Wheeling Area Genealogical Society

On the back of of photo is written, "John Carlin, Commander of the WV Grand Army of the Republic,
standing in front of GAR members. Taken in front of the Courthouse in Wheeling, WV."
[Photo owned by Virginia Simms Toney, gr-gr-granddaughter.]

JOHN CARLIN

by Virginia Simms Toney

According to US Army records, John Carlin was born 1823 in County Meath, Ireland. John married Anna Dean Lyeth, born 11 Nov 1827/28 in Baltimore, MD. Anna Dean Lyeth was the daughter of Samuel Lyeth and Ann Dean McFerran. The marriage record of 23 Dec 1856 is found in Marriage Book 5, page 17, Ohio County, WV. This record names his parents, James and Catherine Carlin. John Carlin had a sister, Bridget, known to him as "Biddie". She is mentioned in his will dated 28 Nov 1879, Ohio County, WV. Bridget died 23 Jun 1902 at age 83 and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Wheeling, WV in John Carlin's family plot. Section "D", Lot 129 purchased 05 Jun 1876. John Carlin died at his residence on Chapline Street, Friday, 18 March 1887. His funeral was Sunday, 20 March at the Fourth Street Methodist Church. His widow, Anna Dean Lyeth Carlin died 24 Mar 1907.

John Carlin enlisted in Wheeling on 07 Jul 1846 for five years. He was in Battery B 4th Regiment of the U.S. Light Artillery. He participated in the Battle of Buena Vista, Mexico. He received a Certificate of Merit from the President for his gallant services in that engagement. He was discharged at Ft. Brown, TX as a Sergeant on 07 July 1851.

John Carlin was Captain of Battery D, First West Virginia Light Artillery which was organized 19 Aug 1862. He mustered out 27 June 1865. He was stationed in Winchester, VA as part of the 8th Army Corps, Milroy's Brigade. The battery was known as Carlin's Battery.

C.H. Senseney's address on the 50th Anniversary of the Enlistment of Battery "D", 1st WV Light Artillery at Wheeling, 20 Aug 1912, spoke of John Carlin. He said Capt. Carlin was the only man in the company with previous service. According to Senseney, John Carlin was not well liked at first by the men. As the men learned more about being soldiers, they learned to appreciate his good qualities. Senseney said if there was anything the Captain despised it was a coward. He said, "Captain Carlin had no use for a man who did not do his duty."

John and Anna Dean Lyeth Carlin had six sons. Charles Howard born 23 Sep 1858, John Edward born 26 Aug 1860, ELMER ELLSWORTH (my line) born 28 Oct 1861, Ulyssess S. born 16 May 1865, Wilbur Sewell born 31 Dec 1867 and Franklin Moore born 28 Aug 1870. Charles and Ulyssess moved to New York City.

Elmer Carlin married Catherine Porter 28 Jun 1884, Ohio County Vol 16, pg 99. They had one child, Anna Dean Carlin, born 28 Jan 1886. Anna Dean Carlin is my paternal grandmother. She died 9 Dec 1977 in Georgetown, Brown County, OH.