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Civil War Blog

A project of PA Historian

Thomas Romberger – Draftee in 172nd Pennsylvania Infantry with Dalmatia Connection?

Posted By on January 31, 2018

Thomas Romberger was first added to the Project when he was named in the Dalmatia Bicentennial Book.  A second post mentioning him on 26 April 2012 stated that his regiment and company of service had not yet been identified.  Additional research found that he was drafted and served in the 172nd Pennsylvania Infantry, Company C, as a Private, from 28 October 1862 through 1 August 1863, but his connection to Dalmatia is difficult to establish.  However, there is no other Thomas Romberger (or Rumberger) who could have been a Civil War soldier.

If Thomas Romberger who served in the 172nd Pennsylvania Infantry is correctly identified, then it appears that he was the son of Peter Romberger (1795-1873) and Catherine [Bellis] Romberger (1796-1884) of Perry County, Pennsylvania.  Thomas was born 23 August 1835 and died 14 Mar 1892.  He married Elizabeth Bitterman (1838-1923) and with her had at least eight children.

 

The Pension Index Card at the top of this post, from Fold3, shows that the Thomas Rumberger who served in the 172nd Pennsylvania Infantry, first applied for a pension on 5 November 1887.  He died on 14 March 1892.  The second Pension Index Card, above from Ancestry.com, indicates that the widow, Elizabeth Rumberger, applied for benefits on 8 April 1892.

Thomas Romberger is found in the 1850 census of Wiconisco Township, Dauphin County, living with his parents and siblings, where the father Peter Romberger was engaged in farming.  This census confirms that Thomas belongs in the Civil War Research Project, although it does not explain why he has been included in the Dalmatia list.

The grave marker image above, from Findagrave, shows the family burial plot for Thomas Rumberger and shows his G.A.R.-Flag Holder star.  The grave is located in the Locust Run Cemetery in Juniata County, Pennsylvania.

Addition information is sought about this Thomas Romberger (or Thomas Rumberger) who is named in the Dalmatia Bicentennial Book, specifically, his connection to Dalmatia, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania.

 

Ku Klux Klan Gather at Funeral of Simon Nelson in Tower City, 1925

Posted By on January 29, 2018

Simon Peter Nelson was born on 23 October 1878, in Orwin, Porter Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, the son of John Nelson, an immigrant from Germany, and his wife, Rebecca [Heberling] Nelson, who was born in Pennsylvania.  He was a coal miner.  He died on 26 February 1925, killed accidentally by a crush of falling coal.  Ironically, as the son of an immigrant, he chose to support the views of the Ku Klux Klan and rose to be one of the Schuylkill County leaders of the Klan.  Thus, the Klan turned out in force for his funeral.

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, 6 March 1925:

K. K. K. ATTENDED FUNERAL AT TOWER CITY

Members of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan of this vicinity attended the funeral of Mr. Nelson held at Tower City last Sunday.  More than 700 from every section throughout Dauphin and Schuylkill County attended in regalia, not wearing the hood.

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News clipping from Newspapers.com.

More Lykens Valley Ku Klux Klan Events Needing Further Research

Posted By on January 26, 2018

Today’s post presents some events involving the Ku Klux Klan that were reported in the Lykens Standard.  Each event needs further research.

The above photograph was published in the Lykens Standard on 31 July 1925 along with three other photographs of the funeral of James Spangler, all showing hooded Klansmen marching in Lykens Borough in remembrance of Spangler, who was a member and leader of the Lykens Klan.  He was killed in a mine accident a few days earlier.

The 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.

Those who allowed their names to be used in the newspaper had to know that they were supporting a group that was under investigation at the time by both federal and state authorities for criminal behavior, including intimidation and murder.

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From the Spring Glen news column of the Lykens Standard, 11 November 1927:

The pupils of the Hubley Township High School take this means of thanking the Junior Klan for the flag presented to the school on Friday evening.

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From the Lykens Standard, 8 January 1926:

The Tri K Girls of the Ku Klux Klan of Lykens and Williamstown, held a masquerade New Year’s party at Williamstown.  It was well attended.

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From the Gratz news column of the Lykens Standard, 31 July 1925:

The Klan meeting was largely attended on Saturday evening.

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From the Carsonville news column of the Lykens Standard, 31 July 1925:

Quite a number of folks of this place attended the Klan demonstration at Gratz, Saturday evening.

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From the Spring Glen news column of the Lykens Standard, 3 October 1924:

Curtin Miller and family of Joliett, attended the Klan meeting Saturday evening.

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From the Williamstown news column of the Lykens Standard, 10 October 1924:

A large number from here attended the Klan demonstration at Gratz on Saturday.

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From the Spring Glen news column of the Lykens Standard, 29 May 1925:

K. K. K. to Attend Service

On 7 June 1925, at 2:00 p.m, a special service will be held when the Ku Klux Klan will attend the service.  A prominent speaker will be in attendance and deliver an address.

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From the Spring Glen news column of the Lykens Standard, 24 October 1924:

Quite a few people from town witnessed the Klan parade at Tower City on Saturday evening.

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From the Lykens Standard, 8 January 1926:

Harry Shomper and Bud Miller attended the annual Ku Klux Klan convention at Harrisburg, 1, 2, 3 January 1926.

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From the Valley View news column of the Lykens Standard, 26 September 1924:

A number of our citizens were in attendance at the Klan meeting held at Lebanon on Saturday, 20 September 1924.  They left on the P. R. R. train from Good Springs.

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From the Lykens Standard, 26 March 1926:

The Tri K Club of the Ku Klux Klan of this place held a party on Friday, 19 March 1926.  It was well attended.

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From news events of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Williamstown as reported in the Lykens Standard, 5 August 1927:

METHODIST EPISCOPAL, Williamstown, the Rev. W. Sands Fox, minister — ….

7 P.M. worship, patriotic service, sermon theme, “Four Supports of an Enduring Democracy.”  The Klan Auxiliary have requested the minister to preach to them.  They will be the guests for this service.

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From the Wiconisco News Items of Interest column of the Lykens Standard, 14 August 1925:

Quite a number of town folks attended the Klan celebration at Washington, D.C., Saturday.

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From the Lykens Standard, 7 March 1924:

The Ku Klux Klan made a recent visit to Halifax where they set up and lit a cross at the corner of Second and Market Street at about 10:30 at night.  After the ignition of the cross, the machine went north along the State Highway and fired Roman candles to arouse the townspeople.

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From news events of the Lykens Valley United Brethren Parish, reported in the Lykens Standard, 27 March 1925:

LYKENS VALLEY U. B. PARISH, the Rev. Clint S. Miller, pastor — REIGLE’S, 9 A.M., Sunday School; 10 A.M., Sermon;  BERRYSBURG, 1:30 P.M., Sunday School; 7:15 P.M., Discourse, “The Klan — Why?”

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From the Carsonville news column of the Lykens Standard, 17 July 1925:

Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Hackenberg and daughter Erma Hackenberg accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Enders spent Saturday at Lebanon at the Klan meeting.

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From the Carsonville news column of the Lykens Standard, 22 May 1925:

Quite a number of this place attended the Klan meeting at Enterline Church Saturday.  The meeting was a great success.

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From the Lykens Standard, 24 September 1926:

Mr. and Mrs. George Lebo, daughter Mary Lebo, Mr. and Mrs. Clair Zimmerman and children, Mr. and Mrs. Dewey Lebo, son Reed Lebo, Miss Mary Lebo, Roy Lebo and Darvin Dimpsey attended the Ku Klux Klan concert at Millersburg, Saturday evening.

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From the Fisherville news column of the Lykens Standard, 10 October 1924:

Guy Noblit, Harry Noblit, Mary Kerstetter, May Hoffman, Anna Hoffman, Frank Hoffman, and Lizzie Rissinger attended the Klan meeting at the Gratz Fair Grounds on Saturday evening.

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From the Carsonville news column of the Lykens Standard, 10 October 1924:

A number of people from this vicinity attended the Klan meeting at Gratz, Saturday evening.

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From the Lykens Standard, 27 February 1925:

A banquet was given in honor of the Junior Knights of the Ku Klux Klan of Lykens by the Junior Klan of Tower City on 21 February 1925.  After dinner, music and speeches were enjoyed by the boys.

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From news events of the Lykens Valley United Brethren Parish, reported in the Lykens Standard, 30 October 1925:

LYKENS VALLEY U. B. PARISH, the Rev. Clint S. Miller, pastor — KILLINGER, Sunday School, 1 P.M.; 2 P.M., Flag Presentation by the Klan; FORNEY’S Sunday School, 9 A.M.; 7 P.M. Flag Presentation by the Klan.

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From the Wiconisco News Items of Interest column of the Lykens Standard, 11 September 1925:

Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Coles, Mr. and Mrs. Chester Coleman and son Bobby Coleman and Clemmon Coles motored to Harrisburg, Monday, and visited Mr. and Mrs. Israel Coles and also witnessed the Klan parade.

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From the Lykens Standard, 30 April 1926:

PLAN FOR MAY DAY

The Junior Ku Klux Klan of Central Pennsylvania will observe May Day at Oakleigh, the new Klan Home, east of Harrisburg, on Saturday.  There will be games, speeches, outdoor sports, and an inspection of the property that is to be used for an orphanage.  The Oakleigh property was purchased by the women of the Klan last year.

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From the Lykens Standard, 13 November 1925:

The Tri K Girls of the Ku Klux Klan of this place [Lykens] and Williamstown held a masquerade party on Thursday, 29 October 1925 at Williamstown.  It was well attended.

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From the Lykens Standard, 24 July 1925:

KLAVALIERS HOLD BANQUET

The Klavaliers, the military organization of the K. K. K. held a banquet in the K. of P. Hall, Tuesday evening of this week.  The Klan band furnished music for the occasion and a speaker of prominence made an address.  The banquet was largely attended.

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From the Lykens Standard, 1 May 1925:

HALIFAX, Pennsylvania — Several hundred members of the Ku Klux Klan held a monster Public Educational Meeting in I. O. O. F. Hall, this place, Saturday evening.  Klansmen from sections miles about were in attendance and the public rallied to the meeting with great force.  It is expected a big class will be initiated into the ranks of the order at this place in the near future.

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From the Lykens Standard, 27 May 1927:

ANNUAL FESTIVAL AND CONCERT AT MILLERSBURG

The annual festival and concert of the Steever R. Day Post of the American Legion, Millersburg, will be held Saturday and Monday evenings, in the East Park of the public square.  On Saturday evening the Millersburg Band will give a concert and on Monday evening the 104th Cavalry Band will give a concert.  The Junior Klan Band of Harrisburg, will also give a concert Monday evening preceding the concert by the Cavalry Band.  Tickets for the concert are now being sold and prizes are to be given holders of the lucky numbers.

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From the Lykens Standard, 10 June 1927:

BIG DAY FOR MILLERSBURG

Saturday, June 25th, promises to be a big day for Millersburg.  In the afternoon the annual baby parade, under the auspices of the Community Nurse Association, will take place.  Also on this date, the K. K. K. of this section of the state will hold a picnic in Millersburg Park.  At 6:30 in the evening, the Klan will parade in the town.

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News articles were transcribed from Newspapers.com.

Rev. Nathaniel A. Whitman – 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry

Posted By on January 24, 2018

Rev. Nathaniel Amos Whitman died on 2 July 1926 and is buried in Foster Cemetery, Fairview, Fulton County, Illinois.  During the Civil War, he served in the 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and after the war, he is found in the 1870 census working as a coal miner in Wiconisco, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.

 

On 24 February 1864, Nathaniel A. Whitman enrolled at Harrisburg in the 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry.  On the same day he was mustered into service as a Private in Company L.  At the time, he claimed to be 19 years old, but records indicate he was probably younger.  He stood 5 foot 7 inches tall, had auburn hair, a dark complexion and grey eyes.  He said he was born in Dauphin County as was employed as a farmer.  Regimental records confirm that he received an honorable discharge on 19 July 1865.  Card above is from Pennsylvania Archives.

Nathaniel A. Whitman is believed to be a son of Samuel Whitman (1816-1849) and Sarah [Keiter] Whitman (1815-1868) and was probably born in Halifax, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania in 1848.  He was married twice, first to Sarah Jane Messner, who died in 1919, after giving him at least 7 known children.  Then, shortly after Sarah’s death, he married Bessie Boyd Bourland, who was about 45 years his junior.  With her he had at least 4 children, one of whom, John Milford Whitman, was born in 1924, and was a World War II veteran.  John Milford Whitman‘s story appears in the book, Civil War Fathers:  Sons of the Civil War in World War II.

Nathaniel A. Whitman first applied for a Civil War pension on 5 July 1894.  Following his death, Bessie Whitman, the 2nd widow, applied for benefits for her minor children.  One of those children was the aforementioned John Milford Whitman.

A brief article was found in the Elizabethville Echo of 25 May 1911:

John Romberger and wife of Small Valley spent Thursday with relatives in town.  Mrs. Romberger is a sister to Rev. Witman.  Rev. N. A. Whitman, a Lutheran minister now located at Rabensburg, Centre County, spent a few days among relatives and old associates of his boyhood days in town last week.  Rev. Whitman was with Sherman on the March through Georgia when quite a young man.  Afterwards he taught school and later went to Selinsgrove and studied for the ministry.  During the last 30 years he was located in the Western and some of the Southern States and is now located in his native state.

Then, on 1 June 1911, the Elizabethville Echo reported:

Rev. N. A. Whitman left on Thursday for an extended visit to his home at Rabensburg, Center County.

Finally, on 17 October 1912, the Elizabethville Echo, in its Fisherville news column, reported the following:

Rev. N. A. Witman, of Illinois has taken a charge in Sugar Valley and is spending a week among relatives in this section.

In a Pulaski County, Illinois history, published in 1987, some information is given on what happened to 2nd wife Bessie:

Bessie Bourland first married N. A. Whitman and had three daughters and one son.  Secondly she married Augustus Farris and had one daughter and one son….

Because Bessie re-married, she was not eligible for widow’s benefits from her Civil War husband.  However, the minor children from her first marriage were eligible for benefits from their Civil War-serving father.  This explains why there is no widow application on the Pension Index Card pictured above.  The Pension Index Card from Ancestry.com, not pictured, names Bessie as the guardian of the children.

At this writing not much else is known about Rev. Nathaniel Amos Whitman.  Because he lived until 1926, it is possible that there is a portrait of him somewhere, perhaps at one of the many churches he served.  Readers are welcome to contribute additional information by adding comments to this post.

Ku Klux Klan Holds Meeting at Fisherville, 1925

Posted By on January 22, 2018

A meeting of the Ku Klux Klan at Fisherville, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, in 1925, was reportedly poorly attended, mainly because of bad weather.  Regardless, it was noted that despite the weather, “many” came from a distance, including contingents from Williamstown and Halifax.

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, 13 November 1925:

K. K. K. HOLD MEETING AT FISHERVILLE

FISHERVILLE, 10 November 1925 — Because of inclement weather the meeting held here Saturday and sponsored by the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan was poorly attended.  Dr. Chaser of Reading gave an interesting talk and held his hearers spell-bound throughout the discourse.  Regardless of weather conditions many from a distance attended, people being present from Williamstown, Harrisburg and Halifax.

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News clipping from Newspapers.com.