Civil War Blog

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on August 16, 2013

A brief notice appearing in the Elizabethville Echo in 1908 mentioned that a Thomas Elder of Newkirk, Oklahoma was visiting relatives and friends in Elizabethville, that he was a Civil War veteran, and that he had attended the ceremonies for unveiling the new American Flag containing forty-six stars at Independence Hall in Philadelphia on July 4.  This of course begs the questions as to whether Thomas Elder had some some connection to the Lykens Valley and whether he should be included in the Veterans’ list of the Gratz Historical Society.

In 1850, as shown by the census return (below) for Washington Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, the Robert Elder family was enumerated – which included Thomas Elder and several older sisters.  Thomas’ mother, Hannah Elder was the former Hannah Dietrich, a descendant of one of the branches of the Dietrich family that had settled in the Lykens Valley (See: Dietrich Family – Immigrant Ancestors; and Dietrich Family in the Civil War).

Click on document to enlarge.

Hannah [Dietrich] Elder died in 1896 and was buried at Peace Cemetery, Berrysburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania:

According to information found in Findagrave, the father, Robert T. Elder died in 1854, and was buried in the Paxton Presbyterian Churchyard, Harrisburg, where many other members of the Elder family are also buried.

The 1860 Census for Washington Township (below) indicates that four of the Elder children – Thomas and three older sisters – were living in their own household, with Rosetta Elder working as a milliner, and Victoria Elder and Anna Elder working as teachers in the common schools.  Thomas was working as a farm hand.

Click on document to enlarge.

On 2 September 1862, Thomas J. Elder was mustered into the 46th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company D, as a Private.  During his service in the 46th Pennsylvania, on 1 September 1864, he was promoted to the rank of Corporal.  He received an honorable discharge from the service on 6 June 1865.

As a result of hiss Civil War service, Thomas J. Elder applied for a pension in July of 1890 – which he received and collected until his death – which according to the Pension Index Card (below) occurred on 4 October 1923 at the Sawtelle Veterans’ Home in Los Angeles, California.

A search of the Veterans’ Home records available on Ancestry.com produced records for Veterans’ Homes in Dayton, Ohio; Danville, Illinois; Johnson City, Tennessee; and Leavenworth, Kansas – all places where the Thomas J. Elder who served in the 46th Pennsylvania Infantry resided as some point late in his life – in addition to Sawtelle, which is where he lived his last days.

A search of post-Civil War census records produced enumerations for Lanark, Carroll County, Illinois in 1880; Shannon, Carrol County, Illinois in 1900; and Isaac, Mariacopa County, Arizona in 1910.  In each of these cases, he was married, and working as a farmer.  The news clipping at the top of this post indicates that he was living in Newkirk, Oklahoma in 1908.

Thomas J. Elder‘s grave was located in the same cemetery where his father was buried – Paxtang Presbyterian Graveyard in Harrisburg.  Shown above, it notes his service in the 46th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company D, as a Private.

On 4 July 1908, the 46th star was officially added to the Flag of the United States – representing the admission of the State of Oklahoma to the Union.  A special ceremony was planned in Philadelphia at Independence Hall as noted in the news item at the top of this post.  Also found were reports of this ceremony in the Philadelphia Inquirer:

OKLAHOMA G.A.R. TO UNFURL NEW FLAG HERE.

The members of the G.A.R. of Oklahoma, have accepted invitations from Philadelphia to unfurl their first official new flag at independence Hall on 4 July.  There will be forty-six stars on each side of the flag.  Ninety-two Oklahomans from forty-six towns will meet at Guthrie next Tuesday and each sew on a star and otherwise assist in making it.  Their names will be deposited with the flag at Independence Hall.  Several hundred citizens of the new State will come here to see the flag raising.

The Inquirer of 4 July featured a picture of the official delegation from the new State of Oklahoma – and cropped from the delegation picture (above) is a portrait of one of the official delegation members – Thomas J. Elder.

The delegates were also named in the accompanying article and included:  Colonel T. H. Soward, of Guthrie; Judge Hosea Townsend, of Ardmore; William H. Hornaday, of Lawton;  William Cherry, of Tulsa; B. F. Conger, of Bristow; and Thomas H. Elder, of Newkirk….  [Note: the middle initial of Thomas Elder was incorrectly given as “H”].

Another article appeared several weeks after the event – and Colonel Soward complimented the Philadelphians on their hospitality and concluded with the statement that if he would ever leave Oklahoma he would want to make his new home in the City of Brotherly Love.

The visit of Thomas J. Elder to relatives and friends in Elizabethville probably occurred on the way back to Oklahoma from the events of Philadelphia.  Train service to the west went through Harrisburg, and it would have been relatively easy for him to make a connection to Millersburg from there, and then to Elizabethville.

Thus, a small, seemingly obscure mention in a local Lykens Valley newspaper has uncovered still another Civil War veteran with ties to the area.  There is still much more to be discovered about him – his Civil War record, why we went west after the war, how he ended up in Oklahoma, and what relatives of his were/are still living in the Lykens Valley area. There is no doubt that he belongs in the Veterans’ List and will be added at the next update.  Any additional information that readers can supply will be welcome!  Add comments to this post, or send by e-mail.

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The news clipping from the Elizabethville Echo (top of post) is from the collection of the Gratz Historical Society.  All other news clippings are from the on-line resources of the Free Library of Philadelphia.

Category: Queries, Research, Stories | 1 Comment »
Tags: Elizabethville, G.A.R., Millersburg, Washington Township

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on August 14, 2013

Three short news articles and another picture of Henry Maurer, Dauphin County’s longest surviving Civil War veteran, have been located in the files of the Gratz Historical Society.  Previously, blog post on Henry Maurer, have included Last County Civil War Vet Marks Birthday, Gratz During the Civil War – Dr. Andrew Maurer House and Calvary United Methodist Church and Cemetery (Part 3 of 6).

The above picture appeared in a local newspaper at the time of his 97th birthday in 1943 and the article below appeared on Memorial Day of the same year:

CIVIL WAR VETERAN SPENDS DAY QUIETLY

Dauphin County’s only surviving Civil war veteran, at 97, spent Memorial Day quietly.  He is Henry Maurer, Wiconisco, and while not participating in any exercises, he observed the day by placing flowers on the graves of his wife an four children in the Wiconisco Cemetery.

Formerly of Steelton, Mr. Maurer now is living with a daughter, Mrs. Samuel Miller, Wiconisco.  He was in several battls of the Civil War including Gettysburg, as a member of Company D, Emergency Brigade, under command of Colonel Jennings and his regiment was the first to engage General Lee at Gettysburg.  After Gettysburg he was mustered out of service and re-enlisted in the cavalry and was with Sherman on his famous march through Georgia to the sea.  After the war he served in the Governor’s Troop as a corporal.

The 100th birthday of Henry Maurer occurred in December 1946 but was reported in the Elizabethville Echo in early January 1847.  The newspaper incorrectly reported that Maurer’s service began in 1861 at Harrisburg, when in fact his first service was recorded with the 26th Pennsylvania Infantry (Emergency of 1863), where he was mu

WAR VETERAN MARKS 100th BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY

Dauphin County’s only surviving Civil War veteran observed his 100th birthday anniversary on Saturday, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Samuel Miller, Wiconisco, with whom he resides.

A dinner was served at the Miller home that day in his honor.

Mr. Maurer, who is a native of Gratz, enlisted in the army at Harrisburg in 1861, and participated in a number of campaigns.

Following the war he served in the Pennsylvania National Guard a number of years.

Mr. Maurer was a resident of Steelton twenty-five years, and has resided in Wiconisco the past six years.  His wife, Mrs. Louisa Maurer, died in 1912.

Five of Mr. Maurer’s grandsons are veterans of World War II.

Henry Maurer died on 11 December 1947, just shy of his 101st birthday which would have occurred at the end of the month.  Among the newspapers that reported his death was the Elizabethville Echo of 18 December 1947.  His obituary misreported his emergency militia service in 1863 as “cavalry.”

LAST CIVIL WAR VETERAN DIED AT WICONISCO

Henry W. Maurer, age 100 years, died last Thursday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Samuel H. Miller, Wiconisco.  He was a member of the Wiconisco Methodist Church.

Mr. Maurer, who was a native of Gratz, was Dauphin County’s last Civil War veteran.  Enlisting in the 26th United States Cavalry of the Union Army [sic, see above] at the age of 17 years, he participated in a number of battles of the Civil War including Gettysburg.  Following the war he served for a number of years as a member of Pennsylvania National Guard.

Mr. Maurer had lived in Steelton forty-six years, where he was formerly employed by the Pennsylvania Steel Company.  He had been a resident of Wiconisco the past seven years.  His wife, Mrs. Louisa Maurer died in 1912.

He is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Miller, of Wiconisco; Mrs. Margaret Gardner of West Cornwall, Connecticut and Mrs. John Schminky of Gratz; one son, Harry Maurer, of Bethlehem; twenty grandchildren; thirty-two great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren.

Military funeral services were held from the Miller residence in Wiconisco at 2 o’clock Sunday afternoon.  Rev. W. H. Pauls, pastor of the Methodist Church officiated and interment was made in the Wiconisco Cemetery.

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News clippings are from the obituary and Civil War files of the Gratz Historical Society.

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Posted By Jake Wynn on August 12, 2013

By The Steeldrivers

A great song I discovered this summer about slaves escaping the South to join the Union army. Thousands would eventually do the same, fighting for the freedom of their brothers and sisters in bondage.

A fitting tribute and a great song.

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Posted By Norman Gasbarro on August 9, 2013

Many wives of Civil War veterans outlived their husbands by 20 or more years, and during their time as widows they collected government benefits as a result of their husband’s Civil War service.  Such was the case of Amanda Barbara [Harper] Hepler, whose husband Isaac Hepler died on 23 July 1918.

When Mrs. Hepler died on 21 November 1938, her husband Isaac was not mentioned in the obituary which appeared in the Elizabeth Echo:

MRS. AMANDA B. HEPLER

Mrs. Amanda B. Hepler, age 81 years, widow of Isaac Hepler, died at the home of her son, J. H. Hepler, 1852 Park Street, Harrisburg.  Mrs. Hepler was a former resident of Gratz and was a member of the Sixth Street Svangelical Congregational Church, Harrisburg.

Survivors are two sons, T. R. Hepler of Williamsport and J. H. Hepler, Harrisburg; three daughters, Mrs. C. A. Miller, Mrs. H. S. Smeltzer, and Mrs. A. Z. Ritzman, all of Harrisburg; ten grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren and two sisters, Mrs. Carrie Coleman and Mrs. Bessie Romberger, both of Lehighton.

Funeral services will be held from the residence at 9:00 o’clock Friday morning with further service in the Gratz Evangelical Church at 11:00 o’clock.  Rev. J. R. Weaver , pastor of the Sixth Street Evangelical Congregational Church and Rev. Dr. J. E. Rudisill, pastor of the  Christ Lutheran Church, Harrisburg, will officiate.  Interment will be made in the Gratz Cemetery.

Mrs. Amanda B. Hepler‘s application for a widow’s pension occurred just after her husband died in 1918:

Late in her life, she posed for a picture with a friend in the rear of one of the homes she lived in in Gratz:

Amanda B. Hepler (at left) and friend.

Amanda B. [Harper] Hepler shares a grave marker with her husband at the Gratz Union Cemetery:

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The pictures of Amanda B. [Harper] Hepler and the obituary are from the collection of the Gratz Historical Society.

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Tags: Elizabethville, Gratz Borough, Women

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on August 7, 2013

H. B. LONGSDORF DIED FRIDAY

WAS ONE OF HERNDON’S MOST AGED AND RESPECTED CITIZENS

WAS LAID TO REST TUESDAY

Herndon lost one of its most highly respected christian [sic] men in the death at 8:15 o’clock Friday morning of Henry B. Longsdorf.  Death was caused by illness incident to old age.  He had been ailing during the past few years, but was able to be up and around during the greater part of the time; at the close of the last session of the Herndon Campmeeting he was taken seriously ill and at that time it was feared he could not recover, but he rallied and regained strength that he was again able to be up and about and even as late as the Sunday preceding his death he filled his usual place at the church.  He contracted a cold, however, early in the week, and this on account of his advanced age and weakened condition proved fatal.

Mr. Longsdorf had been a resident of Herndon during the greater part of his lifetime.  He was a son of Emanuel Longsdorf and Elizabeth Longsdorf and was born in Jackson Township on 24 October 1838.  He was united in marriage in 1863 to Rebecca Zartman.  This union was blessed with two sons, Francis and daniel.  He passed to the world beyond on 9 October 1925 at the ripe old age of 86 years, 11 months and 15 days.

During his early life he followed the school teaching profession for several years, but when the Civil War was in progress he abandoned that profession and joined the Northern Army, where he served two enlistments and later received his honorable discharge.  He was Sergeant in Company C, 74th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers [74th Pennsylvania Infantry].   At the close of the war he made his home in this place and has been a constant resident ever since.  He became an employee of the Pennsylvania Railroad in early life as a trackman and during his forty-six years of service he climbed to the highest branch of that service, that of track foreman, which position he held until he was placed on the Company’s Honor Roll after long years of faithful service.

At the age of 15 years he became a member of the United Evangelical Church and remained a faithful and consistent member to the end, he being always present at all church worship as long as his physical condition permitted.  During his long and faithful service to his church, he served as class leader, Sunday school superintendent, and trustee.  His late home which he occupied was the home of the minister for many years, and he educated his two sons in the ministry of the U. Evangelical Church.

He was naturally an observing, kindly nature and took keen delight in reporting for the Religious Periodicals, Sunbury Item, Herndon Star, and was also a faithful correspondent to the News until ill health compelled him to put aside his trenchant pen some years ago.

Surviving are his aged widow and two sons, namely:  Rev. Francis S. Longsdorf, of Schuylkill Haven and Rev. Daniel P. Longsdorf, of Reading.  7 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren also survive, besides a host of dear friends and associated who are deeply grieved to learn of his departure.

Funeral services were held from his late home Tuesday afternoon at 1:30 o’clock followed by services in the United Evangelical Church at 2 o’clock.  Services were in charge of his pastor, Rev. H. F. Miller, but the funeral sermon was delivered by Presiding Elder, C. H. Mengle.  Interment in the Herndon Cemetery.  Undertaker Charles Rothermel had charge of the remains.

The above obituary appeared in a local newspaper at the time of the death of Henry B. Longsdorf.  The photograph of him appeared with the obituary.

The two enlistments in which Henry B. Longsdorf served were the 136th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company C, as a Sergeant, from 16 August 1862 to 29 May 1863, and the 74th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company C, also as a Sergeant, from 17 March 1865 to 29 August 1865.

Additional information is sought on the life and service of Henry B. Longsdorf.   Those wishing to contribute can do so by adding comments to this post, or by sending an e-mail to the Civil War Research Project.

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Tags: Herndon