Samuel Clark Gary - Civil War Soldier Samuel Clark Gary
Grandson of Peter Gary, Sr. through his son Jonathan.
Samuel Clark Gary, James Alexander Gary's younger brother, was only 14 when he enlisted as a soldier in the Civil War. He mustered in on May 13th 1861 in Company F, 1st Regiment West Virginia Infantry for three month's service. He was discharged on August 8th 1861 just a few weeks before his 15th birthday.
The history of the First Regiment of Virginia Union Volunteer Infantry antedated the organization and formation of the new State. This regiment of Loyal Virginia Infantry was the first regiment organized on Southern soil for the defense of the nation under the call of President Lincoln. The regiment was organized at Wheeling, the first company being mustered into the service of the United States on May 10, 1861. On May 23, the organization of the regiment was complete. On May 27, the regiment was placed under marching orders. The good people of Wheeling had furnished them with a supply of blankets and clothing, but they were without knapsacks, haversacks, cartridge-boxes or any other of the habiliments of regularly organized troops, save that in their hands they clasped an old United States Springfield musket. The regiment completed its service and returned to Wheeling, where it was mustered out of service on the 28th day of August. For a complete history of this unit, visit West Virginia in the Civil War - 1st West Virginia Infantry (3 months service)
Samuel Clark Gary died on October 24, 1918. His obituary appeared in The Wheeling Intelligencer on Friday October 25, 1918.
Martins Ferry Union Veteran Soldier Dies
Samuel Clark Gary, aged 73 years, former resident of Cameron and Bridgeport passed away yesterday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock in the family home at martin's ferry following a years illness. he was born and reared in Cameron and for thirty years was a resident of Bridgeport, and for the past four years had been a resident of Martin's Ferry.
Mr. Gary was widely known in that section of eastern Ohio. He was a veteran of the Civil War and served with distinction on the Union side.
Surviving his are his wife and seven daughters - Mrs. J.M. Martin, Mrs. Charles Wenseyel, Mrs. Charles Worle, Mrs. Melvin Woods, and Mrs. J. W. Buchanan, all of Bridgeport; Mrs. C.S. Hodgkiss, of Martin's Ferry and Miss Bessie Gary, at home. He also leaves four sons - Frank of Bridgeport, William of Blaine Ohio, and Elmer and Samuel Gary, at home. Funeral arrangements will likely be completed today.