Clem, John Lincoln, 1851-1937

Clem was one of the youngest soldiers to fight in the Union Army during the Civil War. Originally from Ohio, he began as a drummer boy, fought in the Battle of Shiloh, and eventually retired in 1916 with the rank of major general.

While Clem served as a drummer boy during the Civil War, he killed a Confederate Col. at Chickamaugua. He was eventually promoted to Col./Assist. QM Gen. in 1903. Clem served as Chief QM of Texas, 1906-1909; the Central Div., 1909-1912; and the Gen's Off., 1912-1915. He retired in 1915 as Brig. and later Maj. Gen. Clem lived in Washington, D.C. in 1926. He died in 1927. The Clarke Historical Library has a biography on Clem.