Illinois: History of Cass County, Illinois, ed. William Henry Perrin. O. L. Baskin & Co. Historical Publishers, Chicago, 1882. Cass County. JOSEPH S. LYNCH, Virginia City, County Surveyor; is a native of Lancaster County, Penn.; was born Aug. 12, 1838, at a town of the same name. His father, James Lynch, now deceased, was of Irish descent, born in the same town; he was a merchant by occupation, and married Miss Elizabeth Schmaling, of German extraction. Joseph S. received his schooling in the schools of Lancaster, and remained at home until about eighteen years of age. In 1861 he entered the Union Army, enlisting at Freeport, Stevenson Co., Ill., in the 11th Ill. Vol. Infantry; Feb. 16, 1862, he was taken prisoner at Fort Donelson. He was held by the enemy about eight months at Macon, Ga., and then exchanged. He immediately returned to his regiment, served in the forty days campaign before Vicksburg; July 7, 1864, he received a severe musket ball wound, in both thighs, at the battle of Jackson Crossroads, Miss., was left on the field as mortally wounded, picked up by the enemy and was again imprisoned in a rebel hospital at Clinton, Miss., for about two months, whereupon he was again exchanged. He then reported to his regiment in Arkansas. His time having expired, he received his discharge, Sept. 12, 1864, and returned to Illinois. He soon entered farming in Stevenson County. Still suffering from the effects of his wound, he was after two years' trial obliged to abandon the farm, and in 1866 came to Cass County, and commenced teaching school, which he continued for about five years. He then took up the profession of surveying, and has from that time on made it his principal business. He was elected to the office of Surveyor of Cass County, in 1872, and served one term, with satisfaction to the citizens of the county, and was again elected in 1879, since which time he has held the office. May 30, 1872, he married Miss Matilda J. Martin, daughter of Joel and Eliza Martin, now living in Nebraska. Mr. Lynch is a life-long Republican, and a member of the A.O.U.W., of Virginia City. Lynch Schmaling Martin = Lancaster-PA Stevenson-IL AR