In light of Veterans Day and researching our veterans, we have more to the story on John Kaufman. In our earlier account, AWTHS acquired a Civil War document on John Kaufman from the Thompson family. This document was handed down to Bryon Davis and his brother from the Hissongs.
Previously, we had information from the document and a stone marker at Newcomers Cemetery. After further research done primarily by Caroline Petitjean, we discovered John’s family and a timeline of his life. While not complete, it does give some insight as to the Kaufaman’s date of stepping on the United States of America soil, living in Montgomery County, Ohio, being in Indiana to enlist and returning to Ohio for John’s final resting ground.
Per research from Caroline Petitjean
With the help of Caroline, we discovered some findings about John and his family.
John’s parents were from Germany. His father was born 1797 and his mother was Margaretha or Margaret born abt 1798. They came from Rotherdam, Netherlands and arrived in the USA in 1846 at the New Orleans, LA port on the ship Superb. We find this on the New Orleans, Louisiana, US Passenger Lists, 1813-1963.
There were several siblings: Johann Martin born 1835, Friedrich born 1837 and John born 1839. We believe the children were born in Germany. The other children are also listed on the ships registry, Mathias age 15 born 1831; Margaretha (Margaret) age 13 born 1833.
It seems the father Fredrick Kaufman and family was living in Montgomery County, Ohio and his will was dated 1855. It listed his widow Margaret and children Mathais, Margaret, Martin and unnamed minors which would be Frederick and John.
In following the find-a-grave links we can link the family. For instance,
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/260639071/frederick-kaufman (credit to this source and contributors on all find-a-grave info)
Frederick Kaufman: (Father)
Photo of tomb stone located in Poplar Hill Cemetery, Vandalia, Montgomery County, Ohio. He was born 12 Oct 1797 in Germany. Died 23 Mar 1855 aged 57 in Montgomery County, Ohio.
Daughter Margaret: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/126429573/margaret_kaufman
Born 16 Jun 1833 in Germany. Died 24 Jan 1890, aged 56 yrs and buried in Potsdam Cemetery, Miami County, Ohio.
Son Mathias:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29901750/mathias-kauffman
Born 12 Nov 1831 and died 2 Apr 1907 at 75 years. Buried at Elm Grove Cemetery, Saint Mary’s, Auglaize County, Ohio. Married to Wilhelmina per Find-a-Grave and is linked to eight children of their own.
John’s brother, Fredrich(1837) He was a farmer who married Catharine in 1867. Their children were Clara, Rosanna, Charles, Simon, Martha Jane, Laura and Walter. In the 1900 census records he was in Franklin Township, Darke County, OH. This is the Laura whose stone is near our John’s.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/42552940/frederick-kaufman
John: Our subject of this story
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/141275539/john-kaufman
Born July 27, 1839 and died July 14, 1898 at 58 (almost 59) years old. He is buried Newcomers Cemetery, Franklin Township in Darke County, Ohio.
Additional findings seem John and brother Martin left for Wayne County Indiana by the 1860’s from Montgomery County, Ohio after their father’s death in 1855.
John’s military record includes the following:
Per the IN US Civil War Soldier database we find John enrolled 1 July 1862. Was discharged 30 June 1865. He enlisted in Richmond, IN under the Company K, Regiment 16. He was captured April 5, 1864 and discharged as a Corpl. Jan 16, 1865. The record states he was a paroled prisoner meaning he could have been part of a prisoner exchange. If that occurred, they were free to go back to their military unit. Per the US Civil War Solider Records and Profiles, 1861-1865.
He served or fought in these battles or engagements: This information was obtained from the original paperwork from the military donated to AWTHS by family.
Richmond, KY 8-31-1862
Chickasaw 12-24 through 12-31 1862
Arkansas 1-11-1863
Wagnalia ___ Magnolia Hills_____ 1863. *Now referred to as Battle of Port Gibson.
Champion Hills 5-16-1863. *(Part of the Vicksburg Campaign)
Black River Bridge 5-7-1863
Vicksburg 5-19 through 7-4 1863
Jackson, Mississippi 7-8 through 7-15 1863
River Expendition until 4-9 1864
Battle of Sabrine Cross Roads 4-8-1864 captured?
Signed Aug 3, 1864 by the Major Robert Con___
_______ means can’t decipher hand writing on document
*Not on original document
Caroline found the Major’s name: It’s Major Robert Conover of the 16th Indiana Regiment from Shelbyville, Indiana. From Report of the Adjutant of the State of Indiana Vol. 2
Thank you Caroline who spend countless hours combing through pages of documents to find this name as well as other important facts and documents about John, his regiment and the family.
John’s brother, Martin possibly enlisted for Civil War as well. 10 July 1863 in Co F 106th Indiana Infantry in Wayne County, Indiana. Mustered out July 17, 1863 at Indianapolis. Only a week served as this was the time frame for this regiment. The 106 was formed to defend from Morgan’s Raid (Confederate) in Indiana at Corydon Indiana. That is all that was found on Martin without further research.
John came back to Madison County, IN. after the war.
He applied for a pension in 1880 but was denied. Per US Civil War Pension Index-General Index to Pension File 1861-1934.
Pensions were often denied back in the earlier war and conflicts.
Our good solider died 1898 and is buried near his niece, the Hissongs in Newcomer Cemetery in Franklin Township, Darke County, Ohio. Through further research and locating some obits by Joyce Thwaits, we discover the link of the Hissongs and Davis family. We can conclude that Celia Hissong married Forrest Davis, Bryon’s Davis father. Celia’s mother was Laura Kaufman Hissong, a sibling to Clara and daughters of Frederick and Catherine, and the girls were nieces of our solider, John Kaufman.
We are waiting for a flag holder for his grave lot.
We thank you John for your faithful service!
Some questions we still ponder are:
When did John come to Darke County?
Was he married?
If you have additional information or this is your ancestor or related to this line of Kaufman’s, please comment or contact the AWTHS research dept at [email protected] or through Messenger.
We would love to hear more about this family, including John. Or a photo of the family.
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