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Civil War Blog

A project of PA Historian

Widow of Philip W. Keiter Dies in Harrisburg, 1914

Philip W. Keiter was born on 22 June 1833 in Halifax Township, Dauphin County, and died on 6 June 1883.  During the Civil War, he served in the 36th Pennsylvania Infantry Militia, Company C, as a Sergeant, a company that was formed from what was pre-war known as the “Home Guards” or the Gratztown Militia. […]

The Draft of 1861 and the Second Amendment

Further proof that the Second Amendment originally applied specifically to a “well regulated militia” and not individuals collecting personal arsenals of unregulated weapons for their own protection and defense, is found in an explanation of the Pennsylvania Draft of 1861 as it was presented to the public in an article appearing in the Reading Times, […]

Jacob Kissinger – A Photograph and Additional Documents

Jacob Kissinger was born on 14 November 1843 in Lykens Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.  During the Civil War, he served in the Emergency Militia that was formed from the Home Guards in Gratz when Lee invaded Pennsylvania, and in the 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry.  Two prior blog posts gave some information about his life and service.  […]

Death and Funeral of Dr. Isaiah S. Schminky

The obituary of Dr. Isaiah S. Schminky of Gratz appeared in the Lykens Standard on 22 February 1900 : DR. I. S. SCHMINKY The death of I. S. Schminky at Gratz, Monday, closed a career of medical practice covering a period of 45 years.  He was born 27 January 1832 in Lancaster County.  He entered […]

Emanuel Kembel – Militiaman and Miner

Emanuel Kembel, also found in the records as Emanuel A. Kemble, was a veteran of the Civil War, having served in the 36th Pennsylvania Infantry (Emergency of 1863), Company C, as a Private, from 4 July 1863, through his discharge at the end of the emergency on 11 August 1863.  This militia regiment was formed […]