William McClure IV was the son of William McClure III and Caroline Hewitt McClure. He was the brother to Gilbert McClure. In the 1860 NY Federal census we see him age 17, single and still living with his parents in Sanford, Broome, County NY. We later see where he enlists in the Army; "McClure, William Age 19 years. Enlisted October 1, 1861, at Middletown (Orange County) in the 18th NY Volunteers. Mustered in as private, Co. D, on October 1, 1861, to serve two years. Mustered out with company, May 28, 1863, at Albany."

There is some confusion when we look at the 1865 New York State census. Below is an actual transcript of the William & Caroline MacClure household;

1865 New York State Census town of Sanford
#379
William MacClure age 50 b Broome Co farmer landowner
Caroline age 49 wife
Allen age 24 son
Mary age 17 dau
Gilbert age 15 son
Wm age 22 son Army*

* 18th NY Vol. no dates.

Listed as son, age 22, in the Army and annotated as with the 18th NY Vol., born Broome County and listed last in the enumeration rather then by age. He is listed as an engineer. No sign of wife? Could the enumerator have listed him here even though he was not present? Or could he have actually been present but on leave?

The 1865 NY Census had a special military section that indicated he was indeed still serving. In that section it says he was presently serving in the Army. Military info: Entered Dec 1863, 26th NY Co B Private period was 3 years had 18 months remaining on enlistment.

In the 1870 Federal census for Deerpark, Orange County, New York we find William age 27 born NY working for the Rail Road and his wife Martha age 25 born Virginia and son Edgar age 2 born NY. Note: Son Willie was missing due to his death prior to the 1870 census (Cause of death unknown).

Martha is widowed with a very young son Edgar when William dies 16 April 1871. (Cause of death is unknown) Edgar (Eddie) then dies two months later on 21 Jun 1871 (Cause of Death unknown). William's brother Gilbert ultimately marries widow Martha.