He was born on 14 October 1823, in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, to Edward Lynch and Martha [unknown family name]. [sources: date: 5; 4 (85 in 1908), 9 (24 in 1860), 10, 13 (38 in 1862). place: 5, 9, 13. parents: 4, 5, 9, 10]
On 19 May 1825, he was christened at the Scots Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 10]
In 1860, he was living in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. He was living with his parents Edward and Martha, with Charles (presumably his brother), and with another person. He was a merchant, and owned $1,000 in personal property. [source: 9]
When he enlisted, he was a merchant. [source: 13]
When he enlisted, he was five feet eight inches tall, and had a fair complexion, hazel eyes, and brown hair. [source: 13]
He also served as the Adjutant of the 15th Pennsylvania infantry. The regiment was organized on 1 May 1861, and mustered out on 7 August 1861. [sources: 1, 2, 3, 11]
He also served in company A of the 11th Pennsylvania Infantry. Company A was mustered in on 24 April 1861, for three-months' service. The regiment was remustered for three-years' service, accepted on 25 July 1861; I do not know when Lynch was mustered out. [sources: 1, 2, 3, 11]
On 30 August 1862, he enlisted, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was enlisted by J A Gregory. He was examined by J K Mason, who reported a small varicocele. He was paid a bounty of $25, and a premium of $4. He was a private, in company B of the 91st Pennsylvania. [sources: 1, 3, 12, 13]
He is listed on a Muster and Descriptive Roll of a Detachment of US volunteers forwarded for the 91st, dated 10 September 1862, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 13]
He is listed on the September-October 1862 muster roll, but was not reported present or absent. [source: 13]
In November 1862, he was admitted to Convalescent Hospital, Fort Ellsworth, Virginia. [source: 13]
On 24 November 1862, he was transferred. On 25 November 1862, he was admitted to Patent Office General Hospital, Washington, DC. [source: 13]
On 8 December 1862, he was transferred. On 9 December 1862, he entered Newton University General Hospital, Baltimore Maryland. [source: 13]
On 30 January 1863, he was discharged on surgeon's certificate of disability, at Newton University Hospital, Lexington Street, Baltimore, Maryland. He had long-standing secondary syphilis, and varicocele of both cords. He was a private, in company B. [sources: 12, 13]
He is reported discharged on the January-February 1863 muster roll. [source: 13]
He also served in the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry (apparently not assigned to any company). He was mustered in on 8 March 1865. He was transferred to company B of the 2nd Pennsylvania Provisional Cavalry when the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry was consolidated with the 1st and 17th, at Cloud's Mills, Virginia, on 17 June 1865. The regiment mustered out on 7 August 1865, at Lebanon, Kentucky. [sources: 1, 2, 3, 11]
In 1881/82, he married Elizabeth C [unknown family name]. She was born in February 1861, in Delaware. They apparently had three children, including:
[sources: 6, 8]
On 5 July 1890, he successfully applied from Pennsylvania for a pension. [sources: 1, 3]
In 1890, he was living at 235 Crown Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 2]
In 1900, he was probably living on Second Street, ward 22, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his wife Elizabeth C and children David and Charles. He was a park gardener, and had been out of work six months in the previous year. [source: 7]
He seems to be the John R Lynch, of 5526 North Second Street, Olney, whose death was wrongly reported on 9 May 1906. His card was found on the body of William Daily, who was killed by a train at Ninth Street and Montgomery Avenue. They had exchanged cards several days earlier, because of their being members of the GAR. [source: 6]
He probably died on 19 October 1908, at 4902 North 4th Street, ward 42, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He died of carcinoma rectum. He was retired, and married. Members of the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry were invited to attend the funeral services, which were held at his late residence, 4902 North 4th Street, Olney, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His body was initially held at Greenmount Cemetery Vault, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [sources: 1 (1908), 4, 5]
On 3 November 1908, his widow, Elizabeth C Lynch, successfully applied from Pennsylvania for a pension. [sources: 1, 3]
In 1920, his widow, Elizabeth Lynch, was living on 3621 North Randolph Street, ward 43, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was living with their son David and David's wife Frances. [source: 8]
1 pension index, by regiment (John R Lynch)
2 1890 US census, veterans' schedule, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 123, page 2 (image 473 of 2610 on Ancestry [accessed 14 December 2010]) (John R Lynch)
3 pension index, by name (John R Lynch)
4 death notice, Philadelphia Inquirer, 21 October 1908, page 7 (John Ralston Lynch)
5 death certificate, Philadelphia Pennsylvania, 19 October 1908 (John Ralston Lynch)
6 'Read his obituary', Philadelphia Inquirer 10 May 1906, page 15 (John R Lynch)
7 1900 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 22, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 475, microfilm series T623, film 1463, page 75 = 1 B handwritten (John R Lynch)
8 1920 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 43, microfilm series T625, film 1644, page 159 = 13 B handwritten (Elizebeth Lynch)
9 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Luzerne County, Wilkes-Barre, microfilm series M653, film 1133, pages 948 = 3 handwritten to 949 = 4 handwritten (John R Lynch)
10 abstract of birth record, available on FamilySearch (John Ralston Lynch)
11 Bates, volume 2, page 785 (70th PA = 6th PA Cav), volume 1 page 144 (15th PA); and volume 1 page 110 (11th PA) (John R Lynch)
12 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John R Lynch)
13 compiled service record, B 91st PA infantry (John R Lynch)
Although he is not in any of the regimental records I have checked, he is listed in the pension card indices and in the index to the compiled service records.
Private John R. Lynch, of Lieut J. A Gregory's Company, ("B") of the Ninety First Regiment of Penna Vols was enlisted by Lt. Gregory of the Ninety First Regiment of Penna Vols. at Philadelphia on the Thirtieth day of August 1862, to serve three years; he was born in Philada in the State of Penna is Thirty Eight years of age, Five feet Eight inches high, Fair complexion, Hazel eyes, Brown hair, and by occupation when enlisted a merchant. During the last two months said soldier has been unfit for duty [blank] days.
I CERTIFY, that I have carefully examined the said John R. Lynch of Lieut J. A. Gregory's Company, and find him incapable of performing the duties of a soldier because of Secondary Syphilis of long standing, and varicocele of both cords.
C. W. Jones Surgeon U.S.A.
DISCHARGED, this 30th day of January 1863, at Baltimore Md by Command of Maj Gen Scherith [??]
David Gordon
AAVC [?]
[image 4]
FORM FOR EXAMINING A RECRUIT.
RECRUIT John R. Lynch, age 38, occupation Merchant
born in Phila, presented by Lieut J. Gregory 91st PV.
1 Have you ever been sick? No
When, and of what diseases? No
2 Have you any disease now, and what? No
3 Have you ever had fits? No
4 Have you ever received an injury or wound upon the head? No
5 Have you ever had a fracture, a dislocation or a sprain? No
6 Are you in the habit of drinking? No. Or have you ever had the "horrors"? No
7 Are you subject to the piles? No
8 Have you any difficulty in urinating? No
9 Have you been vaccinated, or had the small pox? Vaccinated
Head good
Ears "
Face "
Eyes and Appendages. "
Nose. "
Organs of Mastication and Voice. "
Neck. "
Chest. "
Abdomen. "
Genital and Urinary Organs. Small Varicocele
Vertebral Column. "
Superior Extremities. "
Inferior Extreminites. "
REMARKS.
DATE: August 30" 1862.
RENDEZVOUS: 1118 Market
JK Mason Act Asst Surgn USA
Inspecting Surgeon.
[image 5]
CERTIFICATE OF DISABILITY FOR DISCHARGE
No 153
In the case of
John R. Llynch
a Private Co. "B"
91st Reg't of Penn. Vols
MEDICAL DIRECTOR'S OFFICE,
EIGHTH ARMY CORP
BALT, MD. JAN 9 1868. [sic]
APPROVED J Simpson
SURGEON U.S.A.
MEDICAL DIRECTOR.
Adjutant General's Office
Feb. 21 [??] 1863 [?]
Duplicate sent the Pension Office
Entd on C.R.
RLHN.
Received (A.G. Office) [blank], 186[blank].
Jan 30
[image 6]
VOLUNTEER ENLISTMENT.
STATE OF Pennsylvania TOWN OF Philadelphia
I, John R Lynch born in Philadelphia in the State of Pennsylvania aged Thirty Eight years, and by occupation a merchant DO HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE to have volunteered this Thirtieth day of August 1862 to serve as a Soldier in the Army of the United States of America, for the period of THREE YEARS, unless sooner discharged by proper authority: Do also agree to accept such bounty, pay, rations, and clothing as are, or may be, established by law for volunteers. And I, John R Lynch do solemnly swear, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the United States of America, and that I will serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies or opposers whomsoever; and that I will observe and obey the orders of the President of the United States, and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to the Rules and Articles of War.
I CERTIFY, ON HONOR, That I have carefully examined the above named Volunteer, agreeably to the General Regulations of the Army, and that in my opinion he is free from all bodily defects and mental infirmity, which would, in any way, disqualify him from performing the duties of a soldier.
I CERTIFY, ON HONOR, That I have minutely inspected the Volunteer, John R Lynch previously to his enlistment, and that he was entirely sober when enlisted; that, to the best of my judgment and belief, he is of lawful age; and that, in accepting him as duly qualified to perform the duties of an able-bodied soldier, I have strictly observed the Regulations which govern the recruiting service. This soldier has Hazel eyes, Brown hair, Fair complexion, is 5 feet 8 inches high.
Lt J. A. GregoryI, John R Lynch desiring to VOLUNTEER as a Soldier in the Army of the Untied States, for the term of THREE YEARS, Do declare, That I am Thirty Eight years and - months of age; that I have never been discharged from the United States service on account of disability or by sentence of a court-martial, or by order before the expiration of a term of enlistment; and I know of no impediment to my serving honestly and faithfully as a soldier for three years.
| line | 39 | 40 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Dwelling number | 23 | ||||
| Family number | 23 | ||||
| Name | Edwd Lynch | Martha " | John R Lynch | Chas M " | Mary Lock |
| Age | 75 | 70 | 24 | 23 | 11 |
| Sex | m | f | m | " | f |
| Color | " [sc. W] | W | W | " | " |
| Occupation | Banker | Merchant | Domestic | ||
| Value of real estate owned | 1,000 | ||||
| Value of personal estate | 300 | 1000 | |||
| Place of birth | Penna | " | Penna | " | " |
| Married within year | |||||
| Attended school within year | |||||
| Cannot read & write | |||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 69 | 70 | 71 | 72 |
| street | Second Street | |||
| house number | - | - | - | - |
| dwelling number | 16 | |||
| family number | 16 | |||
| name | Lynch John R | Elizabeth C | David H | Charles S |
| relationship | Head | Wife | Son | Son |
| color | W | W | W | W |
| sex | M | F | M | M |
| birth date | Oct 1823 | Feb 1861 | Dec 1885 | Feb 1895 |
| age | 70 | 39 | 14 | 5 |
| married? | M | M | S | S |
| # years married | 18 | 18 | ||
| mother of how many children? | 3 | |||
| # of children living | 2 | |||
| birthplace | Pennsylvania | Delaware | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| father's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Delaware | Pensylvania | Pennsylvania |
| mother's birthplace | Pennsylvania | New Jersey | Delaware | Delaware |
| immigration year | ||||
| # years in USA | ||||
| naturalized citizen? | ||||
| occupation | Park Gardner [sic] | Cabnet [sic] Maker | ||
| # months not employed | 6 | |||
| # months in school | ||||
| can read | yes | yes | yes | no |
| can write | yes | yes | yes | no |
| speaks English | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| owned/rented | R | |||
| free or mortgaged | ||||
| farm/house | H | |||
| # of farm schedule | ||||
| line | 88 | 89 | 90 |
| street | North Randolph | ||
| house number | 3621 | ||
| dwelling visit number | 255 | ||
| family visit number | 256 | ||
| name | Lynch David H | - Frances | - Elizebeth |
| relationship | Head | Wife | Mother |
| own/rent | R | ||
| free/mortgaged (if owned) | |||
| sex | M | F | F |
| race | W | W | W |
| age at last birthday | 34 | 28 | 59 |
| marital status | M | M | Wd |
| year of immigration | |||
| naturalized/alien | |||
| year of naturalization | |||
| attended school since Sept 1919 | |||
| can read | yes | yes | yes |
| can write | yes | yes | yes |
| birth place | Penna | Penna | Delaware |
| native language | |||
| father's birthplace | Penna | England | England |
| father's native language | English | English | |
| mother's birthplace | Delaware | Penna | Penna |
| mother's native language | |||
| can speak English | yes | yes | yes |
| occupation | Tool Maker | None | None |
| industry, business | Contractor | - | - |
| employment status | W | - | - |
| number of farm schedule | |||
John R. Lynch, of 5526 North Second street, Olney, was a much surprised man yesterday when he read in the papers that he had met death on Tuesday by plunging beneath a Reading Railway train at Ninth street and Montgomery avenue. Equally surprised and greatly shocked were many of his friends, who hastened to make inquiries. They found Mr. Lynch in his accustomed good health, very much alive, as he told them.
In a pocket of William Daily, who had been killed by a train at the spot designated, had been found a postal card addressed to Mr. Lynch, and containing a printed notice of a meeting of his Grand Army post, Cavalry, No. 35. The Coroner's office assumed that the name on the card was that of the man who carried it, and it was so given out before the investigation was completed which showed that the dead man was not Mr. Lynch.
The card had been handed to Daily by Mr. Lynch a day or two previous, the man wanting to know where he could address Mr. Lynch in connection with a Grand Army matter. He was a stranger, but the two had conversed without any introduction save their Grand Army buttons.
The body was identified as that of William Daily, 67 years old, who lived at 1945 Ringgold street, by John Daily, his son, who said that his fater had suffered from periodical attacks of nervousness, and that he probably fell under the train.
LYNCH.--On October 19, 1908, JOHN RALSTON, son of the late Edward and Martha Lynch, of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., aged 85 years. The relatives and friends of the family officers and members of the Sixth Penna Cavalry, Rushes Lancers, are respectfully invited to attend the funeral services, on Thursday afternoon, at 1.30 o'clock precisely, at his late residence, 4902 N 4th st (Olney). Interment private.
I HEREBY CERTIFY, That I attended deceased from Oct. 14 1908 to Oct 19 1908 that I last saw him alive on Oct 18 1908 and that death occurred, on the date stated above at 4.25 PM. The CAUSE OF DEATH was as follow:
Chief, Carcinoma Rectum DURATION [blank]