Education
He graduated from Harvard University in 1856.
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Joseph Clark
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Born in Philadelphia, Clark was one of four sons of Enoch White Clark (1802-1856), who founded the financial firm East. West. Clark & Company in Philadelphia in 1837 and by mid-century had become one of the city"s 25 millionaires. Upon the outbreak of the Civil War, Clark hastened to fight for the Union side. He joined the Commonwealth Artillery as a private in the spring of 1861, then accepted a commission in the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry, another organization of the elite and one that distinguished itself in battle.
("The Sixth Pennsylvania Cavalry, also known as Rush’s Lancers, was a completely volunteer unit and one of the finest regiments to serve in the Civil War Tracing their history from George Washington’s personal body guard during the Revolutionary War, many of the men of the Sixth Pennsylvania were the cream of Philadelphia society," wrote historian Eric J Wittenberg) Clark was mustered in on October 4, 1861, as Second Lieutenant of Company F. The following April 19, he was promoted to First Lieutenant of Company K, and then on March 16, 1863, to Captain of Company M. He led his unit in combat at the Battle of Gettysburg.
Clark was transferred to Company C on September 18, 1864, and mustered out the following day. On March 13, 1865, he was brevetted a major of the United States. Volunteers "for gallant and meritorious services at the battle of Gettysburg" and lieutenant colonel "for gallant and meritorious services in the campaign from the Rapidan to the James."
Clark died in Philadelphia on November 27, 1889.
Achievements
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Later, he and his men fought at the Battle of Trevilian Station (June 11–12, 1864), where on the first day they helped "to drive the rebels from the railway cut and a brick kiln, behind which they had entrenched themselves." On the second day of the battle, Clark was taken "seriously ill", and relinquished command of his unit to Captain (and future famed architect) Frank Furness, whose actions that day were years later recognized with the Medal of Honor.
Membership
A member of a socially prominent family, J. Hinckley Clark joined or participated in several organizations of the Philadelphia elite. In 1859, he was elected a member of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
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Born
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Died
1889 (aged 54)
Education
Awards
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Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the United States of America's highest military honor, awarded for personal acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty.The Medal of Honor is the United States of America's highest military honor, awarded for personal acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty.