Hiram France

Information taken from Blairstown Press Wednesday July 3, 1918

The Mortuary Record
Hiram France

Hiram France, known throughout Warren and Sussex Counties as the one armed soldier died on Monday Morning, July 1st in the 82 year of his age. He was born July 9, 1836 ( they had in article 1863). He lost his good right arm defending the union in 1861 and 1862. When the call came he enlisted from Kylertown, Pa., May 12, 1861 as a private of J. Oscar Lorain's Co. C, Fifth Regiment, Pa. Reserve Volunteers ( or the 34th Reg. Pa inft) for three years Col. Seneca G. Simmons in command. He served in First Brig Gen Geo. McCall's Div, 5th Corps. and was engaged in the following battles. New Creek, W. Va, July 12, '61; Drainsville Va, Jan 7, '62 Mechanicsville, Va., June 24 ( Where he was wounded in the right hand by buckshot), Gainsmills, Va., June 27; White Oak Swamp,Va. June 29; June 30, and Malvern Hill, July 1, when he was wounded through the right hand by a Minnie ball, also through the left shin. He was sent to the Harlem Hospital and from there transferred to Hampton Roads. He rejoined his Regiment at Centerville Va., August 30, and fought at South Mountain Md, Sept 14, where he was wounded in the right arm by a ball from a sharpshooter. The ball was extracted and the arm amputated at Stone Church Hospital at Frederick City, Md., and honorably discharged Nov 12, 1862, on a Surgeon's certification of disability. While in this hospital he talked with President Lincoln who came there to visit the wounded men.

Mr. France married Catherine Rutan Sept. 5, 1871, and from this union four children were born, viz L. Jasper France of Hawthorne, Charles of Alpha, M. Keturah Haggerty at home and Mrs Samuel Hooey of Branchville. He is also survived by his wife and four Grandchildren William Harry Haggerty, who is serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, Clarence Haggerty and Helen and Charles S. France Jr. of Alpha. Only two sister of a family of eight survive. They are Mrs Amy Heater and Mrs William Weaver. Mr. France filled the office of Justice of the peace in Hardwick Township for 33 years, committeemen a number of years, a member of the Board of Education several years, and a life long supporter of the Democratic Party for which he worked diligently. In all these offices he was Faithful to the trust imposed in Him. A few years ago Mr. France united with the Presbyterian Church and became a soldier of the King. His funeral will be held at the house on Saturday at half past ten O'clock, conducted by Dr Sharp.