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Civil War Blog

A project of PA Historian

William J. George – New York War Veteran, Carpetbagger & Harrisburg Publisher

| January 20, 2016

At the death of Captain William J. George on 24 September 1911 in Harrisburg, the following obituary appeared in the Harrisburg Telegraph: CAPT. GEORGE, WAR VETERAN, IS DEAD Was Secretary of Soldier’ Orphans’ School Commission CAPTAIN WILLIAM J. GEORGE After a long illness Captain William J. George, aged 64 years, chief clerk to the Soldiers’ […]

The Millersburg Roots of John H. Geist

| January 11, 2016

John Henry Geist (1838-1928) was the son of John Geist (1801-1880) and Susanna [Frederick] Geist, who were married in Millersburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, on the 12 December 1824.  But, other than his parents’ marriage, did John Henry Geist have a connection with Millersburg and the Millersburg area? John Henry Geist was a Civil War veteran […]

Rev. Thomas Garland – Served in Lykens, Halifax, & Williamstown

| January 8, 2016

Rev. Thomas W. Garland (1847-1925) was first located as Civil War veteran in the 1890 Veterans’ Census for Halifax Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, where he reported that he had served in the 48th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company F, as a Private, from 31 March 1864 through discharge on 19 July 1865.  He also indicated that he […]

Obituary of George W. Geesey of Millersburg

| January 4, 2016

George W. Geesey, whose name appears on the Millersburg Soldier Monument as a Civil War veteran, died on 3 February 1927.  For much of his working life, he served as the janitor or custodian of the Millersburg train station/depot and was employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad.  He retired in 1915 after 30 years of service […]

Simon Gratz and the Virginius Affair

| January 2, 2016

This is another story about Simon Gratz (1842-1923), the son of Theodore Gratz (first mayor of Gratz, Pennsylvania), and the grandson of the Simon Gratz who is credited with laying out the town of Gratz and for whom the borough is presently named.  Although Simon Gratz was born in Harrisburg, the family moved to Gratz, […]