Civil War Blog

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on June 25, 2018

When John Athey died in 1908, the West Schuylkill Herald printed a brief obituary of him in its 24 January 1908 edition, but failed to mention that he was a Civil War Veteran:

DONALDSON DOTS

John Athey Sr., for many years supervisor of Frailey Township, and a highly respected citizen, died on Thursday evening after a few days illness of pneumonia.  Deceased was 66 years of age.  He is survived by his wife and two daughters, Mrs. D. Stover, of Philadelphia, and Mrs. George Koerper, of Pottsville, and one son, George Athey of Lebanon.  The funeral took place on Sunday morning at 10 o’clock and was largely attended.

The Civil War record of John Athey can be found at the Pennsylvania Archives under the name John Arthey.  According to the index card, at the age of 20, on 22 April 1861, John enrolled in the 6th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company G, at Llewellyn, and was mustered in as a Private the same day at Harrisburg.  He gave his occupation as miner and his residence as Donaldson.  Upon completion of his three months of services, he was honorably discharged in 1861.

According to information he gave the 1890 Census, his discharge occurred on 26 July 1861.

The Pension Record Card (above), found at Fold3, notes that he applied for an invalid pension on 1 August 1890, for service only in the 6th Pennsylvania Infantry.  After his death, his widow applied.  The death date is not given on the Fold3 card.

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News clipping from Newspapers.com.

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Tags: Donaldson, Frailey Township, Llewellyn

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on June 22, 2018

During the Civil War, Daniel Paul served as a Private in the 130th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company H.  After the Civil War, he moved to Michigan, but kept in touch with his Lykens Valley friends and relatives via correspondence to the editor of the Lykens newspaper.

Two results of that correspondence from the year 1908 are reported below:

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Daniel Paul of Constantine, Michigan, who was visiting relatives and friends in this section. Left Tuesday to call on friends in the South, after which he will return to his home on the 6^th of April, so as to be in time to vote for Roosevelt or Taft.

Lykens Standard, 20 March 1908.

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Daniel Paul of Constantine, Michigan, who recently returned to his home after an extended visit to relatives and friends in this section and other parts of Pennsylvania, writes under the date of the 1st inst. As follows:

EDITOR STANDARD – Just returned from a six weeks’ trip through Indiana and Southwestern Michigan, and in fulfillment of my promise to you, and for the information of the many friends with whom I became acquainted on my trip, I submit the following:  I went down to Laporte, Indiana, and visited the Gunnes Farm, one mile north of the city, where that woman is supposed to have killed a number of people.  I arrived there a few days after the house was burned and saw the dead and mutilated bodies, nine in all, and they presented an awful sight, the scene reminding one of a battle field on a small scale.  There were thousands of people there, coming and going continually from a hundred miles around.  I went back to South Bend and visited two of my first cousins (formerly of Armstrong Valley), Samuel Bender who went to Buchanan 41 years ago, but moved to South Bend 17 years ago; and Isaac Keiter, who is married to Mr. Bender’s sister Susan.  They are both doing fine and own valuable property.  After a stay of two weeks with them I went down to Marion where my son, C. E. Paul, has been stationed for 11 years.  He is still in the employ of the Government.  Was there two weeks and then went 48 miles west to Logansport and visited Samuel Cogley, who lives six miles west of this city.  He was also a former resident of Paul’s Valley, and is a brother-in-law to John Enders.  He went west in 1869, and is a wealthy farmer now.  I then went up to South Bend and from there to St. Joseph, Michigan, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Bender and daughters.  St. Joseph is located in the southwestern part of Michigan on the shore of Lake Michigan, and is a very beautiful place.  From St. Joseph I went to Mishawak, thence to Elkhart, and from there to Constantine, to which place I moved in 1867.  I have seen the best crops of hay and wheat in this section I ever saw in my life.  There are not many apples, but lots of peaches, pears and smaller fruit, and farmers are happy.  The weather is fine for hay making and harvesting, although we have heavy showers occasionally.  Some farmers are cutting their wheat, some are making hay and some are ploughing corn, so that with the various farm duties you can see that they are kept quite busy.  I take this method of answering a good many letters I promised to write to individuals, and hope they may see this and excuse me for not writing them personally.

Lykens Standard, 17 July 1908.

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Stories of the murders at LaPorte, Indiana, can be found by searching in Indiana newspapers of May 1908.  See:  Newspapers.com.  One of the best is found in the Indianapolis News of 8 May 1908.

News articles on Daniel Paul from Newspapers.com.  This series will continue up through the death of Daniel Paul, which occurred in Lykens in 1911.

Special thanks to Debby Rabold, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for discovering these articles about her relative.

Category: Research, Stories | Comments Off on The Travels of Daniel Paul, 1908
Tags: Lykens, Powell's Valley

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on June 20, 2018

During the Civil War, Daniel Paul served as a Private in the 130th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company H.  After the Civil War, he moved to Michigan, but kept in touch with his Lykens Valley friends and relatives via correspondence to the editor of the Lykens newspaper.

Six results of that correspondence from the year 1907 are reported below:

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Daniel Paul, of Constantine, Michigan, who has been visiting friends in this section since last December, was a caller at the Standard office Tuesday.  Mr. Paul, who formerly resided in Armstrong Valley, cane east for the benefit of his health, and several weeks ago decided to take a trip to the south, with the result that he finally landed in Havana, Cuba.  He spent some time in Miami, Florida, which he describes as very beautiful.  He also enjoyed his visit to “the Pearl of the Antilles,” and thinks of paying the island a visit again next winter.

Lykens Standard, 22 February, 1907.

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Daniel Paul of Constantine, Michigan, bid his final adieu to his many friends and neighbors and left for his Western home recuperated, and highly pleased with his visit to his old home.

Lykens Standard, 8 March 1907.

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Daniel Paul of Constantine, Michigan, who has been visiting relatives and friends in this section and other parts of the State since last December, called to bid us good-bye Tuesday before leaving for Harrisburg on the following day, from which point he will leave for his home next week.

Lykens Standard, 29 March 1907

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Letter From Daniel Paul

EDITORS STANDARD – On my return home I thought I would write a few lines to inform you, and through your valuable paper my many friends, of my safe arrival in my usual health.  I left Harrisburg on the 4^th inst. And went to Marion, Indiana, where I stayed with the boys until the 12^th.  On arriving at my home in Constantine, Michigan, I found everything all right except the weather, which is cold, the ground freezing every night.  I do not think any damage has resulted, however, as the fruit has not started yet.  Farmers are doing their plowing whenever they get a chance, but it is a very late Spring.  Where, oh where is that all-wise and deceitful weather prophet, and the groundhog?  I think people ought to make war on them as well as on grafters or any other fraud.

There sill be lots of business here this summer in spite of the anti-Roosevelts and the Thaw trial.  I wish I were about a thousand miles further South while this weather lasts.  It snowed last night and today the ground is covered but it is melting fast.

High prices are realized here this Spring for all farm products.  Hogs bring $6.25 live weight.  My son-in-law now has 265 fine big ones and some small ones.  He sold his sheep (800) two weeks ago at $9.20 in Buffalo.  Butter is 25c, eggs 14c and corn 45c.  Common labor commands $1.75 for ten hours’ work and there’s no sale for Billy Bryan stock.

I traveled over 5,300 miles since the 15^th of last December, all alone, which was quite an undertaking; especially my trip through the South and to Cuba.

Hoping you are all well, and with best wishes for my friends in Pennsylvania, I remain,

Yours truly,

DANIEL PAUL.

Constantine, Michigan, 19 April 1907.

Lykens Standard, 26 April 1907.

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Daniel Paul of Constantine, Michigan, who is visiting relatives and friends in this section, was a caller at the Standard office the latter part of last week.  Mr. Paul has disposed of his interests at Constantine and is traveling about the country in quest of health.

Lykens Standard, 9 August 1907.

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Daniel Paul of Constantine, Michigan, who is spending some time with relatives and friends in this section, left for the Jamestown Exposition on Saturday.

Lykens Standard, 20 September 1907.

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News articles from Newspapers.com.  This series will continue up through the death of Daniel Paul, which occurred in Lykens in 1911.

Special thanks to Debby Rabold, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for discovering these articles about her relative.

Category: Research, Stories | Comments Off on The Travels of Daniel Paul, 1907
Tags: Lykens

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on June 18, 2018

The Lykens Standard reported on the final illness and death of Jacob Alvord in its last two editions of March 1907.  Alvord, a Civil War veteran and former postmaster of Lykens Borough, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, died on 21 March 1907.

Seriously Sick

As we go to press (Thursday noon) Jacob Alvord of Market Street, is nigh unto death’s door.  For the past two weeks he has been confined to his bed with cerosis of the liver, and three days ago pneumonia developed.  His death is momentarily expected.  Lykens Standard, 22 March1907

In the same edition, another column told of the summoning of four of his children:

Miss Lucy Alvord, of Tennessee, Mrs. Charles E. Mosser of Hughesville, and Mrs. Otto C . Burkhardt of Bethlehem, who were summoned here on account of the serious illness of their father, Jacob Alvord, arrived Friday of last week.

J. M. Alvord of Youngstown, Ohio, who was summoned here on account f the serious illness of his father, Jacob Alvord of Market Street, arrived Tuesday evening, but on account of pressing business matters had to leave again the next day.

The obituary of Jacob Alvord appeared the following week, 29 March 1907:

DEATHS AND FUNERALS

The death of Jacob Alvord of Market Street, whose serious illness with cerosis of the liver and pneumonia was mentioned in these columns last week, occurred Thursday, 21 March [1907] at 11 p.m. on his 70th birthday.  The funeral was held at 3 p.m. Sunday and was largely attended.  Heilner Post, No. 232, G.A.R., assisted by M. M. Hoffman Camp, Sons of Veerans, had charge of the ceremonies.  Delegations from Williamstown and Tower City Posts were also present, and Wiconisco Lodge, No. 533, I.O.O.F., which deceased was also a member, attended in a body, performing part of their ceremonies at the grave, and furnished the following pallbearers:  J. M. Miller, J. J. John, J. W. Johns, T. A. Hensel, J. N. Baker, and F. J. Douden.  The services were held at his late home and were conducted by Rev. L. M. Fetterolf of Christ Reformed Church, assisted by Rev. C. J. Kilgour of Christ Episcopal Church.  The body was laid to rest in Odd Fellows’ Cemetery with full military honors.

Deceased served in the Civil War of 1861-1865 as follows:  26 April 1861, enlisted in Company F, Tenth Pennsylvania Volunteers (3 months) [10th Pennsylvania Infantry] as 1st Lieutenant, E. G. Savage, Captain; discharged 30 July 1861.  Re-enlisted, 23 September 1861, as Sergeant in Company G, Ninety-Sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers [96th Pennsylvania Infantry], James Douden, Captain; discharged for purposes of re-enlisting on 14 February 1864, near Brandy Station, Virginia; was wounded at Spottsylvania, 10 May 1864, and sent to the hospital where he was finally discharged on account of wounds received, having participated in 27 different engagements.

Deceased married Lucy Hoffman of this place, 8 March 1864, who with the following daughters survive:  Florence Alvord, Mrs. E. B. Camp, of Salt Lick, Kentucky; Mrs. Otto C. Burkhardt of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; Minnie Alvord, Mrs. Charles E. Mosser of Hughesville, Pennsylvania; and Miss Lucy Alvord, at home.  He is also survived by one son, Jacob M. Alvord, of Youngstown, Ohio.  There are three grandchildren.

Deceased has resided here many years and was postmaster about 12 years, being first appointed under President Harrison’s administration.  His occupation was that of an engineer, and for a number of years he ran one of the small engines used to haul the coal from the mines here to Millersburg.  During the latter years of his life, however, he was employed as a stationery engineer and pump runner at the collierie in this section.  He was possessed of considerable musical ability, played the violin well and was one of the few surviving members of the old Lykens Silver Cornet Band.  He was also a great sportsman and a member of the Mountain Brook Gun Club of this place.

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News clippings from Newspapers.com.

Category: Research, Stories | 1 Comment »
Tags: G.A.R., Lykens Borough, Millersburg, Tower City, Wiconisco, Williamstown

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on June 15, 2018

During the Civil War, Daniel Paul served as a Private in the 130th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company H.  After the Civil War, he moved to Michigan, but kept in touch with his Lykens Valley friends and relatives via correspondence to the editor of the Lykens newspaper.

Two results of that correspondence from the year 1906 are reported below:

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Note:  There was no correspondence from 1905.

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Death of a Former Jackson Township Lady

Sarah A. Straw was born in Jackson Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, 16 January 1844, and was there married in October 1864, to Daniel Paul.  They moved to Constantine, Michigan, 13 May 1867, at which place she died 25 September 1906, at 8 p.m., aged 62 years, 6 months, and 9 days.  Deceased was stricken with paralysis 14 May 1904, leaving her permanently speechless and an invalid.

She is survived by her husband and three children:  Charles E. Paul and Frank L. Paul, of Marion, Indiana; and Mrs. William H. Munson of Constantine, Michigan.  A daughter, Emma R. Paul, died 25 November 1899.  Deceased was a member of Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church of Constantine.

Funeral services were conducted at the residence by Rev. J. C. Upton at 1 p.m. Friday, 28 September, and interment was made in Constantine Cemetery.

Lykens Standard, 5 October 1906.

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Personal

Daniel Paul of Constantine, Michigan, is visiting friends in this section.

Lykens Standard, 28 Dec 1906

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News articles from Newspapers.com.  This series will continue up through the death of Daniel Paul, which occurred in Lykens in 1911.

Special thanks to Debby Rabold, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for discovering these articles about her relative.

Category: Research, Stories | Comments Off on The Travels of Daniel Paul, 1906
Tags: Jackson Township, Lykens