Civil War Blog

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on July 23, 2012

The Tower City Borough, Porter Township and Rush Township Veterans Memorial is located at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Cemetery which is located along Route 209 in Tower City, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.  It was the subject of a prior post on this blog on 30 December 2010.

Within the glass cases on the monument are name plates for each of the eligible veterans who served in America’s Wars.  The Civil War veterans are noted in the left case in the center section of the monument.  To give due recognition to each of the Civil War veterans named on the monument, the name plates will be individually pictured followed by a brief description of the Civil War service of the veteran.

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PAUL KESSLER (1838-1924), who was married to Sarah Dietrich, served in the 173rd Pennsylvania Infantry, Company F, as a Private, from 15 October 1862 to 16 August 1863.  He is buried in Orwin, Porter Township, Schuylkill County.  In his lifetime, Paul lived in Reinerton, Williams Valley, Wiconisco, Tower City and Porter Township where he worked as a farmer and miner.

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HARRY KEUBLER (? – ?) is another mystery as a veteran as he has not yet been connected to any specific war service.  Anyone who can add information about Harry is urged to do so.

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EDWARD KING (1841-?) died prior to 1890 and his widow, Carolina K. King, living in Tower City, noted to census takers that he was “shot in the side’ while serving in the 46th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company D, as a Private, but the dates she then gave don’t match dates for the Edward King who served in that regiment and company.  If this is the same person, there is an interesting story to be re-discovered about this laborer who, during his service, was held prisoner for two weeks and near the end of his term of enlistment was promoted to Corporal.

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WILLIAM KLINGER (1840-1914) is a subject of confusion.  He is listed in the Tower City Centennial Book as a Civil War veteran and also on the memorial.   In 1890, while living in Tower City, he reported his regiment as the 36th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company C, which was the “Home Guards”, called into service for about five weeks during the Emergency of 1863.  By 1890, this William Klinger declared that his “chronic nerves disease” was a result of his Civil War service and as a result, he was “unable to work.”  There is a William Klinger buried in the St. John (Hill) Church Cemetery, Berrysburg, and could be the same person, but because the surname was very common, records of two or more persons could be co-mingled.  More research is needed to separate the records.

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CHARLES KNECHT (1841-1915) is buried in the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cemetery, Williamstown.  He was born in Germany and came to America at around age thirteen.  Served in the 20th New York Infantry, Company A, as a Private, from 3 May 1861 to 1 June 1863.  He married Pauline Eisenstock and lived in Pottsville and Tower City where he worked as a carpenter.

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MICHAEL KOHR (1843-1905), who resided in Lebabon County at the start of the Civil War, was a farmer.  He is also found in the records as “Michael Chore.”  According to information given to the 1890 Census when he lived in Tower City, Michael was was “shot in the leg” while serving as a Private in the 54th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company F.  His service records indicate that his muster in was in 1861 and muster out in 1865, with nearly a year of that time spent as a prisoner of war (POW) during 1864.  He married Barbara Ann Kreiser.  Michael Kohr is buried in Moonshine Cemetery, Moonshine, Lebanon County.

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LEWIS W. KOPP (1846-1864), also known as “Ludwig Kopp” and “Louis Kopp,” died during the Civil War but that fact is not noted on his nameplate on the Tower City Memorial (a “*” before the name indicates a war death).  He was German immigrant who joined the 48th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company H, as a Private on 2 March 1864 with his death occurring just seven months later, 1 October 1864.  He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

Family members of Lewis Kopp also provided a memorial brick which is located on the terrace in front of the Tower City Memorial.

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JOSHUA KNORR (1837-1913), also known as Josiah Knorr, and with the surname variation of Knarr, was a Private in the 172nd Pennsylvania Infantry, Company K, from 16 October 1862 through 1 August 1863.  His wife’s name was Harriet.  He is buried in the Greenwood Cemetery, Tower City.

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LOUIS KREBS (1844-?) served in the 50th Pennsylvania Infantry, Companies A and I, from 7 March 1864 through 13 Jul 1865.  He was a coal miner.  His widow, Louisa Krebs, was living in Porter Township in 1890.  As with other persons of the name “Louis,” he is also found as “Lewis” in the records.

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To be continued Thursday….

Other posts in this series may be accessed by clicking here.

Category: Memorials, Research, Resources, Stories | Comments Off on Tower City, Porter and Rush Township Civil War Veterans – Part 6
Tags: Berrysburg, Orwin, Porter Township, Reinerton, Rush Township, Tower City, Wiconisco, Williams Valley

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on July 22, 2012

The Tower City Borough, Porter Township and Rush Township Veterans Memorial is located at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Cemetery which is located along Route 209 in Tower City, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.  It was the subject of a prior post on this blog on 30 December 2010.

Within the glass cases on the monument are name plates for each of the eligible veterans who served in America’s Wars.  The Civil War veterans are noted in the left case in the center section of the monument.  To give due recognition to each of the Civil War veterans named on the monument, the name plates will be individually pictured followed by a brief description of the Civil War service of the veteran.

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JOHN HOFFMAN (? – ?), a name by which many Civil War soldiers were known, has not yet been connected to the Tower City area.  Anyone with information on the John Hoffman who is recognized on this memorial is urged to contact the Civil War Research Project or add a comment to this post.

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DANIEL KAUFMAN (? – ?) is also unknown at this time.  There is also a second person of this name on the memorial, but spelled “Daniel Kauffman.”

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EMANUEL KAUFMAN (1822-1863), also known as “Emanual Kauffman” and “Emanuel Kauffman,” is believed to be the same soldier who served in the 100th Ohio Infantry, died of typhoid fever at Knoxville, Tennessee, and is buried in the Old Gray Cemetery at that place.  It is said that he was married to Adaline Keener and that their son also died in the war.

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JOSIAH SALTZER (1845-1898) is one of two adjacent name plates of a similar name, the other being Josiah Seltzer.  There is a Josiah D. Seltzer who is buried in the Zion (Klinger’s) Church Cemetery in Erdman, Lykens Township, Dauphin County, who served in the 50th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company A, as a Private, and is also found in the Prisoner of War (POW) records.  That Josiah was married to Violet Klinger and also to Barbara Wiest.  Violet was a direct descendant of Johann Peter Hoffman (1709-1798), pioneer settler of the Lykens Valley.

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JOHN GOTLOB (? – ?) is named at the bottom of the case and the nameplate is difficult to read and photograph.  At this time it is unknown who he was or in what Civil War regiment he served.

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PETER F. LUCAS (1837-?) is named twice on the memorial but only one person of this name has been found in the military records.  He first served in the 10th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company F, as a Private, from April 1861 through July 1861 and then returned home, eventually re-enlisting in the 50th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company A, as a Private on 27 February 1864, where he served until discharged on 30 July 1865.  His wife’s name was Catharine.  In 1890, he was living in Tower City and he complained of liver and kidney disease which he said he contracted as a result of his war service.

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GEORGE IRVING (1842-1920) enrolled at Minersville, Schuylkill County, in the 55th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company E, as a Private and served from 1 March 1864 through 30 August 1865.  His residence at the time of enrollment was Northampton County and his occupation was miner.  He married a woman named Maggie.  In 1890 he was living in Lykens and when he died, he was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Tower City.

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JOHN JONES (1844-?) was living in Ravine, Schuylkill County, in 1890.  He stated that he served in the 194th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company K, as a Private, from 18 July 1864 though 6 November 1864.  Not much else is known about him except that for his military service he enrolled in Harrisburg.

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WILLIAM JONES (1827-1906), was an immigrant from Wales who was married to Annie Shannon.  His military service was as a 1st Lieutenant in the 26th Pennsylvania Infantry (Emergency of 1863), Company D, in June and July of 1863.  He is also found in the records as William H. Jones and William Woodwill Jones.  In 1890, while living in Lykens, he told census takers that he wasn’t certain of his dates of service because his “discharge burned when his house burned.”

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To be continued tomorrow….

Other posts in this series may be accessed by clicking here.

Category: Memorials, Research, Resources, Stories | 2 Comments »
Tags: Erdman, Ltkens Borough, Lykens Township, Porter Township, Regiments, Rush Township, Tower City

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on July 20, 2012

The above article describing the “fatal affair at Gratztown” appeared in the Philadelphia Public Ledger, 27 September 1856, described the death of George Hoffman Jr. at the annual military encampment at Gratz, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.  A more extensive article appeared in a Schuylkill County publication, the Farmers and Miners Journal on the same date.  It was re-printed in the Gratz Historical Society Memories Book, Volume 2.  A portion of the story from the Memories Book is presented below.  Following the story, some additional comments are given.

The “Great Union Military Encampment” commencing on Tuesday last broke up yesterday morning (Friday) at 5 o’clock.  We were present during part of the time and was much pleased at the harmony that prevailed, particularly among those directly connected with the military affairs.  The town on the first two days seemed to be overflowing with visitors, and we will venture to say there has never been such an immense body of people in Gratztown before.  Not withstanding the preparation made by the inhabitants, many could not secure accommodations – beds, blankets, etc were in heavy demand.

There were about eight companies, we think in attendance, which were well drilled, and presented a handsome appearance.  Governor Pollock arrived there on Wednesday evening, and on Thursday reviewed the different companies, and delivered an appropriate address in his usual pleasant style.  The Governor was much respected during his sojourn there, and his noble appearance and natural good humor did not fail to gain him many friends.  Among other present were, Judge Murrey, Major Mumma, G. Knox, A. J. Herr, Hon. J. Kunkle, Hon. J. Casey, J. Clyde, Stephen Miller, J. R. Eby, and Sheriff Hoffman, who added honor to the occasion.  A democratic meeting was held at the Buffington Hotel on Thursday evening, which was addressed by several eminent speakers.  We must mention, although unnecessary for our readers at home, that Capt. Whiskey was present, who drilled and redrilled his men well.  We never before witnessed such a fine display of the effects of rye and water combined.  For want of room this week, we were compelled to give a rather condensed statement, but in our next we will show the particulars in full.

A sad affair took place Wednesday evening as follows:

MURDER – On Wednesday evening about dusk, Mr. George Hoffman Jr. of Gratztown, whilst in a crowd or passing along by the Public House of Mr. Loudenslager, was stabbed in the right side of the thorax, (or breast), between the fourth and fifth rib, and proved fatal in about 12 hours after the stab was made.  We seen the corpse after an inquest had been held over the dead body about an hour, and it was heart-rendering to behold the amount of blood that had been wasted from the wound during the short time he had to live after receiving the fatal stab.  It appears that medical aid had been promptly called, although all the effort to save the life and arrest the hemorrhage was made that could be done, by Dr. I. Schminkey, Dr. G. B. Weiser, and Dr. S. Steitz, who were all present, but soon pronounced his case fatal.  Thus another fellow-mortal has been called from this stage of action, and caused a gloom to be spread over the place, which we are sorry to see, and we deeply sympathize with the bereaved parents, who are mournfully stricken by the loss of a son.  The deceased, it appears had a wife, but at the time of his death, they were separated, yet she was present during his suffering and death, and it gave her a shock that time will not erase.  But the worst is not told, soon the officers were sent in search of the persons suspected, and resulting in taking Mr. Elias Meck, a young man, and he was brought before the proper officers, and testified that Mr. Samuel Lantz told him he should take a certain dirk or knofe and use it.  Mr. Meck was then retained until Mr. Lantz was brought by officers Bird and Buffington and was taken before Squire Loudenslager, between one and two o’clock and was heard by the parties, who commuted him to the county prison, there to await his trial.  The council for the defendant was D. Mumma, Esq., and for the Commonwealth, A. J. Herr, Esq.  A post-mortem examination was held on Thursday evening about 8 o’clock, over the dear body, by Dr. I. Schminkey, Dr. G. B. Weiser, Dr. John Wright, Dr. C. S. Weiser, and Dr. J. B. Hower.  The result was that the deceased came to his death by receiving a mortal wound in the right breast, which entered the right upper part of the middle lobe of the lungs and penetrated through and entered the lower part of the upper lobe, and passed in about one inch in depth.

George Hoffman Jr. was the son of Squire George Hoffman of Gratz.  Squire Hoffman and his son were direct descendants of Johann Peter Hoffman (1709-1797), pioneer settler of the Lykens Valley.  No picture exists of George Jr., but his father’s picture has been previously published in Gratz histories.

Squire George Hoffman (1826-1856)

George Hoffman Jr. was a member of the Gratztown Militia, the local group that was sponsoring the annual encampment.  At the time, the Gratztown Militia was headed by Major Jonas Laudenslager.

Maj. Jonas Laudenslager (1825-1899)

The Secretary of the Gratztown Militia was Dr. Isaiah Schminky. He was also one of the attending physicians and a member of the inquest that determined the cause of death of George Hoffman Jr.

Dr. Isaiah Schminky (1832-1900)

Gov. James Pollock (spelled “Pollack” in the article) was the 13th Governor of Pennsylvania, and served from 1855-1858.  He made his home in Milton, Northumberland County, just north of the Lykens Valley. His attendance at the military encampment helped to recognize the importance of the annual encampment.  Gov. Pollack was in office when the Penn State University received its charter, he was a strong promoter of the use of the telegraph (perhaps the most important communication method during the Civil War) and was an early personal friend of Abraham Lincoln, both having served in Congress together and both having lived in the same Washington boardinghouse during the 1840s.

Gov. James Pollock (1810-1890)

The week after the encampment, the Farmers and Miners Journal summarized the happenings but didn’t mention the murder:

THE ENCAMPMENT

In our last issue we gave a condensed account of the Encampment at Gratztown, but did not give the companies due credit.  The Washington Company of this place, made quite an imposing appearance, their equipment and dress displayed neatness and good taste, and the manner in which they were drilled proved credible to the Captain – Mr. Keen.  The Fisherville Company also displayed to advantage, with Capt. McGarm at its head.  The thorough manner in which this company was drilled proved the ability of their Captain.  The whole of the companies, some nine in number, acquitted themselves in a manner becoming to the occasion.  The Gratztown Light Horse Cavalry made also an imposing appearance.  The Wiconisco Band added much to the enlivenment of the encampment, under the command of Dr. Ladd.  The Harrisburg Bands were also in attendance, and discoursed some splendid music.  The command of the camp was under Maj. Gen. William H. Keim, of Reading, assisted by his Aid-de-Camps, Maj. James Freeland, Co. G.A.C. Sieler, and Maj. J.G. Herr.  Brig. Gen. E. C. Williams was also present with his aid-de-Camp Maj. William A. Delaney.  The Companies were inspected by Brig. Inspector John Wright, who expressed himself highly pleased with their proficiency of drill and soldier-like appearance.  The number of people in attendance was very large, as is common on such occasions and the public houses were crowded to excess, both at the table and at the bar, but all whose patience “held out” had an opportunity in course of time to take a “snap.”  The principal amusement on the ground was the hustle and hurry the eager seekers made in getting a car or seat on the “flying horse.”  It was amusing to the spectators to behold the young gentry seated beside their “pretty fair maidens,” how the voracity of the car gave a “lean” to its occupants – so much so that it became necessary for one to hold the other by encircling the waist and bracing in opposite directions.  This amusement took admirably for a change, as “variety is the spice of life.”

Maj. Gen. William H. Keim of Reading, Berks County, was later a Civil War General of Pennsylvania volunteers.  He died of typhus while at Harrisburg in 1862.

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For prior blog articles on the Gratztown Militia, click here.

The portrait of Gov. James Pollock is linked from the website of ExplorePAHistory.com.  The portrait of Gen. William H. Keim is linked from Wikipedia.  Other portraits are from the collection of the Project.  The news clipping is from the on-line resources of the Free Library of Philadelphia.  Memories Book No. 2 is available from the Gratz Historical Society.

Category: Research, Stories | Comments Off on The Murder in Gratz During the Militia Encampment, 1856
Tags: Abraham Lincoln, Buffington family, Fisherville, Gratz Borough, Hoffman family, Laudenslager family, Schminky family, Wiconisco

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on July 19, 2012

Anyone who attempts to compile an “official” and “complete” list of Pennsylvania’s Civil War battles, engagements and skirmishes is faced with a daunting task.

There are several, already-compiled lists of Civil War battles, one of which has been previously presented on this blog and worth noting again.  That list is found in the book, Statistical Record of the Armies of the United States, by Frederick Phisterer which can be obtained as a free download from GoogleBooks.

Part II of the book is entitled:  “Chronological Record of Engagements, Battles, etc., in the United States, 1861 to 1865.  Phisterer explains in the opening comments to this section that the list he is presenting is “the completest record in existence at present [1883]”  To a list of engagements that was compiled and produced in The Medical and Surgical History of the War of the Rebellion, Phisterer added some additional engagements that he located in newspapers, Confederate reports and other sources.  He termed these additions “minor engagements” but admitted that critics could still find omissions.

Each battle or engagement in Phisterer’s list is given a number – from #1 (Fort Sumter, South Carolina) to #2261, the surrender of Kirby Smith, which occurred on 26 May 1865, and, according to the “list,” was the last engagement of the war.

Within each numbered event, there is a header which names the event (sometimes by location only), the date or dates the event occurred, and a brief description of the Union forces that were involved in the event.  In most cases, the Confederate participants are ignored, leaving the reader to further search in other sources for that information.

The battles, engagements and skirmishes in Pennsylvania that are noted in this listing are worth examining.

The Battle of Gettysburg, #1021 on Phisterer’s list, although considered the greatest battle to ever take place on the North American continent, is presented as one event on an equal par with minor skirmishes, although several engagements surrounding the time frame of the battle are given separate numbers.

A summary of the Pennsylvania battles, engagements and skirmishes as presented by Phisterer is given below:

#989.  Greencastle, Pennsylvania.  20 June 1863.  1st New York Cavalry.

#1003.  McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania.  24 June 1863.  12th Pennsylvania Cavalry.

#1014.  McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania.  29 June 1863.  1st New York Cavalry.

#1017.  Sporting Hill, near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.  30 June 1863.  22nd New York Militia; 37th New York Militia; Lander’s Battery.

#1018.  Hanover, Pennsylvania.  30 June 1863.  3rd Division Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac.

#1021.  Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  1 July 1863 – 3 July 1863.  1st Corps, Maj.-General J. F. Reynolds; 2nd Corps, Maj.-General W. S. Hancock; 3rd Corps, Maj.-General D. E. Sickles; 5th Corps, Maj.-General George Sykes; 6th Corps, Maj.-General J. Sedgwick; 11th Corps, Maj.-General O. O. Howard; 12th Corps, Maj.-General H. W. Slocum; Cavalry Corps, Maj.-General A. Pleasonton; Army of the Potomac, commanded by Maj.-General G. E. Meade; includes Cavalry skirmish at Hunterstown.

#1031.  Fairfield, Pennsylvania.  3 July 1863.  6th U.S. Cavalry.

#1039.  Fairfield, Pennsylvania.  5 July 1863.  Cavalry, Army of the Potomac.

#1814.  Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.  30 July 1864.  Burned by Confederates.

Nearly all the events noted by Phisterer occurred in 1863, with the sole 1864 event noted as the burning of Chambersburg. Of course, the other feature of Phisterer’s list is to separate out the events in which each regiment participated, but that task is made more difficult in that there is no index, though a searchable “pdf” copy would help overcome this problem.

While this post does not attempt to name all the possible Pennsylvania events that could be considered for inclusion in a “complete” list of battles, engagement and skirmishes, several notable omissions need to be mentioned:

As previously discussed on this blog, an event occurred at the Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge in June 1863.  The burning of this bridge failed to make Phisterer’s list.  For prior posts, see:  Columbia-Wrightville Bridge – Flames on the Susquehanna. and Naked Man Visits Rebs on Rapidan.

Also failing to make the list was the supposed Confederate excursion into Trevorton Junction (Herndon) occurring around the same time frame.  See:  Did Confederates Enter Trevorton Junction (Herndon) in 1863?

Finally, included in Phisterer’s list are the Draft Riots in New York City, 13 July 1863 to 15 July 1863 (#1066).  Equally important to Pennsylvanians were the draft riots and resistance that occurred a year earlier in and around Pottsville, Schuylkill County, which resulted in the stationing of Pennsylvania troops in that vicinity to keep order.  See:  Opposition to the Draft of 1862.

For those who wish to pursue compiling a “complete” list of all Pennsylvania battles, engagements and skirmishes, the task remains to be accomplished.  Some suggestions for resources to locate many of the minor events include books and other resources which present the war in a “day by day” fashion.  There are also Wikipedia articles which list battles as well as regimental histories which describe events. Some of what will be produced will be speculative in that there will be doubters as to whether the event actually occurred.  Whether any “complete” list that will satisfy everyone will ever be produced is another issue but it’s certainly worth a try.

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For a listing and breakdown of the Union forces at Gettysburg, see:  Pennsylvania Regiments at Gettysburg – Corps and Generals.

Category: Research, Resources | Comments Off on A List of Pennsylvania Civil War Battles, Engagements and Skirmishes
Tags: Herndon, Regiments

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on July 18, 2012

Along U.S. Route 422 in Berks County, Pennsylvania, there are two historical markers which call attention to Abraham Lincoln family roots in Pennsylvania as well as the historical sites related to those roots.

LINCOLN HOMESTEAD

President Lincoln’s great-great grandfather Mordecai purchased Andrew Robeson‘s land and built the stone house that stands about 1 1/4 south of here in 1733.  Mordecai Lincoln served as Justice of the Peace of Philadelphia County from 1733 to 1736, and was a friend and colleague of George Boone, Jr., uncle of the pioneer Daniel Boone.  Abraham Lincoln referred to his ancestors from Berks County, Pennsylvania in letters.  Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, 2009.

DANIEL BOONE

Greatest American pioneer and wilderness scout.  Born Nov. 2, 1734.  Spent the first 16 years of his life on the Boone Homestead a few miles north.  Now a state historical shrine dedicated to American youth.  Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Another view of the Lincoln Homestead marker is seen from the western side in the lane traveling east on U.S. Route 422.  The road sign for the modern “Lincoln Corporate Center” can be seen just behind the marker.

Pursuing the “Lincoln Trail” and Lincoln’s roots in Pennsylvania is much easier with the availability of a guidebook.

The Lincoln Trail in Pennsylvania: A History and Guide, by Bradley R. Hoch, published in 2001 by the Pennsylvania State University Press, is an account of where Lincoln traveled in Pennsylvania as well as the story of his roots in the state and his funereal journey to his grave site in Illinois.

A map on page 148 of the book shows the location of “Lincoln sites” in Berks and Chester Counties, two of which are identified by historical markers which are shown above.  There is also a brief description of each site – The Mordecai Lincoln Homestead (page 150-151) and the Daniel Boone Homestead (page 151).

In Chapter 2, “Mystic Chords of Memory:  Lincoln Ancestors,” Hoch refers to the First Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln, 1861, in which he stated that “the mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave… when again touched… by the better angels of our nature.”  This quote frames the study of the movement of the Lincoln family along one of the most common migration routes to the west, that of Central Pennsylvania to the Cumberland and Shenandoah Valleys, thence to North Carolina and the Cumberland Gap to Kentucky.  Much of this chapter is spent in the Central Pennsylvania experience of the Lincolns with the appropriate genealogical references as supporting data as well as some fact-based speculation as to why the family left the relative security of the area to venture into the surely-difficult frontier, eventually establishing themselves in Kentucky where Abraham Lincoln was born in 1809.

While the Tulpehocken Trail is not specifically mentioned by Hoch, it is suggested that this was the oft-traveled route which he refers to as the “Allegheny Trail” (page 28), westward from Berks County to the Susquehanna River at Harrisburg, then by ferry crossing to the southwest route (the “Virginia Road”) which passed through the Cumberland Valley.  It is noted that the economic development of the Pennsylvania towns of Carlisle, Shippensburg and Chambersburg were parts of this westward trail and owed their growth to the multitude of travelers passing through them.  The Tulpehocken Trail, from Berks County, was an old Indian path that followed the same general route to the Harrisburg area in present-day Dauphin County, but then headed north through the current Lykens Valley and further northward into present-day Sunbury, Northumberland County.   Although the actual ancestors of President Lincoln chose to continue westward by crossing the Susquehanna, many cousins of the Lincolns chose to settle in the rich farm lands north of Harrisburg and east of the river.  Hence, the claim of genealogical relationship to Abraham Lincoln, although as distant cousins, of many of the current residents of the Lykens Valley area today.

In other chapters, Hoch reflects on these Pennsylvania roots as Lincoln makes appearances in the state – early-on as a Congressman traveling to Washington, generally unreported by other Lincoln biographers – to two of his most famous”living” appearances as President, travel to his First Inauguration and dedication of the Gettysburg Battlefield – to his final journey to Springfield with its Pennsylvania way stops.  Other seminal events, issues and connections in Lincoln’s intellectual development are not ignored – including his relationship with anti-slavery elements in the state; industrial development involving iron, steel and coal; and the value and importance of the national transportation network of roads and railroads.

Hoch’s passion for the study of Lincoln is evident in the resources he consulted.  The extensive bibliography and end notes are helpful for those who wish to fact-check what he has presented as well as delve into more detail on Lincoln’s connection with the Keystone State.

The book can also easily be used as a travel guide to the sites related to Lincoln and his family origins.

Finally, Hoch’s own roots in Pennsylvania and the Civil War are noted in the dust-jacket bio.  Two men in his direct ancestral lines served in Pennsylvania regiments.  Perhaps they served in the same volunteer regiments as did the men from the Lykens Valley area including those with a distant-cousin relationship to Abraham Lincoln – making the book an even more appropriate, necessary addition to a personal/ local (Pennsylvania) genealogical library collection.

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For a prior post on this blog which focuses on the roots of Abraham Lincoln, see  Royal Ancestry of President Lincoln.   Two “topic” searches are also available:  Abraham Lincoln and Lincoln Assassination.

Future post(s) will look at the historical markers on the route from Berks County through the mountains to and through the Lykens Valley area via the route referred to as the “Tulpehocken Trail.”

Category: Memorials, Stories | Comments Off on Lincoln Roots in Pennsylvania
Tags: Abraham Lincoln