Biographical Sketch of

Capt. J. N. P. Bird

Transcribed by Sandra Boudrou for the Marquette Co WI Pages


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 609 - 610


Capt. J. N. P. Bird, deceased, was for a number of years a prominent and respected citizen of Waushara 
County.  He was born in Madison County, N. Y., on the 9th of October, 1835, and two years later was 
brought by his parents to Madison, Wis., where he remained until 1859.  In the meantime he learned the 
trade of a baker, and engaged in that and the confectionery business until his removal to Wautoma, 
Waushara County.
 
On the 11th of February, 1864, Capt. Bird was united in marriage with Miss Charlotte T. Parker, the 
wedding being celebrated in Woodstock, Ill.  At the breaking out of the Rebellion he had entered the 
service of his country, Aug. 5, 1861, in Company I, 7th Wisconsin, and his marriage occurred during a 
furlough.  He first enlisted in the three-months' service, and when that term had expired he re-enlisted 
for three years as a "Northwestern Tiger," belonging to Company I of the 7th Wisconsin Infantry.  On the 
27th of August, 1861, he was wounded, but on his recovery immediately joined his command.  Previous to 
that time he was commissioned Second Lieutenant, and on the 27th of February, 1863, he was promoted to 
the rank of Captain, in which he served until being mustered out of service.  On bidding good-bye to 
their Captain his company presented him with a valuable sword, sash and belt.  He won the love and 
esteem of those whom he commanded in an unusual degree, and their gift was a token of their high regard 
for him.  By his gentlemanly conduct and his faithfulness to duty, he also won the confidence and respect 
of his superior officers.  He continued to serve his country until Sept. 26, 1864, although his term had 
expired some time previously.  He reached him home in Wautoma, December following, after more than three 
years spent upon the battlefields of the South.
 
Capt. Bird at once resumed farming, and followed that occupation until his death, which occurred on the 
3d of September, 1886.  Few men have been more honored in the community where they resided than he, and it 
is but justice to his friends and relatives that we insert his sketch in the volume which contains a record 
of the prominent and representative citizens of the county.  He served as Chairman in both the town of Dakota 
and Wautoma, was for a number of years Justice of the Peace, and in 1869 represented his district in the 
General Assembly of the State.  He served as Deputy Clerk of the Circuit Court, from 1879 until 1882, when 
he was elected Clerk of the court, which office he continued to hold until his death.  He was also Treasurer 
of his town several years, and his official career was marked with the greatest fidelity to duty.  He won 
not only the confidence of his constituents, but also of his political opponents.  For several years he 
successfully carried on the general insurance business, and was an attorney and claim agent.
 
Capt. Bird was widely and favorably known by the citizens of Waushara County, and his loss was keenly felt 
by the whole community.  The Masonic lodge of which he was a member aided the stricken wife and children in 
laying him away to rest.  His funeral was one of the largest ever held in this part of the county there being 
111 vehicles in the procession.  He was also a charter member and the first Commander of Ed. Saxe Post, G. A. R., 
and his comrades extended their heart-felt sympathy to the family, consisting of wife and three children--Katie, 
Mabel G. and Robert K.  Capt. Bird was faithful in the discharge of every duty to his family, his neighbors, his 
comrades, his country and his God.  It was not death for him to die, but was merely going
 
     "Out of the shadow of sadness
     Into the sunshine of gladness
     Into the light of the blest;
     Out of the land so dreary
     Out of the world so weary
     Into the raptures of rest.






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