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April 2019 Posts
Posted By Norman Gasbarro on May 3, 2019
A listing of the April 2019 posts on The Civil War Blog with direct links:
Who Was Henry M. Hoffman, Charter Member Lykens G.A.R.?
Posted By Norman Gasbarro on May 1, 2019
The name “Henry M. Hoffman” appears on the Lykens G.A.R. Monument as a Charter Member of the Heilner Post who served as a Corporal in the Civil War.
Efforts thus far to identify this individual as to his family and service records have not produced any positive results.
There are many persons named Henry Hoffman which make research difficult. And, the determination that the middle initial on the monument is a “M” is in question.
Are there any readers out there who can positively identify who this is?
Was Jacob Hassinger a Civil War Veteran?
Posted By Norman Gasbarro on April 29, 2019
When Jacob Schmeltz Hassinger died on 18 February 1913, his obituary appeared in the Elizabethville Echo of 20 February 1913. There was no mention that he was a Civil War veteran.
Death of Jacob Hassinger
Jacob Hassinger, who has been confined to his bed for the past five weeks with heart trouble and dropsy died at 5:20 on Tuesday morning February 18 at the age of 77 years, 1 month, 14 days.
Deceased had resided neat St. John’s Church in Mifflin Township for many years, and was always a hard working man, and an upright citizen in the community. Nine children and thirty five grandchildren survive. Funeral services will be conducted at the house at nine o’clock on Saturday morning. Further services in St. John’s Lutheran Church where interment will take place. Rev. C. P. Wehr will conduct the services.
Family legend states that Jacob Hassinger was a Civil War veteran.
Only one person named Jacob Hassinger has been found in the Civil War databases. That Jacob Hassinger served in the emergency regiment Mitchell’s Independent Company Militia Infantry.
The above cut from Bates lists a Jacob Hassinger as a Private in the Company that was formed between 6 July and 18 July 1863. The Company was discharged on 2 September 1863.
Jacob Hassinger died on 18 February 1912 and is buried at St. John (Hill) Cemetery, Berrysburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. There is no mention at his grave of any Civil War service.
No Pennsylvania Veterans’ File Card has been located for Jacob Hassinger at the Pennsylvania Archives. No information about Jacob Hassinger has been located on the Fold3 site.
Jacob S. Hassinger was born in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, on 4 January 1836, the son of Jeremiah Hassinger (1808-1879) and Esther Waller [Schmeltz] Hassinger (1812-1881). Some time around 1855 Jacob married Susanna Huber who died shortly after their marriage. He then married Lydia Ann Gipple (1841-1904) and with her had at least ten known children. Jacob was engaged in farming in the Mifflin Township and Berrysburg area during his lifetime.
If any reader can shed more light on the possibility of the Civil War service of Jacob Hassinger, the information would be greatly appreciated.
Franklin Hoch – 48th Pennsylvania Infantry
Posted By Norman Gasbarro on April 26, 2019
Franklin Hoch, who served in the 48th Pennsylvania Infantry, died on 3 September 1912 and is buried at the Frieden’s Cemetery, Hegins Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.
According to the Pennsylvania Veterans’ File Card, shown above from the Pennsylvania Archives, Franklin Hoch enrolled in the 48th Pennsylvania Infantry at Pottsville on 23 September 1861 and on the same day at Harrisburg, he was mustered into Company D as a Private. At the time, he said he was 19 years old and was a teamster who resided in Schuylkill County. He stood nearly 5 foot 7 inches tall, had sandy hair, sandy complexion and dark eyes. On 1 January 1864, Franklin re-enlisted at Blaine’s Crossroads, During his service he received two promotions: (1) to Corporal, at a date unknown; and (2) to Sergeant, 1 May 1865.
From other military sources, it is learned that he was wounded on 17 September 1863 at Antietam, and he recuperated from his wounds at Baltimore.
On 24 March 1869, Franklin Hoch applied for a pension, which he received and collected until his death which occurred at Valley View, Schuylkill County, on 3 September 1912. Following his death, on 1 October 1912, his widow, Margatet C. [Black] Hoch. applied for benefits, which she received until her death which occurred on 8 March 1925. Margaret is buried at Freiden’s Cemetery in Hegins Township. The Pension Index Card, above, is from Fold3.
For additional information about Franklin Hoch, see the blog post from 12 March 2013 entitled Thomas Hoch and Son of Barry Township.
Henry Helt of Lykens – Served as Artilleryman in War
Posted By Norman Gasbarro on April 24, 2019
Henry Helt was born about 1844 in Pennsylvania, the son of David Helt (1817-1883) and Elizabeth [Miller] Helt (1823-1901). In 1850, he was living with his family in Rush Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, where his father was a farmer. By 1860, Henry was engaged in farm work in Jackson Township, Dauphin County.
On 6 December 1862, Henry enrolled in the 3rd Pennsylvania Artillery, Company D, as a Private, at Harrisburg, and was mustered into service at the same place on 12 December 1862. He served honorably through his discharge on 9 November 1865.
After the Civil War, Henry Helt married Sarah A. Sierer, the daughter of Jacob Sierer and Elizabeth [Derrick] Sierer. The couple had at least four known children.
In 1870, the Henry Helt family was living in Wiconisco Township, Dauphin County, where Henry was working as a carpenter.
In 1880, the Henry Helt family was living in Lykens, Dauphin County, where Henry was serving as Justice of the Peace.
On 25 January 1886, Henry died and was buried at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Lykens. His stone, pictured above (top of post), was provided by the government and includes his military service, but not his dates of birth and death.
Henry Helt never applied for a pension for his service. However, on 19 July 1886, Sarah A. [Sierer] Helt applied for widow’s benefits, which she collected until her death in 1925.
For his service in the Civil War, Henry Helt was named on the Lykens G.A.R. Monument as a Private who joined the Heilner Post after its organization.
If any readers have additional information about Henry Helt, it should be submitted via comments to this post or via e-mail.
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