BIO:  Col. John Miller MARK, Lebanon County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Abby Bowman

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
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Biographical Annals of Lebanon County Pennsylvania.
Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1904
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Page 28 - 30

COL. JOHN MILLER MARK, one of the oldest and best-known citizens of Lebanon, was 
born on a farm in East Hanover township, about three miles from the village of 
Jonestown, March 15, 1822, son of George Mark, who was born on the same farm 
January 16, 1797, and died January 14, 1939.  His father, also George Mark, was 
a native of Germany and was one of the early settlers of East Hanover township, 
and followed farming all his life, his son following in his footsteps, and dying 
on the same farm.

George Mark, the father of Col. John Miller Mark, married Elizabeth Miller, who 
was born in North Annville township, Lebanon county, May 13, 1799, and died in 
1836.  The following children were born of this union:  Catherine, born June 9, 
1818, married Joseph Frank, and died July 14, 1888; John Miller; Elizabeth, born 
October 12, 1823, married Joseph Farnsler, and died September 3, 1896; George, 
born September 3, 1825, died March 22, 1897; Sallie married George Mark, and 
died young.

John Miller Mark was reared on the farm and attended the common schools.  On 
April 1, 1839, he left the farm and went to work in a store in Fredericksburg, 
Lebanon county, where he remained one year and then went to Bellegrove, in the 
same county, where he was employed in a store.  Mr. Mark remained in the employe 
of George Weidman, at Bellegrove, for three years, and in 1843 purchased the 
store which he conducted until 1849.  He then removed to Jonestown, and for a 
time was engaged in a lumber business, but in 1853 he returned to Lebanon, 
where, in the following year, he embarked in the hotel business, on the corner 
of Ninth and Chestnut streets.  He here operated the "Union Hotel" until 1861, 
when he rented it in order to offer his services to his country.  When the Civil 
war was over, Mr. Mark resumed the management of the "Union Hotel," and 
continued its popular host until 1870, when he retired, again renting the 
property.

Col. Mark was a gallant soldier.  In 1861 he raised Company D, of the Ninety-
third Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and was commissioned captain of this 
company, and on June 1, 1862, he was commissioned major by Gov. A. G. Curtin, 
and was promoted to be colonel November 27, 1862.  Col. Mark was mustered out of 
the service on account of disability on March 12, 1863, his honorable discharge 
being signed by Assistant Adjutant General C. A. Whittier, by command of Maj. 
Gen. Sedgwick.  While captain of Company D, he participated in many of the 
serious engagements of the war, and was wounded at the battle of Fair Oaks, Va., 
by a ball passing through his right fore-arm, and was also slightly wounded in 
the leg, a fragment of an exploding shell also striking him in the neck.  
Although the latter did not cut the flesh, Col. Mark felt the effects of the 
blow until a few years since.  Following this misfortune on the field, Col. Mark 
was then stricken with typhoid fever and was sent to the hospital at 
Philadelphia, but was not received there and was given up to die.  He insisted 
upon being sent home, and soon after his return experienced beneficial results 
and finally considered himself well enough to return to his command.  Following 
his return, his efficiency was recognized by his promotion to the office of 
major, and later to that of colonel, and he was at that time ranking colonel of 
the brigade, in direct line of promotion to the position of general.  However, 
he began to realize that he could not continue military service, as his return 
to duty had been too soon, his recovery not having been completely accomplished.

It was with feelings of regret that Col. Mark gave up his brilliant military 
prospects and returned to his home, and it was also a source of grief to his 
comrades-in-arms.  In 1863 he was appointed deputy-marshal of Lebanon.  For many 
years he was a store-keeper and gauger in the Internal Revenue department.  For 
several years Colonel Mark was chief of police of Lebanon county, and also 
served one term as register and recorder of the county.  Every duty entrusted to 
his care was performed with an eye to the public good, and both in military and 
civil life, he has lived up to the full measure of first-class citizenship.

On January 6, 1843, Col. Mark was united in marriage with Catherine Zinn, born 
in Cornwall township, Lebanon county, December 5, 1819, and they had children as 
follows:  Milton, a resident of Denver, Colo.; Cyrus, a resident of Pueblo, 
Colo.; Monroe, a resident of Oregon City, Ore.; Charles, a resident of San 
Diego, Cal.; John, who died in Pueblo, Colo.; and Penrose, who lives in Lebanon.  
Col. Mark is a valued and active member of Sedgwick Post, G. A. R.; Mt. Lebanon 
Lodge, A. F. & A. M.; and Mohegan Lodge, I. O. O. F.  He was a member of the 
fire department of Lebanon for many years, and is now an honorary member.