Civil War Blog

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on October 14, 2015

Several persons from Lykens, Dauphin County, and Wiconisco, Dauphin County, have been identified as Civil War soldiers, but very little or nothing is known about them.

The known information is presented in the hopes that a reader of this blog knows more about them and is able to provide that information to the Civil War Research Project.

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I. S. Douden

This name was provided by a member of the Lykens-Wiconisco Historical Society as a possible Civil War veteran.  He is supposedly buried at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Lykens Borough, but a grave marker has not been seen and he is not found at Findagrave.  His possible service was as a member of the 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry, Company H, but no record of his service has been found in that regiment in any of the available databases.  He is not named on the Lykens-Wiconisco G.A.R. Monument.

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William Dodd

There is a grave marker in the Calvary United Methodist Church Cemetery for William Dodd.  On the marker, there is an indication that he served as a Corporal in Company L of the 8th United States Cavalry.  No birth or death dates have been located.  Records of his enlistment and service have not been seen nor has any pension application record been located.  There is no G.A.R. marker at his grave.  He is not named on the Lykens-Wiconisco G.A.R. Monument.  It is possible that this was post-Civil War service, either in the Indian Wars or possibly as late as the Spanish-American War.

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William Davis

The name of William Davis appears on the Lykens-Wiconisco G.A.R. Monument as a Private who served in the Civil War and as a member of the Heilner Post who joined after its organization.  Nothing more is known about him.  Because of his common name, at this time it is not possible to identify his regiment of service.

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Please add comments to this post or send by e-mail.

Category: Queries, Research | Comments Off on Who Were These Lykens-Wiconisco Soldiers?
Tags: G.A.R., Lykens Borough, Wiconisco

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on October 12, 2015

The obituary of James E. Lambert appeared in the Harrisburg Telegraph on 31 March 1924:

CIVIL WAR VETERAN DIES

Millersburg, 31 March 1924 — James E. Lambert, aged 81, died Saturday.  He is survived by his widow and one daughter, Mrs. Cushing E. Frank, of town; also one sister, Mrs. Mellie Gregory, of Greenwich, Missouri.  Mr. Lambert was born at Waterloo, New York, and became a resident of Millersburg in 1882. He was a member of the Knights of Malta, the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and the Grand Army of the Republic [G.A.R.].  During the Civil War for nearly three years he served as a member of the 50th New York Engineers.  Funeral services will be held at the late residence on Wednesday, at 2 o’clock.  Burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, the Rev. Henry S. Noon, of the Methodist Church officiating.

The Pension Index Card for James E. Lambert (shown above from Fold3), indicates he died on 29 March 1924 at Millersburg.  He first applied for a pension on 4 August 1891, which he received and collected until his death.  His widow applied on 19 April 1924 and was awarded benefits.

For his service in the Civil War, James E. Lambert is recognized on the Millersburg Soldier Monument as J. E. Lambert.

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The news clipping is from Newspapers.com.

Category: Research, Resources, Stories | Comments Off on Obituary of James E. Lambert
Tags: G.A.R., Millersburg

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on October 9, 2015

The Harrisburg Telegraph of 11 August 1874 reported the following death resulting from an accident at Short Mountain Colliery.

On Friday evening last Mr. Isaac Derker, of this borough, met with an accident in the Short Mountain Colliery from which he died about eight o’clock yesterday morning.  He was working on the “night shift” and had been in his breast but a short time, when a roll in the coal forced out one of the prop timbers which struck him across the back, knocking him down into the gangway.  He was taken out and brought home about half past seven o’clock.  It was ascertained that his spine was paralyzed, and inflammation of the bowels subsequently setting in, he expired as above stated.

Mr. Derker was one of the oldest miners in this place, an industrious man and a respected citizen.  He served honorably as a soldier in the late war, and was at the time of his death a member in good standing of the Odd Fellows, Druids and S.P.K.’s secret societies of this borough, by whom he will be buried, from his late residence on Main street, tomorrow afternoon at 2 o’clock.  He leaves a stricken wife and family to mourn his premature death.  His age was 48 years.

As stated in the news report, Isaac Derker [or Isaac Darker, as he was sometimes known] was a Civil War veteran.  On 30 August 1861, Isaac enrolled at Lykenstown in the 50th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company K,  and was mustered into service as a Private on 9 September 1861.  The personal information about him the Pennsylvania Archives Record Card, pictured above, included his age of 32, his residence of Lykens, and his occupation – a miner.  On 22 September 1864, seven days before he was mustered out of service at the expiration of his term, he was transferred to Company A.

On 14 January 1887, Isaac’s widow Mary  applied for pension benefits as shown on the above Pension Index Card from Fold3.  She was awarded a widow’s pension.  Isaac’s death date of 6 August 1874 is also noted on the card.

Not much more is known about Isaac Darker except that in the early 20th Century when the Lykens-Wiconisco G.A.R. Monument was erected, his name was included on the plaque.

Additional information is sought about Isaac Derker or Darker, including details about his Civil War service and more about his family.  Please add comments to this post or send an e-mail to the Civil War Research Project.

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The news clipping is from Newspapers.com.

Category: Research, Stories | Comments Off on Isaac Darker – Accident at Short Mountain Colliery, 1874
Tags: G.A.R., Lykens Borough, Wiconisco

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on October 7, 2015

A listing of the September 2015 posts on The Civil War Blog with direct links:

Martin Koppenhaver – Was He a Civil War Veteran & Did He Have Two Families?

The Death of Mrs. Leonard Craig

John Crane of Millersburg and Lykens

Who Was George W. Clark, Musician?

The Death of Capt. William H. Crook

Daniel W. Tobias – Corrections and Additions

Samuel B. Pottiger of Halifax

William Orth of Perry County

Charles T. Dechant – Post Charter Member Not Named on Millersburg G.A.R. Monument?

Charles T. Dechant – Post Charter Member Not Named on Millersburg G.A.R. Monument?

What Ever Happened to Henry Dietrich of Millersburg?

Pope Francis Visits the United States

Who Was John Donnelly of Joliett?

Pope Francis Visits Philadelphia

Category: Overviews | Comments Off on September 2015 Posts
Tags: Table of Contents

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on October 5, 2015

Word has been received of the death of Civil War Re-Enactor, Clifford H. Romberger.  His obituary, as it appeared in local area newspapers, and on the web site of Hoover-Boyer Funeral Homes, follows:

ELIZABETHTOWN – Clifford H. Romberger, 68, of Masonic Drive and formerly of Elizabethville, passed away Thursday, September 24th, 2015 at the Masonic Village. He was born March 18, 1947 in Harrisburg, son of the late Homer H. Romberger and Vera L. [Lesher] Romberger. Clifford was most known for his love of animals, especially horses. As a skilled horseman, Romberger wrangled horses for T.V. and film productions including Gettysburg (1993) and The Patriot (2000). Cliff was an avid Civil War re-enactor. He served as Company Commander of the 17th Pennsylvania Calvary, Company I.

Romberger was a member of the United States Air Force (1967-1971) and served during the Vietnam War. He was stationed at Da Nang from 1970-1971.

After the war in Vietnam, Cliff took up a life of public service. He worked as a deputy with the Pennsylvania Game Commission for 22 years. He also served as an elected Pennsylvania State Constable. He was a volunteer firefighter with Reliance Hose Company 1 Station 21, Elizabethville, Pennsylvania. Romberger also worked as the Washington Township Road Master.

A dedicated farmer, Cliff found great joy working his family’s farm in Elizabethville. During his life he raised and butchered hogs, steer, and chickens. He also used the farm to grow certified grain, corn, fruit trees, and Christmas trees.

He is survived by his son, Colt C. Romberger of Placentia, CA, his daughter Honesta C. Romberger and her husband Patrick McDonald of Silver Spring, Maryland, who are expecting his first grand-child in November. Also surviving Romberger; brother, Rodman H. Romberger, wife Cindy, and niece and nephews of Elizabethville; former wife and close friend Cheryl Romberger of Gratz.

Cliff was a member of Word of Grace Ministries in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and United Methodist in Elizabethville.

The family will receive friends at Hoover-Boyer Funeral Homes Inc., Elizabethville on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 from 1-2 pm. Memorial Services starring at 2 pm followed by encryptment and Military Honors at the Maple Grove Cemetery Mausoleum, Elizabethville.

 

Category: Memorials, Stories | Comments Off on Clifford H. Romberger (1947-2015) – Civil War Re-Enactor
Tags: Elizabethville, Gratz Borough, Washington Township