James Monroe Deems
Born: January 5, 1818
Birthplace: Baltimore, Maryland
Father: Colonel Jacob Frederick Deems 1782 – 1850
(Buried: Green Mount Cemetery, Baltimore, Maryland)
Mother: Susanna Grubb 1785 – 1869
(Buried: Green Mount Cemetery, Baltimore, Maryland)
Wife: Mary Isabelle Flack 1824 – 1885
(Buried: Green Mount Cemetery, Baltimore, Maryland)
Children:
James Harry Deems Sr. 1848 – 1930
(Buried: Green Mount Cemetery Baltimore Maryland)
Colonel Clarence Deems 1850 – 1924
(Buried: Saint Luke's Cemetery Rossville New York)
Dr. Charles Williams Deems 1860 – 1942
(Buried: Fairmount Cemetery Denver Colorado)
Education:
Studied music in Germany under Composer Justus Frederich Dotzhauer
Occupation before War:
First displayed his musical talent as a military bugler
Mastered the clarinet and French horn by the age of 13
Music Teacher and Composer in Baltimore Maryland
1848 – 1858: Music Instructor at University of Virginia
He would not draw a salary at the University of Virginia
Teacher at Albemarle Female Institute in Virginia
Went on a European tour returning to the U.S. during Sectional Crisis
He wrote Patriotic anthems supporting the Union and the Election of 1860
Civil War Career:
1861 – 1862: Major of 1st Maryland Cavalry Regiment
Served on General Franz Sigel's Staff
1862 – 1863: Lt. Colonel of 1st Maryland Cavalry Regiment
1863: Regimental Commander at the Battle of Gettysburg. Lt. Colonel Deems led 335 men to the field in 11 companies. His command participated in the Cavalry fighting on July 3rd. Totally losses for the regiment were two wounded and one missing.
1863: Suffered from the effects of Chronic rheumatism
1863: Discharged from the Union Army on November 10th
1865: Brevetted to the ranks of Colonel and Brigadier General
Occupation after War:
Musician and Music Instructor in Baltimore Maryland
He owned an Independent Music Studio in Baltimore Maryland
1867: Attended Union League Meeting in Baltimore Maryland
Active member of Military Order of the Loyal Legion
Active member of Custer Post No. 6 Grand Army of the Republic
Died: April 18, 1901
Place of Death: Baltimore, Maryland
Cause of Death: Acute Bright's Disease
Age at time of Death: 83 years old
Burial Place: Green Mount Cemetery, Baltimore, Maryland
Last edited by a moderator:
Bringing the