George Clark

CLARK, PEASE

Posted By: Philip Pease (email)
Date: 10/12/2004 at 21:02:56

Cedar Rapids Gazette Sept 26? 1918
LINN VETERAN WAS
IN GREAT BATTLES

SAW MUCH OF CIVIL WAR

Record of Geo. Clark Who Died
Recently With Incidents of
Historical Value

War Record
Enlisted as volunteer August 1862
Member of Co. A 31st Iowa Infantry.

Battles.
In battle of Vicksburg and siege for forty-seven days.
Wounded in battle of Lookout Mountain.
With Sherman on March to the Sea.
Last battle at Bentonville, N.C.
Marched from Bentonville to Washington D.C.
In Grand Review in Washington, May 1965
Was a member of T.Z.Cook post. G.A.R. No.235

A resident of Linn county for nearly seventy-four years and a
veteran of the Civil war with a record that covers the larger portion of that period. George Clark who died Sept. 22, at Palo, has left his family an example of a life characterized by unusual achievements and experiences.
The appended sketch of Mr. Clark's life has been submitted to The Evening Gazette for publication:
George Clark was born in Sheriday(Chariton) county Mo. April 28 1843. When eighteen months of age he came, with his parents, to Linn county, Iowa, where he grew to manhood, near Linn Junction. He was united in marriage with Caroline J. Korston(Kortson), January 25, 1866. About forty years ago they moved to the farm four miles southwest of Palo, where they lived until five years ago when they moved to Palo. Thus he was a resident of Linn county for nearly seventy-four years. In August 1862 he enlisted as a volunteer in the Union army, being a member of Co. A 31st Iowa infantry. He was in the battle of Vicksburg, throughout that memorable siege of forty-seven days. He was wounded by a bullet in the hand at the battle of Look Out Mountain. He lost a finger by this wound. He was with Sherman on the March to the Sea. His last battle was at Bentonville N.C. He marched from there to Washington D.C. and was in the grand review there in May 1865. He was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., June 17 1865 with an honorable discharge. He always kept up his comradship with the Grand Army boys. He was a member of T.Z. Cook post G.A.R. No. 235. He was a man of unusual activity for his years and enjoyed good health.
On September 21 he drove out to the farm and gathered walnuts. He was in fine spirits and stopped along the day to visit with his old neighbors. That same night at 10 o'clock he was taken severely ill. A doctor was called. He knew Mr. Clark was in a serious condition. Mr Clark himself said he was getting better. He showed in the last hours of his life old time pluck and determination, but death claimed him, and death came Sunday, September 22, at 4:25 a.m. He was aged 75 years, 4 months and 24 days. Mr. Clark was well liked for his good nature and fine sense of humor, and his integrity. As a neighbor he was most accommodating, always ready to assist with all his strength. Everyone was his friend. His bunkmate during his army service was R.E. Tripp of Marion. Mr. Tripp along with other members of the G.A.R. attended the funeral and was able to tell of many incidents of Mr. Clarks unselfish service and high honor.
Mr. Clark leaves his widow. They celebrated their golden wedding three years ago. He also leaves seven children, four sons and three daughters. Three sisters and one brother also survive. The sons are: David of Naples, S.D.; Martin of Rock, Island Ill. Leslie and Byron of Linn county. The daughters are: Clemma, wife of Charles Young of Palo; Jennie, wife of John H. Pease of Cedar Rapids; and Ida, wife of Guy B. Wright of Waterloo. His sisters are Mrs. Martha (Nancy)(Martin) Weatherwax of Cedar Rapids, Mrs. Levira Allen of Arnold Neb.; and Mrs. Josephine Cross of Lilly Fla. His brother is David R. Parks of Malta Mont. He will always be remembered by all as a good brother, a devoted husband and a kind father. Funeral services were held in the Methodist church at Palo Wednesday afternoon, September 25, at 2 o'clock, the Rev. J.P. Van Horn of Trinity church Cedar Rapids was in charge. The Rev. R.E. Thompson of Palo offered prayer. The G.A.R. with David King, leading, conducted the services at the grave in the Palo cemetery. A large concourse of neighbors and friends attended.