----Source: 1918 History of Clark County, Wisconsin

                   Mr. & Mrs. Hiram Kayhart

HIRAM KAYHART, an elderly resident of Dorchester, Wis., widely known and respected, was born in Morris County, New Jersey, April 26, 1841, son of Richard and Elizabeth (Demouth) Kayhart. The parents were natives of New Jersey. The father died in 1849 and the mother about 1890. They had six children, three of whom are now living: Margaret, now Mrs. James Harper, of Portland, Ore. Hiram, of Dorchester, Wis., and Edward, of Sherman Township.

It was in 1863 that Hiram Kayhart turned his back on the East and settled in Calumet County, Wis., where some eight or nine years of his life were passed. In 1872 he removed to Holton Township, Marathon County, this state, and homesteaded a tract of 160 acres land. He had brought with him a team of oxen and these proved useful, and practically indispensable, in breaking and clearing his land. His first residence there was a log cabin, in which he made his home for eight years. For many years he was connected with the lumber business, a part of that time being spent working in the camps and some twenty-five years as a jobber. In time he developed his farm and became prosperous, also taking a prominent part in local affairs, serving on his township board, and also on the school board, being director and treasurer of the latter for twenty years. In 1904, Mr. Kayhart retired and took up his residence in Dorchester, Clark County, where he is now spending his declining years in comfort, enjoying the rewards of a long life of industry. After making his home here he was elected to the village council, being the first representative of Dorchester on the county board. He has always been a Republican in politics and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mr. Kayhart was married, Sept. 4, 1864, to Harriet Mendel, who was born in Michigan, Jan. 29, 1847, daughter of Reuben and Elizabeth (Smith) Mendel, her parents being from New York State. The father, who was a farmer, left Michigan for Wisconsin in 1853, locating in Calumet County. He was born Mar. 9, 1816, and died Aug. 26, 1901. His wife, born June 8, 1820, died Mar. 21, 1887. Of their seven children three are now living: Elizabeth Dudley, who resides in California Harriett, now Mrs. Kayhart, of Dorchester, and Jane Flower, who resides in Wyoming.

Mr. and Mrs. Kayhart have four children, twenty-one grandchildren and six great grandchildren. The children are: Emma, wife of Ed Collier, of Rusk County, Wis., who has seven children of her own Alice, wife of George Harper, of Clark County, who has three children Anetta, wife of Henry Froland, of Clark County, and the mother of four children and John W., who married Ada Winchel, and has seven children. Hiram Kayhart, is a member of the Grand Army Post in Dorchester, having enlisted Oct. 2, 1861, in Company K, Seventh New Jersey Infantry, with which regiment he served in the Army of the Potomac, while it was under command of General Hooker. He was never captured or wounded, but was discharged on account of sickness, June 13, 1862. On Sept. 1, 1864, he enlisted again, this time in the 16th Wisconsin Infantry and, joining Sherman's army, took part in the March to the Sea, being honorably discharged June 2, 1865, after participating in the Grand Review at Washington.