell county, Va., and commenced business at Lebanon, the
county seat. Here he met and married Sallie T., <laughter of Garland and Martitia
CThurstop) Hurt: of this union were born eleven children —six sons and five
daughters, nine of whom reached the years of maturity. In the year of 1837 he
removed from Bussell to Tazewell county, locating at Thompson’s Gap. Intending to go
to Oregon by way of the overland route—the only way at that time—he turned a
considerable part of his means into extra good horses and wagons. But before he
succeeded in closing up his business the great financial crisis came. Embarrassed by
his own debts, and that of a friend for whom he was surety, he succeeded in meeting
his own liabilities, but saw his property sold at public auction to satisify
creditors of the man for whom he had indorsed. He was broke. When the worst of the
crash was over—being sued, he sued no one—he collected what he could of his
outstanding notes and accounts, and bought a small farm (100 acres ) located in
Thompson Valley. Here he endeavored with indifferent success to dig a living out of
the ground. After five years’ residence on the farm he sold out-and removed to
Piketon, Pike county, Ky. Here he worked at his trade, employing only two
assistants, holding at the same time the office of postmaster, to which he was
appointed soon after his arrival in the village. In 1851 he removed to John’s Creek
valley same county, and leasing land, engaged in raising grain and stock, in which
pursuit he was fairly successful until the breaking out of the civil war, when his
property was again lost in various ways. In politics he was a democrat; in religion
a Methodist. He was beloved by all, especially by the young, who liked to congregate
at the house of the kind and genial man. He was at one time a slave holder, the
property coming from his wife’s estate; but he always thought the system a curse.

   In the stormy days of secession, he took the field as a campaign speaker; being
well read in history, more especially the history of his own country, his opponent,
a young man of the legal profession, soon learned that the quiet farmer, who knew
how to grind wheat, make a saddle, or lead a meeting, also knew how to make a
speech. On one occasion, after the speeches had been delivered, a man walked up to
Mr. Bogar and struck him over the head with a cane. The blow stunned him, but
recovering himself, Mr. Bogar walked away, got on his horse and went to the next
precinct, telling people that the blow was their best argument.

   On the breaking out of the war he enlisted in the fourteenth Regiment, U. S.
Infantry, serving about three months, principally as a scout, and was then
discharged for disability. Mr. Bogar’s sons, like himself, were strong Union men.
Joseph, the oldest, cast one of the two Lincoln votes in Pike county, Ky., Moses H.,
the second son, enlisted in the same regiment as the father, and at the same time.
John G., the third son, only a lad, later enlisted in the Thirty-Ninth Kentucky.

   In 1866, Mr. Bogar came to Minnesota bringing most of his family with him, and
located on section 2, Collinwood, where he lived until the time of his death,
November 1, 1868. The widow still lives on the homestead, and Mrs. C. A. Pauley, her
daughter, has lived with her most of the time.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from
Illustrated Album of Biography
Meeker and McLeod Counties, Minnesota
1888


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