1850 John and Nancy Rivir lived in Noble Twp, Noble County, Indiana with children Christian (age 16), John (age 16), Jacob (age 11), David (age 9), Mary (age 7), Eli (age 5), and Elizabeth (age 2). [1] [2]
1860 John and Nancy Rivir lived in Green Twp, Noble County, Indiana with children John (age 24), carpenter, Jacob (age 21), Mary (age 17), Eli (age 15), Elizabeth (age 12), and Nancy (age 8). [3] [4]
1864 Brothers John, David, and Jacob Rivir enlisted in the Civil war in General Sherman's and Grant's armies on their march through the South. [5] [6]
1864 A newspaper clipping in the bible of Christian S Rivir, John and Nancy's son, gives the following account [Photocopy, Reports of the deaths of John and Nancy Rivir's sons in the Civil War from the bible of John's son Christian S Rivir.]:
River - Jacob, son of John and Nancy River, died January 15th, 1862, at Nashville, Tennessee, after being in the service about four months, aged 23 years, 7 months, and 8 days. A sermon was preached by the writer in reference to his death, near the place of his residence, to many relatives and neighbors. Also, David, son of the same parents, died December 17th, 1862, at Bowling Green, Kentucky, having been in the service of the country some four months aged 21 years, ten months, and 25 days; and the writer was again called upon to preach a sermon to the memory of the departed one to an attentive collection of relatives and friends. John, also son of the above named parents, was taken prisoner while in the service, September 1, 1864, and has not been heard of since, and no doubt he was one of that number who perished by the cruel hands of traitors, in the prison at Andersonville. He was aged, when taken prisoner, 28 years, 5 months, and 16 days. This unfortunate brother served his country for nearly three years, during which time he went through many severe battles, and then died in the most revolting manner.
1864 John Rivir was killed in the Civil War after being taken prisoner 1 September, 1864. He may have died at Andersonville prison [7]
John River served as a Private in company F of the 30th Regiment, Indiana Infantry. [8]
Company F of the 30th Indiana Infantry had many men from Noble County, Indiana [9]. John was not listed in one roster of this regiment [10].
1864 John Rhiver served as a Private in company A of the 134th Regiment, Indiana Infantry (100 days, 1864). [11]
1867 A notice was posted "in regard to those fallen soldiers who, in defense of their country, left their bodies in the South. … a roll embracing the names of those about whom she has not been able to learn anything definite … Below will be found the Indiana list. … John Rivir, company F, 30th infantry". [12]
[1] United States Federal Census, 1850, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].
[2] United States Federal Census, 1850, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[3] United States Federal Census, 1860, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].
[4] United States Federal Census, 1860, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[5] C. J. Whan, Noble County, Indiana, Records from the Whan Collection (Web-based: Noble County Public Library), Noble County veterans, 88th Indiana Infantry, [Noble_County_Library].
[6] Pennsylvania State Archives, Civil War Veterans' Card File, Search in the alphabetical range of names that includes "River", [URL].
[7] National Park Service, Soldiers and Sailors Database, 30th Regiment, Indiana Infantry, Company F, [National_Park_Service].
[8] U.S. Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865, citing film M540 roll 64, [AncestryRecord].
[9] 30th Infantry research, [URL].
[10] Civil War Index, [Civil_War_Soldiers].
[11] U.S. Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865, citing film M540 roll 63, [AncestryRecord].
[12] Newspaper, Plymouth, Indiana, January 24, p2 c3, newspapers.com.