JOHN LOADER, Clerk of the District Court of Clay County, is one of those who gave years of his youth and early manhood to the cause of national unity, and has ever since borne the marks of his patriotic service. To those who witnessed the stirring scenes of the late Civil War, or who gave their dear ones to their country, the life of such a man is full of interest, and no honor seems too great for him. We are pleased to chronicle the leading facts in his history, and also direct the reader's attention to a fine portrait of this gentleman, to be found on another page of the ALBUM. Mr. Loader was born in Fayette County, Ohio, on July 16, 1845, and on his father's farm passed his boyhood. When he was nine years old his parents removed to Wyandotte County, where his education was continued, his home being still a rural one. The war spirit that swept over the country like wildfire when Fort Sumter was fired upon, took such lodgment in the breast of the youth that his studies were soon abandoned, and he, though but seventeen years old, enlisted on July 18, 1862, as a member of Company A., 123d Ohio Infantry. He was mustered into service, however, in Company E of the same regiment, which served in the independent army of Western Virginia till the fall of 1864, when Mr. Loader went to the army of the Potomac.
During the first few months of their enlistment the 123d had no severe engagements, but ere long they were in the thick of the conflict. Their drilling and skirmishing, their marches and picket duty, had prepared them for gallant service and the bravery of true soldiers. At the engagement at Winchester, June 12-15, 1863, Mr. Loader was captured by the Confederates and held a prisoner at Belle Isle for sixty days, when, being paroled he returned to his command in the Slienandoah Valley. They were stationed at Martinsburg, and our subject spent the fall and winter in guard duty and scouting. In the spring he took part in Hunter's Raid to destroy railroads and join Grant, participating in the engagement at Newmarket, or better known in history as Rude's Hill, at Piedmont, and continuing on to Lynchburg. There Gen. Hunter met too large an opposing force to compete, and was forced to turn back.
The command of our subject was cut off from the main bod in retreat and they were obliged to make their way through the mountains 300 miles, till they struck the Ohio River at Gallipolis, Ohio, where they took boat to Parkersburgh. West Va., and railroad from there to Cherry Run, West Va. The Rebels being there, the bridge was burned behind them, and they marched to Williamsport, on to Sandy Hook, and thence to Louden Valley, where they were headed off by the enemy. Turning, they went into Maryland, and then making a detour returned toward Louden to cut off Early's retreat at Snicker's Ferry, reaching there just too late to take part in the conflict. Crossing after the Confederates, the brigade to which Mr. Loader belonged met the enemy in the woods, and a skirmish ensued, the Federal force being worsted and compelled to retreat. This was on July 18, and two days later, the Union force re-crossed the river and followed the rebels, having daily skirmishes with them until they reached Berryville. where a heavy engagement took place September 3. Previous to reaching Berryville the command to which our subject was attached had done some hard fighting at Winchester and Williamsport, on the Potomac River. On September 19, Mr. Loader took part in the terrible battle at Winchester, where the Union loss was 5,000 in killed and wounded. He then joined in the pursuit of the Confederates, participating in the battle at Fisher's Hill, on September 22, when Crook's command (to which Mr. Loader belonged) flanked the enemy and coming behind the works, compelled their evacuation. From this time till early in October, picket and skirmish duty occupied the brigade, which had frequent contests with Karly's force. Mr. Loader was present at the engagement at Cedar Creek on October 19, when the Union force having been driven back four miles in the morning, held the position until led to victory by the gallant Gen. Sheridan, who came from Winchester twenty miles away, to stay the tide of retreat and turn what seemed a repulse into a glorious triumph. Here the number of killed and captured by the Union army aggregated 10,000 and the wagon and ambulance trains of the Confederates fell into the hands of the patriots. From the date of this engagement to the middle of December the brigade of our subject was camped, being then ordered to join the forces near Richmond. Their objective point was Newmarket Heights, on the north bank of the James River. After camp-ins there until the 24th of March, they were ordered to Cypress Swamp, whence they returned to Hatches' Run and took part in the general movement against the Rebel army, from the 28th to the end of the month.
At this place Mr. Loader was severely wounded in the right arm. He was taken to the field hospital, where the first operation was performed, and the next day was removed to Bay's Hospital, near City Point, where he lay until April 3. At that day a boat-load was carried to Hampton Hospital, near Fortress Monroe. There our subject was confined to his bed till the first of August, before he was able to travel. He was then sent to Columbus, Ohio, and applying for a discharge, learned that he had been discharged with the balance of his command when they were mustered out of the service. The wound from which Mr. Loader suffered so long still affects him, and he is lame in one leg in consequence of another injury, having received five wounds during the war.
On Aug. 15, 1865, Mr. Loader reached his home and remained in Wyandotte County for some years, attending school for a time after his return to civil life. His first work that amounted to anything was in the stock business, which he followed from 1869 to 1875, and which he abandoned on account of ill health. Selling out in 1870 he engaged in mercantile pursuits at Marseilles. Ohio, and after continuing this for a couple of years, he sold his stock and good-will and began the business of a butcher. In 1880 he again changed his employment and his location, and coming to Kansas engaged in clerking, which he continued till he was elected to his present office in 1884. In 1883 he had been traveling for a wholesale house, and at the Christmas entertainment of the G.A.R. he dislocated his lame knee, the injury necessitating the use of a crutch for three years.
At the home of the bride in Fayette County, Ohio, Feb. 28, 1869. our subject was united in wedlock with Miss Frances J. Smith, an estimable young lady who was born and reared in that county. She was a daughter of Isaac Smith. Jr., a farmer, who lost his life in the service of his country during the late Civil War. The birth of Mrs. Loader took place Sept. 15, 1850. She is of distinguished patriotic lineage, her paternal greatgrandfather, James Wilson, being a signer of the Declaration of Independence. To Mr. and Mrs. Loader four children have been born, but one of whom is now living, three sons having been taken from them by death. The survivor is a daughter, Effa J., who was born Sept. 9, 1874.
Richard Loader, the father of our subject, was an honest and honorable Englishman, who, after becoming a citizen of the United States, took up arms in defense of the Government and lost his life as a result of liis services in behalf of his adopted home. He was born in Berkshire, and after coming to this country married Miss Harriet McCahan, who bore him a family of six children. The death of Mr. Loader occurred at his home in the Buckeye State, March 31, 1866, of illness contracted in the army, he being at the time of his decease fifty-two years of age. He had been a member of the l0th Ohio Infantry. The widow, after her children had reached the years of maturity, in 1876 moved to Calhoun County, Mich.
Mr. Loader, of our sketch, is interested in the social orders of the land. He is a member of the I.O.O.F., the Masonic fraternity and the G.A.R. He is a stockholder in the People's National Bank and a Director of that institution. He owns considerable real estate in Clay Center, his pleasant and hospitable home being situated on the corner of Blunt and Ninth streets. Mrs. Loader belongs to the Methodist Church, of which her husband is also an attendant. That Mr. Loader has transacted the duties of the office he holds to the satisfaction of his constituents is abundantly shown in the fact that he is now serving his third term, he is and always has been a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party.
