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Obituary of Henry Miller of Williamstown – Veteran Cavalryman
Posted By Norman Gasbarro on September 27, 2019
On 24 March 1911, the Lykens Standard published an obituary of Henry Miller, a Civil War veteran who resided in Williamstown, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
DEATHS AND FUNERALS
After an illness of five months, Henry Miller, a veteran of the Civil War, died at his home on Market Street, Williamstown, Wednesday of last week. Deceased was born in Bavaria, Germany, August 17, 1839. He was the son of Peter Miller and Phillipani Monsweiler. When but 14 years of age he came to this country and located at Swatara, but afterward moved to Coaldale, then to Wiconiscso.
In 1861 he enlisted in Company D, 11th Regiment, Pennsylvania’s Cavalry [11th Pennsylvania Cavalry] and served until 1863. In December 1863, he re-enlisted and served until August 13, 1865, when he was honorably discharged at Richmond. He then returned to Wiconisco, where on the 21st of January, 1866, he was married to Magdalena Matter, who survives to mourn his loss. Two children blessed the union, both of whom preceded the father in death. One brother, Adam Miller, of Wiconisco, also survives.
The family moved to Williamstown 43 years ago, where they have since resided.
The funeral took place on Saturday. The services were conducted by Rev. Boyer at the United Brethren Church, after which the body was brought to Lykens and laid to rest in the P.O.S. of A. Cemetery.
Decesased was a member of Chester Post, G.A.R., and of the I.O.O.F, both of which organizations and the Women’s relief Corps and Sons of Veterans Firing Squad, attended the funeral.
Among those from a distance who attended the funeral were Adam Miller; Margaretta Umholtz, Sarah Umholtz, and Edna Umholtz, Wiconisco; George Welker, wife and daughters; Mrs. Thompson; Mrs. James Pell; Mrs. Hammel, Lykens; Charles J. Matter and wife, Marion Heights; William Wert and Wife; Charles Wert and James Wert, Harrisburg.
Mrs. Miller desires to thank all who assisted her sad bereavement.
According to the Veterans’ Card available from the Pennsylvania Archives, Henry Miller, enrolled on 20 August 1861 in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, in the 11th Pennsylvania Cavalry. On 27 August 1861, in Philadelphia, he was mustered into service as a Private in Company D. At the time, he was 21 years old, stood nearly 5 foot 9 inches tall, had light hair, a light complexion, and grey eyes. He gave his occupation as miner and his residence as Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. According to the card, on 18 December 1863, at Portsmouth, Virginia, Henry re-enlisted. And, according to the card, he was mustered out with his company on 13 August 1865.
The two available Pension Index Cards are shown above. Both show that on 8 May 1879, Henry Miller applied for an invalid pension based on his service in Company C as well as Company D of the 11th Pennsylvania Cavalry. The widow Magdalena Miller, applied on 25 March 1911, from Pennsylvania. There is also an indication that someone named Albert Miller applied as “father” with “two sons” on 19 March 1879, but did not receive a pension. This application by “Albert Miller” seems to be based on some service in Companies E & I of the 95th Pennsylvania Infantry and is unexplained in other available records. Also not explained is Henry Miller‘s service in Company C, since the Pennsylvania Archives record only indicates service in Company D. Note: The top card is from Fold3 and the bottom card is from Ancestry.com.
The cut above from the 1890 Census confirms Henry’s service in Company D, but does not mention Company C. Also noted in that census, but not shown here, is Henry Miller‘s statement that he suffered from “kidney disease” as a result of the war.
According to his death certificate, Henry Miller died on 15 March 1911 of “cystitis and heart disease.”
Finally, on the Lykens G.A.R. Monument, there is a “Henry Miller” who served as a Private, but was not a member of the Heilner Post. Was this the same Henry Miller who lived the last 45 years of his life in Williamstown? It is possible that it is the same person, but there are others of the same name who lived in the Lykens Valley area, and it could be one of them.
Research is ongoing on this veteran and readers are invited to submit corrections or additional information.
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