Civil War Blog

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on October 2, 2012

Part 2 of 7.  In a prior post, one branch of the Riegel family’s origins in America was presented – that of Mattheis Riegell (born about 1615) of Bad Muenster, Palatinate, Germany, who married Maria Werner.  They had a son, Jost Riegell (1615-1687) who married Maria Honen (or Hoenen).  Their son, Cornelius Riegel (1674-175) was the immigrant who arrived in Philadelphia in 1733, with his wife Anna Gertrude Ehrmann, and their family.  Two of the sons of Cornelius and Anna Gertrude had preceded the family by arriving in Philadelphia in 1732.

From Philadelphia, the members of this family migrated first to Berks County and later westward, with many of the descendants ending up in the Lykens Valley while others went to Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa.

During the Civil War, more than 100 different men with the Riegel surname (or some variation of the name) served in Pennsylvania regiments.  Some of these men will be presented in this and future posts.  For many, the connection has already been made to the line of Matheis Riegel.  For others, very little is known.  It is hoped that readers will help complete the stories and genealogies of each of the men named Riegel.

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Continued from yesterday.

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Daniel Riegle (c. 1834- ?).  Also found as Riegle and Riegel.  50th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company A, possibly also Company I, Private. Enrolled at Gratz Borough.  His residence was not indicated in the enrollment, but his occupation was watchmaker.  Mustered in at Harrisburg, 9 September 1861.  Mustered out 29 September 1864.  Also served (in detached service) in 79th New York Infantry, Company B, Private from 15 January 1864 through 15 April 1864.  Not found in Dr. Samuel Riegel history and he was not included in the Gratz veterans’ list that was prepared for the Gratz Sesquicentennial of 1955.

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Daniel Riggal (dates unknown).  37th Pennsylvania Infantry (Emergency of 1863), Company K, Sergeant.  Mustered in July 1863 and discharged on 4 August 1863.

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Daniel Riggell (c. 1829- ?).  3rd Pennsylvania Artillery, Company H, Private.  Enrolled at Mifflin Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.  Mustered in at Williamsport, Lycoming County. , 29 February 1864.  His name is not on the  muster out roll.  He was a laborer, height of 6′ 1″, black hair, black eyes and dark complexion who claimed he was born in Muncy, Pennsylvania, and at the time of his enrollment was living in Lycoming County.

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Daniel Riegal (c. 1838-c. 1864).  36th Pennsylvania Infantry (7th Reserves), Company C, Private.  Enrolled at Lebanon, Lebanon County.  Mustered in at Harrisburg, 10 September 1862.  Missing in action at Battle of Wilderness, Virginia, 6 May 1864, and presumed dead.  His wife’s name was Veronica.

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Daniel Riggle (c. 1830-1901).  Also known as Riggles.   131st Pennsylvania Infantry, Company I, Private.  Enrolled at Williamsport, Lycoming County.  Mustered in at Harrisburg, 12 August 1862.  Wounded at Battle of Fredericksburg, Maryland, 15 December 1862.  Discharged on account of wounds received on Surgeon’s Certificate of Disability, 7 January 1863.  Re-enlisted in 188th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company D, Private, at Mifflin Township, Lycoming County.  Mustered in at Carlisle, 29 February 1864 and reported deserted on 18 November 1864.  On this second enlistment his height was 6’1″, he had black hair, dark eyes and dark complexion and he stated he was employed as a laborer.  His wife’s name was Mary.  He is buried at Hyner Cemetery, Chapman Township, Clinton County, Pennsylvania.

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Daniel Riegle

Daniel Riegle (c. 1830-1905).  Also known as Reigel, Raegle and Reegle.  177th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company C, Private.  Drafted and mustered in on 2 November 1862 and mustered out on 5 August 1863.  201st Pennsylvania Infantry, Company I, Private.  Enrolled and mustered in at Harrisburg on 22 August 1864 and mustered out 21 June 1865.  Faint writing on Veterans’ Index Card at the Pennsylvania Archives indicates he had gray eyes and a light complexion.  He applied for an invalid pension in 1879.  His wife’s name was Jane Painter and she did not survive him.  He is buried in the Linglestown Church of God Cemetery, Linglestown, Dauphin County.  Grave photo from Ancestry.com.

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Daniel P. Reigle

Daniel Peter Reigle (1841-1917).  Also known as Riggle, Riegle, etc.   87th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company F, Sergeant.  Medal of Honor recipient.  Previously featured in blog post Daniel P. Reigle – 87th Pennsylvania Infantry – Medal of Honor.  He was a laborer from Oxford, Pennsylvania, who was 5’10.5″ tall, had brown hair, hazel eyes and fair complexion.  He was born in Adams County, Pennsylvania.  His wife’s name was Cevilla Rachel Degroft.  He is buried at Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Littlestown, Adams County.

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Daniel K. Reigle (1827-1875).  177th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company A, Private.  Drafted and mustered into service on 28 October 1862.  Muster out date not established.  It is possible that this is the same Daniel whose brother was John Reigle (1817-1867) who also served in the Civil War.  There is a Daniel J. Reigle who appears in the records of the 49th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company I, as a Private, but this could be a different one (see below).  Part of the confusion here is that the Klingerstown Bicentennial Book indicates that Civil War veterans Daniel K. Reigle is buried in Himmel’s Church Cemetery, Rebuck, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, while the Pennsylvania Veterans’ Burial Card (Pennsylvania Archives) indicates that the Daniel K. Reigle who served in the 177th Pennsylvania Infantry is buried in Chapman Township, Snyder County, Pennsylvania.  Daniel K. Reigle (1827-1875) is found in Dr. Samuel Riegel‘s history, page 2-68, as married to Elizabeth Herrold (1825-1881).

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Daniel Riegel (dates unknown).   48th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company I, Private.  This individual was located in the Pennsylvania Veterans’ Burial Cards (Pennsylvania Archives) for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Cemetery, Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, as having served in this regiment but no other records have been located.  According to the burial card, the dates of service were 18 September 1861 through 17 July 1865.

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Daniel J. Reigle

Daniel J. Reigle (1825-1901).  Also found as Riggle.  49th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company I, Private.  Born in Union County, Pennsylvania, a laborer, enrolled and mustered in at Harrisburg, 26 February 1864.  Mustered out on 15 July 1865.  Possibly married three times:  first to Mary Ann Getz; second to Susan, maiden name unknown; and third to Amelia Felmey.  Buried at Beavertown Cemetery, Beavertown, Snyder County, Pennsylvania.  The grave marker photo is from Ancestry.com.

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David Rigle (1833-1906).  Also found as Riggle, Riegle, etc.  169th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company B, Private.  Mustered in at Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, 16 October 1862.  Mustered out 26 July 1863.  In 1890, he was living in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania.  He married a woman named Eliza.

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David J. Reigle (dates unknown).  Also as  Riegle.  57th Pennsylvania Infantry (Emergency of 1863), Company B, Private.  Mustered into state service in July 1863 and discharged on 17 August 1863.

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David J. Riggle (?-1864).  Found in Pennsylvania Archives records as “D. J. Riggle.”  14th Pennsylvania Cavalry, Company I, Private.  He was mustered into service on 30 March 1864 and died as a prisoner of war (POW) at Danville, Virginia, 16 December 1864.  No pension record has been located.  It is possible that this is the same person who served in the 57th Pennsylvania Infantry (Emergency of 1863) – see above – and/or the 40th Pennsylvania Infantry – see below – but no evidence has been seen to confirm this.

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David J. Reigle (c. 1846-?).  Also found at Reigel.  40th Pennsylvania Infantry (11th Reserves), Company K, Private.  Enrolled at Indiana, Pennsylvania, 19 September 1862, mustered in at Harrisburg on 29 September 1862, and discharged on Surgeon’s Certificate of Disability on 10 February 1863.  It is possible that this is the same person as the one who served in the 57th Pennsylvania Infantry (Emergency of 1863) and the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry – see above – but no evidence has been seen to confirm this.

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Edward Riggle

Edward Riggle (c. 1836-1903).  Records also show him as Wriggle.  105th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company B, Private and then promoted to Corporal.  enrolled at Pittsburgh, Allegheny County,. and mustered in at the same place, 9 September 1861.  He was not on the muster out roll, but in the 1890 Veterans’ Census he declared that he served until 8 September 1864.  He married Elizabeth Helen Harley and he is buried at Sabula Methodist Cemetery, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania.  The gravestone image is from Ancestry.com.

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Emanuel Rigle

Emanuel Rigle (1834-1903).  Found also as Reigle.  167th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company E, Private.  Drafted and mustered in on 12 November 1862 at Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania.  Served until 12 August 1863.  Married Catharine Stief.  Buried at Bern Church Yard, Bernville, Berks County, Pennsylvania.  Grave marker photo is from Ancestry.com.

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Franklin Reigle (c. 1844-?).  Also in records as Riegle.  17nd Pennsylvania Infantry, Company I, Private.  Drafted and mustered into service, 28 October 1862.  Mustered out of service 1 August 1863.

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Franklin Reigel (c. 1834-1891).  Also found as Riegle.  48th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company I, Private.  At his enlistment, he stated he was 37 years old.  He had brown eyes, dark complexion and black hair and stood 5’11” tall.  His residence was Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania and he indicated that he was a farmer.  At the time of his enlistment in the 48th Pennsylvania, he was probably part of a local militia.  He served from 25 August 1861 to a re-enlistment at Cincinnati, Ohio, on 1 January 1864 through discharge on 17 July 1865.  His wife’s name was Matilda.

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Frederick Reigle

Frederick Reigle (1846-1923).  Same person as John Frederick Riegle.  51st Pennsylvania Infantry, Company F, Private.  He was born in Snyder County, Pennsylvania, and was a farmer.  He enrolled at Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, and was mustered into service at Harrisburg, 20 February 1864.  He served until discharge on 27 July 1865.  Late in his life he lived in veterans’ homes.  He died in Colesburg, Iowa.  The photo is from Ancestry.com.

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Frederick Reagle (dates unknown).  Also found as Regle.  168th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company K, Private.  Mustered in at Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, on 16 October 1862.  Reported as deserted on 1 December 1862.

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George Riegle (c. 1846-c.1914).  Found also as George S. Reigel and George W. Riegle, and other combinations of the same.  27th Pennsylvania Infantry (Emergency of 1863), Company G, Private.  Enrolled at Ashland, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania and mustered in at Harrisburg on 19 June 1863 and discharged on 1 August 1863.  Re-enlisted in 205th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company B, Private, on 19 August 1864 and served until muster out on 2 June 1865.  His wife’s name was Sarah.

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George B. Reigle

George B. Reigle (1840-1916).  Also spelled as Rigel and found as George P. Reigle.  174th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company K, Musician.  He enrolled at Philadelphia as a draftee and at the time was employed as a shoemaker, 16 October 1862 and served until 25 February 1863.  There is no record that he was ever married.  He is buried at Neshaminy Cemetery, Hartsville, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.  The grave marker photo is from Ancestry.com.

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George Riegel (c. 1843-1876).  Found in Dr. Samuel Riegel‘s history and named as a Civil War veteran (page 2-31), and a 4th cousin of Harrison Riegle of Lykens Township.  However no specific regiment or company has yet been confirmed.  It is possible that this is the same George B. Reigle (above) who served in the 27th Pennsylvania Infantry, but the dates (birth-death) don’t match.

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George W. Riggle (1842-1912).  131st Pennsylvania Infantry, Company I, Private.  He enrolled at Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, and was mustered into service at Harrisburg, 12 August 1862.  He was discharged on 23 May 1863.  His brother Levi Riggle served in the 37th Pennsylvania Infantry and the 188th Pennsylvania Infantry.  George was married twice, first to Johanna A. Buddinger and second to Hannah “Maria” Olmstead.  His second wife survived him.

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George W. Reigle (dates unknown).  Also found at Riegle.  5th Pennsylvania Infantry  (Emergency of 1862), Company D, Private.  Enrolled at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and mustered into service on 12 September 1862.  Discharged on 24 September 1862.

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George Rigel (dates unknown) was found in the Civil War Pension Index Card File for service in the 28th U.S. Infantry, Company K.  However, his muster in date of 5 June 1901 and muster out date of 2 June 1904 confirm that he did not serve in the Civil War.

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Continued tomorrow.

For a list of all posts in this series, click here.

To add information to this post, complete the “comments” section below or send an e-mail to the blog (click here).  Of special interest are pictures, military and pension records, stories and genealogies of the veterans and their families.

Category: Queries, Research, Resources, Stories | Comments Off on Riegel Family Veterans of Pennsylvania Civil War Regiments (Part 2 of 7)
Tags: Gratz Borough, Klingerstown, Lykens Township, Rebuck

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on October 1, 2012

Part 1 of 7.  In a prior post, one branch of the Riegel family’s origins in America was presented – that of Mattheis Riegell (born about 1615) of Bad Muenster, Palatinate, Germany, who married Maria Werner.  They had a son, Jost Riegell (1615-1687) who married Maria Honen (or Hoenen).  Their son, Cornelius Riegel (1674-175) was the immigrant who arrived in Philadelphia in 1733, with his wife Anna Gertrude Ehrmann, and their family.  Two of the sons of Cornelius and Anna Gertrude had preceded the family by arriving in Philadelphia in 1732.

From Philadelphia, the members of this family migrated first to Berks County and later westward, with many of the descendants ending up in the Lykens Valley while others went to Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa.

During the Civil War, more than 100 different men with the Riegel surname (or some variation of the name) served in Pennsylvania regiments.  Some of these men will be presented in this and future posts.  For many, the connection has already been made to the line of Matheis Riegel.  For others, very little is known.  It is hoped that readers will help complete the stories and genealogies of each of the men named Riegel.

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Abraham Reigle (dates unknown).  Mercereau Independent Cavalry, Company C, Militia of 1863.

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Abraham A. Riggle (c. 1826-1889).  6th Pennsylvania Artillery, Company K, Private.  Enrolled at Pittsburgh.  Mustered in at Pittsburgh, 1 September 1864.  Mustered out 13 Jun 1865.  Married Sinthia Hancock Fry.  [Note:  appears in Dr. Samuel Riegel‘s history as 4th cousin of Harrison Riegle of Lykens Township].

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Abraham John Riggle (1837-1922).  Also known as “Riggles.”  63rd Pennsylvania Infantry, Company C, Private; 99th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company C, Private; and 105th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company C, Private.  Mustered in 27 Jul7 1863, Allegheny County.  Mustered out 19 September 1864.  Occupation: Laborer.  Height:  5′ 9″.  Complexion: Florid.  Eyes: Gray.  Hair: Dark.  Married Elizabeth Smith.

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Absalom Riggle

Absalom B. Riggle (1846-1942).  Also known as “Abraham.”  14th Pennsylvania Cavalry, Companies C, F, and K, Private.  Mustered in 15 September 1864.  Wounded in the right shoulder.  Mustered out at Philadelphia on 26 August 1865.  Married Susanna Farster (or Farester).  Buried at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church Cemetery, Brick Church, Armstrong Co., Pennsylvania.  Grave photo is from Ancestry.com.

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Amos Riggle (c. 1843-?).  15th Pennsylvania Cavalry, Company K, Private.  Mustered in at Carlisle, 30 August 1862.  Deserted at Nashville, Tennessee, 10 February 1863.  Residence:  Jefferson, Pennsylvania.

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Amos Riegel (1816-1898).  34th Pennsylvania Infantry (Emergency of 1863), Company F, 2nd Lieutenant.  Mustered in 1 July 1863.  Mustered out on 10 August 1863.  First married Mary Ann Hoffman.  Second married Abigail Arner.  Buried at St. John’s Cemetery, Lehighton, Carbon County, Pennsylvania.  Included in Dr. Samuel Riegel’s history, page 2-160.

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Andrew Jackson Riggle (1835-1912).  22nd Pennsylvania Cavalry, Company B, Private.  Mustered in 26 August 1862.  Absent at muster out due to assignment in detached service.  Married Elizabeth Mary Reaves, who survived him.   Included in Dr. Samuel Riegel‘s history as 5th cousin of Harrison Riegle of Lykens Township.

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Benjamin Reiggle (c. 1846-?).  Also known as Riegle and Reiggles.  202nd Pennsylvania Infantry, Company A, Private.  Mustered in at New Baltimore, Somerset County, Pennsylvania, 6 September 1864.  Mustered out 3 August 1865.

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Benjamin Reigel (c. 1845-1866).  Also known as Riegle.  76th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company E, Private.  Mustered in at Reading, Berks County, 16 October 1864.  Mustered out on 18 July 1865.  Wife’s name:  Maria.  Buried at Riegel Church Cemetery, Grimesville, Pennsylvania.

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Benjamin Riggle (c. 1845-?).  194th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company H, Private.  Mustered in at Harrisburg, 20 July 1864, at age 18 and then transferred, date and organization unknown.  Another record indicates that Benjamin Riggle enrolled in the 194th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company K on 18 July 1864 at age 20 and then deserted 21 July 1864.  This is possibly two different men with the same name.

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Benjamin F. Rigle (c. 1836-?).  18th Pennsylvania Infantry (Militia of 1862), Company E, Private.  Mustered in at Sunbury, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania.  Mustered out on 25 September 1862.

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Casper Reigel (1833-1920).  Also known as Reager, Riegar, and Reryer. 172nd Pennsylvania Infantry, Company B, Corporal.   Discharged on Surgeon’s Certificate of Disability, 1 August 1863.  Re-enlisted Veteran in 208th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company B, Corporal.  Mustered in on 3 September 1864 and mustered out on 1 June 1865.  Married Aurelia Sowers.  Living in Herndon, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, in 1890.  Possibly buried in Peifer’s Evangelical Cemetery, Herndon, Northumberland County, Philadelphia.

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Charles A. Riggels

Charles A. Riggels (1845-1928).  Also known as Rigles and Reagle.  100th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company H, Private.  Mustered in on 8 March 1864 and mustered out on 24 Jul 1865.  Married Mary Jane Hart.  Buried at Malat Cemetery, Rockland Township, Venango County, Pennsylvania.  Photo from Ancestry.com.

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Charles M. Riggle (?-?).  58th Pennsylvania Infantry (Emergency of 1863), Company B, Private.  Mustered in 1 July 1863.  Mustered out on 15 Aug 1863.

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Charles E. Riegel

Charles Edward Riegel (1837-1889).  Also known as Reigel, Reigle and Riegle.  6th Pennsylvania Infantry (Militia of 1862), Company E, Private.  Mustered in 15 September 1862 at Halifax, Dauphin County, and mustered out 28 September 1862. 36th Pennsylvania Infantry (Emergency of 1863) [also known as the Home Guards], Company C, 2nd Lieutenant.  Mustered in July 1863 and discharged in Aug 1863.   210th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company A, Lieutenant and then Captain.  Mustered in 12 April 1865 and mustered out on 30 May 1865. First married Mary Jane Fetterhoff.  Second married Anna Elizabeth Platt.  Believed by some to be buried in East Harrisburg Cemetery but actually buried in Fisherville, Dauphin County, at Messiah Lutheran Church Cemetery.  Photo of grave marker is from Ancestry.com.

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Charles F. Reigel (c. 1838-before 1890).  Also known as “Charles F.” and Riegle.  14th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company A, Private.  Mustered in at Harrisburg, 27 April 1861.  Mustered out on 7 August 1861.  At the time his residence was Reading, Berks County, and his occupation was moulder.  Re-enlisted on 1 December 1861 in 5th U.S. Artillery, Company M, as a Private.  Re-enlisted again at Brandy Station, Virginia, in 5th U.S. Artillery.  Mustered out on 28 March 1864.  wife’s name was Lavinia.  She was living in Philadelphia as a widow in 1890.

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Christian Reigle (c. 1842-?).  Also known as Riegle and Riggle. 104th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company E, Private.  At the time of his muster in at Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, on 15 February 1865, he was a farmer living in Altoona, Pennsylvania.  He was mustered out on 25 August 1865.  Records indicate he was born in Blair County, Pennsylvania.  His height was 5′ 5″.  Complexion:  Light.  Eyes:  Blue.  Hair:  Light.

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Clark Riggle (? – ?).  58th Pennsylvania Infantry (Emergency of 1863), Company B, Private.  Mustered in on 1 July 1863 and mustered out on 15 August 1863.

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Cyrus E. Reagle (1836-1906).  Also known as Cyrus N. Reagle.  5th Pennsylvania Cavalry, Company M, Private, Artifice and Saddler.  Residence:  Venango County, Pennsylvania.  Occupation:  Cabinet Maker.  Mustered in at Washington, D.C., on 6 October 1861.  Captured on 7 February 1863.  Not on muster out roll.  Wife’s name was Kate.  He is believed to be buried in Riverview Cemetery, East Liverpool, Columbiana County, Ohio.

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Continued tomorrow.  For a list of all posts in this series, click here.

To add information to this post, complete the “comments” section below or send an e-mail to the blog (click here).  Of special interest are pictures, military and pension records, stories and genealogies of the veterans and their families.

Category: Queries, Research, Resources, Stories | Comments Off on Riegel Family Veterans of Pennsylvania Civil War Regiments (Part 1 of 7)
Tags: Fisherville, Halifax, Herndon, Lykens Township

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on September 30, 2012

The following biographical sketch of Gen. James Nagle of Pottsville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, is adapted with annotations from the Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Schuylkll County Pennsylvania, pages 298-230.  The work was compiled by Samuel Wiley and published in 1893 by Rush, West and Company of Philadelphia.  The full work is also available as a free download through the Internet Archive (click here).

General James Nagle, soldier and citizen, was a son of Daniel Nagle and Mary [Rorig] Nagle, and was born in Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania, 5 April 1822.  Philip Nagle, his grandfather, was a native of Reading, where he died in 1840, at the age of 84 years.  He was a stone mason by occupation and served in the Revolutionary War as a drummer.  His son, the father of James, was born in 1803, but before he had reached his majority removed to Womelsdorf, Berks County, and thence to Pine Grove, Schuylkill County, in the year 1830.  Five years later he removed to Pottsville, where he died in 1851.  By occupation, he was a cabinet maker, in connection with which he did painting of various kinds.  He voted with the Whig party, and in religious belief adhered to the doctrine of the Lutheran Church.  By his marriage, eight children were born that grew to maturity, three daughters and five sons:  James Nagle; Eliza Nagle; Daniel Nagle; Ellen Nagle; Mary Nagle; Philip Nagle; Levi Nagle; and Abraham Nagle.

Philip Nagle [brother of James Nagle] enlisted in Captain D. A. Smith‘s Company as a 1st Lieutenant [Civil War], for a term of 3 months.  The company was among the first at Washington, and belonged to the troops known as the “First Defenders.”  At the expiration of this term of enlistment, he was promoted to the captaincy of Company G, 48th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry [48th Pennsylvania Infantry], and was stationed at Hatteras Island. He died in March 1891 at the age of 53 years.

Levi Nagle [brother of James Nagle] enlisted as a musician in the 48th Regimental Band [48th Pennsylvania Infantry], and after his term of service remained in Washington as a clerk in the Pension Bureau.

Abraham Nagle [brother of James Nagle] served in Company D, 6th Pennsylvania Regiment [6th Pennsylvania Infantry] for 3 months and afterwards in Company D, 48th Pegiment Pennsylvania Volunteers[48th Pennsylvania Infantry], for a term of three years.  He is now a resident of Pottsville.

James Nagle, our subject, received his early education in the Reading Public Schools, but the greater part of his education was obtained in the “school of experience” and through continued self-effort.  He usually worked during the day and went to school at night.  In his youth he learned the trade of paper-hanger and painter, which he followed throughout his active business life, taking his father’s business after the death of the latter.  He showed a decided military talent from earliest manhood, and became a member and later a captain of a company of Pennsylvania State Militia.  In 1844, he organized the Washington Artillery, of which he was captain, and left Pottsville on 5 December 1846 to enter the Mexican War.  This company was known as Company B, 1st Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Col. F. M. Wynkoop commanding.  During the course of the war he took part in the siege of Vera Cruz, and at the Battle of Cerro Gordo acting major or his regiment.  On 20 January 1847, his command routed a force of guerliias at Lahoya, and on 14 October and 19 October he took part in engagements at Huamantla, Puebla, and Atlixco, each of which resulted in an overwhemling victory of the United States troops.  Subsequently, he entered Mexico City with his regiment in the triumphal procession which marked the coup d’etat of the Mexican War, and was finally stationed at San Angle until the war formally closed.  He was mustered out of service with his company at Philadelphia, 27 July 1848.  Upon his return to Pottsville, he was in 1852, elected Sheriff of Schuylkill County, and shortly thereafter he was appointed Brigade Inspector of Pennsylvania, with the rank of Colonel.  He remained closely identified with the military affairs of the county and state until  1861, when at the beginning of the Civil War, he was commissioned colonel of the 6th Pennsylvania [6th Pennsylvania Infantry], and ordered out for service, taking part in the Skirmish at Falling Water.

In August 1861, he organized the 48th Pennsylvania Regiment [48th Pennsylvania Infantry] with a view to serving three years, and of which he was commander.  His regiment did service at Fort Monroe, Hatteras Inlet and New Berne, while at the Second Battle of Bull Run, Gen. Nagle commanded with gallantry and judgment the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division of the 9th Army Corps.  Soon after this battle he was recommended for promotion by Gen. Reno, and was subsequently commissioned by Pres. Abraham Lincoln as Brigadier General.  In this capacity he commanded at the Battles of Chantilla, South Mountain, and Antietam, in each of which engagements his brigade bore itself with credit and distinction.  At Antietam, his command took an important part in carrying the Antietam Bridge, which was considered by Gen. McClellan as the one event that saved the day.  For this service, Gen. Nagle received the highest compliments.  At Annisville and Fredericksburg his brigade was in the thickest of the fight and sustained heavy losses in both killed and wounded.  From this time until 1863, Gen. Nagle was ordered into Kentucky, and in consequence of heart disease, was compelled to resign his command much to the regret of his men and Gen. Sturgis, who was in chief authority.  While at home, rest and absence from the excitement and ardous duty of war soon actted as a restorative, and his general health improved to such an extent that when Gen. Robert E. Lee began his invasion of Pennsylvania, he organized the 39t Regiment of Pennsylvania Militia [39th Pennsylvania Infantry, Emergency of 1863] for the emergency and was placed in command.  The troops were mustered out, however, 2 August 1863, and in the next year he organized the 194th Pennsylvania Infantry for a 100-day service, was commissioned commanding Colonel 21 July 1864, and ordered to Baltimore, Maryland, where he was placed in command of 8000 troops at Monkin’s Woods to guard the approach of the city.  On 5 November 1864, he was finally dismissed, and on 23 August 1866, died of heart disease at his home in Pottsville.

Gen. Nagle was married to Elizabeth Kaercher, a daugher of John Kaercher and Elizabeth Kaercher, 15 December 1852.  To them have been born nine children, seven of whom grew to maturity:  Emma Nagle, wife of James Bowen, Superintendent of the Pottsville Gas Works; James W. Nagle, married to Josephine Hutchinson, and at present advertising agent for the Philadelphia Inquirer; John D. Nagle, Secretary and Treasurer of the Textile Record, Philadelphia, married to Mary Crossland; Laura Nagle, wife of John Dooley, late conductor on Philadelphia and Reading Railroad, both deceased; Marcus H. Nagle, married to Sally Helms of Pottsville;  Frank L. Nagle, of Boston, Massachusetts, connected with the Textile Record of Philadelphia, and principal agent, married to Laura Rosengarten, of Pottsville; Kate A. Nagle, wife of Lincoln Philips, a jeweler of Jamestown, New York.

In politics, Gen.Nagle, in the earliest part of his life aligned himself with the Whig party, but upon the organization of the Republican Party, transferred his allegiance to that party. At the time of his death, he was a member of the Borough Council of Pottsville.  He held membership in the Lutheran Church.

Gen. Nagle was pre-eminently a military man and a patriot.  His life was permeated with a military spirit, and in this respect broadened him into a loyal and devoted citizen.  After his return from the Mexican War, the citizens of Schuylkill County, in token of his eminent services and the goodwill they bore him, presented him with a valuable sword.  He is still remembered by a large number of his fellow-townsmen, and occupies a generous place in their hearts.

The Civil War military career of Gen. James Nagle is chronicled in summary in two databases available through Ancestry.com, American Civil War Soldiers and U.S. Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles:

Enlisted as a Colonel on 22 April 1861 at the age of 39 and given a commission in the 6th Pennsylvania Infantry.

Mustered out of the 6th Pennsylvania Infantry, 27 July 1861 at Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.

Promoted (and commissioned) as Full Colonel of the 48th Pennsylvania Infantry on 1 October 1861.

Commissioned on the General Staff of U.S. Volunteers on 10 September 1862 and on the same day discharged from the 48th Pennsylvania Infantry.

Promoted to Full Brigadier General on 10 September 1862.

Resigned from the General Staff of U.S. Volunteers on 9 May 1863 at rank of Brigadier General.

Accepted rank of Full Colonel of 39th Pennsylvania Infantry, Emergency of 1863, on 1 July 1863.

Mustered out of the 39th Pennsylvania Infantry,Emergency Militia of 1863, on 2 August 1863.

Commissioned at rank of Full Colonel of the 194th Pennsylvania Infantry, 24 July 1864.

Mustered out of the 194th Pennsylvania Infantry, 6 November 1864, at Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.

After the death of Gen. Nagle, his widow, Elizabeth [Kaercher] Nagle was not able to immediately apply for a pension because his death was not war-related.

The Pension Index Card shown above, available through Ancestry.com, and referencing pension application files in the National Archives, shows that he did not apply for support until 1880, but eventually was able to receive the pension which she collected until her death in May 1900.

Another biography of James Nagle appears on Wikipedia – click here. That biography features a better-known portrait of Nagle which is from the collection of the Library of Congress:

Gen. Nagle is also recognized at the Antietam Battlefield with a statue that is atop the monument to the 48th Pennsylvania Infantry and its role at that battle.

For portraits of the brothers of James Nagle who also served in the Civil War, see the blog of the 48th Pennsylvania Infantry – click here.

Category: Research, Resources, Stories | Comments Off on James Nagle of Pottsville
Tags: Abraham Lincoln, Nagle family, Pine Grove

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on September 29, 2012

A biography of Jacob Kissinger appeared in the Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, page 886-887, published in 1896 by the J. M. Runk Company of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.  A slightly edited version of that article appears below:

Jacob Kissinger, farmer and stockman of Gratz, Pennsylvania, was born in Lykens Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, 14 November 1843. His grandfather, John Kissinger, was a native of Lykens Township and a farmer, who lived and died in that township. He married Elizabeth Klinger, of the Lykens Valley; their children were: John Kissinger;  Jonas Kissinger; Peter Kissinger; Angeline Kissinger; Susan Kissinger; George Kissinger; and Kate Kissinger.

George Kissinger, father of Jacob, was born in Lykens Township in 1817, and educated in the subscription schools of the township. His life was spent in farming. He owned a farm of sixty acres in Lykens Township, which he cultivated and improved, and on which he was engaged in stock raising. He is still an active business man. He is a Republican and a member of the Lutheran Church. George Kissinger was married in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, to Sarah Knerr, born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, in 1822. Their children were: John Kissinger, in Northampton County, Pennsylvania; Jacob Kissinger; Catherine Kissinger, wife of Benjamin Hoffman; Jane Kissinger, wife of Reuben Steeley, Lykens Township; Amos Kissinger, farmer, Lykens Kownship, and Amanda Kissinger, died young. Mr. and Mrs. Kissinger still reside in the township.  Mr. Kissinger took an active part in the Sunday School and was a teacher and treasurer for many years.

Jacob Kissinger attended the Kissinger School House in the winter and worked on the farm during the summer. He continued work at home until July 1, 1863, when he enlisted in what was called the “Home Guards,” at Gratz, Pennsylvania. He was in company C, Thiry-sixth regiment of these militia troops [36th Pennsylvania Infantry], and served eight weeks at Gettysburg. Being then discharged, he returned home and remained on the farm until February 1864, when he re-enlisted at Gratz for three years in Company K, 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry, Col. Thomas J. Jordan and Capt. J. Frank Miller.  He was in the Atlanta campaign, and went with Sherman to the sea, and remained with Sherman’s army, participating in marches and battles, until the surrender of Johnson, having been in forty-two battles and skirmishes. At the close of the war Mr. Kissinger was honorably discharged from the service at Harrisburg, returned home, and for two years assisted his father in cultivating the home farm. After this he cultivated a rented farm of eighty-five acres until 1885, when he bought the farm he now owns and occupies for $8,000. He has built upon it a dwelling costing $1,500, and made other important improvements. Besides farming, he carries on a stock and dairy business.

Jacob Kissinger was married, in Lykens Township, in August, 1867, to Amanda Williard, born in Lykens Township October 1, 1848, daughter of a farmer of that township, George Williard, and his wife, Lavinia [Deibler] Williard. Mr. and Mrs. Kissinger had eleven children: Harvey F. Kissinger, born 11 November 1868, farmer, Lykens Township; Mary Kissinger, born 8 February 1870, wife of Frank Hoffman, Lykens Township; S. Katie, born 9 June 1872; Daniel Kissinger, born 10 January 1874, farmer; Edmund O. Kissinger, born 9 November 1876, at home; Ida Kissinger, born 9 January 1878, died 19 January 1880; Dora E. Kissinger, born 13 December 1880; Annie Kissinger, born 21 September 1882, died in 1891; Charles W. Kissinger, born 4 September 1884; Jacob Kissinger, born 12 August 1886; and Thomas H. Kissinger, born 6 October 1888.

Mr. Kissinger is a member of Kissinger Post, No. 376, G.A.R., was commander of the Post one year, and has officiated as chaplain, vice-commander, and lieutenant vice-commander. He has also been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows [I.O.O.F], and of the Grange. He is a Republican; has been four terms supervisor of roads and judge of elections, and has served in other township offices. Mr. Kissinger is also prominent in church affairs, being a member of the Reformed Church at Gratz. He has been an elder for three years, and has represented the congregation at synods. He has served in all offices of the church, and is a diligent worker, and an honorable and influential citizen.

Amanda [Williard] Kissinger

Jacob Kissinger died in 1921.  A prior post featured his grave marker in the Gratz Union Cemetery.

For other posts on the 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry and the men who served in it, click here.

For other posts on the Gratztown Militia, or Home Guards, click here.

A brick honoring Jacob Kissinger was placed by his family at the Walk of Valor at the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg and is pictured below:

The Home Guards were mobilized as the 36th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company C, Emergency Militia of 1863, but did not take part in the Battle of Gettysburg.  They arrived at the battlefield after the battle had taken place and participated in the care of the wounded, the burial of the dead, and the general battlefield cleanup. Because they did not participate in the battle, the regiment is not recognized on the Pennsylvania Memorial.

In addition to the above-mentioned resources, the Project has 11 pages (digital scans) from the pension application file of Jacob Kissinger.

Category: Research, Resources, Stories | Comments Off on Jacob Kissinger – Home Guards and 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry
Tags: G.A.R., Gratz Borough, Kissinger family, Lykens Township

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on September 28, 2012

The following sketch for Richard Cutchall appeared in the Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, pages 861-862.  In fact-checking the sketch, several inconsistencies were found with the available records.  Were there two men named Richard Cutchall?  For some unknown reason, the Richard Cutchall of the biographical sketch moved to Middle Paxton Township, Dauphin County, and after the Civil War and married the widow of a former officer of the Gratztown Militia.

The map at the top of this post shows a small section of Middle Paxton Township in 1875, with the property of Richard Cutchall indicated as “Richard Gutshall, 129 acres.”

Richard Cutchall, farmer, was born in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, 25 October 1836.  He is a son of William Cutchall and Hannah [Lane] Cutchall.  William Cutchall was born in 1800, and died aged fifty-four.  They had ten children, of whom four are deceased:  Jacob Cutchall; George Washington Cutchall; John L. Cutchall; and Dutton Cutchall.  Their living children are:  Wilson Cutchall; William Cutchall; Richard Cutchall; Mary Cutchall, wife of Isaac Madden; Agnes Cutchall, wife of Martin Mathias; and Eliza Cutchall, wife of Simon Rohrer.

Richard Cutchall was educated in his native county.  At ten years of age he was already occupied about farming, working during the summer and attending school during the winter months.  After he was fourteen he was engaged in various kinds of wok, principally on the farm; he was thus employed until 1861, when the call came for volunteers, and he enlisted in the United States Army.  His first enlistment was at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, in Company I, 14th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers [14th Pennsylvania Infantry], for four months.  During his term of service he was in several severe skirmishes in Virginia.  He was mustered out at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, returned to his home in Huntington County, and remained a short time.  He re-enlisted 20 September 1861 in Company B, 110th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers [110thPennsylvania Infantry].  He took part in twenty-two battles, among which were Fredericksburg, Laurel Hill, Spottsylvania Court House, the Wilderness, South Mountain, the Second Bull Run, Port Republic, Gaines’ Mills, and Gettysburg.  He was discharged at Harrisburg 13 June 1865, and returned to his native county.  He afterwards removed to Middle Paxton Township, Dauphin County, and was variously employed until his marriage, when he engaged in farming, and has ever since pursued the same calling.

Mr. Cutchall was married 23 June 1867 to Barbara Wynn, widow of Webster Wynn.  They had one child, Lizzie D. Cutchall, wife of William F. Beam.  Mr. Cutchall is neutral in politics.  The family attend the Evangelical Church.

Mrs. Cutchall was married to her first husband, Webster Wynn, 17 January 1854.  They had four children, two of whom are deceased: Maria Wynn, wife of Samuel Brenneman; and Fanny Wynn, who died at the age of fifteen.  Their living children are:  Daniel Webster Wynn; and Zachary Taylor Wynn.  Mrs. Cutchal was born in Wurtemberg, Germany.  She came to this country with her parents in 1833.  They located in Lancaster County, removed to Juniata County, returned to Lancaster County, and finally settled in Middle Paxton Township, Dauphin County.  In 1861, the parents removed to Armstrong Valley where they died.  They had ten children, two of whom died in childhood.

Webster Wynn, the first husband of Mrs. Cutchall, was a highly respected citizen.  He served one three years’ term as director of the poor of Dauphin County.  He was captain of a militia company at Gratztown.  He was an ardent supporter of Henry Clay when he ran for president in 1844.  He was at one time the only Whig in Middle Paxton Township, but through his influence, the party rapidly increased in number.  The first wife of Mr. Wynn was Fanny Boll, by whom he had six children:  Louisa Wynn; Annie Wynn; Leander Wynn; Jackson Wynn; William Wynn; and Henry Wynn, the last two twins.  The parents of Mr. Wynn established the homestead at an early date.  His father, Josiah Wynn, was a soldier in the war of 1812, whose widow Susannah Wynn drew a pension.  She died aged about ninety-five.

Information from Findagrave states that Richard Cutchall was born 26 March 1837 and died 18 March 1903.  He is buried in Dauphin Cemetery, Upper Paxton Township, Dauphin County.  His grave stone is not pictured.

Another person named Richard Cutchall, or perhaps the same person, enlisted in the 104th Pennsylvania Infantry two days before the company’s discharge of the 110th Pennsylvania Infantry.  This Richard Cutchall later applied for a pension, which he received, and after his death in 1898, his widow Margaret applied for and received the pension.  What is strange about the circumstances of this other Richard Cutchall is that he was supposedly from the same place as the Richard Cutchall who is described in the Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, and about the same height, same color hair and same dark complexion.  The Richard Cutchall of the 104th Pennsylvania Infantry is probably the one found in the 1860 Census as married to a woman named Margaret. No other Richard Cutchall has been found in the 1860 Census.

As for Richard Cutchall‘s date of enlistment in the 110th Pennsylvania Infantry, the Biographical Encyclopedia states that it was 20 September 1861.  However, the Veterans’ Index Card gives the date of 17 January 1862 and the databases, American Civil War Soldiers and U.S. Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles give the year date as 1864.

The Biographical Encyclopedia also states that Richard Cutchall took part in the Battle of Gettysburg.  Assuming that the regiment at the time was the 110th Pennsylvania Infantry, the tablet on the Pennsylvania Monument was checked for Company B:

Click to enlarge plaque.

The name of Richard Cutchall does not appear on the monument.

The Pension Index Card for the Richard Cutchall who served in the 104th Pennsylvania Infantry notes an application date of 3 June 1871, just four years after the other Richard Cutchall married Barbara Wynn and three years after his child with Barbara was born.  The pension application numbers are different indicating that there are two separate files.

Only one Richard Cutchall has been found in the 1890 Veterans’ Census, and that for the one who served in the 104th Pennsylvania Infantry.  At the time, he was living in Huntingdon County.

Only one Richard Cutchall has been found in the Findagrave database, and that for the one who is buried in Dauphin County.

There is also the issue of the prisoner of war status.  According to the records at the Pennsylvania Archives, Richard Cutchall was taken prisoner on 2 June 1864 at Cold Harbor, Virginia, while a member of the the 110th Pennsylvania Infantry.  He was released at Savannah, Georgia, 26 November 1864.  This information is not included in the Biographical Encyclopedia.

The final issue is the spelling of the surname.  In the Bates and associated records, Richard Cutchall appears as Richard Kuehall.  In other possible variation of the this surname, he could be listed as Gottschall, Gottshall, or Gutschall.

As for Webster Wynn, who took Barbara as his second wife,  he appears in the 1850 census for Rush Township, Dauphin County and there is a marked difference in his age and the age of Barbara.  The older children in the household are children with his first wife, Fannie Boll.  Webster Wynn was born about 1800 and Barbara was born about 1823.

The activities of the Gratztown Militia in the twenty years before the Civil War are difficult to research.  Few records were kept.  Although the name of Webster Wynn does not appear in any of the later lists, that probably would have been because he was too old to serve in the Civil War.  It was the Gratztown Militia that was called into state service as the 36th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company C.  Perhaps research on Webster Wynn would shed some more light on Fort Jackson which was most likely used as a training place for the Gratztown Militia and as an arsenal.  The establishment of this “Fort” was probably during the presidential administration of Andrew Jackson, 1829-1837.

No information on Webster Wynn is found in A Comprehensive History of the Town of Gratz Pennsylvania.

Webster Wynn‘s date and place of death has not yet been located.  Neither has his place of burial.  However, he probably died before 1867, as that is the year his widow married Richard Cutchall.

Additional information is sought to clarify the many issues brought out by this post.  Hopefully, a reader will be able to provide some answers.  Comment to this post or send an e-mail (click here).

Category: Research, Resources, Stories | 1 Comment »
Tags: Gratz Borough, Rush Township