Tags
Civil War, England, Illinois, Mary Clarke Nind, Minnesota, Nind, St. Charles
James Gardiner Nind was my 3rd great-uncle. His brother, Fred, mentioned below in this article, was my 2nd great-grandfather.
More about this family in a later post.
In Ferslew’s Kane County [Illinois] Directory and Gazetteer, published in 1857, under the St. Charles list appears the name of “Nind, J. G., hardware store, &c., and tinware manufacturer, Main east of bridge, house Walnut between 6th and 7th.”
This most excellent gentleman, was born in England November 2, 1827, and when a young man, removed with his father’s family to this country. He located in St. Charles, about 1850, and for a number of years was engaged in the hardware business. He was always greatly esteemed by all who knew him.
A true friend, a kind neighbor and an upright citizen, his name was one more added to the long list of excellent people, who in the old days, made St. Charles their home. He was an earnest and consistent Christian, whose work in connection with the church was never neglected. He was a leader in business, religious and social matters, and a thorough gentleman always. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company E., 127th Illinois Infantry, and was chosen first sergeant. Here, as in all other places, his work was conscientiously and ably performed, and his old comrades, who yet survive are all proud of the fact that they once belonged to the same military organization as did “Jim” Nind. The bonds formed by those men were too strong to be broken, and Mr. Nind was happy in after years, when he was privileged to meet with those who had endured with him, the experiences of war time in the south. In the spring of 1865, he was commissioned lieutenant and adjutant of his regiment, serving in that capacity until the war closed a few months later. Returning to St. Charles at the end of the strife, he remained in the place but a short time, removing to Winona, Minnesota, and thence after a few years to Minneapolis, in the same state. His death occurred at his home in the latter city, May 7, 1885, and cause sincere sorrow among his old friends and comrades. His wife was an earnest and untiring church worker, and their son, John Newton Nind, rose to a fine position in the newspaper world.
Mr. Nind’s brother, Fred, will also be well remembered by the people of war time days. He was a bookkeeper for the old firm of Butler and Hunt, popular, genial, a faithful Christian and ever a gentleman. For some time, as I remember, he was superintendent of the Congregational Sunday school. It is my recollection that he died a number of years before the death of his brother, but the exact date I do not remember.
Durant, Pliny A.“Passing in Review: Reminiscences of Men Who Have Lived in St. Charles.” St. Charles Chronicle, 5 February 1904, p. 1.
A Few Nuts From The Tree 