Civil War Blog

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on September 18, 2019

Amos McColly died on 14 January 1910. The Elizabethville Echo published his obituary on 20 January 1910:

Death of Amos McColly

Amos McColly, son of Robert McColly and Catherine McColly, was born in Elizabethville, December 25, 1847, and died in the town of his birth on January 14, 1910, aged 62 years and 19 days. He is survived by his widow, one daughter, three sisters and one brother. A son died about 31 years ago.

Deceased was converted to God at Williamstown about 33 years ago, Rev. J. S. Newhart being pastor of the Evangelical Church at the time; at the time of his death he was a member of Trinity United Brethren Church of this place [Elizabethville].

On May 10, 1868 he was married to Kate Gipple. On January 5th he was taken ill with pleuro-pneumonia and lingered until last Friday afternoon about 4 o’clock.

Deceased was a veteran of the Civil War having enlisted February 14, 1864 when he was only a trifle over sixteen years old; was mustered into service at Harrisburg to serve three years as a Private under Captain Miller and Colonel Jordan, Company K, 9th Pennsylvania Regiment [9th Pennsylvania Cavalry]. He belonged to the Volunteer Cavalry.  He served in the following engagements:  Frankfort, Kentucky; Round Gap; and was under Sherman’s command on his march from Atlanta to the sea.  He was present when Colonel Johnson surrendered at Raleigh, North Carolina, April 1, 1865.  His regiment was one of the famous Cavalry organizations of the war and received high commendations from the Corps Commander.  The war having ended, Mr. McColly received an honorable discharge on July 18, 1865 at Lexington, North Carolina.

The funeral was held on Tuesday morning in Ebenezer Evangelical Church, Rev. O. T.Moyer and Rev. B. F. Goodman conducted the services.  Interment was made in Maple Grove Cemetery.

 

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The portrait photo of Amos McColly was cropped from a larger photo of him in his G.A.R. uniform. The obituary is from Newspapers.com.

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Tags: Elizabethville, Williamstown

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on September 16, 2019

A brief obituary of Peter Matter appeared in the Lykens Register, 19 December 1902:

Peter Matter, one of the oldest citizens of Elizabethville, died at his home on Tuesday evening at 5 o’clock of paralysis and dropsy, aged 77 years. Deceased was born in Dauphin County, and lived in his native town from his youth.

When the Civil war broke out he enlisted on August 8, 1862 as private in Company D, 127th Pennsylvania Volunteers [127th Pennsylvania Infantry], serving nine months. He is survived by one son, Peter Matter of town [Lykens], and two daughters, Mary Matter, also of town, and Mrs. George Fetterhoff of Wiconisco. The funeral services will be held to-day at 9:30 in the Evangelical Church, conducted by the pastor, Rev. Wolfs. Interment in the Evangelical Cemetery, Berrysburg.

A very brief profile of Peter Matter can be found here at Sweitzer’s Memorial Cemetery, Berrysburg.

Also, Peter Matter‘s name can be found on the Lykens G.A.R. Monument.

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Tags: Elizabetehville, Lykens, Wiconisco

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on September 13, 2019

Henry Knauber, a lifelong resident of Newtown and one of the most prominent residents in the west end of the county, passed away at his home on Wednesday evening shortly after eight o’clock. Death followed a lingering illness he being in ill health for a number of years and was bed-fast for several weeks prior to his death. He was in his 77th year and was a hotel proprietor at that town for many years, retiring in favor of his son Henry Knauber Jr., about eight years ago. Before conducting the hotel business, deceased was a miner and was one of the leaders in this work in that section of the county.

To survive him he leaves two sons, Dr. Lee Knauber, until recently an intern at the Pottsville Hospital, now located in the west, and Henry Knauber Jr., at home; and three daughters: Mrs. James Bowle, of Pottsville; Mrs. J. Boyer, of Newtown; and Miss Blanche Knauber, a teacher in the public schools at Newtown. His wife preceded him in death some years ago.

Although not mentioned in his obituary, Henry Knauber was a Civil War veteran who is now recognized by his home town on its all-wars memorial, previously described on this blog on 3 September 2011.

Henry Knauber reported to the 1890 Census that he had served in the 5th Pennsylvania Cavalry, Company L, as a Private from 1 February 1864 through 2 June 1865, and also that he had been “shot in the arm” during the war.

A card from the Pennsylvania Archives gives more information:

Henry Knauber enrolled on 1 February 1864 at Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, as a 25-year-old resident of Allegheny County, who was working as a miner. He was mustered into service as a Private in Company L of the 5th Pennsylvania Cavalry on the same day and at the the same place. On 5 June 1865, he transferred from Company L to Company D, but he was “absent sick” at muster out – perhaps recovering from his wounds.

The Pension Index Card (above) from Fold3, has his name as “Kauber”, but it is the same person. Note that the pension application was made in January 1865 and was awarded.

Additional information is sought about this veteran. Perhaps someone has a photograph?

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News clipping from Newspapers.com.

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Tags: Newtown

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on September 11, 2019

The obituary of Civil War veteran Patrick J. Martin appeared in the West Schuylkill Herald, 21 September 1906:

DEATH OF AN OLD VETERAN

Patrick J. Martin, aged 64 years, one of our best-known and respected citizens, died at his home on Grand Avenue, at ten minutes before midnight, Sunday, after several weeks’ illness of heart failure and inflamation of the bowels.

Mr. Martin was born in Ireland, February 14, 1842. With his parents he came to America at an early age. For many years he resided at Tremont and Lykens, but made Tower City his home for the past 21 years. He had an honorable war record, having served three years as a private in company F, 96th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers [96th Pennsylvania Infantry]. He was an active member of William Thompson Post No. 174, G.A.R., until illness prevented his attendance. He was also a member of Tower City Local No. 1261, United Mine Workeres of America (U.M. W. of A.).

Deceased was a son of Thomas Martin and wife. The former is still living at this place and is nearing the century mark. Besides his father he is survived by a widow and three children, Thomas F. Martin and J. Leo Martin, both of Waterbury, Connecticut, and Miss Ella G. Martin, at home.

The following brothers and sisters also survive: Martin Martin, of Tower City; Michael Martin, of Yonkers, New York; Thomas Martin, of Texas; Mrs. James Walsh, of Tower City; Mrs. Patrick O’Neil, Tower City; and Mrs Catherine Bass, of Texas.

The funeral on Wednesday morning was largely attended. The ball bearers were selected from members of the G.A.R. A delegation from Tower City Local, U. M. W. of A., were also in attendance and acted as honorably pall bearers. The cortege proceeded to Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, of which he was a devout member, where Solemn Requiem High Mass was celebrated by the pastor, Rev. James Wilson, at 9:30 o’clock. After the services the remains were taken to the Williams Valley Railroad Station and placed on board the 11 a.m. train for Lykens, where interment was made in the Catholic Cemetery.

A large concourse of friends from Lykens joined the funeral party on the arrival of the train at that place. According to his expressed wish during his life he was buried with full military honors.

Funeral director J. F. Dreisigacker had charge.

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News clipping from Newspapers.com.

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Tags: G.A.R., Lykens, Tower City, Tremont

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on September 9, 2019

A recently discovered portrait of Civil War veteran Charles Henry Laudenslager (1847-1921), shown above, has prompted a revisiting of the information available on him to the Civil War Research Project.

Previously noted here on this blog, in a post focusing on burials at Calvary United Methodist cemetery in Wiconisco, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, was the following:

Charles Henry Laudenslager (1847-1921).  Also found in the records as Laudenschlager and Laudensclager.  Served in the 103rd Pennsylvania Infantry, Company G, as a Private from 14 March 1865 to 25 June 1865.  Charles married Sarah Yeager and lived in Pillow, Gratz, Wiconisco Township and Wiconisco where he worked as a miner and laborer.

Information on the Pennsylvania Veterans’ File Card from the Pennsylvania Archives notes that at 17 years old, C. H. Laudenslager, enrolled on 10 February 1865, and on 14 February 1865, was mustered into the 103rd Pennsylvania Infantry, Company G, as a Private. While these dates slightly conflict with the information previously given, it is clear from examining the record of this regiment and company, that all the members did not have the same starting dates. Information given by Charles Henry Laudenslager included that his residence was Lykens and that he was employed as a farmer. At the the he stood 5 foot 5 inches tall, had dark hair, a fair complexion and grey eyes.

Charles H. Laudenslager died on 26 March 1921 and his obituary appeared in the Lykens Standard of 1 April 1926:

C. H. LAUDENSLAGER, 73, DIES AT WICONISCO

Charles H. Laudenslager, 73 years, 4 months and 21 days old, veteran of the Civil War, died Saturday night at 8 o’clock at his home in Wiconisco, following an illness of six months. He was born in Lykens Township. He is survived by four sons and four daughters, as follows: Mrs. William Romberger; Mrs. Oscar Lawley, of Lykens; Mrs. Isaac Kissinger, of Enterline; Mrs. Joseph Reidinger, Reading; Henry Laudenslager, of Wiconisco; Charles P. Laudenslager, of Enhaut; John E. Laudenslager, of Halifax; and Edward L. Laudenslager, of Coaldale.

Mr. Laudenslager was a member of the United Evangelical Church, the Grant Army [G.A.R.], K. of P. No. 106. of Lykens and Jr. O U. A. M.. No. 57. The Grand Army had charge of the funeral at the residence Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock, conducted by the Rev. Mr. Andrews. Burial was made in Wiconisco Cemetery.

The Pension Index Card from Fold3, shown above, indicates that Charles Laudenslager applied for a pension on 11 July 1899, which he received and collected until his death, which occurred in Wiconisco.

For more detailed information about Charles H. Laudenslager‘s Civil War Service, see: The 2nd Company G of the 103rd Pennsylvania Infantry.

Finally, as previously mentioned here in a post, Charles H. Laudenslager is honored on the Lykens G.A.R. Monument.

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News clipping from Newspapers.com. Portrait cropped from family photo available on a public tree on Ancestry.com.

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Tags: Enterline, G.A.R., Gratz, Halifax, Lykens, Lykens Township, Pillow, Wiconisco, Wiconisco Township