Born at Newark, Ohio, in 1851 as John Joseph Klem, he attempted to enlist as a drummer-boy in May, 1861 in the 3rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but was rejected on account of his age and small size.
Born at Newark, Ohio, in 1851 as John Joseph Klem, he ran away from home at age nine to become a Union Army drummer boy. He attempted to enlist in May 1861 in the 3rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but was rejected on account of his age and small size.