Person Record
Metadata
Name |
Smith, James |
Notes |
James Smith is responcible for the archival collection and photographs relating to Company H, 21st Missouri Infantry, and artifact #859-T1. He enlisted as a private in Company H, 21st Missouri on September 1, 1861 in Keokuk, Iowa. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant June 12, 1862, 1st Lieutenant March 14, 1865 and Captain on July 18, 1865. He mustered out of the regiment at Fort Morgan, Alabama on April 19, 1866. When he enlisted he listed his occupation as "Soldier" (he had seen prior service in Company E, 1st Iowa Infantry, 3 months regiment) and his residence as Wisconsin. He was born in Schoharie County, New York on October 3, 1841. His parents, David and Lodema Smith had migrated west from New York and were living near Rippon. They both died in 1857. His brother, Alvin McCune Smith [private, Company H, 18th Wisconsin, captured at Shiloh and killed May 22, 1863 at Vicksburg], and sister, Emma Smith Soule, were also living near Rippon. At the time of his enlistment, Smith was single, 20 years old, 5' 7" in height, with brown hair, blue eyes, and light complextion. Captain James Smith was the last commander of Company H, 21st Missouri Infantry. He returned to Wisconsin and worked as a farm hand in 1866. On April 9, 1867 he married Hattie Clark, the sixteen year old daughter of his employer. On September 15, Smith left her in search of work and never returned. Affidavits in her pension file state that he either died in the Black Hills of Dakota territory or in Colorado. Correspondence from his brother-in-law, Frank Walker, states that he developed cancer and committed suicide. According to his grave stone, Smith died on March 20, 1877 and is burried at Loper Cemetery on Douglas street, north of Rippon, in Grave 1, Lot 35, Section Northeast. Active: 1861 - 1866 Authority: Missouri Adjutant General|Loper Cemetery, Rippon, WI |
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