James Elliott Hart
Taken from an undated obituary clipping, circa November 15, 1911
By Rev. J. H. Burrows
James E. Hart, a pioneer resident and said to be the first white child
born in Mercer county, died at hs home in Harrison township last Thursday,
after a lingering illness.
Mr. Hart was the oldest child of W. M. Hart and wife. He was born at
the old home place in this county January 12, 1840, thus lacking but sixty-three
days of being 72 years of age. He was married to Miss E. A. Lactridge April
1, 1866. To this union were born four sons and one daughter. The children
are Jacob Elmer and Roy Hart, Mrs. Stewart Smith, of this county, and Wm.
Hart of New Mexico. Besides these and his bereft companion, he leaves two
brothers, six sisters and a host of other kindred and friends.
The Harts were among the pioneer families in Mercer county. The mother
of deceased was a constituant member of the Zoar (now Cainsville) Baptist
church, and church services were often held at the home of Morgan Hart
in the early days. There the neighbors gathered in great numbers to worship.
Mr. Hart has been in failing health for more than a year, and everything
was done for him that could be, but Death has triumphed and he has gone
the way of all the earth. The remains were taken to the Christian church
and the memorial services were conducted by the writer. A big audience
was present and appropriate hyms were beautifully rendered. The theme of
the sermon was "The Finite Inquiry and the Infinite Answer."
The parting look was taken and the sleeping dust laid to rest in that beautiful
cemetery.
This cemetery is the largest and most neatly kept in Mercer county.
We have often preached in the old church, but this was our first time to
preach in the new building. We doubt if this church has a superior in the
county and is a praiseworthy monument to those who built it. We have many
friends sleeping in this silent city of the dead. Very seldom do we see
such an array of costly and artistic monuments in a country church yard.
The family desires me to express their deep appreciaton of the kind
deeds of all who contributed to aid them in the care and burial of their
beloved one. May the Lord comfort them, is my prayer, for Jesus sake.
Retyped October 3, 1997