John Quincy Adams Nadenbousch facts for kids

John Quincy Adams Nadenbousch (born October 31, 1824 – died September 13, 1892) was an important person from Martinsburg, West Virginia. He was a successful businessman, a brave officer in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War, and a local politician.

Early Life and Business

John Quincy Adams Nadenbousch was born in Berkeley County, Virginia (which later became West Virginia). His family lived near Martinsburg. He had siblings, including Susan E. Seibert and Moses C. Nadenbousch.

In 1848, he married Hester Jane Miller. John started his career as a carpenter. He also owned a lumber yard in Martinsburg. By 1852, he bought a flour mill and started a distillery. This distillery was destroyed during the Civil War. However, he rebuilt it in 1863. It later became the famous Hannis Distilling Company.

Protecting Harpers Ferry

Before the Civil War, Nadenbousch helped create a local group called the Berkeley Border Guards. This was a militia unit, like a local defense force.

On October 16, 1859, a man named John Brown attacked the federal armory at Harpers Ferry. Nadenbousch's company was one of the first groups to arrive and help.

Service in the Civil War

When Virginia decided to leave the United States, Nadenbousch's company joined the Confederate Army. They became Company D of the 2nd Virginia Infantry Regiment. This regiment was part of the famous Stonewall Brigade, led by General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson.

Nadenbousch's unit first fought at the First Battle of Manassas. After this battle, he personally brought home the bodies of three of his soldiers. He buried them in Martinsburg. He eventually became a Colonel and led his regiment.

He was injured twice during the war. First, at the Second Manassas in August 1862. Less than a year later, he was wounded again at the Battle of Chancellorsville in May 1863. Because of his injuries and health, he asked to leave the battlefield. He was then given command of a post in Staunton, Virginia. He later resigned from the army in April 1864, before the war ended. People remembered Nadenbousch for his bravery and leadership. General Jackson especially liked him.

In May 1863, Nadenbousch bought the American Hotel in Staunton. When the Union Army, led by David Hunter, took over Staunton in June 1864, Nadenbousch became friends with one of Hunter's officers. This officer agreed to save the American Hotel from being destroyed. When the Union Army left Staunton, Nadenbousch received a pass to go home as a "loyal citizen of the United States."

Life After the War

After the Civil War, Nadenbousch continued his business work. He was a miller and distiller in Berkeley County. He worked with Nadenbousch & Roush and with Hannisville Mills. This was part of the Hannis Distilling Company from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

In 1876, Nadenbousch bought land in Martinsburg where another hotel used to be. He then built his own hotel, the Grand Central Hotel. It opened in December 1877. He ran it for about a year before renting it out to someone else. By 1881, he was in charge of one of the biggest distilleries in the country.

Nadenbousch also served his community as a politician. He was the mayor of Martinsburg, a councilman, and a trustee. In 1870, he became the Marshall of the Martinsburg Fire Company. He was also a member of the Tuscarora Lodge and an officer in the Berkeley County Agricultural and Mechanical Association.

Personal Life

John Quincy Adams Nadenbousch had at least one son, J. F. Nadenbousch, who passed away in 1884.

John Quincy Adams Nadenbousch died on September 13, 1892. He was buried in the Old Norbourne Cemetery in Martinsburg. A group of former Confederate soldiers in Martinsburg later named their organization, the J. Q. A. Nadenbousch Camp, after him.