John M. Clark was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia on August 4, 1846 to Samuel Clark and Ann Reynolds. At the age of 14, he moved to Greene County, Ohio with his parents. In August of 1862, John M. Clark enlisted in Company C of the 5th Ohio Cavalry, also known as Gov. Todd's Independent Scouts. He remained with this company for about one year. When they were disbanded, he re-enlisted in Company C of the 60th Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

This regiment was unfortunate, being severely cut to pieces. The Colonel, in one instance, led the regiment into a division of Lee's army, and thirty-three out of his company were buried in one grave at Spottsylvania. Out of the 102 men in this company, only nine of them returned unscathed, one being John M. Clark.

John was at the battles of the Wilderness, Nye River, Bethseda Church, North Anna River, Spottsylvania, and Cold Harbor. He was taken prisoner and served about seven months in several prisons: Belle Isle, Libby, Milan, and Andersonville. During the time he was at Milan, he escaped, but was pursued by blood hounds and captured, having to climb a tree to escape being torn to pieces.

During the time he was with the Regiment, he had some very narrow escapes. One time, he had as many as 23 bullets holes through his overcoat, but came out without a scratch. When he came out of Andersonville prison, he weighed 75 pounds and when he went home his mother did not recognize him.

He received his discharge on August 6, 1865 and after the war came to the county [Greene County, Illinois], hired out to Charles Scandredt, Jr. He worked on the farm for him for three years. He married Jennie Howard, who was born January 19, 1851. There were five children born to this union: Charles W., born February 6, 1870; Magnolia, born October 19, 1872; Elizabeth O., born November 21, 1874; John S., born December 12, 1876; and Roy E., born February 17, 1878.

He learned the wagon maker and carpenter's trade. He was the proprietor of a steam thresher, which he had been running for ten years. He was a member of Sheffield Lodge No. 678, A. F. and A. M. He cast his first vote for U. S. Grant.

In 1879, he was a mechanic and resided in Sec. 32, P. O. Rockbridge.

History of Greene County, Illinois: Its Past and Present. Chicago: Donnelley, Gassette & Loyd Publishers, 1879, page 669.

This information was transcribed by Mary Ann Kaylor and posted on the Morgan Area Genealogy website under the County Histories links.

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