Lynch, Clay Hardin

Other Events:

• Occupation: Madison County, Illinois, USA; a lawyer
• Census: 1850, Fort Russell Township, Madison County, Illinois, USA
• Census: 1860, Moro Township, Madison County, Illinois, USA
• Census: Jun 1880, Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, USA

Notes:

Birth:

     The year of Clay's birth has not yet been determined with any certainty. His death certificate, dated 2 January 1925, reports him being born on 13 July 1847 in Fort Russell Township, Illinois. The person supplying this information (apparently a Mr. Freytag, of Reynolds, Illinois, an undertaker) did not know the name of either of Clay's parents. An obituary from the Edwardsville (Illinois) Intelligencer of 2 January 1925 gives the date of birth as 13 July 1846 and the place as Fort Russell Township, on a farm north of Edwardsville. A third source of information is Clay's marriage license of 20 May 1884. On the back of the license is a form which appears to have been filled out by Clay himself. In response to the question "Age at next birthday," the number 37 has been entered. If, on his next birthday, July 1884, Clay was going to be 37, this would indicate a birth in 1847. Clay's age, 36 years, as recorded on the front of the marriage license, is consistent with this calculation. In May 1884, his birthday was still 2 months away. And finally, his gravestone in Woodlawn Cemetery in Edwardsville, Illinois gives his date of birth as 14 June 1846. In the absence of more definitive documentation, I have chosen for the moment to record his birth as 13 July 1847. A resolution of this question will require further research.

Occupation:

The following is a brief biographical sketch published in 1882:

"Clay H. Lynch received a common school education in the district schools of his native county (Madison), and at the age of twenty-one commenced the study of law in the office of Hon. David Gillespie. Having read law two years, in 1870 he entered the law department of the University of Michigan, from which institution he graduated in 1871. Soon after finishing his course he opened a law office and practiced two years, at the end of which time he quit law and engaged in the grain trade. In January, 1881, he resumed his legal practice, and now bids fair to make a successful attorney."

     The David Gillespie mentioned in this selection was a prominent lawyer and judge in Madison County, Illinois. One of his two daughters, Julia B. Gillespie (1856-1886) was the first wife of Clay's brother-in-law, Dr. Edward William Fiegenbaum (1854-1927).



Census:
According to the 1850 U.S. enumeration, Clay H. Lynch, age 3, lived with his parents, John Lynch (age 35) and Sally Ann Lynch (age 25), and his 4 siblings: Daniel Lynch (age 7); Olive Lynch (age 5); Levi Lynch (age 1); and, Green Lynch (age 1). Also in the household was Michael Wood, a 28 year old laborer born in Ireland

Census:
According to the 1860 U.S. enumeration, Clay H. Lynch, age 13 and attending school, lived with his parents, John Lynch (age 45) and Udoxy [sic] A. Lynch (age 28), and his seven siblings: Daniel A. Lynch (age 17); Olla Lynch (age 15); Clay H. Lynch (age 13); Clinton Lynch (age 11); Mary (age 8); Sally A. Lynch (age 6); Mathilda (age 3) and Eliza (age 11 months).

Census:
According to the 1880 U.S. enumeration, Clay H. Lynch, age 32, single, a grain merchant, was living as a boarder in the home of David Gillespie (age 51) and his wife, Minna Gillespie (age 45), and her three siblings: Julia Gillespie (age 23); Edwin Gillespie (age 18), and Henry Gillespie (age 15). Also living in the home was an additional border, Carrie Houck (age 23) and two servants: Mary Mansfield (age 18), born in Maryland of Irish parents; and William Meek (age 26), a farm laborer whose parents were born in Bohemia.

Buried:
Clay was buried in the Lynch family plot in Woodlawn Cemetery. Also buried at that site was his wife, Martha Lizette (Fiegenbaum) Lynch, and a daughter, Julia B. Lynch.

Died:

     According to the death certificate, Clay Hardin Lynch died at St. Luke's Hospital in Davenport (Scott County), Iowa on 2 January 1925 at 6:10 am. Dr. Paul A. White of Davenport had been attending Clay from 8 August 1924 until his death. The cause of death was listed as "carcinoma of prostate; metastasis to left hip and femur." In response to the question "Where was disease contracted if not at place of death?" Dr. White wrote: Moline, Ill. An operation had been performed on 20 August 1924. No autopsy was performed, but the diagnosis was confirmed by operation and x-ray.

     Clay's obituary appeared in the Edwardsville Intelligencer, of Edwardsville, Illinois, on Friday, 2 January 1925 (this transcription is courtesy of Kelly Miller-Collins).

     WAR VETERAN DIES
     C. H. Lynch Passes Away At Davenport, Iowa
     Services to Be From Residence of Dr. Fiegenbaum

     Taps sounded this morning for Clay H. Lynch, Justice of the Peace for Edwardsville Township, a Civil War veteran and one of the well-known residents of this city and vicinity. His death occurred this morning at 5:30 o'clock at St. Luke's Hospital at Davenport, Ia., where he has been a patient since August 8. An injury sustained during the summer when struck by an automobile, a malignant growth, which developed later, a fractured leg sustained a few days ago, contributed to the death and caused his case to become a very complex one.
     Just thirteen months to the day, on December 2, 1923, Mrs. Lynch expired at her home here. A short time afterwards he went to Wood River to make his home with a daughter, Mrs. E. E. Endicott and he made daily trips to Edwardsville to look after his business affairs and matters in his court.
     During the summer he was accidentally struck by an automobile at Wood River and had a partial recovery from the injury. Other ailments began developing a short time afterwards and the growth is believed to be an outcome of the accident. Later in the summer he went to Moline, Ill., to visit a daughter and he had a decided change for the worst. He was take[n] to the hospital.
     On November 8, he was being moved from the hospital to the office of the attending surgeon for x-ray pictures. While standing alone his leg gave way and he fell. The bone had splintered and that added the final complication.
     Relatives had been advised of his critical condition but had hopes of his recovery. Mrs. Endicott received a telegram last night that he was not so [sic] and it was followed with another this morning of the end.
     The body will be started for Edwardsville this afternoon and will arrive here Saturday morning. It will be take[n] to the home of Dr. E. W. Fiegenbaum and funeral services are to be held from there Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Rev. M. C. Foltz will have charge. Burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery.
     Justice Lynch was a native of Ft. Russell Township, his parents being among the early settlers in one of the pioneer communities of Illinois. He was born on a farm north of Edwardsville on July 13, 1846 and had attained the age of 78 years, 6 months and 19 days.
     He was a youth of about 16 years of age when the Civil War started and he was one of the many Madison County youths who joined the Union forces. The time spent in the service and afterwards in attending [sic] were the only periods he was out of the county for an extended time. He was a member of a company and regiment which saw considerable hard service and was with Sherman on his march to the sea.
     His mother died when he was three years of age and his father lost his life during the Civil War. Returning home after the war he made his home with Judge Gillespie, reading law under him and who later sent him to study law at Ann Arbor, Michigan. He practiced law more or less, used it in his business and the legal knowledge was especially beneficial while serving as a Justice of the Peace. At one time he and the late Moses Sherman operated a commission house here.
     On March 20, 1884, he was married to Miss Martha L. Fiegenbaum and the ceremony being performed at the residence of Dr. Fiegenbaum. He is survived by six children. They are: Mrs. Everett Endicott and Edward Lynch of Wood River; I C Lynch of Louisville, Ky; Mrs. Perry Waite David, Reynolds, Illinois, Mrs. Ira Cook of Moline, Illinois and Harris Lynch of Edwardsville.
     His only brother, Daniel A. Lynch died two years ago. He is survived by a sister, Mrs. Mary Sheppard of Springfield, Illinois and three half sisters, Mrs. Matilda Womack, Collinsville, Mrs. Robert Harbison, St. Louis and Mrs. J W Judd. Judge Lynch held several public offices during his life. He is a former alderman, served Madison County as State's Attorney, was public administrator for Madison County and has lately been justice of the peace. He was a member of the Odd Fellows for many years and a member of the lodge will take part in the funeral services. He took a great interest in the activities of Edwardsville Post G. A. R. for many years, helped hold the organization together as the ranks were depleted and has been treasurer of the post.

     A further notice was published in the Edwardsville Intelligencer, of Edwardsville, Illinois, on Monday, 5 January 1925 (this transcription is courtesy of Kelly Miller-Collins).

     C. H. LYNCH BURIED
     SIX RELATIVES SERVED AS PALLBEARERS SUNDAY
     Odd Fellows and American Legion Have Parts in Service

     Funeral Services were conducted yesterday afternoon from the residence of Dr. E. W. Fiegenbaum for Justice of the Peace C. H. Lynch whose death occurred last week at St. Luke's Hospital at Davenport, Ia., where he was a patient the past five months, undergoing a surgical operation for a malignant growth. A fall during November shattered a bone in one of his legs and was the result of the final complication.
     The funeral was a big one, a large number of men being present. They included members of Edwardsville Lodge of Odd Fellows, Edwardsville Post American Legion, several Civil War veterans and friends.
     Rev. M. C. Foltz, pastor of St. John's M. E. church had charge of the religious services. His subject was, "The Meaning of Life." It was taken from the verse, "For what is your life," found in James 4-16.
     Three vocal selections were rendered at the services at the home. Mrs. George W. Meyer sang a solo, "My Ain Countrie." Mrs. Meyer, Miss Caroline Wolf, J. G. Delicate and Chas. A. Sheppard composed a quartet which sang the other two selections. They were, "Rock of Ages," and "On Jordan's Stormy Banks."
     The Odd Fellows and American Legion had charge at the grave. Ray Stullken as noble grand and George C. Stullken as chaplain had the principal part for the Odd Fellows. Judge Wilbur A. Trares, as chaplain, gave the last rites of the American Legion . A salute by the firing squad and Taps concluded.
     Three sons and three sons-in-law served as pallbearers. They were I. C. Lynch, Louisville, Ky., Edward Lynch, Wood River; Harris Lynch, Edwardsville; Everett E. Endicott, Wood River; Perry W. Davis, Reynolds, Ill., and Ira R. Cook, Moline, Ill.
     The American Legion was called upon to take part at the services through the decreasing number of Civil War veterans. A dozen in uniform marched to the cemetery.
     Those who attended from other cities were: Mr. and Mrs. Robert Harbison Sr. and children, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Harbison, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Herb Harbison, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Herder and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ramey of St. Louis; Otto Fiegenbaum, Chester; Miss Mary Sheppard and Irby Sheppard, Springfield; Mrs. Emil Libby and son of Collinsville; Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Tipton; Mr. and Mrs. W. Penrose and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bender of Wood River.

Clay married Fiegenbaum, Martha Lizette 20 May 1884, Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, USA. Martha (daughter of Fiegenbaum, Hermann Wilhelm and Gusewelle, Sophia) was born 3 Sep 1861, Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, USA; died 2 Dec 1923, Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, USA; was buried 4 Dec 1923, Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, USA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Residence (family):
According to a funeral announcement for "Mrs. William Fiegenbaum" which appeared on 9 September 1904 in the Edwardsville Intelligencer, of Edwardsville, Illinois, one of her six surviving children was "...Mrs. Martha Lynch of Edwardsville...."

Residence (family):
According to her father's obituary published on 30 November 1906 in the Edwardsville Intelligencer, of Edwardsville, Illinois, the daughter "Martha wife of C. H. Lynch" was then living at Edwardsville, Illinois.

1. Lynch, Mina Leona was born 25 Feb 1885, Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, USA; died 7 Jun 1928, Alton, Madison County, Illinois, USA; was buried 10 Jun 1928, Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, USA.
2. Lynch, Julia B. was born 22 Mar 1888, Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, USA; died 4 Mar 1906, Madison County, Illinois, USA; was buried , Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, USA.
3. Lynch, Irwin Clay was born Apr 1890, Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, USA; died Yes, date unknown.
4. Lynch, Ethel Beryl was born Feb 1892, Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, USA; died 1961.
5. Lynch, Sophia was born Apr 1894, Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, USA; died Yes, date unknown.
6. Lynch, Edward Hardin was born 1902, Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, USA; died Yes, date unknown.
7. Lynch, Harris Virgil was born 27 Nov 1904, Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, USA; died 13 Sep 1972, Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, USA; was buried 16 Sep 1972, Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, USA.

Other Events:

• Military Service: 1861–1864

Notes:

Military Service:
John Lynch served as a Private in Company A, 39th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (also known as "Yates Phalanx"). According to Illinois state muster rolls, he was a 44 years old farmer and a resident of St. Louis, Missouri when he joined the regiment on 31 October 1861. He was mustered out on 29 October 1864 when his three year enlistment expired. During that time, the 39th Regiment, served in Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

Buried:
John Lynch was buried in Locust Grove Cemetery at New Orleans. Apparently subsequent burials at this location often disturbed previous interments in a haphazard manner, and multiple burials in the same plot were not uncommon. The cemetery was closed in 1879, covered with two feet of earth and planted with grain and grass. In 1905, Thomy Lafon School was built on the land without the removal of any of the bodies. More than a century later, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recognized the likelihood that John's remains could be recovered and honored the family's request that a memorial marker be erected in Woodlawn Cemetery, at Edwardsville, Illinois, where members of John Lynch’s family have been buried.

Died:
Kelly Collins, a descendant of John's, reports that at the time of his discharge from the Army, John Lynch was in ill health and on the advice of the Company doctor he did not immediately return home to Edwardsville, Illinois. He passed away on 28 March 1866 at New Orleans, Louisiana. The cause of death may have been smallpox.

John married Lanterman, Sally Ann 7 Jun 1842, Madison County, Illinois, USA. Sally was born 1826; died Abt 1852. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Census (family):
According to the 1850 U.S. enumeration, the household consisted of John Lynch, a 35 year old farmer, born in Ireland, his wife, Sally Ann Lynch, age 25, born in Illinois, and five children: Daniel Lynch (age 7); Olive Lynch (age 5); Clay H. Lynch (age 3); Levi Lynch (age 1); and, Green Lynch (age 1). Also in the household was Michael Wood, a 28 year old laborer born in Ireland.