Biography - James L. Burkhalter
1878 Biography
JAMES
L. BURKHALTER, County Treasurer, is the son of David and
Mary A. (Marks) Burkhalter, of Pennsylvania; was born in Lehigh Co., Pa.,
April 15, 1835. Educated in common schools and academy, and reared on a
farm. He learned the carpenter trade and commenced the building business in
1852 and has followed it since; came to Knox county in April, 1856. Was
married to Martha E. Adle Nov. 2, 1858 [the Illinois Statewide Marriage
Index lists a James L. Burkhalter marrying a Martha E. Adle in Knox County
on December 2, 1858], who has borne him eight children, six living. In 1862
he recruited a company for the Union Army; commenced July 23, completed Aug
10; was chosen Captain and kept recruiting until he raised nearly two
companies. His was the first recruiting commission obtained by a Knox county
man. He was often detailed in various staff positions, much of the time in
charge of sappers and miners. During his last year he served as Assistant
Adjutant General, and always received favorable mention in Gen. Buell's
reports; for meritorious services at Beatonsville, North Carolina, was
promoted to Major; was with Sherman on his march to the sea. He is a
Republican, and was elected Treasurer of Knox county in 1875, and re-elected
in 1877. Residence, Maquon.
Contributed by Joan Achille, extracted from the 1878 History of Knox County, Illinois, published by Charles C. Chapman.
1886 Biography
CAPT. JAMES L. BURKHALTER, President of the Farmer's Bank of Galesburg,
and Treasurer of Knox County, is the son of David and Marion (Marks)
Burkhalter. He was born in Allentown, Pa., April 15, 1835, and was the
eldest in a family of seven sons and four daughters. His parents were of
German descent and in their home spoke only the language of their ancestry,
so their children learned no English until they were old enough to attend
school. The names of the brothers and sisters were Henry P., Savina, David
F., Susan E., William, Mary A., Wayne, John, Anna E., and Charles M. Henry P
and Wayne are deceased; Susan E. became the wife of William Smythe and they
have one son - William B.; William married Miss Clara Beard, and they are
the parents of three children; John married Miss Anna Carkhuff. The balance
of the children reside on the old homestead.
James L. Burkhalter was educated at the Saegerstown Academy, taught school a
short time and studied law with a view to professional life. From some
cause, however, he abandoned this idea and went to Meadville, Pa., and there
worked at the carpenter's trade until he was 21 years of age. He landed at
Galesburg in April, 1856, where he prosecuted his trade until the outbreak
of the Civil War. After visiting various places he settled down at Maquon,
and July 18, 1862, he received a commission from Gov. Yates, authorizing him
to raise a company of volunteers. As recruiting officer, he raised Co. F,
for the 86th Ill. Vol. Inf. and Co. G for the 83rd Ill. Vol. Inf. In camp at
Peoria, Aug. 27, 1862, he was placed in command of Co. F, 86th Reg., and
served his country faithfully and well until June, 1865. He was on the staff
of Gen. Dan. McCook at the time that officer was killed, and was
subsequently on the staffs of Gens. Davis and Morgan, discharging in the
meantime the various duties of Provost Marshal, Adjutant-General,
Inspector-General, etc. During his whole connection with the army he was
never absent from the post of duty. At the siege of Atlanta, while on the
staff of Gen. Morgan, and acting as one of the topographical engineers, he
was captured by a guerrilla, but his Orderly, observing the situation,
rushed upon the "reb" with a force that changed his victory into defeat, and
in less than two minutes the whilom captor was being led captive into the
lines of the Union Army. While acting as staff officer on the staff of Gen.
Morgan, at Bentonville, N.C., the Captain, while carrying dispatches, was
compelled to cross a swamp, wading in water up to his waist, under the fire
of both armies, and, strange to say, he almost miraculously escaped
unharmed.
Captain Burkhalter left the army with the commission of Major, but, failing
to muster as such, he feels that he is scarcely entitled to that rank. At
the close of the war he returned to Maquon, where he was for several years
engaged in the lumber business, carrying on in the meantime the work of
contractor and builder, and accumulating from various sources quite a sum of
money. He became a stockholder and Director in the Farmers' and Mechanics'
Bank in 1882, and in January following was chosen President of that concern.
While a citizen of Maquon he held the office of Police Magistrate for 16
years. He was elected Treasurer of Knox County in 1875, and re-elected in
1877, 1879 and in 1882. He has long been recognized as an able Republican
worker, and has represented that party as a member of the County Central
Committee for 12 years. He moved into Galesburg in 1884, where he has since
resided.
Capt. Burkhalter is a member of the I. O. O. F. and A. F.& A. M., Eminent
Commander of Galesburg Commandery, No. 8, and member of Peoria Consistory.
He was married at Maquon, Dec. 2, 1858, to Martha E. Adle [the Illinois
Statewide Marriage Index lists a James L. Burkhalter marrying a Martha E.
Adle in Knox County on December 2, 1858], native of Genesee County, N.Y.,
and of German descent. Mr. and Mrs. Burkhalter have become the parents of
eight children, namely: Charles F., Henry L., James, Dessie, John, Nellie,
Robert and Alvin P. Charles F. married Miss Osa Hoffman, daughter of James
D. and Sarah Hoffman. They have one child, named James.
Contributed by Micky Dawson, extracted from the 1886 Portrait and Biographical Album of Knox County, Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago, page 711
1899 Biography
CAPTAIN JAMES L. BURKHALTER, son of David and Mary Ann (Marks)
Burkhalter, was born in Allentown, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, April 15,
1835.
The Burkhalters are Swiss and came originally from the Canton of Berne. The
name, which signifies "Keeper of the Castle," is very common in Switzerland.
Ulrich Burkhalter came to this country in 1732, and on August 11, took the
oath of allegiance in William Penn's Colony. He purchased three hundred
acres of land in Burks County (now Lehigh), in Whitehall Township, just
north of Allentown. It was here that the father of Captain Burkhalter was
born.
Ulrich had a son Peter, who was Captain Burkhalter's
great-great-grandfather, and who possessed the landed estate of his father.
He was a man of prominence. He was naturalized in 1761; was County
Commissioner in 1776; was a member of the State Convention the same year;
was a member of the Pennsylvania Assembly for several terms; and was a
representative in Congress from 1791 to 1794. He was also a Captain of a
company of the Northampton Association, and saw active service during the
Revolution in the Jerseys. Peter Burkhalter died in 1806. He had a son whose
name was John Peter, and the latter had a son whose name was Henry, the
grandfather of James L. Henry was the father of fourteen children, twelve of
whom lived to maturity - six sons and six daughters. The third son, David,
was the father of Captain Burkhalter.
Captain Burkhalter’s life is full of incident and interest. Both his
patriotism and his manhood have made him a man of mark. The "War Governor,"
Richard Yates, appointed him recruiting officer under the call of President
Lincoln for 300,000 volunteers. He recruited Company "G" of the Eighty-third
and Company "F" of the Eighty-sixth Illinois Volunteers. He then enlisted as
a private in Company "F" and was elected Captain.
Under this rank, he commanded his company through its many campaigns. He was
detailed various other duties, such as building bridges and roads. As
Provost Marshal and later as Inspector General by appointment of General
George H. Thomas, he served on staff duty under Generals McCook, Fearing,
Morgan, Davis, and Slocum. He campaigned in very many different States -
Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North
Carolina, and Virginia - and was one of "Sherman’s' Bummer's" in that famous
march through Georgia to the Sea. At the close of the war, he took part in
the grand review of the Army at Washington.
Alongside the Captains military record, his civil record is worthy of
mention. He has held various public offices, such as Police Magistrate and
Town Clerk in Maquon, County Treasurer of Knox County for eleven consecutive
years, and Supervisor from the City of Galesburg for five terms. In January,
1883, he was elected president of the Farmer's and Mechanics' Bank, which
position he still holds.
His political creed is republican. He is strictly a party man. He is an
uncompromising believer in republican principles, and he follows them to the
end. His religious creed is broad, and his impulses are benevolent. He is a
believer in the righteousness of good works.
Captain Burkhalter was married to Martha E. Adle, Dec. 2, 1858 [the Illinois
Statewide Marriage Index lists a James L. Burkhalter marrying a Martha E.
Adle in Knox County on December 2, 1858]. To them were born eight children:
Charles F., Henry L., James W., Desdemona, John D., Nellie L., Robert P.,
and Alvin P.
Contributed by Micky Dawson, extracted from the 1899 Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and Knox County, Munsell Publishing Company, page 711.
Diary
The ILGenWeb Civil War Scrapbook has a transcription available to read online of the Diary of Captain James L. Burkhalter, Co. F, 86th Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
