James KEPHART (1842-1932): Medal of Honor Recipient

James KEPHART (1842-1932) was the son of Jacob and Jane (O'Neil) KEPHART. This would make him a first cousin to Alfred Brunson KEPHART. In addition to being a Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, he also apparently was one of the original compilers of the Kephart Family History being credited as such by Francis Marion Armstrong.

A picture of KEPHART in his Civil War uniform along with the text of the letter informing him of the Medal of Honor award appeared in J. W. Lee's book, The History of Hamilton County Iowa (1912). The Idaho Military History Museum also featured him prominently in their 4th quarter newsletter, Pass in Review in December 2003.


Sgt. James KEPHART (c. 1862). Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient (13 May 1899). Image courtesy of J. W. Lee, History of Hamilton County Iowa, Vol. I, (Chicago, IL: S. J. Clarke, 1912), Opposite p. 294.


Image courtesy of J. W. Lee, History of Hamilton County Iowa, Vol. I, (Chicago, IL: S. J. Clarke, 1912), p. 295.

Hamilton county enjoys the distinction of having a citizen, who as a soldier of the Civil war, performed services of such gallantry as to entitle him to a medal of honor. On May 13, 1899, James Kephart received from the war department the following communication:

124013 A. G. O.

WAR DEPARTMENT
ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE
WASHINGTON, D. C.

May 13, 1899.

Mr. James Kephart, Webster City, Iowa.

Sir:—I have the honor to inform you that, by direction of the president and in accordance with the act of congress approved March 3, 1893, providing for the presentation of medals of honor to such officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates as have most distinguished themselves in action, the secretary of war has awarded to you a medal of honor for most distinguished gallantry in action at Vicksburg, Miss., May 19, 1863.

In making the award the secretary used the following language:

"At the assault on the confederate works at Vicksburg, Miss., May 19, 1863, Mr. Kephart, then a private of Company C, 1st Battalion, 13th U. S. Infantry, voluntarily, and at the risk of his life, when the battalion was about to retreat, returned, and under a severe fire from the enemy, aided and assisted to the rear . . .

Image courtesy of J. W. Lee, History of Hamilton County Iowa, Vol. I, (Chicago, IL: S. J. Clarke, 1912), p. 296.

. . . an officer who had been severely wounded and left on the field, thereby saving him from capture."

The medal has been this day forwarded to your address by registered mail. A knot to be worn in lieu of the medal accompanies the same, and a copy of Circular No. 14, of July 7, 1897, from this office, publishing instructions regarding the issue of the medal of honor, ribbon and bow-knot, is enclosed herewith. Please acknowledge the receipt of the same.

Very respectfully,
Wm. H. Carter,
Assistant Adjutant General.

James Kephart was born in Pennsylvania in 1842. In 1848, his family moved to Dubuque, Iowa, and this was Kephart's home until the commencement of the Civil war. On Sept. 15, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, 13th U. S. Infantry and served until September 5, 1864, when he was honorably discharged at Nashville, Tenn., by reason of the expiration of his term of service. After the war he returned to Dubuque. In 1884, he moved to Webster City and for twenty-eight years has sustained as a citizen, the high position in the regard of his fellow men, he earned as a soldier.

James Kephart's gravestones. Elmwood Cemetery, Gooding, ID. Photo by Gayle Alvarez (27 Jul 2008). Image courtesy of Find a Grave Memorial.


Detail of bottom gravestone. Elmwood Cemetery, Gooding, ID. Photo by Gayle Alvarez (27 Jul 2008). Image courtesy of Find a Grave Memorial.


Detail of top gravestone. Elmwood Cemetery, Gooding, ID. Photo by John Griffith (12 Jun 2003). Image courtesy of Find a Grave Memorial.