John F. Nedry - G.A.R, Bishop Post

Photo taken 1922 (according to Bishop Post minutes)

JOHN F. NEDRY

John Nedry lived his early years in Seneca County, Ohio. Born in about 1844, John served in Company K, 49th Regiment, Ohio Infantry.  Many Seneca County men were part of this group who mustered in at Camp Noble, Tiffin, Ohio.  He enlisted at the age of 20 on February 20, 1864 for three years.  But he was wounded on May 14, 1864, in the Battle of Resaca, Georgia and then was discharged on December 28, 1864 at Columbus, Ohio, on a surgeon's certificate of disability.  The nature of his wound is unknown.  His regiment lost 363 men in their travels through Atlanta and back up to Nashville.

His one and only filing for a pension occurred even before the war was over, in February 1865.
After the war, he returned to Seneca County and married in 1866.  But in the 1870 census, he was living alone with the Shoreman family and their five children in Melmore, Ohio, and working in a smith shop (blacksmith). 
By 1880, John Nedry, 36, and Amanda, 32, were living in Eden, Seneca County with their son Klida (Clyde), 13.  

John F. Nedry could not be located in the 1890 Veterans Census, but by 1900, he was living on Jackson Street in Defiance and he was working at a veterinary surgeon.  By 1910, he had moved to Harrison Street.

After his wife died, he eventually moved to his granddaughter's, Mrs. Harley Small, house on Holgate Avenue.  He was listed there in the 1920 census as a boarder, aged 77.  At some point, he spent time in the Old Soldier's Home in Sandusky.  The Sandusky Register of March 18, 1930 noted: 
"The following furloughs were granted...John F. Nedry, Co. K, 49th Ohio Infantry, 30 days to Lakewood.

His son, Clyde, lived in Lakewood, Cuyahoga County near Cleveland.  So John went on furlough there, and then was enumerated at his son's house for the 1930 census.  On April 4, 1930, the enumerator found Clyde Nedry, 63, married to wife, Luella A., 53, and John F., father, 86 and widowed.  Clyde worked as an assemblyman at a hardware store.

Apparently, John was brought home at some point and died in his own home on November 7, 1931.  On the death record, the residence is noted as Hopkins Street.

 OBITUARY

 "J. F. NEDRY, 87, TAKEN BY DEATH

Civil War Veteran's Rites Will Be Held Tuesday Morning 

John F. Nedry, 87-year-old Civil War veteran and for years, a veterinarian in Defiance, died Saturday at 6 p.m. at his home here of the infirmities of age.

The funeral will be held Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. at the home and at 10 a.m. in the First Presbyterian church here with the pastor, Dr. W. A. Rex, officiating.  Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery.

Mr. Nedry was born in Planktown, Ohio, on Feb. 17, 1844, and when 20 years old, enlisted in Company K of the 49th Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  After serving three years, he was honorably discharged from service because of disability resulting from wounds received in action.

In 1866, he was married to Amanda A. Melroy, who died Jan. 7, 1917.

Surviving are a son, Clyde J. Nedry of Cleveland, former restaurant proprieter here, two grandchildren, Arthur Nedry, Cleveland, and Mrs. Harley Small, Bryan, and one great-grandson, James Small, Bryan."

(This is part of a series on Civil War veterans of Defiance County who were part of the G.A.R., Bishop Post, that headquartered in the city.  Formed in 1879, the post was named after a local man, Captain William Bishop, Company D, 100th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Army who died as a result of wounds received in battle.  The veterans' photos are part of a composite photo of members that has survived.  If you have other information or corrections to add to the soldiers' stories, please add to the comments!)