(Note: First of all the grave, as of January of 2022, of this veteran of the Civil War remains an UNMARKED GRAVE!!! The government will still provide Henry Harrison Hare the Civil War style government issued stone that he EARNED, free of charge if the paper work is filled out. Someone needs to take care of this.

Second, Henry Harrison Hare probably never had his portrait taken prior to the Civil War. However, during the 10 month period that the 86th Illinois was in the Nashville, Tennessee area in 1862-63, Henry, like most of the Union soldiers in the Nashville area, did take the time to sit for at least one portrait to send home to the loved ones that they left behind. These portraits were most often printed in the form of what was called a CDV, a paper picture glued to a heavier card stock about the size of a modern day baseball card, and the soldiers didn't just have one or two copies made. Most of the time, they had a dozen or more made, so they could swap pictures with their tentmates, messmates and for their friends, in the 86th and back home.

Henry H. Hare then survived the war and lived well into the 20th century. During his life, Henry probably had his picture taken dozens of times. I would love to see a picture of Henry in uniform added to his Find A Grave Memorial, however, at this point, I would love to see any pictures of Henry be added to his Memorial, even ones of him as an old man. Can anyone help me? Thanks, Baxter)

Private HENRY HARRISION HARE, Co. K, 86th Illinois

Henry H. Hare was born c. March 9, 1841, one of at least thirteen children born to Bolen and Mary O. Debord Hare. Henry's middle name was almost certainly Harrison, though there are some who believe it was Herbert. Henry grew to manhood farming the land in Princeville Township of Peoria County, Illinois beside his father and brothers.

On August 7, 1862, Henry's 18 year old brother, Jefferson Hare, volunteered to serve in a company which was being raised in Princeville, Illinois by a Princeville area School Teacher by the name of John F. French. The following day, August, 8, 1862, 20 year old Henry H. Hare, also signed his name to the growing list of volunteers. On August 9, 1862, Henry's 24 year old brother, Marmaduke Hare, volunteered to serve in the Princeville company.

ILLINOIS STATE ARCHIVES

Illinois Civil War Detail Report

Name HARE, HENRY H Rank PVT

Company K Unit 86 IL US INF

Personal Characteristics

Residence PRINCEVILLE, PEORIA CO, IL

Age 18 Height 5' 11 Hair BLACK

Eyes BLUE Complexion DARK

Marital Status SINGLE Occupation FARMER

Nativity PRINCEVILLE, PEORIA CO, IL

Service Record

Joined When AUG 8, 1862

Joined Where PRINCEVILLE, IL

Joined By Whom CPT FRENCH

Period 3 YRS Muster In AUG 27, 1862

Muster In Where PEORIA, IL

Muster In By Whom

Muster Out JUN 6, 1865

Muster Out Where WASHINGTON, DC

Muster Out By Whom LT SCROGGS

On August 13, 1862, French led 100 Princeville volunteers through the streets of Princeville and after several speeches and rallies were held, French led the company on a 20 mile march to Peoria, Illinois, where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. On August 26, 1862, 18 year old, George A. Hare, a cousin and son of William Hare, came into Peoria and volunteered to serve in the Princeville Company. On August 27, 1862, French and 95 of his volunteers, including all four of the Hares, were mustered into the service as Co. K of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. French was elected Captain of Co. K.

On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois, which numbered 932 officers and men, marched out of the gates of Camp Lyon, with much fanfare, through the streets of Peoria to the railroad depot. There they were joined by the men of the 85th Illinois. At the depot the men of the 85th & 86th Illinois boarded trains bound for Camp Joe Holt in Jeffersonville, Indiana, which was located across the Ohio River for Louisville. Two weeks later, the men of the 85th and 86th were part of Daniel McCook's Brigade and were in the field chasing Confederate troops in Kentucky. On Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those troops during the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, suffering their first of many casualties. After the Union victory at Perryville, the Confederates withdrew from Kentucky and McCook's Brigade marched on toward Nashville, which they would garrison for the next ten months or so.

During that first winter in Nashville, disease and sickness took a terrible toll on the troops in the field. Hundreds, if not thousands, of the soldiers buried in the Nashville National Cemetery died during the winter of 1862/63. By December of 1862, George A. Hare was one of those soldiers sick in the hospital. His condition grew worse by the day and on December 23, 1862, two days before Christmas, Private George A. Hare died of what was called Congestive Chills. In late January or early February of 1863, Marmaduke Hare, joined the sick soldiers in the hospital. He was so sick, in fact, that rather than take a chance on his dying there in the hospital, the army chose to discharge him in hopes that he could make it home and regain his health, so on February 14, 1863, Private Marmaduke Hare was discharged for disability and he headed home.

In the late summer of 1863, McCook's Brigade participated in several battles and skirmishes around Chattanooga and in the spring and summer of 1864 in the Atlanta Campaign, which included the Battles of Chickamauga, Georgia; Resaca, Georgia; Rome, Georgia; Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia; Peach Tree Creek, Georgia; and Jonesboro, Georgia, to name a few. After Atlanta was gained by the Union, Sherman began his March to the Sea. Then in the spring of 1865, the men of McCook's Brigade took part in the Battles of Averysboro and Bentonville, North Carolina, which helped to bring an end to the war. And Private Henry H. Hare and Private Jefferson Hare were there for it all. And when the surviving members of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry on June 6, 1865 in Washington, D.C., Henry and Jefferson were there too. Then they returned to their homes in Princeville with the surviving members of the 86th.

Henry is now known to have been married to Mary C. Ball, who was born August 20, 1849 near Evansville, Indiana, the daughter of Willis Ball and Achsah (Kinsley) Ball Ball. When a few years old Mary moved with her parents to Peoria County, Ills. In 1865 she moved to Sullivan County, Missouri, where she and Henry were married on September 2, 1866. To this union was born five children;

1. William H. Hare, born c. 1872 in Kansas. William was married to Rosa Dristill.

Their children include;

A. James Henry Hare, born

2. Herbert H. Hare, born __________ __, 1881 in ___________. Herbert H. Hare was married to Zoe S. ____________ (1882 - 1954). To this union was born;

A. Lois Irene Hare, born __________ __, 1904. Lois was married to ___________ Spaht.

Henry Herbert Hare died on ____________ __, 1942 and his mortal remains were laid in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Elk City, Montgomery County, Kansas. See his Find A Grave Memorial #42795161.

3. Enid Hare, born 8-16-1879 in Kansas, died 10-24-1879 in infancy.

4. June Hare, born _____________ in Kansas. Junie is known to have died young.

5. John Wallace D________ Hare, born 3-3-1889 in Kansas, died 5-14-1909.

At the time of the 1880 census, H. H. Hair, his wife Mary and, at that time, their only living child, William H. Hair, are found in Louisburg, Kansas in Montgomery. Henry and Mary apparently spent the remainder of their lives in Montgomery County. Mary C. Hare died on May 14, 1914 and was laid to rest in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Elk City, Montgomery County, Kansas. Henry died 9 years later on Oct. 16, 1923, and was laid to rest beside his wife, but was apparently never given a tombstone. He has a G.A.R. Star which stands next to his wife, but he has no tombstone.

H. H. Hare – Among the representative citizens of Montgomery Co. the author of this volume takes pleasure in presenting the name of H. H. Hare, stock buyer and farmer with residence in Elk City. He is widely favorable known in every part of the county and is justly regarded as one of the most substantial citizens.

Next paragraph is his parents background. Not in this bio.

H. H. Hare was born in Peoria County, Ill., March 9, 1842. He attended school and worked on the home farm until his enlistment in August of 1862 in Co. K 86th Ill. Inf. He served through the entire war, his discharge at Chicago, dating in June 1865. The 86th became a part of the Army of the Cumberland, and it was first under fire at the battle of Perryville. Beginning then with Chickamauga, the regiment followed the fortunes of war through the Atlanta campaign to the sea, thence up through the Carolina's. It was present when Col. Anderson put Old Glory back on Ft. Sumter, and was in line of battle when Johnston surrendered. It participated in the Grand Review at Washington and then its members, conscious of having done their whole duty to their country, turned their faces toward home sweet home.

The subsequent life of our subject has been that of the straight forward representative citizen, faithful to every trust reposed in him and bearing his share of the burdens which society imposes upon its members. He farmed in Johnson County, Mo. for three years after the war, then came to Montgomery county, and after cultivating a claim for several years, went to buying stock. He has, for twenty years, been one of the largest shippers in the county and is also interested in farming.

Mary C., daughter of Willis and Achsah (Kinsley) Ball and a native of Hamilton County became the wife of our subject, September 2, 1866 Her people were farmers, the father a native of Kentucky, the mother of New York State. Both are now deceased, the father dying at 54 years in Illinois in 1863; the mother coming out to Kansas, where she died at the home of her daughter in 1895, at seventy-six years of age. The parents were both highly respected residents of Illinois and were consisted members of and workers in the M. E. church. Of their 10 children but five still survive.

To Mr. and Mrs Hare were born 5 children, as follows: William of Elk City, married Rosa Dristill – her child James Henry; Herbert H., a clerk in Elk City; J. W. D a student; Junie, died young and Enid who died in infancy.

Taken from Elk City Enterprise 5-26-1893

You are right, Bro Reynolds. He is in every way qualified for the position of Sheriff else the people of Louisburg, irrespective of party, would not be so anxious to see him get the nomination. He is one of the old residents here, having come here when Elk City was an infant and has, practically, grown up with the town. His name is H. H. Hare, and he is pretty well known all over the county, and no man can say a word to his discredit. He is not making a personal canvass but his friends will carry his name before the nominating convention, and they will also see that he does not sacrifice himself for the benefit of some other man this time. The man who succeeds Tom Callahan must necessarily be a man of ability, courage and integrity if he does justice to himself and his party, and these are the qualifications our candidate posses.

South Kansas Tribune 10-25-1905

City Marshal H. H. Hare, one of the prominent old timers of Elk City, was in town last week, attending as witness the prosecution of one Dexter, of Oak Valley, who while drunk Shot up Elk City. City Marshall Hare pursued and arrested him, and brought him to justice.

Elk City Sun 1-19-1906

In the case of H. H. Hare vs the city of Elk City, which was tried Monday at Independence, Hare won out and secured judgment against the city for $3.50 which Hare alleged was due him for services as marshal and street commissioner after the present administration came into office and before a new officer was appointed. This is the second time the case has been tried, Hare winning out in the first trial, also.

Elk City Sun 5-25-1906

All old soldiers are requested to meet at K. P. hall, at 9:30 a.m. Procession will form under the charge of Marshal H. H. Hare with right resting on Hickory street, line of march to cemetery.

Elk City Sun 2-12-1912

H. H. Hare has gone and done it. For some time he has been threatening to amputate his beard and mustache and Saturday he had Bob White to do the job up in first class style. For several days about half of his friends didn't know him but he has commenced to look a little more natural now.

Independence Daily Reporter 4-25-1913

H. H. Hare has a valued civil war treasure from Fort Sumter.

H. H. Hare of Elk City, one of the boys of 61-65, has a very unusual relic of the Civil War. It is a small piece of white marble fashioned into the shape of a book and was taken from one of the port holes in old Fort Sumter in the harbor at Charleston, S. C. The government was thirteen years building the foundation for the fort, which was made by towing out rocks and sinking them on the site. The firing on Fort Sumter was really the start of the Civil war and when, Sherman reached Charleston on his memorable march, it broke the backbone of the Confederacy.

Mr Hare was on the March to the Sea and saw considerable of the south during the war. He enlisted in 1862 and served until the close of the war: first in the infantry and later in the artillery. After Sherman reached Charleston, the troops were there for some time and Mr. Hare visited Fort Sumter several times. He was at the fort the day on which General Anderson raised the same United States flag that he had been forced to lower when the fort was surrendered to the Confederates. Mr. Hare prizes this little piece of marble very highly, not for its value as a relic but for the memories associated with it.

Elk Cit Sun 5-22-1914

Mary C. Ball was born August 20, 1849 near Evansville, Ind. When a few years old she moved with her parents to Peoria County, Ills. In 1865 she moved to Sullivan County, Mo. where she was married on September 2, 1866 to Henry H. Hare. To this union was born five children; of who three proceeded Mrs. Hare to the other world.

In 1869 the deceased and her husband moved to Knobnoster, Mo. and in 1872 they moved to Elk City, Kans., where she spent the remainder of her life.

Mrs. Hare united with the M. E. church at Elk City in 1874 and remained a faithful Christian until the death summons came. The funeral services were held at the family home last Friday at 10 a.m. with Rev. Ira Glenn in charge. Interment was in beautiful Oak Hill cemetery. Practically every business house in the city was closed during the funeral and the floral offerings were many and beautiful.

For about ten months Mrs. Hare had been confined to her bed and during those long weary weeks when she suffered unceasingly, she bore it all with the patience and fortitude which wee characteristic of her. Her most marked virtue perhaps was her unselfish disposition; always thinking the the needs of others even in the last hours with the death angel hovering near.

It is good fortune to one to be intimately acquainted with a women whose character is such that it is worthy of emulation by all. Such a women was Mrs. Hare and we feel that in her death we have sustained a distinct personal loss. May the bereaved family find consolation in the sympathy of a host of friends.

by Baxter B. Fite III

(Baxter Fite would love to hear anyone, especially descendants, who might be able to tell hime more about Henry H. Hare and the Hare family. Baxter would also love to get a copy of a photograph of Henry H. Hare in uniform from his days in the 86th for his Find A Grave site and for the Princeville Historical Society.)