James H. Persons

James H. Persons (July 13, 1829 – March 24, 1895) was an American farmer, Republican politician, and Wisconsin pioneer. He was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing Pierce County during the 1873 and 1874 sessions.

Early life James H. Persons was born in Wales, New York, in July 1829. He was raised and educated in New York, but came west to the Wisconsin Territory with his family in 1846. They settled in the town of Rubicon, in Dodge County.

Civil War service After the start of the American Civil War, Persons volunteered for service in the Union Army, along with his half-brother, Francis. They were enlisted in Company I of the 29th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, and went south with their regiment to Arkansas for service in the western theater of the war in September 1862.

Through the Winter of 1862–1863, they engaged in several operations along the Mississippi River in support of the Vicksburg Campaign, and during those months, Persons was promoted to corporal and then sergeant.

Personal life and family James H. Persons was one of at least four children born to Joseph Persons Sr., and his first wife, Betsy (née Farwell). James Persons had a twin brother, Joseph Persons Jr. Other members of the extended Persons family also came to Wisconsin—Enos Warren Persons, who served in the State Senate and Assembly in the 1880s, was a second cousin.

James H. Persons married Maria Antonett Yendes of Sackets Harbor, New York, in 1854. They had at least four children together, though one daughter died young.

James H. Persons died at his home in the town of Union, Pierce County, Wisconsin, on March 24, 1895.

Electoral history Wisconsin Assembly (1872, 1873)