(Note: James Alonzo Lynch lived well into the 20th Century and though he may never have sat for a portrait of himself in uniform, he must have been photographed hundreds of times over the years. There must be many photographs of him scattered throughout the family. Though I would love to see a picture of him in uniform from his days in the service, at this point, I would just love to see some pictures of James as an old man. Can anyone help me? Thanks, Baxter)

Private JAMES ALONZO LYNCH, Co. K, 86th Illinois

James Alonzo Lynch was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, the son of David B. Lynch (1811 - 1877) and Margaret Ann "Mary" (Brown) Lynch 1813 - 18__). David and Margaret were married on May 20, 1833 in Morgantown, Virginia (now West Virginia) and they lived with Margaret's parents family farm with her parents for a period of time. This farm was located near Fayette City, Pennsylvania. The date of their marriage comes from the personal Bible of David B. Lynch. Margaret may have died 1841/42 relating to birth of second child (This is an assumption only).
After the apparent death of Margaret, David is known to have remarried, at least once. David B. Lynch may be the David B. Lynch who died on 28 Sep 1877 in Elizabeth, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania and his mortal remains were laid in the ______________ Cemetery in ____________, Pennsylvania.
At the time of the 1850 census, James Alonzo Lynch, listed as Alonzo, is found residing with his grandparents in Perry Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania;
Benjamin Brown M 58 New Jersey Farmer
Mary Brown F 57 Massachusetts
John Brown M 23 Pennsylvania Cooper
William Brown M 18 Pennsylvania
Alonzo Lynch M 14 Pennsylvania

At the time of the 1860 census, James A. Lynch is found living in Luzerne Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania living with the Nace family.
Susanna Nace F 52 Pennsylvania Washer Woman
Joseph Nace M 26 PennsylvaniaFarm Hand
Leah Nace F 17 Pennsylvania
Sarah Nace F 13 Pennsylvania
John Nace M 10 Pennsylvania
James Lynch M 23 PennsylvaniaCarriage Maker
Any Lynch F 19 Pennsylvania
David Lynch M 6 months Pennsylvania

James A. Lynch was married in the late 1850's to Amy Levina Nace in Pennsylvania, almost certainly in Fayette County. At this time, they have a 6 month son, David B.Lynch, who is obviously named for his grandfather, James' father. James A. Lynch is known to have remained employed as a "Carriage Maker" throughout his life.
Amy Levina Nace was born c. 1841, almost certainly in Pennsylvania, the daughter of Jacob Nace, a veteran of the War of 1812, and Susannah "Susan" (Spencer) Nace. Amy had a brother by the name of Joseph Jackson Nace. James A. Lynch and Amy Levina Nace are known to have had at least seven children. They are;
1. David B. Lynch, born in February __, 1859/60 in Pennsylvania. David is believed to be the David B. Lynch we find in Rockroe Township, Monroe County, Arkansas at the time of the 1900 census. David is working there as a Blacksmith;
David B. Lynch male 41 single Feb 1859 Penn Penn Penn

David died in 1921 and his mortal remains were laid in the Goodland Cemetery

2. Joseph L. Lynch, born c. 1865/66 in Illinois. Joseph May must have died before 1880 as he is not listed with the family in the 1880 census.

3. Melissa E. Lynch, born c. 1866/67 in IL

4. Lution/Lucien E. (possibly Eastman) Lynch, born ____________ __, 1867 in Illinois. Lucien is believed to have died c. 18 Aug 1881 in Goodland, Newton County, Indiana and is almost certainly the Eastman Lynch we find in the Goodland Cemetery in Goodland, Newton County, Indiana. See his Find A Grave Memorial #173426582.

5. Oliver S. Lynch, born c. 1869/70 in Illinois. Oliver must have died before 1880 as he is not listed with the family in the 1880 census.

6. George W. Lynch, born in 1872 in IN; died in 1957; buried in the Goodland Cemetery

7. Florence M. Lynch, born c. 1874 in Indiana. Florence may be the Flora M. Smith we find in Byron, Alfalfa County, Oklahoma at the time of the 1910 census;
Joel Smith Head M 45 Illinois
Flora M Smith Wife F 33 Indiana
Roy G Smith Son M 16 Kansas
Floyd W Smith Son M 14 Oklahoma
John W Smith Son M 12 Oklahoma
Lily A Smith Daughter F 10 Oklahoma
Vern R Smith Son M 8 Oklahoma
Joel Smith Jr. Son M 2 Oklahoma

8. (Dau.) Clarice Lillian "Clara" Lynch, born c. 1876/77 in Indiana. Clara was married to Charles C. Brien on June 7, 1899. The following is found on familysearch;
Name Charles C Brien
Birth Date 1876
Age 23
Spouse's Name Clara Lillian Lynch
Spouse's Birth Date 1876
Spouse's Age 23
Event Date 07 Jun 1899
Event Place Newton, Indiana
Father's Name Thomas Brien
Mother's Name Mary J. Pruett
Spouse's Father's Name James Lynch
Spouse's Mother's Name Amy Wace

Probably 9. Charles M. Lynch, born April __, 1881/82 in Indiana. At the time of the 1900 census, Charles is found in Carpenter Township (excl. Remmington town), Jasper County, Indiana that we find working as a Servant in the Brien family at the time of the 1900 census. The Brien are his sister, Clara's, in-laws. Charles is still single at this time. His parents are both listed as having been born in Pennsylvania;
Thomas Brien Head M 50 England
Mary Brien Wife F 46 Indiana
Daisey Wiese Daughter F 21 Indiana
Sarah J Pruitt Mother-in-law F 67 Indiana
Charles Lynch Servant M 18 Indiana
Cara M Brien Daughter F 17 Indiana
Roy R Brien Son M 12 Indiana
Bertha E Brien Daughter F 9 Indiana

Charles M. Lynch died in 1903 and his mortal remains were laid in the Goodland Cemetery.

James A. Lynch and the The Nace family came to Peoria County sometime prior to 1862. After the war, at the time of the 1870 census, Susannah "Susan" Nace is found living in Princeville Township, Peoria County, Illinois, with her son;
Jackson Nace M 33 Pennsylvania
Catharine Nace F 21 Pennsylvania
Oliver A Nace M 1 Illinois
Susan Nace F 64 Pennsylvania

Susannah "Susan" (Spencer) Nace was born c. May of 1807 in Pennsylvania and died on 18 Jan 1887 in Princeville, Peoria County, Illinois. Her mortal remains were laid in the Princeville Township Cemetery in Princeville, Peoria County, Illinois. See her Find A Grave Memorial #23859191.

Now to continue with the biography of James A. Lynch;
On August 11, 1862, Joseph Jackson Nace, James' brother-in-law, volunteered to serve in a company which was being raised by a local school teacher by the name of John F. French. The men of this company were mustered into service on August 27, 1862 as Co. K of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry at Peoria, Illinois. Joseph went on to serve faithfully in this unit for nearly three years. (See Joseph Jackson Nace's Find A Grave site for more information about his service.)
Sometime between 1860 and 1864, if they weren't already here (and they almost certainly were), James and Amy came west with their young son, David, and settled in Logan Township of Peoria County. James was making a living as a Wagonmaker there in Logan Township. Undoubtedly, James took keen interest in the letters that his wife, Amy, received from her brother, Joseph, that he wrote from the war front as it progressed from, Kentucky to Tennessee to Georgia. On January 23, 1865, James went into Peoria, where he volunteered for service as a Recruit to help fill up the ever shrinking ranks of Co. K of the 86th Illinois. Following is his service record found in the Illinois Civil War Muster and Descriptive Rolls Detail Report in the Illinois State Archives;

Name LYNCH, JAMES A Rank PVT
Company K Unit 86 IL US INF

Personal Characteristics
Residence LOGAN, PEORIA CO, IL
Age 27 Height 5' 4 1/2 Hair DARK Eyes HAZEL
Complexion DARK Marital Status _____
Occupation WAGON MAKER
Nativity FAYETTE CO, PA

Service Record
Joined When JAN 23, 1865
Joined Where PEORIA, IL
Joined By Whom MAJ NORTON
Period 1 YR Muster In JAN 23, 1865
Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom _____
Muster Out _____ Muster Out Where _____
Muster Out By Whom _____
Remarks TRANS TO CO F 34 ILL INF MAY 18, 1865

At that time James volunteered, the 86th was involved in a brief period of garrison duty in the area of Savannah, Georgia. It was probably near Savannah that James actually joined the 86th. James would serve the last three months of the war with the 86th, serving along side his brother-in-law, Joseph Jackson Nace, participating in the Carolina Campaign and the Battles of Averysboro and Bentonville, North Carolina, which helped to bring the war to a close. On May 18, 1865, after the war had come to a close, James, along with the other more recent Recruits, was transferred to Co. F of the 34th Illinois for some further service, while the old timers, like Joseph Jackson Nace were mustered out of the service on June 6, 1865.
As a late war recruit, James was transferred with the other late war recruits to the 34th Illinois for a little more garrison duty.

Name LYNCH, JAMES A Rank PVT
Company F Unit 34 IL US INF

Personal Characteristics
Residence LOGAN, PEORIA CO, IL
Age 27 Height 5' 4 1/2 Hair DARK Eyes GRAY
Complexion DARK Marital Status _____
Occupation WAGON MAKER
Nativity FAYETTE CO, PA

Service Record
Joined When JAN 23, 1865
Joined Where PEORIA, IL
Joined By Whom MAJ NORTON
Period 1 YR Muster In JAN 23, 1865
Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom _____
Muster Out JUL 12, 1865
Muster Out Where LOUISVILLE, KY
Muster Out By Whom CPT PAPST
Remarks TRANS FROM 86 ILL INF JUN 2, 1865

James served another 8 weeks or so with the 34th and was finally mustered out of the service on July 12, 1865 and he returned to his family in Peoria County.
In late 1869 or early 1870, James and Amy took the family back east to Indiana, where at the time of the 1870 census, they are found in Grant Township of Newton County, Indiana, where James is listed as a Wagon Maker;
James A Lynch M 32 Pennsylvania
Amy L Lynch F 29 Pennsylvania
David R Lynch M 10 Pennsylvania
Joseph L Lynch M 4 Illinois
Melissa E Lynch F 3 Illinois
Lucien E Lynch M 2 Illinois
Oliver S Lynch M 0 Illinois

James and Amy remained in Goodland, Indiana in Newton County the rest of their lives, where James continued making a living as a Wagonmaker and was employed with the Ball Blacksmith Shop in Goodland for many years. At the time of the 1880 census, James A. Lynch and his family are found residing the the city of Goodland in Newton County, Indiana, where he is a wagon maker;
James A Lynch Self M 42 Pennsylvania
Amy L Lynch Wife F 33 Tennessee
David B Lynch Son M 20 Pennsylvania
Malissa E Lynch Daughter F 16 Illinois
Lution E Lynch Son M 13 Illinois
George W Lynch Son M 9 Indiana
Florance M Lynch Daughter F 6 Indiana
Clarice L Lynch Daughter F 3 Indiana

In 1887, the surviving members of the 86th Illinois held a reunion in Peoria on the 25th anniversary of their being mustered into the service, August 27, 1887. They continued to hold these reunion every August in Peoria until 1923, when it was decided at that time that they were too old and too few to continue the reunions. James A. Lynch either chose not to or was apparently never able to attend any of these reunions.
Amy passed away in 1896 and her earthly remains were laid to rest in the Goodland Cemetery.
James A. Lynch lived on another 16 years in Goodland. He resided some years with his daughter but also spent some time living alone in his home located on Benton Street, just off the end of Union Street. James passed away suddenly in his home on August 17, 1912 at the age of 75. His earthly remains were laid to rest beside Amy's.
Four of his nine children were left to mourn him at that time. They were;
Daniel B. Lynch, of Missouri (This is probably actually David B. Lynch)
George W. Lynch, of Mt. Ayr
Mrs. J. M. Smith, of Oklahoma &
Mrs. Brien, of Mt. Ayr

By Baxter B. Fite III and Find A Grave Contributor #49504496, Jay.

(Baxter Fite would love to hear from anyone, especially descendants, who might be able to provide additional information or a photograph of James A. Lynch for his Find A Grave biography and for the Princeville Historical Society.)