Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography/Kountz, John S.

KOUNTZ, John S., soldier, b. in Richfield, Lucas co., Ohio, 25 March, 1846. He attended school in Maumee City, Ohio, until the age of fourteen, and in September, 1861 enlisted as a drummer-boy in the 37th Ohio infantry. At the battle of Mission Ridge, Tenn., 25 Nov., 1863, when the drum-corps was ordered to the rear he threw away his drum, seized a musket, and was severely wounded in the first assault, being left in the field under the enemy's guns until he was rescued by his company. This episode is the subject of a poem by Mrs. Kate B. Sherwood, entitled “The Drummer-Boy of Mission Ridge,” which attained a wide reputation. He remained in the hospital of Louisville until he was honorably discharged from the service on 25 April, 1864, and on his return to civil life he attended school for one year, after which he was treasurer of Lucas county from 1872 till 1874, and county recorder in 1875-'8. He has been connected with the Grand army of the republic since its organization in 1866, and was elected its commander-in-chief on 25 July, 1884. In the presidential contest that occurred during his official term he issued an order to bar politics from this organization. He is now (1887) president of the Toledo fire-underwriters' association.