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Civil War Blog

A project of PA Historian

Eisenhower Family Civil War Veterans

| November 29, 2010

Entering Elizabethville, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, from the west on Route 209, a large stone monument can be seen up on a grassy bank on the right side of the road.  The bronze plaque reads: Eisenhower Ancestral Home.  Built in 1854 by Jacob F. Eisenhower, grandfather of Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th President of the United States […]

Thanksgiving Day – 1860

| November 25, 2010

In November 1860, Thanksgiving was traditionally celebrated in the United States as a religious observance, not a national holiday.  It wasn’t until 1863, by the time the Civil War was in full force, that President Lincoln proclaimed a National Day of Thanksgiving.  So, 150 years ago, the date of giving thanks was Thursday, November 22, […]

Rebecca Gratz & 19th Century America

| November 24, 2010

About a year ago, longtime friend, Bob Linblad, invited a small group to visit the Rosenbach Museum & Library in Philadelphia.  He had just completed his “certification” as a docent and wanted to practice on some of us who he knew would challenge his knowledge of the collection.  The tour began in a small room […]

Enders Family Civil War Veterans

| November 19, 2010

One family with Dauphin County origins has a sure heads up on identifying and honoring its Civil War veterans for the upcoming Civil War Sesquicentennial. In 1764, Capt. Philip Christian Enders and wife Anna emigrated from Germany and arrived in Philadelphia.  Prior to his departure, Capt. Enders had served in the German Army during the […]