THOMAS J. HARGIS

The Holton Recorder, Thursday, November 14, 1918, Pg 2

T. J. Hargis.

  Thomas J. Hargis was born on May 9, 1839, at Springfield, Ill., and died in Holton, Kan., Nov. 10, 1918.  He had attained the age of 79 years, 6 months and 1 day.  The years of his boyhood and young manhood were spent in the town where he was born.

  When 23 years of age, Mr. Hargis was united in marriage to Harriett Judd.  The wedding took place in Springfield, Ill., on Oct. 11, 1862.

  He enlisted as a private in Co. K, 115 Reg. Ill. Infantry Volunteers.  The period of his service in the Union army was three years.  His honorable discharge was occasioned by a wound received in the battle of Chickamauga.  The battle of Chickamauga began Sept. 19, 1863, and continued two days.  Gen. Rosecrans led the Union forces; Generals Bragg—and Longstreet were at the head of the Confederates.  More than 100, 000 troops engaged.  More that 30,000 were reported as killed, wounded and missing.  It it had not been for the splendid stand of the troops, made under the direction of Gen. George H. Thomas, it would have been a Union defeat.  It was this battle that caused the replacement of Gen. Rosecrans by Gen. U. S. Grant.

  Mr. Hargis was wounded the second day of the battle.  It was more than a year afterwards that he was relieved from the service from Camp Butler, Ill., on Oct. 29, 1864.  We are living a day when a greater significance is accorded the veterans of the Civil war.  We are better able to appreciate the important work that they did in preserving the Union, since our country has so successfully assisted in the overthrow of Germany.  It is our privilege today, to place a crown of honor upon the brow of our fallen comrade by merely alluding to the fact he served in an humble position in the Union army.

  Mr. and Mrs. Hargis took up residence in this part of the state of Kansas twenty-two years ago.  They moved to Holton in 1909.  Mr. Hargis was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, the G. A. R. and the Odd Fellows.

  The Immediate relatives who mourn his passing away are his widow, who walked in life’s pathway with him 56 years; a son, E. T. Hargis, who now lives in Topeka; a grand-daughter, Mrs. Cleve Madden; a sister, Mrs. Susan Downing, of Guthrie, Okla., and a brother, G. T. Hargis, of Alton, Kan.

  Funeral services were conducted from the residence Tuesday afternoon.  Rev. Frank E. Ryerson, pastor of the Methodist church, delivered the address.  The services of the G. A. R. were observed.  Burial was made in the Holton cemetery, in charge of the I. O.O. F.

  The music was furnished by a quartette composed of Mrs. Chas. Abel, Mrs. Logan, Mr. Zara Brown and Mr. H. Abbuehl  The pallbearers were W. Richards, John Woodward, Jno Brown, A. J. Way, D. J. Thompson and George Coulson, all old comrades of the deceased.