Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. Born in Pennsylvania, he served as a Corporal in Company C, 88th Illinois Infantry, Union Army. During the Battle of Franklin, Tennessee, November 30, 1864, he captured two Confederate battle flags from the enemy and returned with them to his own lines. For bravery in the face of the enemy, he was awarded the Medal of Honor on March 28, 1896.
After the war, he worked as a conductor for the Missouri Pacific Railroad for 46 years, during which time he gained the nickname "Tornado Jim" for supposedly surviving a tornado in 1875 when it hit the train he was conducting. The St. Louis Globe-Democrat dedicated a full page to his railroad career in the Nov. 2, 1913 issue.
After the war, he worked as a conductor for the Missouri Pacific Railroad for 46 years, during which time he gained the nickname "Tornado Jim" for supposedly surviving a tornado in 1875 when it hit the train he was conducting. The St. Louis Globe-Democrat dedicated a full page to his railroad career in the Nov. 2, 1913 issue.
Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. Born in Pennsylvania, he served as a Corporal in Company C, 88th Illinois Infantry, Union Army. During the Battle of Franklin, Tennessee, November 30, 1864, he captured two Confederate battle flags from the enemy and returned with them to his own lines. For bravery in the face of the enemy, he was awarded the Medal of Honor on March 28, 1896.
After the war, he worked as a conductor for the Missouri Pacific Railroad for 46 years, during which time he gained the nickname "Tornado Jim" for supposedly surviving a tornado in 1875 when it hit the train he was conducting. The St. Louis Globe-Democrat dedicated a full page to his railroad career in the Nov. 2, 1913 issue.
After the war, he worked as a conductor for the Missouri Pacific Railroad for 46 years, during which time he gained the nickname "Tornado Jim" for supposedly surviving a tornado in 1875 when it hit the train he was conducting. The St. Louis Globe-Democrat dedicated a full page to his railroad career in the Nov. 2, 1913 issue.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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