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Civil War Blog

A project of PA Historian

The Rambergers of Rough and Ready

| November 14, 2012

A recent book written by Steve E. Troutman and Jeanne J. Adams and published in July 2012 sheds new light on the struggles of a Civil War era family.  The Rambergers of Rough and Ready traces the history of one family who lived in Rough and Ready, Upper Mahantongo Township, Schuylkill County, from the pre-Civil […]

John S. DeSilva – Machinist and Mine Supervisor

| November 13, 2012

The name of John DeSilva appears on the Lykens G.A.R. Monument as a 2nd Lieutenant of the Civil War who joined the Heilner Post, G.A.R., No. 232, after it was initially organized.   After researching him, it became apparent that he was the same person who was a mine supervisor in the Lykens-Wiconisco area. The story […]

Col. Edward C. Williams – Veteran of Two Wars

| November 11, 2012

On 16 February 1900, Col. Edward Charles Williams died in Snyder County, Pennsylvania.  His obituary, which was published in the Philadelphia Inquirer, 17 February 1900, touted his accomplishments as a soldier in two wars: FAMOUS SOLDIER PASSES AWAY General E. C. Williams, of Snyder County, Dies at a Ripe Old Age HIS REMARKABLE RECORD Was […]

The Machamer Boys of Wiconisco

| November 10, 2012

The names of four members of the Machamer family appear on the Lykens G.A.R. Monument which is located on North Second Street in the Borough of Lykens, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.  The four men are:  Henry Machamer, Isaac Machamer, Israel Machamer and David Machamer  The Machamer family had roots in Wiconisco. HENRY MACHAMER (1836-1862) It is […]

Jeannie Gourlay and Norman Harsell – The Film That Never Was

| November 9, 2012

Jeannie Gourlay, a Scottish-born actress, was a player in the stock company of John T. Ford at his Washington theatre on the night President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, 14 April 1865.  In the post yesterday, a time line was presented which gave several key dates in the life of Jeannie Gourlay.  After the assassination, Jeannie […]