John Robert Stoddart
John Robert Stoddart was the son of Robert Stoddart and Ann Shannon. He was born on December 12, 1838 in Sligo County, Ireland. According to an article in the Pittsburgh Press, he immigrated to the United States at the age of 13, making the year either 1851-1852.
Soon after arriving in America, John Stoddart shipped on a New Bedford whaler bound for the Arctic Ocean. Several whales were captured, and at the end of the season, the ship headed for the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii) and was wrecked. In Honolulu, he signed up on another whaling ship. After two weeks out on the ocean, the ship sprang a leaked and they made port at Hong Kong.
In Hong Kong, Stoddart signed up for service on a British man-o-war for service in the Crimean War along the coast of Siberia.
He is described as being 5’8” tall, with a light complexion, hazel eyes, light hair, and on one form, when asked to mention any permanent marks or scars on his person, writes that he has a lump on the back of his right thigh.
On September 23, 1863, Rev. Edwin M. van Dusen married John Stoddart and Mary Ann Shannon at St. Peter’s Church, located in Oakland, PA.
John Stoddart had several jobs during his lifetime. For example, he worked as a driver of a team, which is what the name Stoddart means, he was also a laborer, and his death certificate says that he was a retired clerk.
John Stoddart served in both the Navy and the Army. He joined the Navy in Boston on November 9, 1856, and served as Ordinary Seaman on the U.S.S. Hartford. While in the Navy, he sailed to China and made a voyage around the world. While in China, rumors of the Civil War reached them and officers were sent to bring the ship home. The crew decided to make a flag to show their loyalty, and it was presented to the city of Philadelphia and was flown over Independence Hall.
John Stoddart was discharged from the Navy on December 16, 1861.
On September 30, 1864, he enlisted in the Union Army in Pittsburgh, PA to fight in the Civil War. He was discharged in 1864 to go see Mary Ann because she was very ill after giving birth to their first son. John chose to reject offer of $2,000 to go as a substitute, and signed up again as a private in the 199th Pennsylvania Volunteers, Company E. He was mustered out with the company on June 28, 1865. On August 14, 1894, he joined the Grand Army of the Republic, an association for Union Veterans of the Civil War. He was a member of McPherson Post 117, out of East Liberty, and served as Post Commander in 1909.
On November 7, 1911, John Stoddart was elected to the office of Inspector for the 4th District of the 12th Ward of the city of Pittsburgh.
John Robert Stoddart died on July 9, 1914 at the age of 75. The cause was chronic interstitial nephritis. He was buried in Allegheny Cemetery on July 11, 1914.
For more information on my family's genealogy, please see my website at Killeen Family Genealogy