Civil War Blog

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on April 4, 2018

A report on the attendance of more than a thousand persons for the first Lykens Valley Ku Klux Klan Field Day appeared in the Lykens Standard in 1926.

This post is a continuation of the reporting on hate groups that were active in the Lykens Valley area in the years following the Civil War.  It was a widely known fact that the third iteration of the Ku Klux Klan had a significant presence in the Lykens Valley and adjacent valleys during the early years of the 20th Century.  This third iteration of the Klan was strongly white supremacist and was opposed to equal rights for African Americans, Catholics, Jews, and immigrants.

From the Lykens Standard, 10 September 1926

KLAN DAY AT ELIZABETHVILLE ATTRACTS CROWD

ELIZABETHVILLE, 1 September 1926 — It is estimated that more than a thousand members of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan gathered in the park here on Saturday, for the Lykens Valley Field Day, the first event of its kind to be staged at this place.

During late afternoon and early evening, long lines of card from all parts of the valley began to stream into the town, and were parked in the fields surrounding the park as well as on the most of the streets of the town.

In the evening, several hundred men and women of the order, hooded, and following a float of the little red school house, moved thru the main streets of the town, with little demonstration and returned to the grove to continue their program of events.  Mr. C. B. Lewis, the order’s state head, spoke to a very large assemblage that overtaxed the grandstand and overflowed into the field surrounding the speaker’s stand to hear him explain the principles and ideals of the order.

Similar stories of this event can be found in other articles that have been previously posted on this site.  See:  Ku Klux Klan Rally in Elizabethville Attracts More Than A Thousand, 1926.

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News clipping from Newspapers.com.

Category: Research, Stories | Comments Off on Ku Klux Klan Day at Elizabethville Attracts Huge Crowd, 1926
Tags: Elizabethville, Hate

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on April 2, 2018

The death of Conrad Zimmerman in Halifax, Dauphin County, on 22 October 1930, was widely reported in area newspapers because he was the last surviving member of a G.A.R. post that had disbanded.  The portrait above was published in the Harrisburg Telegraph of 24 October 1930. What was not stated in any of the articles was that Conrad Zimmerman was not married, but for about 30 years prior to his death lived with an African American woman, Roxie Weaver, who survived him and who inherited his estate.  Roxie was younger than Conrad and did not die until 1962; she is buried next to him at the United Methodist Cemetery in Halifax.

More research needs to be done on Roxie Weaver, including her parentage which may be Joseph Weaver (1822-1890) and Rebecca [Novinger] Weaver (1826-1899), both of Halifax.

The major purpose of this blog post is to provide the text of the various news articles reporting the death of Conrad Zimmerman. Noteworthy about some of those articles is the statement that he was living with his sister, Mrs. Elizabeth [Zimmerman] Caslow, and not Roxie Weaver.  Mrs. Caslow had actually died in 1918.

From the Harrisburg Telegraph, 24 October 1930:

LAST MEMBER OF DISBANDED G.A.R. POST DIES AT 88

Halifax, 24 October 1930 — Conrad Zimmerman, the last surviving member of the once strong H. W. Slocum Post No. 523, Grand Army of the Republic, long since disbanded because of the fast thinning ranks of the Boys in Blue who bravely answered their country’s call in the Civil War of 1861-1865, has answered his final roll-call.

Mr. Zimmerman, who was born in Powl’s Valley, in 1842 had been a prominent citizen of Halifax for many years, residing at the home of his sister Mrs. H. R. Caslow on Front Street where he died on Wednesday afternoon after a week’s illness at the age of 88.

He enlisted February 1864 as a private in company D, later Company I, of the 46th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry [46th Pennsylvania Infantry], taking part in the following engagements:  Resaca, Georgia; Kenesaw [&] Peach Tree, Georgia; Averaboro, North Carolina; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Richmond, Virginia.  He was honorably discharged at the close of the war at Alexandria, Virginia.

He was a member of Charity Lodge, No. 82, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of this place for a period of fifty-six years.  He was also Past Grand and since the death of James M. Hoffman had the distinction of being the oldest member of Charity lodge.  He was also a member of Odell Rebekah Lodge No. 550, and the local Methodist Episcopal church for many years.

With the passing of Zimmerman there is but one Civil War veteran left in this community, Samuel R. Weaver, South Fourth Street.

Funeral service will be held from the residence at 2 o’clock Sunday afternoon, the Rev. M. Corwin Taylor, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church, officiating.  Full military honors will be given the veteran at the burial by members of Lloyd-Wiliam Post, No. 648, American Legion.  Members of Charity Lodge of Odd Fellow will meet at their hall at 1:30 o’clock Sunday and attend the funeral in a body to pay last tribute to their oldest member.

Nathan Zimmerman, a brother of Carsonville, his only survivor.

Note that the above article indicates that Conrad Zimmerman died at the home of his sister, Mrs. H. R. Caslow.  However, genealogical records indicate that Mrs. Elizabeth [Zimmerman] Caslow, the widow of Dr. Heinrich R. Caslow, who was killed on the railroad in April 1880, had herself died in 1918.  Note also that the obituary states that a brother Nathan was his only survivor.

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Another Harrisburg paper reported that Conrad Zimmerman was survived by his sister, Mrs. Caslow:

From the Harrisburg Sunday Courier, 26 October 1930:

TAPS SOUND FOR HALIFAX G.A.R. POST

H. W. Slocum Post, No. 523, G.A.R. Becomes But a Memory Today

Conrad Zimmerman, 88,

Last Surviving Member to Be Buried With Military Honors This Afternoon

Halifax, 25 October 1930 — When taps are sounded and the last volley is fired over the grave of Conrad Zimmerman, Civil War Veteran, this afternoon, it will also mark the passing of the once strong H. W. Slocum Post, No. 523, Grand Army of the Republic.

Mr. Zimmerman, who was the last surviving member, answered the last roll call on Wednesday at the home of his sister, Mrs. H. R. Caslow, Front Street, with whom he resided, at the age of 88 years.  Born in Powl’s Valley in 1842, he became a prominent citizen in this community and for many years was active in civic and social affairs.

He enlisted February 1864, as a Private in Company D, later Company I, of the 46th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers Infantry, taking part in the following engagements:  Resaca, Georgia; Kenesaw Peach Tree, Georgia; Averasboro, North Carolina; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Richmond, Virginia.  He was honorably discharged at the close of the war at Alexandria.

He was a member of Charity Lodge No. 82, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of this place for a period of fifty-six years.  He was also Past Grand and since the death of James M. Huffman had the distinction of being the oldest member of charity Lodge.  He was also a member of Odell Debekah Lodge No. 550, and local Methodist Episcopal Church for many years.

Funeral services will be held from the residence at 2 o’clock this afternoon, the Rev. M. Corwin Taylor, pastor of the church, officiating. Full military honors will be given the veteran at the burial by members of the Lloyd-William Post, No. 648 American Legion.  Members of the Charity Lodge will meet at their hall at 1:30 o’clock Sunday and attend the funeral in a body to pay last tribute to their oldest member.

Mr. Zimmerman is survived by his sister, Mrs. Caslow, and one brother, Nathan Zimmerman, of Carsonville.

Of the fast thinning ranks of the “Boys in Blue” who answered their country’s call back in ’61, there remains but one in this community, Samuel R. Weaver, South Fourth Street.

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Note:  The proof that Mrs. Elizabeth [Zimmerman] Caslow had died in 1918, is her death certificate, shown below from Ancestry.com.  Mrs. Caslow is buried at the United Methodist Cemetery in Halifax and her grave marker reflects the 1918 date of death.

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The Harrisburg Telegraph of 23 October 1930 had previously reported that Conrad Zimmerman had died at his home, his deceased sister was not mentioned, and the brother Nathan was named as the only survivor.  The text of the 23 October 1930 article follows here:

CONRAD ZIMMERMAN

Halifax, 23 October 1930 — Funeral services for Conrad Zimmerman, 88, who died yesterday morning at his home will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the home with the Rev. Corwin Taylor, pastor of the Methodist Church officiating, assisted by the Rev. H. C. Mathias, pastor of the United Brethren Church.  Burial will be in the Halifax Cemetery.  The body may be viewed at the home on Saturday evening after 7 o’clock.

Mr. Zimmerman is survived by a brother, Nathan Zimmerman, of Carsonville.  He was a member of Company I, 46th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers under Captain Joseph Matchett and received his honorable discharge on 16 Jul 1865.

Mr. Zimmerman was the oldest past noble grand of Charity Lodge, No. 82, I. O. O. F., of Halifax; a member of Rebecca Lodge, No. 250; and the Methodist Church.

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From the local newspapers, the Elizabethville Echo was first to report the following on 20 October 1930.  The Echo erroneously noted that the sister, Mrs. Carson, was a survivor.

Halifax G.A.R. Vet Buried Sunday

Funeral services for Conrad Zimmerman, age 88 years, who died at his home in Halifax last Wednesday, were held at two o’clock, Sunday afternoon.  Rev. Corwin Taylor, pastor of the Halifax Methodist Church officiated and interment was made in the cemetery at that place.  A brother, Nathan Zimmerman of Carsonville, and a sister, Mrs. H. R. Carson, with whom he made his home are the only survivors.

Mr. Zimmerman was a native of Powls Valley and was born in 1842.

He enlisted February 1864 and served during the war with the  46th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, which saw active service and participated in engagements in Kenesaw, Averasboro, Raleigh, North Carolina, and Virginia.  He received an honorable discharge at the end of the war.

Mr. Zimmerman was affiliated with the Halifax lodge of Odd Fellows for fifty-six years and was its oldest member.  He was also a member of the Methodist Church of that town for many years.

Members of the Halifax American Legion Post accorded the veteran full military honors at the grave and members of the Halifax lodge of Odd Fellows attended the services in a body.  Mr. Zimmerman’s death leaves but one Civil War veteran as a resident of Halifax, he being Samuel R. Weaver.

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Four days later, 214 October 1930, the Lykens Standard got it right as to the survivors:

OLDEST RESIDENT DIES IN HALIFAX

Conrad Zimmerman, a Civil War veteran and the oldest resident of Halifax, died Wednesday morning at his home.  He was 88 years old.

He was a member of Company I, 46th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers under command of Capt. Joseph Matchett, and served throughout the war, receiving his honorable discharge on 16 July 1865.

Mr. Zimmerman was the oldest past noble grand, Charity Lodge, No. 82, I. O. O. F. of Halifax; a member of Rebecca Lodge, No. 250; and the Halifax Methodist Church.

Surviving is one brother, Nathan Zimmerman of Carsonville.

Funeral services will be held at the home Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock. The Rev. Corwin Taylor, pastor of the Halifax Methodist Church, assisted by the Rev. H. C. Mathias, pastor of the Halifax United Brethren Church, will officiate.  Burial will be in the Halifax Cemetery.

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The final, but official report of the death of Conrad Zimmerman comes from his death certificate, which was filed 26 October 1930 in Dauphin County.

By clicking on the certificate, shown above from Ancestry.com, it can be seen clearly that the informant was Miss Roxie Weaver– the actual person he was living with at the time of his death!  Miss Weaver did not know the names of Conrad’s parents, but she did know his birth date.

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News clippings are from Newspapers.com.

Category: Research, Stories | Comments Off on Conrad Zimmerman – Last G.A.R. Member of Halifax
Tags: African American, Carsonville, G.A.R., Halifax, Powell's Valley

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on March 30, 2018

Lazarus Zerbe, also known as Zerby, died in September 1905 in Williamstown, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.  According to his grave marker in the United Methodist Cemetery in Williamstown, he served in the 17th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company H, as a Private.  Confirmation of this service is found in the Pennsylvania Archives, but the service was in the militia regiment called for the Emergency of 1862.  His actual service was from 17 September 1862 to 28 September 1862.  He enrolled at Tremont, Schuylkill County, and was discharged at the end of the emergency.  No other Civil War service has been located for him in any of the databases available on line, including Fold3 and those databases available on Ancestry.com.

The obituary of Lazarus Zerbe appeared in the Lykens Standard, 15 September 1905.  However, that obituary reported a different regiment of service, the 61st Pennsylvania Infantry.  Thus far in researching this veteran, no confirmation has been seen that he served in that regiment – including in the regimental muster rolls.

DEATHS AND FUNERALS

LAZARUS ZERBY

As was stated in our Williamstown correspondence last week, the above aged citizen of that place died at 7 o’clock Tuesday evening of last week, of bladder disease, from which he had been a sufferer for a long time, although he was able to follow his employment, that of a carpenter, until 1 August, when he came home ill from the colliery. Deceased was born in Berks County, 10 June 1827. He was one of 16 children, 8 of whom survive him, some in Indiana and Illinois, where they went with their parents when quite young.  After growing to manhood deceased returned to this State and located at Tremont.

At 22 years of age he married Louisa Updegrove at Reading, Rev. Yost performing the ceremony.  To this union eight children were born, four of which survive:  Mrs. August Kuehn and Mrs. Edward Rautzen, of Williamstown; John Zerby of Altoona; and Oscar Zerby, of Lancaster.

Deceased was one of the oldest residents of Williamstown, having lived there 57 years.  Near the close of the War of the Rebellion he enlisted in the 61st Pennsylvania Volunteers [61st Pennsylvania Infantry] and served until hostilities ceased.  His wife died ten years ago, since which time he made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Edward Rautzen.

The funeral took place at 2 o’clock Friday, the services being conducted at his late home by Rev. R. W. Mottern, and interment was made in the Methodist Episcopal Cemetery.  Joseph Jones, John Messersmith, Moses Shaefer, William Warlow, James Baird, and John Kessler were the pallbearers, and R. W. Day the funeral director.

Deceased is survived by 4 children, 14 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and the following brothers and sisters:  Michael Zerby, John Zerby, David Zerby, Sarah Zerby, Louisa Zerby, Molly Zerby, Emma Zerby, and Freeda Zerby.

The following from a distance attended the funeral:  John Zerby of Altoona; Oscar Zerby of Lancaster; Arthur Rautzen wife and children of Lykens; Emanuel Updegrove and wife of Sacramento; Aaron Updegrove and wife and Richard Updegrove, Tremont; Mrs. Beecher and Mrs. L. Henry, Philadelphia; Robert Evans and wife, George Evans and wife, Johnstown; Mrs. Mace, Bearmont; Mrs. Albert Evans Reinerton; Mrs. Harry Witmer, Mrs. George Witmer, Wiconisco; Mrs. Claude Kaufman, Tower City; Mrs. Ella English, Tower City; Mrs. Verna Kocher, Harrisburg.

The family desire to thank all their friends for their kind assistance during the illness and after the death of their father.

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News article from Newspapers.com.

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Tags: Lykens Borough, Reinerton, Sacramento, Tower City, Tremont, Wiconisco, Williamstown

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on March 28, 2018

According to her death certificate, Emma [Hoffman] Yentch died on 5 January 1908 in Lykens, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, of pneumonia.  She was the widow of Frederick Yentch, a Civil War veteran who died in Lykens on 11 September 1885. Her obituary, which appeared in the Lykens Standard, 10 January 1908, told of her role in community activities in Lykens, as well as giving a great deal of detail about her family:

MRS. EMMA YENTCH

Mrs. Emma Yentch, relict of the late Frederick Yentch, died at her home on West Main Street at 11:30 a.m. Sunday after an illness of four days with pneumonia, aged 64 years old, 1 month and 10 days.  She was a native of Germany and came to this country when nine years of age, locating at Trevorton.  After residing a few years at that place she came to Lykens and has lived here ever since.  In 1859 she married Frederick Yentch, the union being blessed with eleven children, three of whom preceded her in death, as did her husband who died 11 September 1885.

The surviving children are Mrs. F. H. Coles (Annie Yentch), of Erie, Pennsylvania; Mrs. George W. Driver (Katie Yentch), of Philadelphia; Mrs. Albert J. Williams (Lizzie Yentch), of Youngstown, Ohio; William C. Yentch and Frank J. Yentch of Harrisburg; Edward Yentch and John Yentch, at home; and Henry Yentch of Youngstown, Ohio.  She is also survived by one brother and one sister, M. M. Hoffman of town, and Mrs. Charles Heck of Shamokin.  There are ten grandchildren.  All the children came home to attend the funeral.

Deceased has been a member of the Lutheran Church for forty years.  About eight years ago she was stricken with paralysis which rendered her helpless, and since that time she has sat in a chair.  Despite her affliction, she never uttered a word of complaint, but was always in a cheerful mood and had a smile for all.

The funeral took place at 2 o’clock Wednesday afternoon. Services were held in Zion Lutheran Church by the pastor, C. M. Nicholas, assisted by Rev. H. E. Hildt of the Evangelical Association.  Interment was made in the Odd Fellows Cemetery.

The Woman’s Relief Corps, of which she was a member, presented the slumber robe; the children and sister, pillow and sheaf of wheat; Charles Lebo and wife, bouquet of roses; Mrs. Richard Noble, bouquet of roses.

The following relatives and friends from out of town attended the funeral:  Mrs. Charlesworth, D. Stein and wife, Tower City; John Hoffman and wife, Williamstown; James Hoffman, Sunbury; Harry Hoffman, Harrisburg.

To the dear friends and neighbors who so kindly assisted them in life’s greatest trial and those who so deftly wove together the beautiful flowers, the family tender their sincere thanks.  Also to the minister and the choir.

Frederick Yentch, also found in the records as Yantsh, Yantsch, and Yentsch, as well as other variations, was born in Prussia, Germany 10 April 1826.  In 1865, he enrolled at Harrisburg in the 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry, Company F, as a Private.

At the time of his enrollment (as shown on the veterans’ card from the Pennsylvania Archives), Frederick Yentch was 38 years old.  There was some confusion between his actual age and the age on the muster rolls which give his age as 26, but can be assumed that the 26 represented his birth year of 1826, not his age.  He claimed to be a miner who resided in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.  He stood 5 foot, 9 inches tall, had sandy hair, a sandy complexion, and gray eyes.  On 5 March 1865, he was mustered into service at Harrisburg.  In a regimental consolidation which took place on 24 July 1865, he transferred into the 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry, Company F, at the same rank.  Subsequently, he was honorably discharged on 11 September 1865.

In the 1880 census for Lykens, Frederick reported his occupation as coal miner.  He family included five children.

As previously stated, Frederick Yentch died on 11 September 1885.  He is buried in the Odd Fellow’s Cemetery (I.O.O.F.) at Lykens.

On 8 July 1887, the family of Frederick Yentch applied for a government-issued grave marker.  According to all information available, the stone was delivered, but no photograph has been seen of it, including on the Findagrave Memorial for him.  The card shown above was obtained from Ancestry.com.

There is a piece of information missing in regard to the military service of Frederick Yentch.  Did he apply for a pension, and after his death, did his widow apply?  If she was a member of the local Woman’s Relief Corps, she certainly would have known about her right to receive widow’s benefits, yet no record has been seen that she even applied.

Finally, it must be noted that the name of Frederick Yentch does appear on the Lykens G.A.R. Monument, although there is a misspelling.  This fact was previously noted here on 20 December 2011.

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Tags: G.A.R., Lykens, Tower City, Williamstown

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on March 26, 2018

Rev. John Winebrenner was a Reformed minister who broke with his denomination over among other things, the issue of human slavery, on which he was an uncompromising opponent.  His views surely were known in the Lykens Valley in the days before the Civil War began.  He died on 12 September 1860 and is buried in the Harrisburg Cemetery.

A biographical sketch of him appeared in the Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County:

Rev. John Winebrenner was born in Frederick County, Maryland, 24 March 1797.  He was partly educated at the Glades School in Frederick, and partly at Dickinson College, Carlisle.  He studied for the ministry under the Rev. Mr. Helfenstein, in Philadelphia, and was ordained by the Potomac Synod of the Reformed Church in September 1820, at Hagerstown.

That year he was called to the Salem Church at Harrisburg, at the same time ministering to Shoop’s, Wenrick’s and the Freiden’s churches in the neighborhood.

It was during his pastorate that the present church edifice, Third and Chestnut Streets, was erected.  Mr. Winebrenner ministered here from 22 October 1820 to 23 March 1823, when owing to his religious views on revivals, Sunday Schools, anti-slavery and the temperance movement, with the allowing of non-ordained persons to preach in his pulpit, becoming obnoxious to his congregation, a separation took place.  In a number of pamphlets he issued, Mr. Winebrenner vigorously defended his principles from the attacks made right and left by his opponents, and he did not cease therefore “to preach the word.”  Subsequently, his energies were devoted to the establishment of a new denomination, called by him the Church of God, but known in early years as Winebrennarians.  He met with remarkable success, and although but fifty years have passed since the Rev. John Winebrenner promulgated the doctrines of baptism by immersion and the washing of feet, the ministers of that church number probably five hundred, and the membership well on to sixty thousand.

Mr. Winebrenner was the author of a number of religious and controversial works, those on “Regeneration,” “Brief Views of the Church of God,” and a volume of “Practical and Doctrinal Sermons” being the more important.  He edited for several years the Gospel Publisher, now the Church Advocate. In the early years of his ministry he was an uncompromising opponent of human slavery.  The Rev. Mr. Winebrenner died at Harrisburg, on 12 September 1860, at the age of sixty-three.  Over his remains in the Harrisburg Cemetery, the denomination have erected a handsome monument.

The Archives at Dickinson College has also posted a biographical sketch of him which includes the following:

Winebrenner began his ministry soon after, being appointed pastor of four churches in the Harrisburg area. His enthusiastic style, which included favor of revivals and outdoor services, tolerance for neighboring Methodist pastors, and vigorous preaching against theatres, balls, lotteries, gambling, horse racing and, above all, slavery, soon caused dissention within his congregation. By March 1823 he had been locked out of his church – the Stone Church in Shiremanstown – by his own flock and had become estranged from his Synod. In September 1828 he was removed from the Reformed Church.

He continued to preach, however, and by October 1830 had founded his own conservative evangelical denomination he called the “Church of God.” Around six feet tall and an impressive orator, his sect grew in the Harrisburg area. He also became very active in the anti-slavery movement and aided in forming the first Anti-Slavery Society of Harrisburg in January 1836, represented it at the State Convention, and later served as its Corresponding Secretary.

Finally, the United Church of Christ has published a more detailed biographical sketch which goes into greater depth on his anti-slavery views.  Some selections follow here:

Like many other religious leaders of American history during “the Second Great Awakening,” Winebrenner considered moral and social reform a natural concern of the church. He believed that the best way to effect a better society was through moral suasion of persons, not through political action. Among the reform movements he supported were antislavery, temperance, and peace.

His first antislavery activity was supporting the colonization movement, an effort to establish African colonies for freed slaves. Like many other nineteenth century reformers, he eventually became dissatisfied with this effort and joined the abolitionist movement. He became the manager of the newly formed Harrisburg Anti-Slavery Society in 1836 and later was elected corresponding secretary. Speaking for the Church of God in 1844, he said that it “believes the system or institution of slavery to be impolitic and un-Christian.”

In his espousal of reform views on slavery, temperance, and peace, Winebrenner often ran counter to the popular opinion of the nation and even the Church of God. It took time before the members of the denomination accepted his reform positions as their own. For example, in 1857, when Winebrenner urged a more tolerant attitude toward slaveholders, with the hope of persuading them of the evils of slavery and preventing a civil war, he was loudly condemned for his views by church leaders….

John Winebrenner was at times idealistic and unbending, but he was also practical. Perhaps our greatest affinity with him can be that amid all the controversies and problems surrounding his life, he took time to speak out for peace and justice.

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