Mullinex, Elmer

MULLINEX, KLOCK, ATTLEBURY

Posted By: Roseanna Zehner
Date: 7/24/2006 at 07:54:41

MULLINEX, ELMER

Elmer Mullinex, whose name is well known to all familiar with the musical personnel of Rock Rapids, was born in Clayton county, Iowa, August 13, 1848, and received at the hands of his parents a common school education. When he was quite young he manifested a decided turn for music, and to play on the violin. He became adept at repairing old instruments.

When he was fifteen years old he enlisted in the Union Army. This was in 1864, and his command Company E, Ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He joined the regiment at Davenport, but was soon sent to Nashville, where he actively engaged in a fierce and bloody campaign until his command was called in to become a part of the magnificent army with which General Sherman broke the back of the Rebellion and swept onward to the sea. Mr. Mullinex was detailed as a forager, and many a thrilling story has he to tell of those times and circumstances. He did not escape the fighting line, and there he showed what stiff he was made of. At Columbus, where the rebels made a stand across the river, the Union troops had to build a pontoon bridge and Mr. Blair was detailed with others to cross the water and draw the enemy's attention while the bridge was quietly put in order. This was a perilous enterprise, but it was successfully carried out. Mr. Mullinex will never forget his sensations as the boats were pulled across the river in the darkness, and his delight when his fellow troopers poured across the pontoon in the early morning.

Our subject was a musician of the regimental band, and continuing with General Sherman to the sea accompanied him to Washington, and participated in the Grand Review. The regiment was mustered out of service at Louisville July 18, 1865, and Mr. Mullinex returned home to his father where he spent the ensuing two years. After this he again took up the calling of a musician, and devoting himself to the making and repairing of the violin soon acquired such a reputation in that line that many of the violins he made sold as high as $150. His violins never sell for less that $100. They are heartily recommended by the masters of that instrument the world over, and he has testimonials as to their value, tone and expression that to him are priceless.

Mr. Mullinex was married March 1, 1871, to Miss L. Adelia, daughter of Peter G. and Lucinda (Attlebury) Klock, and the granddaughter of Colonel Klock, who commanded a regiment in the Revolutionary Army. The Klocks are a family noted for their readiness in every generation to shoulder arms and hasten to the battle field to defend their country. To this union have come five children, four of whom are now living: Ernie, Chase Elmer, Orlow Divillo (born July 2, 1878, died Sept 9, 1879), Maude Mae and Cassie Adelia. Maude Mae is a master of the piano, and has composed several pieces of music, which are now published. Cassie Adelia gives the violin the devotion of her musical soul, has studied with some of the best masters and is now teaching that kind of musical instruments with much success.

Chase Elmer enlisted in the First Dakota regiment as principal musician of its band and went to the Philippine Islands, where he spent a year or more. He is a graduate of the Iowa State Normal School.

Mr. Mullinex is a Republican, and once served as sheriff of O'Brien county. He has served on the Soldiers' Relief Commission, belongs to the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic, No. 147, and is a member of the Unitarian church of Rock Rapids. He is a descendant of a French ancestry while his wife springs from a "Mohawk Dutch" parentage. Her father was killed by the Indians during the early days of the settlement of the west. They are very bright and interesting people, hospitable to the last degree, and have many friends.

Source: Compendium of History Reminiscence and Biography of Lyon County, Iowa. Published under the Auspices of the Pioneer Association of Lyon County. Geo. Monlun, Pres.; Hon. E. C. Roach Sec’y; and Col. F. M. Thompson, Historian. Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Published, Engravers and Book Manufacturers. Chicago, 1904-1905

Transcribed by Roseanna Zehner, Darlene Jacoby and Diane Johnson