Image shows Captain John M. Southworth in the uniform of the Veteran Reserve Corps. The Captain wears a light colored nine button frock coat with dark felt collar and cuffs. Southworth is posed with his right hand thrust in his coat in a classic Napoleonic pose.

Image is clear and clean with excellent contrast. Bottom edge of the mount has a pencil inscription that reads “J. M. SOUTHWORTH.”

Reverse has photographer’s imprint for KEET & GEMMILL… HARRISBURG, PA. There is a nice period ink inscription at bottom that reads “YOURS TRULY / J M SOUTHWORTH / CAPT CO “C 16” REG V. R. C.”

John M. Southworth was born in Bradford, Vermont, in 1839. When he was seventeen years of age the family went west, and eventually located in McHenry County, Illinois where he completed his education and taught school two years.

On April 22, 1861 Southworth enlisted as a Private in Company A, 7^th Illinois Infantry and was mustered in at Elgin on the 25^th. The regiments 3 month service was spent doing guard duty in the north. Private Southworth was mustered out with his regiment at Springfield, Illinois on July 25, 1861.

Southworth was next commissioned a 2^nd Lieutenant in Company H, 8^th Illinois Cavalry on September 18, 1861. The regiment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac and was involved in 52 skirmishes and engagements some of which were Mechanicsville, Malvern Hill, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Brandy Station, Upperville and Gettysburg. By the time of the latter battle Southworth had reached the rank of Captain. (It should also be pointed out that the 8thn Illinois is credited with firing the first shot of that famous battle.) Not long after the battle Captain Southworth resigned his commission on August 18, 1863. He was then assigned to the 16^th Regiment VRC where he remained throughout the remainder of the war being brevetted a Major on December 30, 1865.

On his return to McHenry County he was elected sheriff and served with marked credit and satisfaction. He was later clerk of the circuit court, and in the meantime read law and was admitted to practice in 1873.

He eventually went to Chicago and engaged in the practice of the law with General John F. Farnsworth, the former colonel of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry.

Major Southworth died on August 13, 1910 and is buried in Oakland Cemetery, Woodstock, Illinois.

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