Norman Gasbarro | February 2, 2013
Frederick W. Yingst (1843-1920) was the son of Carl Yingst and Anna [Snavely] Yingst, German immigrants who met on shipboard en-route to America. Frederick was born and reared in Harrisburg. According to his biographer, at 16 years old, he became an apprentice in the house and sign painting trade with John Cruikshank, a well-known mechanic. […]
Norman Gasbarro | February 1, 2013
The Rev. Lewis Daniel Steckel (1839-1922) served as the pastor of the Reformed Church in Lykens Borough, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, at the end of the 19th and early part of the 20th century. He also had a congregation in Tower City, Schuylkill County. During the Civil War he was the Quartermaster Sergeant in the 176th […]
Norman Gasbarro | January 30, 2013
Although the Bureau of Engraving and Printing had its origins during the Civil War – it was originally created to issue paper money in order to support the war effort – it was not involved in postage stamp production until July 1894. Prior to the “Bureau Issues” of postage stamps, the U.S government had contracted […]
Norman Gasbarro | January 29, 2013
“Public Notice – Notice is hereby given that letters of administration on the estate of Peter Hocker, late of Middle Township, Dauphin County, deceased, have been granted….” Thus began a legal item that appeared in the Harrisburg Patriot, 18 January 1866. The story behind the notice was found in the Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of […]
Norman Gasbarro | January 27, 2013
On 29 June 1915, the Harrisburg Patriot reported that the estate of John Houser, a Civil War veteran, would be divided between his wife and two daughters, according to the provisions of his will, which was filed the day before in Dauphin County Court. The body of John Houser had been found in Lemoyne a […]
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