Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1926-09-09
JOHN BIRD CIVIL WAR
VETERAN, ANSWERS CALL

Mr. John Bird, Civil war soldier,
retired farmer, and one OF the
,county's well known citizens. passed
away here at his home Friday morn
! ing about II O'Clock Last March
I he suffered bad attack Of flu and
pneumonia, and for number OF
weeks then his condition was very
/ critical. However he slowly i'm
proved, but the disease left him
with kidney and heart involvement.
While in very poor health for a
number of weeks prior to his death,
still he was able to be up and about
until within "a hours OF his death,
so that to many his passing came
unexpectedly. Mr. Bird was past
! S4 years of age, having been born in
Blue Rock township, Muskingum
county, near Rural Dale, March 28.
1912. His parents were the late
John and Nancy Meloy Bird, ard he
was living at the same place when
the Civil war broke out, and in
1862, he enlisted in the 18th o. V.
V. L., Co. D, serving until he was
honorably discharged in 1865. He
was good brave soldier. and saw
much hard fighting. He was at
Vicksburg and was with Sherman
on his memorable march 10 tha
sea. While not wounded, he had
two clCse calls, the bullets coming
so near that once ne had the rim of
his hat shot off, and another time
the sole Of his boot, On his return
from the war he resided with his
parents near Rural Dale until the
year 1867, when with them he moved
to Bristol township he and his
father purchasing a farm which taa
deceased later owned, and where ne
resided much of his life
In this connection it is interest,"
ing TO note that Mr. Birds graua-
father was native Of Germany and
was a aessian IN the ReyoIu
war, however after coming 60 Amer
ica, he left King Georges army and
fought with the Americans. fits
German name was Vogat. but after
coming TO America he took the Eng
tsh translation, changing his name
to Bird.
John Bird was twice married His
first wife was Eliza. McG0aagIs. sis
ter of the tate John NcCouagle Of
Bristol. They were married. Sept
3, 1863, his death occurring On his
58th wedding anniversary They
were the parents Of six children. two
Of whom died IN infancy. and two
died some years ago They were
Mrs. Mary J. Han1bleton. wife of
Arch Hambleton, and Mrs. Phoebe
Gill. The children liyin. are J. w.
Bird OF Bristol and Mrs. w, P. Ir-
win Of Norwich. He, also leaves 10
grand children and eight great
graudchitdren His first wife died in
December, 1904. His second mar
riage was to Miss Ella Evans in
February. 1908 She survives him,
and during his long illness gave him
every kind care and attention with
IN her power. He was the youngest
and last of a family of 10 children
Mr.. Bird was a good, industrious,
hard working man. Up until the
time when he retired in 1902, he
had successfully followed farming, |
and also owned and ran a threshing |
outfit for many years. At one time !
he was a heavy land owner, having |
four farms in Bristol township How !
ever he had disposed Of all Of his !
land excepting one farm which he |
still owned at the time of his death. !
For many years he had been a men, |
Der of the Presbyterian church. His |
was with the Bristol |
church, up until after
moving to this place, when he trans
serred his membership here. He |
was also member OF the /. O. o. F..
his membership being with Rural |
odge No. 157, and of the local Phil
H. Sheridan G. A. R. post.
Short funeral services were held !
Monday forenoon at his late resi-
lence, conducted by his pastor, Rev.
A. N. Grove, and the G. A. R. had
heir services, following which the
body was taken to the Bristol Pres
)yterian church for further services,
Ne funeral sermon being delivered |
oy Rev. Grove, after which the I. O.
}. F. took charge. Interment was
made in the Bristol Presbyterian
church cemetery. Rev. J. L. Nuzum
assisted in the services.