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Civil War Blog

A project of PA Historian

Mrs. Comuskey of Williamstown

| March 12, 2019

Previously on this blog, Mary Kilraine of Williamstown – Civil War Laundress was presented. Mary was first married to Patrick Craven of Williamstown, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. After his death, she married Patrick Comuskey. The following story about Mary Comuskey was printed in the Williamstown Sesquicentennial Book in 1976. Mrs. Comuskey, “Woman with war history,” was […]

Patrick Fagan – Deserter from 96th Pennsylvania Infantry

| February 11, 2019

According to information found at the Pennsylvania Archives (above), Patrick Fagan, a 19-year-old miner, enrolled in the 96th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company K, as a Private, on 23 September 1861, at Pottsvillle. He stood about 5 foot 9 inches tall, had dark hair, a dark complexion and light-colored eyes. According to information on the card, he […]

Obituary of Charles Curtis of Williamstown

| November 16, 2018

The death of Charles Curtis, Civil War veteran of Williamstown, occurred in late February of 1905.  The local newspapers reported it as follows: From the West Schuylkill Herald of Tower City, 24 February 1905: Word was received here on Thursday afternoon of the serious illness of Charles Curtis, one of Williamstown‘s most highly respected citizens.  […]

Obituary of Benjamin Davis of Williamstown

| October 8, 2018

Civil War veteran Benjamin Davis died on 13 April 1924.  He is buried at the United Methodist Church Cemetery in Williamstown, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, in the Davis family plot.  Previously on this blog, a brief biographical sketch of him appeared as part of a post describing burials in that cemetery in Williamstown: Benjamin Byron Davis […]

Death of Riley Bressler, 1899

| September 22, 2018

When Riley Bressler died on 7 December 1899, two local newspapers published lengthy obituaries of him. The West Schuylkill Herald of Tower City, Schuylkill County, said the following in its 14 December 1899 edition: DEATH OF RILEY BRESSLER Riley Bressler who’s serious illness we mentioned in last week’s issue, passed peacefully away at about 1 […]