From the Coldwater Chronicle, 1 Mar 1918, Page 1:

County Recorder James E. Hart died at the home of his sister, Mrs. Margaret E. Resh at Ft. Recovery last Friday afternoon. He had been ill with rheumatic troubles for several weeks and a few days ago at his request he was removed from Celina to the home of his sister at Ft. Recovery.

He was born in Fayette county, but had resided in Mercer county practically all his life and lived on a farm in the south part of the county until his marriage in 1907 to Miss Rosa Natter at Wendelin. He taught school for several years, teaching for 12 years at the same school. In 1917 he moved to Celina and on Sept. 3 of that year assumed the duties as county recorder and made many friends during his short term in office.

He was married at Wendelin in 1907 to Miss Rosa Natter and to this happy union five children were born, one daughter and four sons, all of whom together with the wife survive to mourn the death of a kind and devoted husband and father. In their hour of sorrow they have the deep sympathy of a large circle of friends.

He is also survived by two brothers, Patrick of Ft. Recovery, and John, of Burkettsville, and one sister, Mrs. Margaret E. Resh, of Ft. Recovery.

Funeral services were held at the Catholic church at Wendelin last Monday morning and were largely attended, nearly all the county officials being in attendance. The pall bearers were Judge H.A. Miller, Probate Judge C.S. Younger, Sheriff Wm. Pumphrey, Clerk of Courts J.B. Haslinger, Auditor E.G. Ungerer and Commissioner John Now.

Mrs. Hart and children, his two brothers and sister desire to thank the many kind neighbors and friends who so kindly assisted them during the illness of their beloved husband, father and brother. Also the county officials for their beautiful floral offering, the Reverand Fathers for their consoling words, the pall bearers, the teachers for their attendance at the funeral, and especially the former pupils of the deceased for their liberal donation for the funeral mass.