Monroe County, Wisconsin - Chapter 16: John Av. Lynn Post, 1912

Chapter 16: John Av. Lynn Post

John W. Lynn Post No. 30, Department of Wisconsin, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized jMay 8, 1882, at Sparta, county of Monroe, and state of AVisconsin, with fifty-seven charter members as follows, to-wit :

James Davidson, lifty-seven years, okl, formerly major of the Fifth New York cavalry, afterwards department commander of the Department of AVisconsin, and died at AVichita, Kansas, ]\Iarch 16, 1891, a native of the state of Ncav York.

Samuel Hoyt, sixty-three years of age, served as sergeant of the First Wisconsin battery over four years, was honorably dischai'g'cd :ui(l died ;it Sparta on tlie tliird day of June, 1898.

Edwin W. Olin was born in the state of New Y^ork ; aged thirty-nine when the post was organized; served as first lieutenant of Company "E," One Hundred and Twenty-first regiment, New York infantry volunteers, and was finally nnistered out at Sparta, AA^is., on the 27th (I;iy of January, 3907. AVas post commander and quartermaster.

L. C. Herrick was sixty-two years of age, was a private of Company "D," Eighteenth AVisconsin infantry, and passed out of this life on the 22ik1 day of Alay, 1898. Held the ..flicks of cha]ilain and musician.

William H. Blyton iiatl arrived at the age of thirty-nine years, born in New A^)rk state, served in Company "C." Nineteenth Wisconsin infantry, as quartermaster sergeant and as first lieutenant and <iuartermaster of the Fourth T'nited States infantry. Has served in the i)()st as j)ost commander several terms and as adjutant and quartermaster.

Alonzo E. Howard was forty-four years of age, born in New York state, served in Company "A." Ninety-second New Y''ork, as first sergeant and lieutenant, and in Company "K," Ninetysixth New York infantry, as first lieutenant. lias held tlie offices of sergeant, major, adjutant and post commander.

three years and three months. Was a valued member of the post, always taking an active interest in its proceedings, but died in Big Creek, May 16, 1896.

Alfred Dunbar had reached the age of fifty-three years, a native of New York state, was a private of Company ''C," Thirtysixth AA^isconsin infantry, the snare drummer of the post, a very active member on all memorial days, but departed this life on the 10th of September, 1903.

William Waste, forty-eight years old, was from New York state and was a member of Company "I," Twenty-third Ohio infantry ; served four years and two months and was badly broken down on being discharged ; died many years ago, but the date was not entered in the post records.

William Kerrigan, another New York state man, fifty-one years of age at the organization of the post ; Avas a member of Company "C," Nineteenth AVisconsin infantry, serving about three years and six months, and during his membership in the post was its chief musician and fifer. Died June 29, 1897.

Charles A. Hunt, another New York boy, fifty-three years old at the organization of the post, was first lieutenant and captain, Company "K," TAventy-fifth AVisconsin infantry, was one of our strong and active members, adding strength and interest to the organization. He was finally mustered out at Melvina and his remains interred in the Melvina cemetery.

James E. Perry, forty-four years old, at the time a native of New A^ork, served in the army from September 22, 1861, to June 23, 1865, as corporal of Company ''I," Twenty-seventh Alassachusetts infantry. Removed to Tomah and joined Heni-y AA". Cressey post of that city.

George A. Fisk, captain of Company "C," Thirty-sixth AA'isconsin infantry, Avas a gallant soldier and a good Grand Army man, but only remained Avith us to August 10, 1886, AAdien he joined the majority.

Sylvanus Holmes Avas born in Ncav York and sixty-seven years old at the date of organization. He enlisted as priA'ate in Company "I," Fifty-eighth Pennsylvania infantry, and Avas mustered out a captain. He Avas one of the strong members and serA^ed as

William J. Siimmerfield, forly-fivc years old, a charter member, was a sergeant iu the First Wisconsin battery, serving from 1861 to 1865; was an active comrade for ycais. Imt on account of infirmiti(^s of age has withdrawn.

DeWitt C. Beebe, forty-four years old and a native of W-rmont. was surgeon of the Fourth New York cavalry, served till the close of the wai'. Dr. Beebe was many years the surgeon of the post and held the office of post commander; one of the faithful members, but he jiassed over the river on the Fourth of July. 1908.

Ira A. Hill was forty years old, born in New Ilamjjsliire, and served as sergeant of Company "A," Nineteenth New Hampshire infantry. He was the first quarteriuaster of the post, was for many years one of its trustees, and served as post comnmnder one term. Comrade Hill was always interested and did much to promote the welfare of the organization. He was mustered into the larger army beyond on the 20th day of March, 1904.

E. W. Robie was a native of Vermont, forty-four years old; served three years and two months in the Third Vermont infantry, a faithful Grand Army man, but died February 23, 1894.

M. J. McOmber, aged thirty-seven, was a native of New York, was adjutant of the post for two years, served in the Sixth Pennsylvania reserve corps, lost a leg at the battle of (rettysburg. died in Sparta on the 3rd of February, 1890.

Lucian A. McWithy, fifty years of age, was born in New York state, was an efficient member of the Third "Wisconsin cavalry. Company "A," and though suflt'ering from inability to see has been one of the most persistent and regular attendants at the post meetings.

John Burk, forty-four years old. Avas born in Ti-eland. but gave assurance that he was a faithful American citizen by serving the country three years and one month in the Tenth AVisconsin infantry, in Com])any ''D," but he is with us no more.

John Winters, a native of Germany, was a member of Comi>any "D," of the Eighteenth Wisconsin infantry, the service and his continuing to serve the state making good his claim on the nation. William Shepherd did not furnish us his full record, but he was a member of Company "C," of the Nineteenth AVisconsin infantry, for many years a resident of the town of Ang(^lo and one of its good citizcMis.

Joseph Jones, a native of England, enlisted September 7, 1861, in Company "D," of the Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania infantry, and was mustered out December 24, 1864, thus proving his loyalty to his adopted country. He has joined the majority on the other side.

Franklin Campbell, aged thirty-eight, was a native of Wisconsin, was a member of the Tenth Wisconsin battery. He withdrew from the post after a few years and has since been reported dead.

Chauncy Bunce, fifty-two years old, born in Connecticut, enlisted Januar.y o, 1864, in the Twelfth Wisconsin infantry. Company "E," and was mustered out July 15, 1865, but on account of age and residence at a distance from the city withdrew after a time and he has passed to the other shore.

Charles Slaver, thirty-eight years of age, another acquisition from Germany, was a member of Company "I," Forty-eighth AVisconsin irifantry, proved his right to citizenship by his patriotism.

Nathan B. Aldrich, a Vermonter, was forty-eight years old, was a meml)er of Company "D," Twenty-fifth AVisconsin infantry, from August 8, 1862, to May 10, 1865; a good citizen of Sparta, ])ut died July 22, 1902.

Joseph W. Potter, ])orn in Ohio, was forty years old, was a corporal of Company "C," Thirty-sixth Wisconsin Infantry, from February 29, 1864. to June 10, 1865. Served with the post as its bass drunnner until disabled, and left us to be mustered in the new army Alarch 2, 1910.

Edward J. Hodgkin enlisted July 2, 1861, in Company "I," Fourtli Wisconsin infantry, and was mustered out July 18, 1865, a member of the First Wisconsin battery. He withdrew from the post as he resided too far out to meet with it, and has since left this life. He was born in New York and was thirtj^-nine years old at the organization of the post.

William J. Jordan was forty-one years old and served in the Fiftieth New York engineers from August 31, 3861, to June 13, 1865. He died on the 16th of March, 1891.

in the Fifth Ohio cavalry, Company ''A." AVas tlie post coinmaiidi r in 1888 and 1S84. lie removed to LaCrosse and became a mcniher of the post there. A good Grand Army man and a successful attorney. He has gone to his reward foi- all the activities oi an earnest life.

Bruce E. McCoy was fifty-one years old. born in New York state, and served as captain of Company - , Forty-third Wisconsin infantry from its muster in to the end of its term, and continues a valued member of the post.

Rufus S. Dodge .served as sergeant of Company "K," Sixteenth New York infantry, during the entire term of its service, was a native of New York state. For many years lie was trustee of the post and passed away July 31, 1008.

Ulrich Wettstein was thirty-four years old. a native of Germany, was a member of Company ''C." P'ifty-third AVisoonsin infantry: has gone out but date is not recorded.

Charles A. Bunce was forty years old and a native of Conneeticut. He served in Company "K," Eleventh Massachusetts infantry; Avas discharged at his own request.

Lucius M. Stevens, forty years old, a native of New Y^ork, was a member of Company "I," One Hundred and Fifty-sixth New York infantry, was post commander in 1885 and has removed to IMinneapolis.

John W. Carter was a native of Ohio, a member of Company "D,"" Kighteenth Wisconsin infantry, was thirty-seven years old at his muster in the post, and was the first death after our organization.

William A. DeLong', thirty-nine years old, a native of New York state, was a corporal in Company ''A," Third Wisconsin cavalry. He withdi-ew from the post.

Chauncy K. Kennedy, aged fifty-eight, a New Yorker by birth, was a member of I'ompany "A," Nineteenth "Wisconsin infantry, but lie lived only a short time after joining the post.

John Jarrett, forty years old. a nati\'e of rennsylvania. Service was in Company "D," Seventh Pennsylvania cavalry. He removed from the city and Avithdrew from the post.

Jeremiah Van Kirk, a native of New York state, was a member (if Company "'I)."" Tweiity-tifth AVisconsin infantry, Avas thirty-seven years of age and is still with us.

Henry T. Bell, a native of New York, served three years in Company "K, " Seventh New York heavy artillery, has been an efficient officer of the day of the post, and is still doing duty Avith it.

W. H. Washburn was forty-one years old and a native of New York state, was a member of Company "C," Thirty-sixth AVisconsin infantry, was transferred to the George A. Fisk post at Cataract.

Walter A. Wodd, forty-three years old, a native of New York, was corporal of Company "A." Tenth AYisconsin infantry, serving four years. He removed to Oakland, California, and was transferred to a post in that city.

Byron M. Dunham was forty-one years old, born in Michigan, served in Company "D," Fourteenth Wisconsin infantry four years; died January 6, 1902.

S. F. Ketcham was thirty-six years of age, born in Pennsylvania, was a private in Company "L," Sixth New York heavy artillery, withdrew from the post soon after its organization.

Abram Heath, thirty-eight years old, born in New Hampshire, a member of Company ''G, " Twelfth AYisconsin infantry; remained a member but a short time.

Edward Busby, forty-seven years old, a native of Ohio, served nearly four years in the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth infantry; has continued a member and is, and has been, for many years entirely blind.

Of the above fifty-seven charter members, thirty-seven have passed into larger ranks and have been mustered beyond the dark river ; eleven remain in Sparta and nine have moved away.

One hundred and eighty-two have been mustered into our ranks since, of whom eighty-six died and forty-six have withdrawn, some to move to other states and some for their own reasons not known to us, and there remains in good standing in the post at this writing sixty seasoned veterans, many of them so feeble and weak from age and infirmities that they are not able to meet with us, especially those living at a distance in the country.

In 1882 James Davidson, post commander, and AVilliam II. Blyton, adjutant; in 1883, Adelbert E. Bleekman, post commander, and AVilliam II. Blyton, adjutant ; in 1884, Adelbert p]. ]51eeknuin. post comnumder, and IVIichael J. ]\IcOmber, adjutant ; in 1885, Alojizo E. Howard, ])0st commander, and Miehael J. McOmber, adjutant; in 1886, Lucius M. Stevens was post commander, and Alonzo E. Howard, adjutant; in 1887, John A. Sholts was the chief executive officer, and Alonzo E. Howard has held the office of post adjutant to the present time. Elorus "\V. Babcock served as post commander in 1888, AVilliam H. Blyton in 1889, Arthur L. Page in 1890, AVilliam P. :\Ieyer in 1891, Sylvanus Holmes in 1892, Russell Brownell in 1893, David C. Hope in 1891, Edward E. Olin in 1895, Ira A. Hill in 1896, N. J. Kemp in 1897, Thomas Hobson in 1898, DeAVitt C. Beebe in 1899, A. R. Benzie in 1900 and 1901, John A. Sholts in 1902-03, Andrew C. Cole in 1901, Russell Brownell in 1905, and AVilliam II. Blyton in 1906-07-08-09- 10-11.

Immediately on the organization of the post active operations were inaugurated to suitably decorate the graves of all deceased comrades of all wars for the preservation or defense of the nation, and in 1886 there was added to the by-laws of the post one requiring the quartermaster of the post to place a memorial tablet at the head of the graves of all defenders of the country buried in the several cemeteries within our jurisdiction, and at the head of the graves of all such who should thereafter be interred in such cemeteries.

The post has so far as its means would alloAV assisted and cared for the sick and needy soldiers, attended to the proper burial of all its deceased nuMubers. carried out faithfully its duty of ('el('])rating Alemorial Day l)y decorating the graves and providing suitable patriotic nuMuorial addresses and by jiatriotic Sabliath services on Tne Siuulay jjreceding Alemorial Day, has procui-ed the erection in the city park of a beautiful soldiers' monument, dedicated to "Our Nation's Defenders," has for years held ])atri<)tic services and addresses in oui- public schools to instill ]>atriotism in the minds of our coming citizens, has cooperated with the national order in ])romoting the welfare of those who faithfully served the country aiul suffered, ami has by every means in its poAver jiromoted good citizenship and love of countrv.

John W. Lynn Post 1G9 Capt. M. E. Leonard'S War Record

Captain Leonard's service to his country began as a recruiting" officer, which position he held for several months. The governor, appreciating his fitness to command, appointed him captain and through his services in that capacity did valiant duty. He enlisted in July, 1862, in Company " D, " Twenty- fifth Wisconsin regiment ; was mustered in in August the same year, and his regiment was first stationed in Minnesota, near New Ulm, where they participated in the frontier Indian massacre. This company was in charge of Captain Leonard, who guarded the thirty-eight Indians who were now in ]\Iankato. ]Minnesota. Prior to this they were ordered to scout through Big Cottonwood and Little Cottonwood to West Mankato, and January 1st were ordered to report at Madison, next to Columbus, Kentucky, where the subject was appointed port officer by General Asbeth. Captain Leonard at this time was first lieutenant and his regiment was ordered to Helena, Arkansas, where they were reviewed by General Beauford, down the Mississippi river to Vicksburg, being in charge of the subject, the trip being accomplished without accident. It was the season of what was known as th(^ winter of deep ice and it was with the greatest difficulty that the trip was made. The gunboat was ordered to Helena and returned to Vicksburg in February for Sherman's march through ^Mississippi to Alabama, then returning to Vicksburg, thence up the river to ( 'airo, Illinois; thence to Moorsville and to Decatur, Alabama. Thence to the foot of Lookout mountain to Chattanooga, to Tunnel Hill, flanking recours on the right, thence engaging in the severe threedays' fight of Sugar Gap, following which was the battle of Eosackie; to Calhoun's ferry, crossing the river to Kingston; thence to Dallas, Texas, engaging in the battle of Dallas; tlience to Altoona. to Kenesaw mountain, to ^Marietta, Georgia, to Chattahoochee at night through dense darkness. Next to Decatur. Georgia, thence six miles to Atlanta, with constant fighting during this trip. It was during this time that the regiment lost heavily from the enemy and the wounded and dead were left at Decatur. The balance of the regiment whipped around to the right and entered the siege of Atlanta after wbipping General Hood, in which the loss of the men were heavy. The regiment then made a retrograde movement to AVest Point and over the mountains to the extreme right, and marching during the night to Lovejoy's station, and from there to West Point, to camp.

Then folloAVod Ilond to Altoona, thence to Alabama, Kingston, to Atlanta, moved on to Savannah, fighting and tearing np railways nntil they reached King's bridge, fifte<Mi miles from Savannah, -where they remained luitil the time of surrendei-. Then the subject became aide to Colonel Rusk and the regiment was ordered to Thunder Boat bay. Next demonstration was made on Savannah, leaving General Foster's command moving on u]) the line tearing up the railway between Augusta and Charleston and to the river of seven l)ridges, fording swamps, until Columbia was reached, extending their line of march to Bentonville. being the scene of the last battle, after running to Goldsborough and Raleigh, N. C, through Virginia, and marched to Grand river, where the captain's service ended.