Biography - John Clymer
JOHN H. CLYMER, of Vienna, the well-known contractor and builder, who is an important factor in promoting the growth of Johnson County, served with credit in the great Civil War, although a mere boy when he entered the army. He was born in Manry County, Tenn., August 3, 1845. His father, John C. Clymer, was born in the same county, and was a son of Joseph Clymer, who was a native of North Carolina, whence he removed to Tennessee, and spent his last years in Maury County.
The father of our subject engaged in farming in his native State until 1854, when he came to Illinois and settled in Johnson County. He soon commenced to work at the trade of a carpenter, and was engaged in that trade a number of years. He is now a resident of New Burnside. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Shires, was a native of the same county in Tennessee as himself, and her parents were David and Holly (Harris) Shires. Mr. and Mrs. Clymer have five children: Mary, David, John H., William and Holly.
John H. Clymer, of this biographical review, was ten years old when he accompanied his parents to their new home in this county, the ever memorable journey being made with a team, and the Ohio River was crossed at Golconda. The family first moved into an old log church, and lived in that about six months, and then removed to what is now Grantsburg Township, where our subject passed his boyhood until the breaking out of the war. With all the ardent patriotism of youth, he desired to take part in the great conflict in defense of the Stars and Stripes, and October 6, 1861, found his name enrolled as a member of Company I, Twenty-ninth Illinois Infantry, although he was but sixteen years of age. For three long and trying years he was at the front, and earned a good name as a trusty, brave and loyal soldier. The most important battles in which he took part were Ft. Donelson, Shiloh, the siege of Corinth and Holly Springs. At the latter place he was captured by the rebels, but he was immediately paroled, and for six months was at the parole camp at St. Louis. He was then exchanged and did garrison duty at Vicksburg until the expiration of his term of enlistment, October 6, 1864, just three years after he entered the army.
Mr. Clymer resumed work at his trade upon his return from Southern battlefields, and for the past twenty years has been engaged in business for himself as a contractor and builder. For a few years he was associated with J. G. Reese, and later with J. C. Mackey. He has erected many of the substantial buildings of the county, and is doing a fine business, as he has won a high reputation for solid work and square dealings, and always stands by his contracts. He is a man of exemplary habits, is an advocate of temperance, and is so earnestly interested in the temperance movement that he carries his views into his politics, and is a stanch Prohibitionist. He is closely identified with the religious interests of the village as a member of the Christian Church, to which his wife also belongs, and both are held in high consideration by all around them.
Mr. and Mrs. Clymer were married in 1863. Mrs. Clymer, whose name before her marriage was Jennie Garrett, was born in this county, and is a daughter of Thomas and Amanda (Cummins) Garrett. Her union with our subject has been blessed with the following children: Alice Pluym, Edward, Delia Parker, Florence, Thomas, Charlie, Walter and Holly.
Extracted 16 Apr 2016 from 1893 Biographical Review of Johnson, Massac, Pope, and Hardin Counties, Illinois, pages 134-135.
