Adair, Jacob

Jacob Adair

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Significance:

Private, 155th Illinois Infantry, Company F (Anabel's Ancestor)

Place of Birth:

Illinois

Date of Birth:

1839 or 1840

Place of Death:

Tullahoma, Tennessee

Date of Death:

April 4th, 1865

Place of Burial:

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Cemetery Name:

Stones River National Cemetery

Jacob Adair was born in Illinois in either 1839, according to enlistment records, or, according to the 1850 United States Census, 1840, but his birth date was most likely 1839 because he was 11 years old on the 1850 census. Jacob was born to Malinda Adair and Richard Adair; Richard worked as a farmer in Illinois. They were recorded on the 1850 census as living in Houston, Adams County, Illinois. In the later 1860 Census, Jacob had four siblings listed with himself being the oldest. They are listed from oldest to youngest as follows: Jacob Adair, Sarah E Adair, James F Adair, William T Adair, and Matha A Adair. The 1860 US Census also recorded that they moved to Salt River, Knox County, Missouri. 

Prior to his enlistment, Adair had his home of record as Edina, Knox County, Missouri. He enlisted with the Union Army on February 24th, 1865, and was around the age of 25. He mustered as a private with the 155th Illinois Infantry, Company F. The 155th Illinois was organized in Camp Butler, Illinois. They moved to Louisville, Kentucky and then to Nashville, Tennessee where they were attached to the 2nd Brigade of the Department of the Cumberland. During his service time, the 155th Illinois was assigned to guard block houses on the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad by detachments in Nashville and Tullahoma, Tennessee. They remained attached to the Department of the Cumberland until April 1865. 

Private Adair died while on duty in Tullahoma, Tennessee due to disease on April 4, 1865. He was 25 years old on the day of his death. According to his pension files filed on March 9, 1866, Jacob left behind a wife named Laura Adair. On February 23, 1876, a son was added to the pension file by the name of John C Kreuger, although his name is also listed as John Knight. Adair was one of 71 soldiers in the 155th Illinois Infantry alone to die of disease during service. 

Jacob Adair is laid to rest in the Stones River National Cemetery in plot H-2955.  

Tags: stones river national battlefield, stones river national cemetery, american civil war