Biography - James Card
JAMES CARD, a blacksmith at Vienna, is worthy of honor as an adopted citizen of this country, who served her with the fidelity and patriotism of a native-born son of the soil when the great Civil War threatened disunion and disaster. He is of Irish birth, born in County Down on the 18th of February, 1832. His father, William Card, was also a native of that county, and was a son of John Card, who was born in Scotland, and at some period of his life crossed over to Ireland and spent his last years in County Down.
The father of our subject learned the trade of a wagon and carriage maker, and conducted business in that line at Banbridge, County Down, his entire life being passed in that county. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Margaret Hutchison, a native of County Down and a daughter of William Hutchison, who was a farmer in that county, of which he is supposed to have been a life-long resident. The parents of our subject were members of the Presbyterian Church, and were strong in the faith. The father was twice married. He had six children by the first marriage: John, Mary A., Jane, Martha, Eliza and William. By the second marriage there were four children born: James, Ellen, Sarah and Margaret. All came to this country but Mary, Martha and Margaret, who never left their native land.
Our subject was educated in his native county, and at the age of sixteen the stalwart, sturdy, self-reliant lad bade farewell to the land of his birth to cross the waters and find a new home in America. He accompanied his brother William on the ever-memorable journey, and April 4 they sailed from Belfast in a ship bound for New York, where they landed in safety after a long voyage of forty-nine days. He made his way to Essex County, in that State, and served an apprenticeship to learn the trade of a blacksmith. In 1851 he went to Wisconsin, going by team to Buffalo, and thence by the lakes to Sheboygan, whence he was conveyed by team to Columbia, where he worked at his trade about five months. Returning Eastward, he spent six months at his trade in Potter County, Pa., and then took up his residence in Cincinnati, where he was similarly employed until the war broke out.
Our subject was among the first to respond to the call for troops to defend the Stars and Stripes, and was enrolled as a member of Company H, Fifth Ohio Infantry, which was mustered in for a period of three months. Before the term of enlistment had expired he had re-enlisted for three years, and right well did he fight whenever his regiment had an encounter with the enemy proving himself to be a cool, courageous and capable soldier. He displayed especial valor in the hotly contested battles of Winchester and Antietam, where he acted as color guard. At the former place seven of the nine men who one after the other bore the colors of the regiment were killed or severely wounded, and our subject was wounded in the left hand on that memorable day, March 23, 1862. At Antietam, on the 17th of the following September, the color-bearer fell, and Mr. Card immediately picked up the flag, and had just started forward with it when a well-directed bullet struck him in the right arm below the elbow, and passing through the arm, came out above the elbow. He suffered greatly on account of these wounds, which disabled him from further service, and he was honorably discharged June 15, 1863.
Mr. Card remained in Cincinnati after he returned from the South until 1866, when he went to Mt. Carbon, in this State, and for more than three months was employed in the shops of the Mt. Carbon Railway & Coal Company. His next move was to Cairo, where he remained until 1869, and since that time has been a resident of this county. He did journey work for a time, but in 1878 opened a smithy of his own in Vienna, and has built up a thriving trade, which brings him a comfortable income. His industry, honest3', and many excellent traits of mind and heart have gained him the universal esteem of his community. He is true to his citizenship, and as a member of the Baptist Church is influential in elevating the religious status of the community. Mr. Card was married in 1878 to Mrs. Lucy Busard, who was born in Giles County, Tenn. For an account of her parents, Vincent and Elizabeth (Rose) Carter, see sketch of John Carter. Mrs. Card was very young when her family came to Illinois. She first married John Busard, who was an Englishman and came to America when a young man. He was a member of the Sixtieth Illinois Infantry during the war, and died from the effects of wounds received in battle. Mrs. Card is an earnest and consistent member of the same church with which her husband is identified. Their home is blessed with a daughter, Lulu.
Extracted 17 Apr 2016 from 1893 Biographical Review of Johnson, Massac, Pope, and Hardin Counties, Illinois, pages 156-157.
