CLARK, MERWIN (5 Nov. 1843-30 Nov. 1864), a volunteer soldier and commissioned Army officer in the CIVIL WAR, was born in Cleveland, attended local public schools, and enlisted in the Sprague Zouave Cadets on 22 Apr. 1861 when the War broke out. The Cadets became Co. B, 7th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving a 3-month enlistment through 12 Oct. 1861. After campaigning in western Virginia, Clark reenlisted for 3 years on 19 June 1861. He survived the campaigns of 1862-63 in central Virginia and those in Georgia in 1864, to be mustered out with the 7th Regiment in Cleveland on 8 July 1864. He was promoted to captain on 1 Sept. 1862.
In Cleveland, Clark enlisted in the Regular Army as a private. Gov. Brough of Ohio ordered his discharge from the Regular Army and appointed him lieutenant colonel of the 183d OVI on 12 Nov. 1864. Three weeks later, the 183d was assigned to the 2d Div., 3d Brigade of the 23d Army Corps (Army of the Ohio) commanded by Maj. Gen. John M. Schofield, near the center of the federal line at the Battle of Franklin, Tenn. on 30 Nov. 1864. During the battle, Clark was killed while rallying his regiment. He was only 21 and was referred to as "the boy officer." His body was buried in the field but was later removed to Cleveland for burial at WOODLAND CEMETERY. His bust stands in the SOLDIERS & SAILORS MONUMENT on PUBLIC SQUARE.