10/29/2026
From the Naples Library Archives
This week we have some articles and photos of two Civil War soldiers from Naples, Col. William W. Clark and Capt. Edgar A. Griswold. Col. Clark lived in the house now owned by Gid and BarbHanggi. Capt. Griswold lived in a house that was taken down to be replaced by the Five Star Bank. There is quite a bit of reading here, but it's very interesting...so, Soldier On!)
Captain Clark obit:
rom Ontario County Journal 30 April 1897
Naples, N. Y. - The death of Col. Will W. Clarke occurred at Brooklyn City hospital on Monday evening. The Wednesday before, while at his boarding place, he had a stroke of paralysis, from which he did not rally. He was nearly 71 years of age, born and reared in Naples, upon the old Clark farm in the northern part of the village. As a young man, he was gifted, and popular as a companion and as a teacher. He loved military life, and before the war, assisted in organizing the Naples Light Guards, a splendid company of militia, of which he was lieutenant, and afterwards captain. Immediately upon the breaking out of the rebellion, he organized a company and drilled them, ready for service, but they were not wanted at that time, and disbanded. But soon men were wanted, and in August 1861, he, with others, raised Company "B" of the 85th regiment, and were soon in active service. He was captain and his previous experience made him a valuable man. The regiment did noble service, and Captain Clarke was promoted to lieutenant colonel and soon was in command of the regiment, which position he held at its discharge in August, 1865, having been brevetted colonel, but not mustered. Returning to Naples in 1867, he was elected sheriff of the county for the term of three years, and removed to Canandaigua about 1874. He received a responsible position in the Custom house at New York, which he held until his death. He was a trusted official and was retained through all changes of administration.
He was a large-hearted, genial man, who won friends wherever he was. He had always claimed Naples as his home, having had no other permanent one since his birth, and his remains were brought here for burial. Of six brothers in the family, four of them served in the war, the two younger ones now surviving. He leaves two sons, Charles L. of Rochester, and Will L. of Chicago, both of whom reached him before he died. His wife was Miss Mary D. Luther of Naples, who died in 1860, three years after marriage. Of the family of nine children, there are left, Dr. N. T. Clarke of Canandaigua; Joseph L. of Momence, Ill., and Edmund C. of Naples; also Mrs. Manly Chase of Cleveland, O., and Mrs. C. S. Lincoln of Naples. Funeral services were held on Thursday afternoon from the Presbyterian church, Rev. B. F. Millard officiating. The remains were met at the station by the post veterans and escorted to the church and to the cemetery where he was buried with military honors.
Clark, William, W., age 38. Enrolled August 26, 1861 at Canandaigua, to serve three years; mustered as Capt. Co. B. December 2, 1861; as lieutenant colonel, May 1, 1863, mustered out regiment June 27, 1865 at New Berme, North Carolina..(Co. B. 85th Inf. N. Y.)
'fought in Battle of the Wilderness and battle for Richmond,. Commanded in several raids into N.C. from seaboard. Discharged July 23, 1865 with regiment"-New York Town Clerk's Register of Men Who Served in the Civil War ca. 1861-1865
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During the Civil War, Clark served as Captain of Company B, 85th New York Infantry. He rose to the rank of Colonel and commanded the 85th New York by the end of the war. See less
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