Hiram Kayhart was born in Boonton, N.J., April 26, 1841. Little is known about his early life, but he enlisted on Oct. 2, 1861 with the 7th NJ Volunteers and served under Gen. Hooker.
On June 13, 1862, he was discharged on account of illness, and moved out to Wisconsin to start a farm. On Sept. 1, 1864, he re-enlisted with the 16th Wisconsin, Company D, joining Gen. Sherman in his famous march to the sea. Kayhart was mustered out on June 2, 1865, after taking part in the Grand Review at Washington.
During the war, Kayhart married Harriet Mendel on Sept. 1, 1864, and they had six children. In 1871, the Kayharts moved to Dorchester county, WI and settled a farm. The family were considered “pioneers of the community.”.
Kayhart passed away at home at the age of 83 on July 1, 1924. He is buried in Dorchester Memorial Cemetery in Wisconsin.