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Samuel Clark – Not Recognized on Lykens G.A.R. Monument
Posted By Norman Gasbarro on October 17, 2018
Mary Clark of Wiconisco, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, reported in 1890, that she was the widow of a Civil War soldier, Samuel Clark, who served in the 39th Pennsylvania Infantry (Emergency of 1863), Company H, as a Private, from 20 June 1863 through discharge on 2 August 1863. Note: Click on above cut to enlarge.
The Pennsylvania Veterans’ File Card (above from the Pennsylvania Archives) confirms his service.
On 7 December 1874, the Harrisburg Telegraph reported the death of Samuel Clark but did not mention that he was a Civil War veteran:
Death of an Odd Fellow — Mr. Samuel Clark, an old citizen of Wiconisco, died on Tuesday last, of consumption. Mr. Clark was 52 years of age. His funeral took place yesterday afternoon, and was attended by Wiconisco Lodge and Encampment, I.O.O.F., of this borough, of which deceased was a respected member. His remains were also followed to their final resting place by a numerous concourse of friends and acquaintances. He leaves a widow.
The name of Samuel Clark does not appear on the Lykens G.A.R. Monument. The G.A.R. Post at Lykens included Wiconisco as well as other nearby communities.
Some other information that is known about Samuel Clark:
1. He was born about 1825 in Ireland.
2. He married Mary McClellan. She was born about 1825 in Ireland. She survived him.
3. In the 1870 Census of Wiconisco, he gave his occupation as miller. The Clark’s had a 15 year old daughter, Elizabeth Clark, who was living with them in 1870.
4. In the Census of 1880, the widow Mary Clark was living in Wiconisco. George McClellan, 50 year old laborer and a brother of Mary was living with her, but the daughter Elizabeth Clark was no longer in the household.
5. Mary Clark was living in Wiconisco in 1890.
6. Samuel Clark is buried in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Lykens. This was previously reported in the blog post Civil War Soldiers Buried at Lykens.
7. George McClellan, brother of Mary, was also a Civil War veteran, but is found as George McClelland. See: Death of George McClelland.
Additional information about this militia soldier and his family as well as a reason his name does not appear on the Lykens G.A.R. Monument.
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