Norman Gasbarro | December 19, 2010
The previous post on the Pennsylvania Dutch language noted its origins and pervasiveness in the Lykens Valley at the time of the Civil War. It also gave the various terms that were used to describe relationships in the family and among friends. Much of the commerce that was conducted between and among the Pennsylvania Dutch […]
Norman Gasbarro | December 17, 2010
(Part 4 of 4). Just after 10 March 1864, Ann Ellen [Carson] Gratz received a third piece of bad news in just more than two years. The mother’s pension she had requested for her son John C. Gratz‘s Civil War service was rejected. Previously, she had been notified of her son’s death due to fever […]
Norman Gasbarro | December 16, 2010
(Part 3 of 4). The 96th Pennsylvania Infantry was organized at Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pennsylvania. It was mustered into service between the 23 and 30 September 1861 for a three year term. This post focuses on the service of John C. Gratz in that regiment, and of his friend Henry Keiser who served with him. […]
Norman Gasbarro | December 15, 2010
(Part 2 of 4). John Carson Gratz was born in 1843, probably in Gratz, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, the third son of Theodore Gratz and Ann Ellen [Carson] Gratz. In 1850, John was living with his family in the large brick house on West Market Street, Gratztown. His father gave “none” as his occupation, possibly indicating […]
Norman Gasbarro | December 14, 2010
(Part 1 of 4). Corp. John C. Gratz died on 26 (or 25) January 1862 at Camp Northumberland, Virginia, while serving as a member of Company G of the 96th Pennsylvania Infantry. The official cause of death was an “inflammation of the brain.” Three documents in the collection of the Gratz Historical Society record […]
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