;

Civil War Blog

A project of PA Historian

Who Was John McDermot – On Lykens Monument?

The name Owen McDermot appears on the Lykens G.A.R. Monument as an area veteran who was not a member of the Heilner G.A.R. Post.  Who was he? The only person of that name who was found in the Pennsylvania Veterans’ Card File was Owen McDermott, who at 18 years old, enrolled in the 136th Pennsylvania […]

Henry Lebo – Killed at Five Forks, Virginia, 1865

Henry Lebo was first identified as a Civil War veteran through a brief statement found on page 328 of the Gratz history:  “Henry [Lebo] b 1841, killed while serving in the Civil War.” Henry was the youngest son of George Lebo (1790-1844) and his second wife Lydia. Three Pennsylvania Veterans’ Index Cards were located at […]

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. […]

Edward Crabb – Victim of Bigotry in Gratz

Another Memorial Day has gone by and the grave of Edward Crabb, an African American Civil War soldier buried in Gratz Union Cemetery, continues to be un-decorated [no G.A.R.-Star-Flag-Holder and Flag].  In addition to being un-decorated, the Crabb family plot is one of the worst maintained in a cemetery which is known for its manicured […]

Two Men Named George Hinkle

Two men named George Hinkle, both associated with the Lykens Valley area of Pennsylvania, saw Civil War service.  They can be differentiated by their middle initial and regiment/company of service.  It does not appear that they are closely related, although additional research could prove otherwise. George W. Hinkle (1843-1878) George W. Hinkle is buried at […]