John moved with his parents from Edgefield SC to TN by 1812 or earlier and had settled in Bedford County. His father Henry had several acres of land on the head waters of Big Flat creek, a south branch of Duck River and is found on a taxpayers list for the year 1812. By 1827 John was married to Mary Ann ? (from the family bible). By 1830 John and family are in Warren County TN. John's first wife died within 9 years of their marriage, and John was remarried to Cassandra, and moved back to Bedford TN, sold his property and moved to Lincoln Co. Mary Ann probably died right after the birth of their second child. John was back in Bedford TN in 1836 as his name is on a taxlist. He was there in Sep 1839 when he sold 151 acres to his brother-in-law James Coats. It is believed that John Henry moved to Lincoln TN but close to the Mt Hermon area prior to 1840. This family is on the Membership of the Mt Hermon Baptist Church until at least 1840. In Aug 1840 he is appointed as a delegate to attend the Duck River Baptist Assoc. Annual Session along with his father Henry Hart and Thomas Conwell. John Henry is reported to be a preacher but this has not been proven. He was granted a letter of dismissal from the church in Oct 1842 and had moved to IL. John was in Pope County in March 1843 but at some point we think he returned to White Co where he must have died.
Milo was a farmer and sheep shearer and also worked on the Railroad. A family story has it that while working on the RR he passed by the Thomas & Lucy (Greer) Graves home one day, and their daughter Lucy gave him a drink of water. Milo told her then that when she was old enough he was coming back to marry her, and he did. She was very pretty but had a "high" temper. She and Milo were divorced in the 1920's but are buried side by side in West Union Cemetery, White Co IL. Late in life fell and broke her hip, but because of her Brights Disease and being diabetic, her hip did not heal. The Doctor broke it again and reset it but this only hastened her death in 1936. Milo Jerome was another "black Hart".
Milo J. Hart was born on January 26, 1853 in Pope County, Illinois and
departed this life July 5, 1938 at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Pearl Given, near Carmi, at the age of 85 years, 5 months and 9 days.
He was united in marriage to Lucy C. Graves February 22, 1883 and to this union eleven children were born. The living children are Pearl Given, Icy Langford and Clifton Hart of Carmi, Theron Hart of Washington, D. C., Blanche Spencer, Tom, Jerome and Lavern Hart of Evansville, Indiana.
The deceased was preceded in death by his wife, Lucy Hart, a son, Hubert, who died at the age of 18 and two children, Raymond and Mabel, who died in infancy.
He professed faith in Christ several years ago and united with the Missionary Baptist Church at Walnut Grove. Mr. Hart had been in poor health for some time, having suffered a light stroke several weeks ago from which he never fully recovered. Being a father of a large family he knew something of the ordeal through which one must strive in the busy affairs of this life. Uncle Mile, as he was known to many, was happy in sickness from which he knew he could not recover and often sopke of the time when he must go to meet his master.
In addition to the above named children he leaves to mourn his departure several grand children, five nephews, Edgar Hart of Indianapolis,lnd., Victor Hart of Maunie, Ivan Hart of Carmi, Al Hart of Dexter, Missouri and Henry Hart of Akin, and a host of other friends and relatives.
Funeral services were held at West Union Church Thursday afternoon, July 7, at 3:30 o’clock conducted by Rev. D. F. Marlin of Grayville. Interment was in West Union cemetery. The pallbearers were Darrell Langford, John Sopencer, Alfred Spencer, Norman Langford, Wayne Spencer and Fred Given. The floral bearers were, Imogene Hart, Linda Lou Lamar, Diane McKnight, Helen Given, Laura Given, Musetta Hart, Lucille Lamar, Lucy Nell McKnight, Alma Wave McKnight, Ruby Miller, Gladys Langford, Billy Langford, Alice Jane Spencer, Ramona Given, Mrs. Ruch Given, Mary Schaffer, Anna Ruby Nelson, Nola Spencer, Nelle Mokler and Beveraly Lamar. The Archer funeral home was in charge of arrangements.
Contributed by M.A. Hart
