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Anthony Fisher – The Barber of Tremont
Posted By Norman Gasbarro on May 2, 2012
Anthony Fisher (1846-1910), the “Barber of Tremont,” was the son of John Fisher and Bibliana Keyser. He was born in Baden, Germany, and came to America with his parents in 1855 when he was 9 years old. The family settled in Tremont where John Fisher was a watchmaker. When the Civil War began, Anthony Fisher enrolled in the 96th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company H, as a Private, in which he served until he was wounded in September 1862. After he sufficiently recovered, he transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps. His discharge is dated 22 October 1864.
Upon return to Tremont, Schuylkill County, after the war, Anthony Fisher married Philibina Munitz and the couple had five sons: Henry Fisher, born around 1868; William Fisher, born around 1870; Charles Fisher, born around 1874; Frederick Fisher, born around 1876; and John A. Fisher, born around 1879.
Anthony Fisher was a barber and continued to work in Tremont until very close to the year of his death in 1910. He spent his last days at the home of his youngest son in Philadelphia.
Anthony Fisher was very active in G.A.R. affairs and in 1899 attended the National Encampment in Philadelphia representing the Tremont Post. In Philadelphia, he was afforded the opportunity to ride in a new mode of transportation – an electric automobile! The story of how that came about was reported in the Philadelphia Inquirer of 9 September 1899 (story appears below).
Anthony Fisher‘s death notice appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer on 8 August 1910.
FISHER — On 7 August 1910, ANTHONY FISHER, aged 64 years old, late of Tremont, Pennsylvania. Relatives and friends may view remains on Tuesday evening, 9 August at residence of his son John A. Fisher, 444 N. 60th St. [Philadelphia]. Services and interment at Tremont, Pennsylvania on Wednesday, at 2 p.m.
The Pennsylvania Veterans’ File Card for Anthony Fisher is shown below. Other than his age, which he claimed to be 18 at the time of enrollment, no other personal information is given. His actual age was probably closer to 15 when he joined the army. His transfer to the “Invalid Corps” (also known as the Veteran Reserve Corps) is properly noted.
The Pension Index Card for Anthony Fisher indicates service in the 96th Pennsylvania Infantry but does not note his service in the Veteran Reserve Corps.
LAST DAY’S RIDES
The Inquirer’s Automobile Trips Give Pleasure to Many Visiting Veterans
FROM FIFTEEN STATES
Hundred’s of the City’s Guests Were Treated to the Novel Experience
The third and last day of The Inquirer‘s complimentary automobile rides for veterans was a huge success as the two preceding days – if not more so.
Promptly at 9 o’clock the two handsome electric carriages drew up in front of The Inquirer building, and just as promptly they were filled with Grand Army men and their wives. At the signal from The Inquirer‘s representative in charge the drivers sounded their gongs, the electricity was turned on, and away sped the automobiles up Market Street.
Long before 9 o’clock, however, applicants for a chance to enjoy the novelty of a trip in a horseless carriage began to appear at The Inquirer office, and from then until noon, when the automobiles were sent to the barn to allow re-charging of their batteries, a second Inquirer representative was kept busy hustling to register visitors’ named and issuing the coveted bits of pasteboard entitling the holders to a ride. Many of the grizzled veterans had their wives along, some their daughters, and still others their granddaughters. But the representatives of the gentler sex were made as welcome as the men so long as they were with a wearer of the Grand Army badge or button.
From Fifteen States
Fifteen states were represented in the long list of The Inquirer‘s automobile guests, and almost every section of those stated. Every rank too, from private to general, took a ride, and one enjoyed the fun full as well as the other. Along the route, from the start to the finish, the two automobiles, with their loads of veterans, attracted more attention than anything else on the streets. Few, indeed, were the persons that did not stop to take a look at them.
One thing The Inquirer regrets, by the way, and that is the rush of G.A.R. members prevented extending the pleasure of the automobile trips to visiting Sons of Veterans, many of who asked to be allowed to go. But the Sons of Veterans are young, and will have plenty of time in the the future to take automobile rides, while the veterans are growing old, and some of them may not again have the same opportunity.
The unanimous verdict of the hundreds who enjoyed The Inquirer‘s unique method of extending hospitality was that the horseless carriage is a great institution, and The Inquirer a great newspaper. A second verdict was that every man and woman of them all would have an experience to talk about when they got back home that would make the eyes of their friends and acquaintances open wide. To see an automobile would have been a treat to many of them — to actually have a ride in one was the treat many times multiplied.
The Inquirer is glad to have had the pleasure of providing the treat. When next the National Encampment is held in Philadelphia something else as new and as novel in the line of vehicles as the automobile may have been invented.
If so, the veterans will find it at their disposal by The Inquirer if money can procure it.
Those Who Rode
Below will be found the names and residences of those who rode yesterday:
[Note: The full list is not repeated here, but included in the list was Anthony Fisher, Post No. 136, Tremont, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania – which the Inquirer incorrectly noted as “Fremont”].
A direct descendant of Anthony Fisher has provided a complete copy of his pension application file to the project.
The Veterans’ Memorial at Tremont recognizes “all who served.” The G.A.R. star and flag holder is a tribute to Anthony Fisher and others from this place who served honorably in the Civil War. See prior post: Robert C. “Pete” Wiscount Veterans Memorial Park, Tremont.
Research continues on the life and military experience of “The Barber of Tremont.” Anyone who has information on Anthony Fisher is urged to contribute it either by commenting on this post or by submitting it directly to the Civil War Research Project.
Pension Index Cards are from Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania Veterans’ Index Cards are from the Pennsylvania Archives. News clippings are from the on-line resources of the Free Library of Philadelphia.
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