My Genealogy Hound

JAMES H. HALE, a farmer in Cass County, the Treasurer of Calvin Township, and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Jefferson County, near Richmond, Ohio, February 20, 1840. He was next to the eldest in a family of eleven children, there being four boys and seven girls. His father, Stephen Hale, was also born in Jefferson County, Ohio, the date of his birth being March 15, 1814. The paternal grandfather, Henry Hale, was born in Maryland, being of English descent. A brother of his was at one time overseer of slaves for a Southern planter, but none of this family was known to have owned slaves.

Early in 1800 the family migrated to the wilds of Ohio, from which State it is said the father of Henry was drafted into the army in the War of 1812, and sold his household goods in order to secure the money necessary for hiring a substitute; whether on account of his dislike to going to the war, or because it was necessary for him to remain at home to provide for his family, who were in poor circumstances, we have not been able to learn. The grandfather, Henry, died in Ohio about 1859 or 1860. Stephen was the eldest of three sons, and had five sisters, one of whom was older than himself. All of this family remained in Ohio with the exception of Stephen, who went to Wells County, Ind., in October, 1850. In 1864 he removed from that State to Michigan, where he settled on a farm in Calvin Township, Cass County, and there died, July 6, 1881. In early life he was a Whig, and cast his lot with the Republican party upon its organization, remaining faithful to it until the day of his death. Religiously, he was a member of the Free-Will Baptist Church, and lived an upright, Christian life.

Nancy (Reed) Hale, the mother of our subject, was born in Centre County, Pa., February 6, 1813, and was the daughter of Arthur Reed, an Irish-man, but whether born on the Emerald Isle or in this country we do not know. The family moved from Pennsylvania to Harrison County, Ohio, in 1817, when Nancy was about four years of age. There she formed the acquaintance of Stephen Hale, whom she married. Eleven children were born of the marriage, three of the daughters dying in infancy. The eldest of the family, Elizabeth, married John W. Aker, a pump manufacturer and farmer in Stark County, Ind. Mary Jane became the wife of I. M. Harris, who died, leaving two sons and three daughters; the widow now lives in Brownsville, this county. Sarah Matilda married John Hilton, and they and their daughter occupy a pleasant residence in Cassopolis. Eliza Ann, Mrs. Robert Kerr, is the mother of one son and one daughter, and resides at Dailey, this county William H. C., a graduate of the State Normal School at Ypsilanti, has for fifteen years followed the profession of a teacher. Quaron Z. married Phoebe Gorman, and they reside near Spokane Wash., where he is engaged in farming pursuits. Madison enlisted as a member of the Forty-seventh Indiana Infantry in September, 1861, and participated in the battles of New Madrid, Ft Pillow, and many of the less important engagements, and died while in the service at Memphis, Tenn., on March 19, 1863.

The subject of this sketch grew to manhood upon his father’s farm, and received but a limited education. August 10, 1859, he married Catherine Elizabeth Aker, and afterward continued to operate a farm until the breaking out of the Civil War. On the 1st of November, 1862, his name was enrolled as a member of Company A, Forty-seventh Indiana Infantry. After taking part in the battle of Duval’s Bluff, he went on the White River expedition, and was in the rear of Vicksburg. Following the siege of Ft. Pemberton, he returned to Helena, Ark., and soon afterward stalled down the Mississippi River for Vicksburg, landing at Milliken’s Bend, and proceeding thence to Grand Gulf and Point Gibson. He took part in the battle of Champion Hills, May 16, 1863, and in the siege of Vicksburg, remaining in the rifle pits until the surrender, July 4. On the following day he started for Jackson, but soon returned to Vicksburg, where he went into camp.

After a short furlough at home, Mr. Hale rejoined his regiment at Charleston, Ill., where they were ordered to quell the attack of the Knights of the Golden Circle at that place. He was one of the participants in the Red River expedition, and, crossing the Gulf at Dolphin’s Island, he landed at Ft. Morgan, and took part in the siege of Spanish Fort and Ft. Blakeley, and also in the charge of Mobile, Ala. On the 7th of October, 1865, at the close of the war, he was mustered out at Baton Rouge, La., after a service of three years. During that period he was never wounded, taken prisoner or was in the hospital.

While in the army, our subject’s father sold the Indiana farm and came to Cass County, Mich., bringing the family of our subject with him. Upon his enlistment in the service he left his family, consisting of two sons and a daughter, in the Indiana home, but during his absence the little girl died. His wife was called hence on the 3d of September, 1879, leaving at the time of her demise five children. William L. is unmarried, and resides in Spokane County, Wash.; James M. resides in Ransom County, N. Dak., and he and his wife, whose maiden name was Eva Wert, are the parents of three children; Fred N. married Dora L. Elliot; Elias Edgar resides in Ransom County, N. Dak.; and Violeta Belle is living at home.

The present wife of our subject was formerly Mrs. Agnes (Wise) Leonard, the widow of Henry Leonard. She was born in Wayne County, Ohio, and is the daughter of Samuel and Margery (Kamer) Wise, natives of Lancaster County, Pa. Her father died when she was a child of three years. Her brother Samuel served for three years in the late war, being a member of the One Hundred and Thirteenth Illinois Infantry. A brother-in-law, Elisha Johns, was a Sergeant in the same regiment, and served for three years. By her marriage to Henry Leonard she had seven children, all of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Hale have one child, Zora Alice, a bright girl of eight summers.

Ever since settling in Michigan, Mr. Hale has engaged in farming in Calvin Township, Cass County, and has been quite successful in his chosen work. In local politics he has been prominent in the Republican party, and has served for several years as a member of the School Board. He has been Treasurer of the township several times, and occupied other local offices. He is an active worker in the Grand Army of the Republic, being at present identified with Post No. 9 of Union, of which he was at one time Junior Vice Commander, and he is one of the charter members of the post.