William Francis Lynch (general)

William Francis Lynch
From Volume I of 1908's History of Kane County, Ill.
Born(1839-03-12)12 March 1839
Died28 December 1876(1876-12-28) (aged 37)
Fort Larned, Kansas, US
Buried
Bluff City Cemetery, Elgin, Illinois, US
AllegianceUnion (American Civil War)
United States
ServiceUnion Army
United States Army
Service years1861–1865 (Union Army)
1866–1870 (US Army)
RankBrigadier General
UnitUS Army Infantry Branch
Commands58th Illinois Infantry Regiment
Camp Butler, Illinois
Fort Defiance, Illinois
1st Brigade, 3rd Division, XVI Corps
Wars
Alma materUniversity of Notre Dame (attended)
Spouse
Julia Clifford
(m. 1863⁠–⁠1876)
Children5

William Francis Lynch (12 March 1839 – 28 December 1876) was an American Civil War veteran who attained the rank of brigadier general in the United States Army. A native of Rochester, New York, he was raised in Elgin, Illinois and attended the University of Notre Dame, where he took part in the school's corps of cadets program.

Lynch served in the Union Army from 1861 to 1865 and while still in his early twenties attained the rank of colonel as commander of the 58th Illinois Infantry Regiment. He received promotion to brigadier general by brevet in January 1865 to recognize his commendable service, and he was mustered out in February 1865.

In July 1866, Lynch was commissioned as a first lieutenant in the regular army and assigned to the 42nd Infantry Regiment. On 2 March 1867, he received brevet promotions to major and lieutenant colonel, and he was promoted to captain on 20 March 1867. On 15 December 1870, Lynch was promoted to brigadier general in the regular army and he retired on the same day. He died at Fort Larned, Kansas on 28 December 1876.