Posted By Norman Gasbarro on September 14, 2018
A 1904 picture post card view of the National Cemetery at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
______________________________
Image provided by Debby Rabold, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from a family collection.
Posted By Norman Gasbarro on September 13, 2018
The Press Herald of Pine Grove, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, on 13 November 1891 reported the death of John Sattizahn:
John Sattizahn, who resided at Pleasant Valley, and who was running a small saw mill, fell over and instantly —died while at work, on the mill on Saturday. He was about 70 years of age, and a veteran of the late civil war. The deceased was an industrious man, a carpenter by trade, and built many dwellings in that valley, noted for their peculiar construction and various mansard roofs. He has been failing for several years past and was receiving a pension from the government.
Previously, on this blog, John Sattizahn was identified as a Civil War soldier in the 173rd Pennnsylania Infantry with a connection to Pine Grove.
In searching for information on John Sattizahn, various spellings of the surname were found, including Suttezahn and Sattazan.
The above screen capture was taken from Steve Maczuga’s Pennsylvania Civil War Database. It indicates that John Sattazan served in the 173rd Pennnsylania Infantry, Company G, as a Private, from 2 November 1862 through discharge on 18 August 1863.
As a result of his service, John Suttezahn applied for for a pension on 14 July 1890, which he received. His widow applied and received benefits after his death. The card (above) is from Fold3.
At least one article found on Newspapers.com indicates that John Sattizahn lived in Tremont, Schuylkill County, for a time.
Additional information is sought about this Civil War veteran and can be added as a comment to this post.
Posted By Norman Gasbarro on September 12, 2018
Civil War veteran Elias Sowers is also found in the records as Elias Souers. News articles refer to him as “The Railroad Preacher.”
Elias Sowers died in Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania, on 29 September 1908, and is buried at the Charles Evans Cemetery at that place. His in-ground grave-marker notes that he was a Civil War veteran, having served in the 173rd Pennsylvania Infantry.
Elias Sowers was originally identified for this blog in an on-line list of Civil War soldiers from Pine Grove, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.
At his death, the Reading Times published the following obituary on 30 September 1908:
ELIAS SOWERS
Elias Sowers, a preacher and railroader, died Tuesday morning at his home, 1415 North Ninth Street. He was 76 years of age. Mr. Sowers did not perform any manual labor for seven years and preached his last sermon three or four years ago in Salem United Brethren Church. He suffered a severe attack of typhoid fever three years ago and since that time was almost helpless.
Deceased was born in Shartlesville and entered the service of the Reading Railway Company as a section hand in 1849, at Auburn. In 1851 he became a brakeman and in and in 1852 was promoted to fireman. He became an engineer in 1862 and ran on the Schuylkill and Susquehanna Branch between Auburn and Harrisburg. In 1864 he was appointed engineer at the pumping station at Auburn and held that position until 1881, when he secured a place as a flagman on the Schuylkill and Susquehanna Branch. In 1896 he was given the position of pumping engineer at the reading Water Station, which he held until his retirement, 1 January 1902.
In connection with railroading he preached in churches of the Church of God. He at one time had eight congregations in his charge. He preached at Auburn, New Ringgold, McKeansburg and other places in Schuylkill County.
Besides his wife Ellen Sowers, Mr. Sowers is survived by these children: David A. Sowers and John F. Sowers, this city; Lillie, wife of William Duffin, of Philadelphia; and Woodward Sowers, at home; also four brothers, Daniel Sowers, of Jefferson, Schuylkill County; Jacob Sowers, of Pottsville; John Sowers and Henry Sowers, of Auburn.
The Allentown Democrat, 5 October 1908, referred to Sowers at the “Railroad Preacher:”
“Railroad Preacher” is Dead
Elias Sowers, aged 76 years, died at Reading. He was known as the railroad preacher. He worked for the Reading Railroad Company for fifty-three years and in connection with railroading he preached in churches of the Church of God….
According to the Veterans’ File Card found at the Pennsylvania Archives, Elias Souers served in Company G of the 173rd Pennsylvania Infantry. An other source notes that this service was from 2 November 1862 through his discharge on 19 February 1863.
Souers applied for a pension on 31 July 1890, per information on the Pension Index Card (above) from Fold3. He was awarded benefits which he collected to his death, after which his widow applied and collected benefits until her death.
Additional information can be found on Elias Sowers at his Facebook Memorial.
_________________________________
News clippings are from Newspapers.com.
Posted By Norman Gasbarro on September 11, 2018
A 1904 picture post card view of the National Cemetery at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
______________________________
Image provided by Debby Rabold, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from a family collection.
Posted By Norman Gasbarro on September 10, 2018
Daniel Batdorf, sometimes spelled Baddorf, died on 24 March 1905. He is buried at the Calvary United Methodist Church Cemetery in Wiconisco, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. He was previously profiled here in a post on Civil War burials at the Calvary Cemetery:
Daniel Batdorf (1841-1905). Also known as Baddorf and Batdorff. Served in the 173rd Pennsylvania Infantry, Company K, as a Private, from 2 November 1862 to his discharge on a Surgeon’s Certificate of Disability on 7 Apr 1863. Daniel married Elizabeth Adams, the sister of Nicholas Adams who has been previously profiled on this blog. Daniel worked as a miner for a time after the war but then began a business as a huckster and grocer, operating an establishments in Williams Township and Williamstown.
His obituary appeared in the Lykens Standard, 31 March 1905:
DEATHS AND FUNERALS.
DANIEL BATDORF
On Friday night, at 11 o’clock, Daniel Batdorf, a prominent and highly respected citizen of Williamstown, left his house to inspect his washery at the rear of his premises, and not returning within a reasonable time his wife went in search of him, and not finding him was returning to the house when she nearly stumbled over his lifeless body. Grief stricken she fled from the scene in search of assistance when two trolley employees came to her aid and removed his remains to the house. Death was no doubt due to heart failure.
Deceased was born in Williamstown, 15 February 1841, and was one of nine children born unto his parents, Christian Batdorf and his wife, Sarah [Romberger] Batdorf. In July 1861, he married Elizabeth Adams, and when their first-born was but three months old he was pressed into the service of Uncle Sam, serving with credit until the end of hostilities. [On] 14 June 1873, he and his wife were confirmed in the Lutheran church by the pastor, Rev. Daniel Kloss, and remained faithful to the end, and his absence from the services last Sunday was keenly felt.
He is survived by his wife and four children, viz: Jenny Riman (Mrs. Frank Riman), of South Bethlehem; Melinda Halloway (Mrs. Charles Halloway), of Philadelphia; Carrie Weidel (Mrs. Wesley Weidel), of Lykens; and Arthur Batdorf of Philadelphia. Two children preceded him to the grave, John Henry Batdorf, 41 years ago, and Charles W. Batdorf, 34 years ago, both of whom were laid to rest in the Wiconisco Cemetery. Mr. Batdorf is also survived by three brothers and one sister, viz: Henry Batdorf; Amos Batdorf; Jonas Batdorf; and Mrs. John Spittler.
The funeral was held Tuesday morning at 10 o’clock, Rev. R. W. Mottern of the Lutheran church officiating, and interment was made in Union Cemetery, Wiconisco.
The pallbearers were A. L. Pritchard; Richard Budd; Francis Klinger; Samuel Sharon; Thomas Frew; and John Matter.
Among those from a distance noted at the funeral were Arthur Batdorf and wife; Charles Halloway; John Bergen, Philadelphia; Mrs. Frank Reiman, South Bethlehem; W. W. Weidel and wife; Mrs. Edward Dietrich; Elijah Dietrich; Philip Dietrich and wife; Gabriel Dietrich, Lykens; Amos Batdorf; Henry Batdorf and wife, Wiconisco; Mrs. John Spittler, Jonestown; Moses Dietrich, Tower City; Mrs. Charles Batdorf and two children, Harrisburg; Walter Dietrich, South Fork ; Mrs. Rissinger and Mrs. Moyer, Sacramento; John Zimmerman and wife; Peter Miller and wife, Keffers; Mrs. Charles Readinger, Pottsville.
_________________________________
Obituary from Newspapers.com.
;