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Obituary of Joseph R. Henninger of Donaldson, 1933
Posted By Norman Gasbarro on April 15, 2019
Joseph R. Henninger, son of Joseph Henninger (1822-1900) and Sarah [Reed] Henninger (1827-1911), died on 18 April 1933 in Shamokin, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. His obituary did not mention Civil War service, but his name has been suggested as a Civil War veteran because there are Civil War records for an almost exact match to an individual who did serve.
Presented here first is the obituary of Joseph R. Henninger, which does not mention Civil War service, and several documents for the Joseph Henninger who served in the 11th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company B, as a Private.
From the Shamokin Daily News, 18 April 1933:
J. R. HENNINGER SUCCUMBS FROM BRIEF SICKNESS
Son of Late Chief Burgess Expired at 5:30 This Morning
BORN IN DONALDSON
Joseph R. Henninger, one of Shamokin’s best known citizens, a son of the late Chief Burgess Joseph Henninger, charter member of the Friendship Fire Company and the P.O.S. of A., who worked continuously for over fifty years at the Cameron Colliery as a miner, died at his home, 316 East Packer Street, this morning at 5:30 from asthma and dropsy after an illness which attacked him last Christmas.
Mr. Henninger was born July 19, 1847, at Donaldson, the son of the late Joseph Henninger and Sarah [Reed] Henninger, the former being one of the first burgesses and tax collectors of the town. The family moved to Shamokin when the deceased was a young man and he at once became active in the interests of the city. He was one of the organizers of the Friendship Fire Company and joined Camp 660, P.O.S. of A, as a charter member. His membership was transferred to Washington Camp 30 when the other camp was dissolved. He was also affiliated with the State and Six-County Firemens’ Association and was one of the town’s most active workers in behalf of the organization. Mr. Henninger followed mining his entire life and was employed at the dangerous occupation for over fifty years at the Cameron Colliery.
On July 4, of this year, the deceased and Mrs. Henninger could have celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary, having been married in Shamokin in 1880.
In early life he was married to Miss Clara V. Esher, who survives him, together with the following children: Mrs. Charles A. Ammerman, of this city; and Mrs. Clara Bickert, of Northumberland. There are nine grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren. One brother, Monroe Henninger, and two sisters: Mrs. Pricilla Diliplane and Mrs. Elizabeth Drasher, live in Shamokin.
The funeral will be held Friday afternoon at 2:00 from the home of his daughter, Mrs. C. A. Ammerman, 819 East Packer Street, with services at home and burial in the Shamokin Cemetery.
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Was this the same Joseph Henninger who served as a Private in Company B of the 11th Pennsylvania Infantry?
The Henninger grave marker at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Shamokin makes no mention of Civil War service for Joseph, nor is there a G.A.R. star-flag holder at the site.
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The Pennsylvania Veterans’ File Card, shown above from the Pennsylvania Archives, indicates that a Joseph Henninger, at age 18 (born about 1846), was mustered into service at Williamsport, Pennsylvania, on 15 March 1864.
The Pension Index Card, shown above from Fold3, indicates that Joseph Henninger applied for a pension on 18 September 1877, which he received and collected until his death. However, no widow is noted on the card – and, according to the obituary, his widow, Clara, survived him.
At this time, these are the only records available to compare the Joseph Henninger who served in the 11th Pennsylvania Infantry and the Joseph R. Henninger who died at Shamokin in 1933.
Are they the same person? Perhaps a blog reader can give an answer.
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