Nathaniel Hart, the father of N. P. Hart, was born in the state of Massachusetts in the year 1801, and remained
in that state until 1838, when he emigrated to the state of Illinois, and settled on section 27, in Barry township,
Pike county, where he still resides. He has always been engaged in farming and stock raising. His wife's maiden
name was Clarissa Hill, and she was born in the state of Massachusetts in the year 1800, and remained there until
she married Mr. Hart.
N. P. Hart was born in the state of New Hampshire in the year 1826, and remained with his parents until the year
1846, at which time he was among the first to respond to the call of the president of the United States for volunteers
to support the government in the war with Mexico, and joined the seventh regiment of Illinois infantry, and served
under General Price through the war, and was honorably discharged in the year 1848. He then returned to Pike county,
Illinois, and again engaged to labor on his father's farm, where he remained until the year 1850, when he was married
to Miss L. A. Blair, who is the daughter of Hon. Samuel and Lucy A. Blair, and who was born in the year 1830, being
the first white child born in Barry township. Immediately after his marriage, Mr. Hart settled on a farm in section
26, Barry township, where he still resides, engaged in farming and stock raising.
Mr. Hart commenced life in ordinary circumstances, and, though comparatively a young man, through a course of steady
industry, close application to business, and good management, he has become one of the leading men of Barry township,
and has frequently been chosen to fill important offices in his township, the duties of which he has always discharged
to the full satisfaction of his many friends. He is a man of enterprise and energy, and is now the owner of a very
fine residence, as shown by the lithographic views in this work.
Mr. Hart is the father of eight children, five of whom are now living; viz: George B., born in 1858; Lucy E., born
in 1860; Anna L., born in 1862; William N., born in 1865; and Clara B., — the baby, — born in 1867.