DeWitt Clinton Klinck

DeWitt Clinton Klinck (my 2nd great grand uncle) was the fourth of five children born to John Graham Klinck and Sarah Irby.  Born in Laurens, SC in 1840, Clint moved to Memphis, TN with his family in about 1846. He worked as a clerk in 1860 before joining the 7th Tennessee Cavalry Regiment as a Private during the Civil War. He fought bravely in the Battle of Franklin (30Nov1864) – the same battle that took his  brother Hayne’s life. In 1867 he had a “tussle” with his wife and brother-in-law, which is the subject of the newspaper clipping shown.  Five years later, he and his wife Mary had a son named DeWitt Clinton, Jr. who died only one year later. Then, in 1875, Clint took his own life by overdosing on morphine.  Interesting note: Clint’s use of morphine drove my research toward Soldier’s Disease, the phrase used to describe the mass of men who returned from war hopelessly addicted to morphine. Like many topics, experts disagree on the number of addicts, the causes, and the truth behind it all. But, it seems clear that the historical meeting of hypodermic needles, morphine, and anesthesia-free battlefield surgeries did damage. I don’t know if Clint was injured in battle – nor do I know if he had the financial wherewithal to maintain a 10-year drug addiction. It’s just interesting. Name note: DeWitt Clinton (1769-1828) was the 6th governor of New York and the driving force behind the Erie Canal. He died in Albany where Clint Klinck’s father, John G. Klinck was raised. John’s father, Johann George Klinck was friends with some pretty heavy hitters in the Albany political scene, so it’s possible that they knew each other. However, there were a LOT of children named after DeWitt Clinton during this time period – so who knows.