William Klump

William Klump, alias “John Baker,” was born in 1837 in Germany.

William immigrated to America and eventually settled in western Michigan. By 1859-60 William was probably working as a bartender at G. & C. Christ’s saloon in Grand Rapids. In any case, he may have been the same William Klump who was married on March 9, 1861, to Margaret Schwartz, by Rev. Francis Cuming (who would become the first chaplain of the Third Michigan infantry) at the Ohio House in Grand Rapids.

William was 26 years old when he enlisted in Company C on May 13, 1861. He allegedly deserted on September 21, 1862, at Upton’s Hill, Virginia, when in fact he had been taken prisoner on June 30 or July 1, 1862, near Richmond, Virginia (probably White Oak Swamp).

William returned to the Regiment on December 20 at Camp Pitcher, Virginia, and was reported AWOL in April of 1863. He apparently returned to the Regiment and was wounded on May 3, 1863, at Chancellorsville, Virginia, subsequently hospitalized in Washington, DC through June, and by July he was a provost guard. He supposedly deserted on August 30, 1863, at Washington, DC.

There is no further Record.

In fact William survived the war although it is not known if he ever returned to Michigan. By 1891 he was living in Minnesota under the name of “John Baker” and married to Lena Baker.

In 1891 William applied for a pension (no. 1084129) but the certificate was never granted.

William died, probably in December of 1901 or perhaps in early January of 1902, probably in Minnesota and was presumably buried there.

In any case, his widow was living in Minnesota when she applied for a pension (no. 765503), but the certificate was never granted.