James H. Smouse 24th Iowa, Co. G

James Smouse was born in 1839 in Bedford County, Pennsylvania. He moved with his parents and older brother, William to the west- most likely to Illinois, and then to Iowa, where he became a harness maker and probably helped his brother run a dry-goods store. He took up residence in Kingston City, Iowa, where his brother and his sister-in-law lived.

Although very little is known about him, it is known that on August 11, 1862, he enlisted, with his brother, in the 24th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment. But where his brother was a Corporal, James was a private, and mustered in on September 3, 1862. On December 29, 1862, he was promoted (or moved) to the position of wagoner, to oversee the horses and to bring in supplies. He mustered out on July 17, 1865 in Savannah, Georgia.

He lived to be only 45 years old, dying on April 21, 1884, close to 30 years before his older brother died. He was buried in Linwood Cemetery in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in Addition (D).