BIOGRAPHY: "Adam and Walter Kyger
Father and Son, Veterans of the Civil War
.
Adam Kyger was the son of Daniel and Anna (Henthorn) Kyger. Adam was born 23 June 1819 near Clarington, Salem Township, Monroe County, Ohio. One of thirteen children, he went west with his family to settle in Vermilion County, Illinois. Adam married Catherine Smith, the daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Brown) Smith on February 22, 1844. Adam eventually moved his family to Hermitage, Hickory County, Missouri.
.
In early 1861, Missouri was in a state of unrest. The population was clearly divided. To add to the turbulence, guerrilla warfare, political intrigue and profiteering on government contracts flourished. The impending invasions by Arkansas from the south and Tennessee from the east added even more distress to the people of this border state. On June 15, 1861, Adam Kyger and his eldest son, Walter, joined Capt. Lindsey's Company D, Hickory County Battalion, Osage County Regiment, Missouri Home Guard at Black Oak Point, Hickory County.
.
Walter was a tall young man with a dark complexion, brown hair and blue eyes. With pride he gallantly followed his father and neighbors into this venture. None of that mattered. As it was, the war ended six months later for Adam and Walter. The smoke from the cannon had done extensive damage to Adam's eyes. When he was told to go home, the army officials found that Corporal Adam Kyger's next of kin, same outfit, was only fourteen years old. Indeed, Walter Kyger was born April 6, 1847, not 1846. Father and son were discharged at Linn Creek, Missouri on December 20, 1861. Walter did not escape the war without medical problems. He was plagued with sores known as 'soldiers sores' on his legs which were to cause much discomfort for the rest of his life. Both men took their war wounds home to 'Mam', their beloved wife and mother, Catherine.
.
Adam lived to the age of 85. He suffered from 'disease of the eyes', kidney and liver dysfunction. He drew a monthly pension of $12 a month for his service as a Civil War veteran. He died April 30, 1904. Catherine Kyger requested and received her husband's pension in the full amount until her death 10 January 1911." (Written by Kay (Holly) Bolls, the second great-granddaughter of Adam and Catherine (Smith) Kyger. Sources: Florence Belle McCarter; Civil War and Pension records for Adam Kyger)