CAPT. JAMES BUMGARDNER
Was born at Fayette, Howard county, Missouri, on February 18,
1835, his paternal ancestry of Virginia descent. He is a son of Lewis
Bumgardner, who was born in Augusta county in 1806, is still living,
and whose father was Jacob Bumgardner, of Augusta county, a son of
Christian Bumgardner, of Shenandoah county, Virginia, who served in
the Indian wars prior to the Revolution, and in the Revolutionary war.
Captain Bumgardner's mother was born in Lexington, Kentucky, and
died at the age of fifty-nine years. She was Hetty Ann, daughter of Daniel
Halstead, of Lexington, Kentucky, and of Carlisle, Illinois, whose
father was living in New Jersey at the time of the Revolutionary war,
and was captured on the retreat of the American Army from Long
Island, and died with a number of others a prisoner of war while held
in prison in the Old North Church in New York City.
At the birthplace and residence of the bride, Bethel Church, Augusta
county, Virginia, Captain Bumgardner married Mary Mildred, daughter
of James Bumgardner. Their six children were born in the order named.
Minnie M., James Lewis, Rudolph, Augusta, Eugenia and Nellie C.
Mrs. Bumgardner's father was born in Augusta county, a son of the
Jacob Bumgardner before mentioned, in 1801, and is still living at
Bethel Church. Her mother, still living, was born in Rockbridge
county, Virginia, Malinda, daughter of Capt. Alexander McCorkle,
whose father served in the Revolutionary war until he was wounded at
battle of Guilford Court House, of which wounds he died. Captain
Bumgardner was educated at the University of Virginia, taught school
in Spottsylvania county, Virginia, 1853-4, at Madison C. H., Virginia,
1854-5, and 1855-6, was admitted to the Bar in 1859, and practiced
in Staunton until the beginning of the war. He entered the Confederate
service as adjutant of the 5th Virginia Infantry, Stonewall Brigade,
with which he served until the reorganization of the army in May, 1862.
He then enlisted as a private in Company A, 52nd Virginia Infantry,
was elected lieutenant of that company May 6, 1862, promoted captain
Company F, same regiment, in September, 1862, after that commanded
his company in all its movements until captured at Winchester,
Virginia, on September 19, 1864. From that time until the close
of the war he was held prisoner at Fort Delaware. After the close of
the war he resumed practice in Staunton. He was in partnership with-H.
W. Sheffy from the time of his admission to the Bar until that gentleman's
death, on April 4, 1889. He was elected attorney for the
commonwealth in August, 1865, and filled the office by re-elections
until 1883.
