Civil War Blog

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on September 19, 2011

The first owner of this original Simon Gratz lot was Jacob Sierer (or Seara) who purchased it in 1816.  The house was built sometime between the land purchase and 1820.  From 1825 to 1849, the property was owned by Martin Moyer, but he did not live here, preferring instead to rent to tenants.  In the pre-Civil War years, it was variously occupied by a tinner, a carpenter, and a chair maker.  Undoubtedly, a shop was built at some time to accommodate these trades, but little is known about that building or where it was located on the property.  In 1850, Moyer sold the property to Elizabeth Beckman whose husband was a miner.  In 1857, the property was sold to its Civil War owner, John Hummel, who operated his tinsmith business here from about 1857 through the Civil War to his death in October 1865.

The earliest available picture of this house is shown above.  It is from the late twentieth century and shows modern improvements including the porch and stonework.

After John Hummel died, his widow Elizabeth Hummel retained ownership, but the property was listed on the tax records under the estate of her deceased husband until 1897.  In 1875, Elizabeth re-married to Benjamin Riegle and re-located to Upper Paxton Township, Dauphin County. In 1897, Elizabeth Hummel sold the property to John W. Koppenhaver (1862-?) of Gratz.

No record of Civil War service has been located for John Hummel nor has any record of Civil War service been located with any other known resident of this property.

This is part 13 of an ongoing series on Gratz during the Civil War.  Some of the information for this post was taken fromthe book A Comprehensive History of the Town of Gratz Pennsylvania.

Category: Research, Resources, Stories | Comments Off on Gratz During the Civil War – John Hummel, Tinsmith
Tags: Beckman family, Gratz Borough, Hummel family, Moyer family, Riegle family, Upper Paxton Township, Walking Tour

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on September 18, 2011

Leonard Reedy (1776-1837) purchased this property from Simon Gratz in 1818.  He had been living on the property for about two years, so the earliest parts of the present house probably date to 1816.  Reedy was a gunsmith and was well known throughout the region.  After Leonard’s death, his widow Elizabeth continued to live here, but she lost ownership of the property to a sheriff’s sale in 1845.  Since her son-in-law Daniel Good had purchased the house, she was allowed to continue living there.  Sometime afterward, she re-married to Daniel Bitterman and moved to Mifflin Township.  But by 1852, after Daniel Bitterman’s death, she purchased the house from her son-in-law and returned to Gratz.  Before the Civil War, she re-married again to Jacob Shade Sr.  Elizabeth died in 1867 and is buried in Gratz Union Cemetery.   In 1868, the executors of Elizabeth’s estate then sold the property to John and Lillie Gise who retained ownership until 1873 when they sold it to John C. Saltzer (1844-1907).

The above picture is the earliest photo available of this house.  It was probably taken in the early twentieth century.

Two sons of Leonard Reedy, twins William Henry Reedy (1829-1881) and Henry William Reedy (1829-1918) were born here in this house and both served in the Civil War.  William H. Reedy served in the 177th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company I, as a Private, from 2 November 1862 through 5 August 1863.  He married Matilda Funk and lived in Schuylkill County.  Henry W. Reedy served in the 173rd Pennsylvania Infantry, Company F, as a Sergeant, from 30 October 1862 through 16 August 1863.  He first married Catherine Paul and after her death in 1870, married the Catherine Kessler, the widow of Christian Stein.  Like his brother, Henry lived in Schuylkill County.

More research needs to be done to determine if there were specifically any Civil War connections to this house with the second husband of Elizabeth Reedy, Daniel Bitterman, likewise with her third husband, Jacob Shade Sr. (1790-1871).  It has already been noted that Elizabeth occupied this house during the Civil War.

In 1873, the property was sold to a Civil War veteran, John C. Saltzer (1844-1907).  John served in the 210th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company H, as a Private, from 14 September 1864 through 30 May 1864.  He was married to Hannah Falk,  John was a miner, but later he took advantage of a veterans’ privilege and applied for a peddler’s license.  John’s brother, Josiah D. Saltzer (1845-1898), also served in the war, the 50th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company A, as a Private, mustered in on 1 March 1864, but had the misfortune of being captured at Spottsylvania and then imprisoned at the notorious Andersonville facility for about nine months.  After a stint in hospitals in Florence, South Carolina, and Wilmington, North Carolina, he was returned to his regiment and mustered out on 30 July 1865.

After John’s death in 1907, his widow retained ownership until 1912 when she sold the property to her son Daniel Saltzer and her daughter Ida Saltzer and her husband Charles Evans.  The house remained in the Saltzer family until 1956.  Today, it is still known by the name of its original owner, Leonard Reedy.

An historical marker was placed in front of the house by the Gratz Historical Society.  It reads:

Leonard Reedy (1776-1837).  Famous Gratz Gunsmith.

Site of original log house.  Early settler in Gratztown 1816.  Skilled Gunsmith 1796-1837.  Veteran of the War of 1812.  Justice of the Peace 1818-1837.  His Pennsylvania Kentucky Rifles found in Museums and private collections.  Craftsmanship is equal to or greater than any known gunsmith from 1650 to 1850.

Buried in Gratz Union Cemetery.  Dedicated by Gratz Historical Society.

This is part 12 of an ongoing series on Gratz during the Civil War.  Some of the information for this post was taken from the book A Comprehensive History of the Town of Gratz Pennsylvania.

Category: Research, Resources, Stories | Comments Off on Gratz During the Civil War – Leonard Reedy House
Tags: Bitterman family, Falk family, Funk family, Kessler family, Paul family, Reedy family, Regiments, Saltzer family, Shade family, Walking Tour

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on September 17, 2011

The 138th Annual Gratz Fair will be held at the Gratz Fair Grounds in Gratz, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, from Sunday, September 18, 2011, through Saturday, September 24, 2011.

The Gratz Fair, which was founded in 1873, had as its early participants, many of the returning veterans of the Civil War.   It features, as it has over its many years of operation, a midway and carnival, stage shows, harness horse racing, and dozens of exhibits of livestock and farm products.

Once again, the Gratz Historical Society will have a featured display in one of the exhibition buildings.  The subject of the display is always a closely guarded secret, but word has leaked out that it will have something to do with the Civil War, the sesquicentennial anniversary of the war, and the Civil War Research Project.

During Fair Week, the Museum and Research Library of the Gratz Historical Society will have normal hours on Wednesday, September 21, 2011, from noon to 5 p.m.  Tours will also be available of the Museum.  For tours, please arrive no later than 3 p.m., in order to get the full tour which takes approximately two hours.  On Wednesday, September 21, the Fair Gates don’t open until 4 p.m., so come to town early and visit the Gratz Historical Society and Museum.  For those who are unable to visit the Society on Wednesday, groups of five or more can schedule appointments on any day, by contacting the Society in advance.

Also available during Fair Week is the self-guided Civil War Walking Tour of Gratz.  Separate posts on this blog have described more than ten Civil War Era sites in Gratz Borough in easy walking distance from the Fair Grounds. And, each day during Fair Week, another site will be added to the Walking Tour.  The posts can easily be downloaded and used on the Walking Tour.

Some views of the Fair Grounds before the arrival of the annual Gratz Fair:

Category: Events | Comments Off on 138th Annual Gratz Fair, September 18-24, 2011
Tags: Gratz Borough

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on September 16, 2011

DEATH OF JOHN C. MILLER

LYKENS —  John C. Miller of Market street, mention of whose serious illness from grip and pneumonia has several times been made in these columns during the past few weeks, died at noon Wednesday, aged 57 years, 2 months, and 22 days. His illness dates back to about eight weeks ago, when he had an attack of the grip which after developed into pneumonia and for several weeks he hovered between life and death.  About two weeks ago he rallied somewhat and his physicians entertained hopes for his recovery, but unfavorable conditions set in and on Tuesday a change for the worse was noticed and he gradually grew weaker until Wednesday, when he passed away.  The news of his death was a shock to the entire community, as it was generally believed he was convalescing.

John C. Miller was a son of Daniel and Louisa Miller, and was born at Annville, Lebanon County, on the 18th day of January of 1844.  At the age of 15 years he learned shoemaking with Peter Graybill of Annville.  His parents moved to Lykens about 48 years ago, his father being appointed conductor on the old Lykens Valley railroad, when a small “monkeybox” with a bench running lengthwise on either side of the car served as a passenger coach.  The car was attached to the rear end of a coal train and made one trip a day to Millersburg and return.  Mr. Miller Sr., held this position many years, when on the account of the information of old age he was compelled to resign.

John C. Miller worked at the colliery in his boyhood days, and in 1867 engaged in the mercantile business at the stand now owned by him which he conducted in connection with the book and newspaper agency up to the time of his death.

In 1861 he enlisted in Co. K, 93rd Reg. Penn’a Vol. [93rd Pennsylvania Infantry], and re-enlisted in 1864, serving to the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged at Harrisburg.  He received wounds during his enlistment, one at Coal Harbor [Cold Harbor] and the other at Fair Oaks.

On the 17th of February, 1869, he married Miss Louisa Reyman of Lewisburg.  This union was blessed with twin children, Gertie Miller and Warren Miller.  Warren met his death in a railway accident on the Northern Central road near Millersburg on the 20th of Oct. 1886.  Mrs. Miller died on the 2nd of Dec. 1889.  He is survived by his daughter, Gertie, living at home, beside one brother, Daniel A. Miller, and one sister.  Mrs. Francis Feindt, both of this place.

Mr. Miller was one of our most respected citizens and was several times elected to positions of honor and trust by our people.  He was assessor of the East ward for a number of years, and also borough treasurer, and was president of the Lykens Savings Fund and Loan Corporation for a number of years.  This association’s headquarters were in his building, and he was a sort of bureau of general information in regard to its affairs.  His advice was also often sought in other matters, and freely given, and his judgment was invariably found to be correct.  Of a quiet, unobtrusive disposition, he was not forward in the affairs of any association he was connected with, but when assistance was needed or he was assigned to any duty in Wiconisco Lodge of Odd fellows or the Grand Army of the Republic [G.A.R.] of this place, to both of which he belonged. none performed his duty more cheerfully or more satisfactorily than he.  He became a member of Heilner Post, No. 232, G.A.R. of this place on the 25th of Nov. 1885, and was quartermaster and one of the trustees at the time of his death; he was also ex-post commander.

In religious affairs, he adhered to the Lutheran faith, and for many years he was a consistent member of Zion Lutheran church, and at the time of his death treasurer of its Sunday school.

The funeral will be held on Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock, Rev. D. L. Mackenzie, pastor of Zion Lutheran church, conducting services at his late residence.  Interment will take place on the family plot at Odd Fellows’ cemetery [Lykens]by the side of his wife and son.  The funeral will be in charge of the Grand Army [G.A.R.] and Wiconisco lodge of Odd Fellows.

FUNERAL OF JOHN C. MILLER

LYKENS –The funeral of John C. Miller occurred from his late residence on market street Monday afternoon at two o’clock, Rev. D. L. Mackenzie, pastor of Zion Lutheran church and Rev. P. S. Hooper of Bay Shore, N. N., a former pastor, officiating.  Heilner Post, No. 232, G.A.R.,and Wiconisco lodge, No. 533. I.O.O.F., of which he was a member, attending in a body, and also Heilner Relief Corps.

The floral offerings were beautiful and consisted of cut roses and “Gates Ajar” [a floral arrangement in the shape of an arch, representative of the entrance to Heaven] by Zion Lutheran Sunday school, of which he was treasurer for many years and of which he was a former superintendent; a sheaf of wheat by Heilner Relief Corps, lillies by Mrs. Josiah Minnich, and cut roses by the family.  The pallbearers were selected from the Odd Fellows and the G.A.R.  Among those present from out of town were Mrs. William Thompson of Steelton; Ana Carmany, C. W. Rolinson and family, Harrisburg; H. I. Lark, Esq., and wife, Mrs. Jerry Kahler, Millersburg; Maj. J. Frank Miller of Berrysburg; Rev. P. S. Hooper, Irvin J. Long and wife, Bay Shore, N.Y.

The family desires to thank the neighbors and friends for their assistance and expressions of sympathy during their sad bereavement.

Articles from Lykens Standard, 12 April 1901 and 19 April 1901.  Copies of the the complete articles are available from the Civil War Research Project.

Category: Research, Resources, Stories | Comments Off on Death & Funeral of John C. Miller
Tags: G.A.R., Lykens Borough, Miller family, Millersburg, Railroad, Regimjents, Reyman family, Wiconisco

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on September 15, 2011

This post is a continuation of the history of the Soldiers’ Monument of Schuylkill County as reported in newspapers of the time and later by Joseph H. Zerbey in his History of Pottsville and Schuylkill County Pennsylvania.

Thronged to capacity was Academy of Music, on Tuesday night 9 November 1897, when the property of the Monument Park Association was formally turned over to the keeping of the Pottsville Borough Council.  This was done at a mass meeting which tested the capacity of the building.

Prof. Frederick Gerhard’s full orchestra was present and discoursed selections while people were assembling, just prior to the opening of the program, and, also during the ceremonies.

Following a few tense moments of silence, during which the orchestra impressively rendered the “reveille”, President Snyder, as head of the Borough Council, called upon the Rev. Dr. A. R. Bartholomew, father of Mrs. U. H. Nuss, pastor of Trinity Reformed Church, who made the invocation which was replete with patriotic fervor.

Then Col. Henry Royer, president of the Pottsville Monument Association, was introduced who, in a ringing speech, formally turned over the title to the monument property, in Garfield Square, to President Snyder, as the representative head of the Borough of Pottsville.

In his eloquent and patriotic address, Col. Royer referred to the precipitation of the Civil War by the firing on Fort Sumter and its capitulation on 13 April 1861; Pres. Abraham Lincoln’s call for 75,000 volunteers, on 15 April; and the response of the First Defenders; represented by five companies, two of which, the National Light Infantry, and the Washington Artillerists, were from Pottsville.  He called attention to the fact that the Battalion of Pennsylvania Militia, the first troops to reach the nationa capital, in its defense, arived there on 18 April.  It was Co. Royer’s proud statement that, within a week, 20 more companies, from the great Commonwealth, had responded.  He said that Pennsylvania could have furnished 70,000 of the 75,000 men, asked of the entire nation by the President, had the emergency demanded it.

In speaking about the part in which Schuylkill COunty paid in furnishing men to put down the Army of the rebellion, the orator stated that, of the 530 men, who constituted the Battalion of the First Defenders, Pottsville furnished nearly half.

Showing the rare patriotism, evidenced by the people of this county, Col. Royer went on to say that, after sending two full regiments, there was organized a third regiment for service covering a three-year period.  A fourth followed until 13,000 men had been furnished.  They gave service, in the Regular Army and Navy, scattered among 102 regiments, organized from every state in Union, from Maine to California.

Col. Royer was greeted, at the finish of his address, by prolonged applause that shook the house.  Then Capt. D. C. Henning, solicitor of the municipal body, in a dignified manner, formally accepted the monument and park on behalf of the Borough of Pottsville, promising its perpetual care.

The exercises ended with the Benediction, pronounced by the Rev. Dr. John Huse Eastman, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church.  The orchestra closed the program with the “Trumpet Call” and “Taps.”

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Epilogue:

In 1951, an additional plaque was added to the Soldiers’ Monument, to honor African American, Nicholas Biddle:

The First Defenders and Nicholas Biddle of Pottsville.  First man to shed blood in the Civil War, 18 April 1861.  Erected by the Citizens of Pottsville, 18 April 1951.

The following information is from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission:

Pottsville, Schuylkill County, resident Nicholas Biddle (circa 1796-1876) was immortalized by a carte de visite for being “the first man wounded in the Great American Rebellion, Baltimore, April 18,1861.” This type of “visiting card”–mounted with a small photographic portrait–was popular from the 1860s through the 1880s. The rare carte de visite was acquired in 2008 by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission for the collections of The State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg. Museum curators believe this card was produced upon a suggestion by Pottsville newspaper publisher Benjamin Bannan (1807-1875), who proposed that copies be sold during Biddle’s appearance at the Great Central Fair in Philadelphia in 1864. The fair raised money to purchase necessities and medical supplies for Union soldiers. [The State Museum of Pennsylvania].

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A Swindle in Bricks

POTTSVILLE, Sept 27 – Schuylkill county dupes have actually been buying bricks with the promise that their names shall be carved thereon and shown in the face of the First Defenders’ monument, to be unveiled at Pottsville on Thursday.  Yet the monument, already completed, has no brick exterior.

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City to Repair Sword on Military Monument

The City of Pottsville’s Garfield Square Committee will spend $3,200 to replace a sword on the square’s Soldiers and Sailors Monument.

“It will be done this summer, but I don’t have an exact date,” City Administrator Thomas A. Palamar said last week.

A.R.T. Research Enterprises Inc., Lancaster, will be doing the work, Palamar said.

Complete story…

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This completes the history of the Soldiers’ Monument of Schuylkill County.  Any readers who would like to contribute anecdotes or other information about the monument are welcome to do so!

Category: Memorials, Resources, Stories | 1 Comment »
Tags: African American, Monument