Albert George Washington Hart, son of William (1858-1924) and Rose E. (Peacock) (1858-1933) Hart, was born 9 October 1890, Locke Township, Ingham County, Michigan. Albert's parents were both born in England. In 1880 William wed Rose and in 1888, with 3 children in tow, the family immigrated to the United States settling first in Locke Township.
Albert was a fraternal twin to Alfred Washington. By 1900 the Hart family was living in Meridian township and both boys were attending one of the township schools, probably Okemos. Their father had become employed in the 1890's by the Grand Trunk Railroad Company and tended the Haslett crossing, also acting as crossing tender for the Michigan Electric Railway company in Haslett. At home the boys and older siblings took over the farm work since their father's job took long hours.
Albert completed three years of high school. He would have graduated from Okemos with the class of 1909. After schooling he hired himself out as a farm laborer.
Albert completed the World War I Draft Registration form 5 June 1917. He listed his occupation as farm laborer for M. A. Hatch, Meridian Township and was described as tall, slender with blue eyes and brown hair. Albert was drafted into the war. The Lansing State Journal reported his leaving for Fort Custer, Kalamazoo County.
Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Saturday 31 August 1918
MANY INGHAM BOYS LEAVE FOR CAMPS
SEVERAL CONTINGENTS DEPART FROM MASON AND MORE WILL GO THIS WEEK.
Mason, Aug. 31 - Many more selects are entraining for various training camps. Friday morning at 11:16 o'clock five men, three of them Mason boys, entrained here for Camp Dodge, Ia.,....
A contingent of 26 men left Mason Friday afternoon about 4 o'clock for Camp Custer. These men were guests of the Booster club at a dinner at the Masonic hall during the noon hour, and were escorted to the station later by the Mason city band and a large delegation of relatives, and Mason city residents. These selects who come from all parts of the county outside of Lansing city were: Jacob Ernest Frinkel, Stockbridge; Lloyd Sylvester Brooks, Leslie; Albert George Hart, Okemos.....
World War I ended. The land, sea and air armistice was established 11 November 1918. Albert was honorably discharged from the US Army and sent home.
In 1924 Albert's father contracted small pox and was dead within a few short days. The Lansing State Journal published innumerable articles on the virulent 1924 pox outbreak which seemed to be confined to the Haslett, Pine Lake areas in Ingham County. Roads in and out of the district were closed to the public with 18 cases reported. State health authorities believed the small pox epidemic originated in Windsor, Ontario. Although border authorities were insisting upon vaccination of all people crossing from Canada, it was reported that many had "slipped" through. Mr. Hart was in constant contact with people coming going on the railroad and this is where he may have become infected. Mr. Hart was interred Glendale Cemetery, Okemos.
Albert like his father became an employee of the Grand Trunk Railroad. He never married and in later life was diagnosed with a "heart condition." Albert died unexpectedly at home 9 August 1955, Lansing. He was interred in Glendale Cemetery, Okemos.
Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Tuesday 9 August 1955
DEATH ATTRIBUTED TO HEART ATTACK
ALBERT HART, 64, IS FOUND DEAD AT HOME
Albert Hart, 64, of 827 Hickory st., died unexpectedly of a heart attack Tuesday morning.
Coroner Dorwin Hoffmeyer said Mr. Hart had been undergoing treatment for a heart condition for a long time.
He was found dead in bed about 10:30 a.m., the coroner said.
Mr. Hart was born Oct. 9, 1890, in Ingham county and had been a life-long resident here. He was employed by the Grand Trunk railroad.
Surviving are three brothers, Clyde of Haslett, Tom of Haslett and Alfred of East Lansing; three sisters, Mrs. Lena Cornell of Okemos, Mrs. Lilly Piper of Haslett, and Mrs. Maud Marsh of Williamston.
Funeral arrangements are being made at the Gorsline-Runciman funeral home and will be announced later. Burial will be in Glendale cemetery.