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Daniel Messner – Served in Infantry & Cavalry
Posted By Norman Gasbarro on October 23, 2019
Daniel Messner (1834-1904) served in both an infantry and cavalry regiment during the Civil War. He died on 23 December 1904 is is buried in the cemetery in Lykens, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, and is also recognized on the Lykens G.A.R. Monument at that place.
At the time of his death, the Lykens Standard, on 30 December 1904, published the following obituary:
DEATHS AND FUNERALS
DANIEL MESSNER
Daniel Messner, of North Street, a veteran of the Civil War, ex-assessor of the East Ward, and a resident of this place for the past 40 years, died Friday last of heart trouble, aged 70 years, 11 months and 11 days. Deceased was born in Mifflin Township, this county. On April 8, 1855, he married Elizabeth Buffington, and the fruits of this union were 11 children, only four of which survive, viz: Sidney A. Messner, Mrs. Howard Machamer; Agnes C. Messner, Mrs. William F. Higgins; and Hiram M. Messner, of this place [Lykens]; and Charles M. Messner, of Ensley, Alabama. His wife, one brother, Hiram Messner of Dallas Texas, four sisters, Mrs. Sarah Leiter of Buchanan, Michigan; Mrs. Mary Meck of Harrisburg; Mrs. Leah Dietrich and Miss Susan Messner of this place, also survive. There are 18 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
Mr. Messner was a carpenter by trade and for a number of years was boss carpenter at Short Mountain Colliery, which position he was compelled to resign several years ago on account of the danger of being seized with an attack of heart failure while at work on high structures, and perhaps dashed to death. For the last year or two he was not able to do any work.
His military record is good, as will be noticed by the following: Enlisted August 9, 1862, in Company D, 127th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers [127th Pennsylvania Infantry]; honorably discharged at Harrisburg, May 29, 1863; re-enlisted February 28, 1865, in Company F, 16th Regiment [16th Pennsylvania Cavalry]; honorably discharged at Richmond, Virginia, August 11, 1865.
The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock, services being conducted at the Church of the Transfiguration by the pastor, Rev. A. H. Souillard, and interment was made in Odd Fellows’ Cemetery. The pall bearers were Joseph Daniel, John Schaffner, Benjamin Witmer, George Hawk, Elijah Page, and William Primm.
Those from a distance attending the funeral were Mr. Feidt; daughter Alice Feidt; and Mrs. John Holtzman, Millersburg; William Wolf and wife, Gratz; Samuel Wolfe, Elmer Wolfe, wife and daughter Lillian Wolfe, Loyalton; Mrs. Mary Meck, Harrisburg; William Meck, Philadelphia; Charles Messner, Carlisle.
The floral tributes consisted of a beautiful pillow from the children and grandchildren, sheaf of wheat from his wife, and one from the Church of the Transfiguration.
As stated in the obituary, Daniel Messner‘s first enlistment was in the 127th Pennsylvania Infantry:
On 9 August 1962, Daniel Messner enrolled (as David Messner) at Harrisburg in the 127th Pennsylvania Infantry and was mustered into service at the same place on the same date in Company D, as a Private. He was 28 years old, a resident of Dauphin County, and a carpenter. The rord from the Pennsylvania Archives (above) indicates that he was musterd out on 29 May 1863.
On 28 February 1865, Daniel Messner enrolled at Harrisburg in the 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and at that place on 1 March 1865, was mustered into service in Company F as a Private. At the time, he was 31 years old, stood 5 foot 8 inches tall, had dark hair, a light complexion, and light eyes. His residence was Dauphin County, and his occupation was carpenter. The record shows that he transferred to the 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry, Company F, on 24 July 1865, as a result of a consolidation of the cavalry regiments prior to discharge. His honorable discharge came on 11 August 1865.
According to the Pension Index Card found on Fold3 (above), Daniel applied for pension benefits on 13 May 1889, which he received and collected until his death.
Following his death, his widow. Elizabeth [Buffington] Messner applied for his pension, which she received and collected to her death, which according to genealogical records occurred on 27 December 1915. Above card from Ancestry.com.
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News articles from Newspapers.com.
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