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Henry Meckley – Veteran from Fisherville
Posted By Norman Gasbarro on October 14, 2019
Henry Meckley was born 23 May 1828 and died on 15 February 1909. He is buried at Fetterhoff’s Cemetery, Halifax Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania,
During the Civil War, he served in the 210th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company A, as a Private, from 8 September 1864 through his honorable discharge on 30 May 1865.
At his death, his obituary was published in the local newspapers, as follows.
From the Elizabethville Echo, 18 February 1909:
Henry Meckley
The death of Henry Meckley who was in his 81st year, occurred at the home of his son, James Meckley, in Fisherville, Monday morning, February 15th. His wife died last Fall. The funeral was held at Fetterhoff’s Church, this, Thursday morning, Rev. S. A. Garnes officiating.
From the Lykens Standard, 19 February 1909:
FISHERVILLE
Special to the STANDARD
Henry Meckley, one of our aged citizens, died early Monday morning. Aged about 81 years. He was a soldier in the Civil War. His wife preceded him in death about six months ago. He was afflicted with quinsy. He is survived by the following children: William Meckley, of near town; Mrs. Charles Yeager, of Highspire; James Meckley, of town; and Mrs. Lincoln Harris, of Wilkes-Barre. His body was interred at Fetterhoff’s Church Cemetery on this week, Thursday morning. Services were conducted by Rev. S. A. Garnes, his pastor.
And finally, again from the Elizabethville Echo of 25 February 1909:
FISHERVILLE
Henry Meckley, an old respected citizen, died at the home of his son James Meckley, and was buried at the Fetterhoff’s Church last Thursday forenoon. He was in his 81st year, was born and reared in Jackson Township, and served as a soldier in the Civil War. His wife died about six months ago.
For his service in the war, Henry Meckley applied for invalid benefits on 21 August 1890, which he was awarded and collected until his death in 1909. Pension Index Card from Fold3.
A brief biography of Henry Meckley appeared in Captain Enders Legion. In that biography, it was mentioned that he had received a citation from President Abraham Lincoln.
Henry Meckley was born 23 May 1828 in Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania. He married Eva Mary Fetterhoff, who was born 5 Aug 1834 in Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania. Their grandson, Frederick J. Meckley, was born in Fisherville, Pennsylvania, on 18 May 1892, the son of James Monroe Meckley and Sarah J. [Yeager] Meckley. He married Elizabeth May Enders on 20 Dec 1911 at Fisherville, Pennsylvania. “Lizzie.” as she was called, was born 18 Aug 1891 in Halifax Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Nathaniel A. Enders and Mary J. [Keiter] Enders. Lizzie and Frederick had six children: James E. Enders, Mary Enders, Sara E. Enders, Anna P. Enders, Ralph W. Enders, and Dick Enders. Frederick was a farmer, painter and paperhanger. He served on the Fetterhoff Sunday School Board as Secretary, was a member of the Jackson Township School Board and a member of the Executive Board of the Fisherville Community Grange.
Frederick died on 23 Dec 1954 and Elizabeth (Lizzie) died on 27 Sep 1967. Both are buried in the Fetterhoff Cemetery near Fisherville one grave from Frederick’s parents, James Monroe Meckley and Sarah J. [Yeager]Meckley. Sara J. died 1 Dec 1927 and James M. on 1 Jun 1928. Grandparents Henry Meckley and Eva Mary [Fetterhoff] Meckley are buried next to their son and daughter-in-law. Eva Mary died 5 Sep 1908 and Henry passed away on 4 Feb 1909. All six family members are located in Section B, Row 5. (No other family data is known at this time on Eva Mary and Henry).
Henry enlisted 8 September 1864 at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in the 210th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, Company A. He fought in numerous battles, such as Hatcher’s Run, the Bellefield Raid, and destruction of the Weldon Railroad, Dabney’s Mills, Gravelly Run and a final skirmish at Appomattox Court House. They were upon the front line to the last, the flag of truce proclaiming the Confederate surrender, passing through the lines of the Brigade in which it stood. During the three day battle at Gravelly Run, the regiment’s Commanding Officer, Colonel William Sergeant was mortally wounded while gallantly leading his command on 31 March 1865. Adjutant Morris Schlessinger, a scarred veteran and Captain John N. Hughes were also killed. Schlessinger, when found upon the battlefield, weakened by his wounds, exclaimed, “This is the death I have sought.” The regiment losses were 35 killed, 115 wounded and 150 missing. Henry marched in the Grand Parade in Washington and was mustered out with the company 30 May 1865 with the rank of Private.
Marilyn Wilbert, one of the Enders Family historians, recently talked with Pauline [Meecley] Novinger, great granddaughter of Henry Meckley. She stated”that President Lincoln gave Henry a citation, which was on display in the family home for many years, but it is not know at this time what happened to this historic document.”
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News clippings from Newspapers.com.
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