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Aaron Bressler – Lykens Area Veteran Dies in Canton, Ohio, 1902
Posted By Norman Gasbarro on September 9, 2018
Aaron Bressler‘s name appears on the Lykens G.A.R. Monument as a Corporal from the Lykens area who never joined the Heilner G.A.R. Post at that place. Aaron Bressler was the son of John Bressler (1809-1886) and Susannah [Light] Bressler (1810-1875) and was born in Mifflin Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, 27 November 1842.
On 25 September 1861, Aaron Bressler enrolled at Harrisburg in the 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and on 7 October 1861 he was mustered into service as a Private in Company B, at Harrisburg. At the time, he was 19 years old, stood 5 foot 3 inches in height, had black hair, a dark complexion, and black eyes. He gave his occupation as plasterer and his residence as Dauphin County. The Veterans’ File Card (above) from the Pennsylvania Archives notes that on 1 September 1862 he was promoted to the rank of Corporal. On 9 December 1862, he was discharged on a Surgeon’s Certificate of Disability.
Whatever reason for his discharge, the disability was not serious enough for Aaron Bressler to apply immediately for pension benefits. However, on 11 May 1878, he did apply and received the benefits, which he collected until his death, which occurred on 12 August 1902. Following his death, his widow applied and she received benefits until her death, which occurred in 1931.
Aaron Bressler married Mary E. Penrose (1846-1931) and with her had at least six known children.
Late in life, Aaron Bressler and Mary [Penrose] Bressler moved to Canton, Ohio.
Lykens Valley area newspapers reported on two trips that Aaron made back to the area of his birth.
On 22 September 1899 the West Schuylkill Herald (Tower City, Pennsylvania) printed the following:
Aaron Bressler, of Canton, Ohio, visited his brother Riley Bressler at this place. He came east to attend the G.A.R. Encampment at Philadelphia.
On 27 September 1901, the Lykens Standard reported:
Aaron Bressler and wife of Canton, Ohio, were called here on account of Mrs. Charles Moyer, his sister, who is at the point of death. Mr. Bressler served as an aid to the Chief Marshall during McKinley’s burial. We were glad to see and shake hands with them again. They will stay a few weeks.
After his death in 1902, Aaron F. Bressler was buried in Canton, Stark County, Ohio:
Additional information about Aaron Bressler can be found at his Findagrave Memorial.
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