Untitled From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette Wisconsin, publ. 1901- page 884-885

THEODORE FRELINGHUYSEN HART, a prominent veteran of the war of the Rebellion now residing in Wyalusing township, Grant county, was born in Dupont, Jefferson Co., Ind., Nov. 15, 1843, a son of Orrin L. and Eveline (HOUGHTON) HART. His father, who was of strong Whig proclivities, named him for Frelinghuysen, a well-known statesman of that day, and who, the following year (1844), was the candidate for vice-president on the ticket with Henry Clay. Mr. HART's maternal grandfather, Joab HOUGHTON, was a native of the highlands of Scotland, and in early life came to America. He was a soldier in the second war with England, known in history as the war of 1812, and fought with Gen. Jackson in the famous battle of New Orleans.

Orrin L. HART, father of Theodore F. was born in Massachusetts, but when a small boy was taken by his parents to Pennsylvania. His mother belonged to one of the early Mohawk Dutch families of eastern New York, and was one of the few that was spared in the famous Indian massacre in the Mohawk Valley. She lived to the advanced age of ninety-three years, passing away in 1863. In October 1852, Orrin L. HART and family emigrated from Indiana to Wisconsin and located in the town of Millville, Grant county, where the wife and mother died in 1864. The father is still living but has been an invalid for a number of years. Of their children we have the record of Theodore F., of this review; Wallace, who was named for the well-known clergyman, Rev. William Wallace, and is now a resident of Chicago; Abigail, wife of George H. FOSTER, of Millville; Mrs. Adeline DAY; and Josephine, wife of Michael GILLON, of Ontario, Vernon Co., Wisconsin.

Theodore F. HART was a lad of about nine years when he came with his parents to Grant county, which has since been his home. On Aug. 11, 1862, he donned the blue, becoming a member of Company C, 25th Wis. V.I., and was discharged from the service for disability in March of the following year. A severe rupture received in the service was the chief cause of his discharge. However he had not yet seen enough of army life to satisfy him, and he determined if possible again to enter the service. But not yet recovered, it was necessary for him to use considerable strategy in order to pass the required examination. In this he was successful, and he was a second time enrolled as one of Uncle Sam's soldier boys. He expected to be assigned to his old company in the 25th, but in this he was disappointed, and was enrolled as a member of Company C, 18th Wis., V.I., in July 1863. His regiment formed a part of the15th Army Corps. He took part in some of the most important events of the last two years of the war, fighting under Gen. Corse at Allatoona Pass - one of the most thrilling engagements of the whole struggle. He was one of the 143 who were on the skirmish line when the battle began, and of whom only thirty-one succeeded in getting back to the fort. It was on this occasion that Gen. Sherman signaled from Kennesaw Mountain "Hold the Fort for I am coming." which has given rise to the famous religious song with that title. Mr. HART with his regiment marched with Sherman to the sea and thence to Washington, D.C., taking part in the Grand Review in that city. He was finally discharged July 13, 1865.

After the war Mr. HART was variously engaged for some time, working for a time in the pineries near Grant Rapids, Wis. In September, 1866, he erected a shingle mill at Wyalusing, which he operated for some time.

Mr. HART was married in March, 1867, to Miss Nancy SCARF, a daughter of Samuel SCARF, one of the pioneers of southwestern Wisconsin and a soldier of the Black Hawk war. He was a well-known early settler of Prairie du Chien. Mr. and Mrs. HART have five children: Willard, Caroline, Maud, Mabel and Euphemia. Mr. HART is an influential citizen of his community, and very prominent in Grand Army circles. He is a member of W. K. Forshey Post, No. 23, of which he was commander four years, and has been twice appointed assistant inspector of district 17, and was one year on the staff of Col. A. E. WATTERS. Mr. HART is a man of extensive and varied reading, and is well informed on the general issues of the day. He and his wife are members of the Congregational Church, and are quite prominent socially.



This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck