;

Civil War Blog

A project of PA Historian

Death of Daniel J. Toy, Charter Member Millersburg G.A.R.

Posted By on December 4, 2017

The Harrisburg Telegraph of 12 October 1900 reported the death of Daniel John Toy, a Civil War veteran:

MILLERSBURG, 11 October 1900 — Mr. Daniel Toy died on Monday, at 3 o’clock.  The funeral on Thursday afternoon was in charge of the Rev. Isenberg, of the Reformed Church.  Mr. Toy was an old soldier.  A detail of Post No. 212, G.A.R., acted as Pall Bearers.  He was aged 54 years.  Interment in Oak HIll Cemetery.

According to information found on Ancestry.com, Daniel Toy was born in Millersburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, on 2 March 1844.  Other than his time in the war, it appears from the records that he spent his whole life in Millersburg.

On 2 March 1865, Daniel Toy enrolled in the 2nd Company A of the 101st Pennsylvania Infantry.  At the time he was 18 years old, stood 5 foot 4 inches tall, had brown hair, a light complexion, and grey eyes.  He said he was born in Dauphin County and his residence was Harrisburg.  He was mustered into service on 4 March 1865 and served until he was honorably discharged on 25 June 1865.  The card shown above is from the Pennsylvania Archives.

Some time just before 1872, Daniel Toy married Emma C. Peters, and the couple had at least six children.  Various census returns during his life time report that he was a laborer and that he worked for the railroad.

The Pension Index Card (show above from Ancestry.com, indicates the service of Daniel Toy and shows that he applied for pension benefits on 25 August 1890, which he received and collected until his death.  The widow, Emma C. Toy, applied on 4 January 1901, and also received benefits.

At the time of the founding of the Fitzpatrick G.A.R. Post in Millersburg, Daniel Toy signed as a charter member.  See: Charter.

The Millersburg community honored the service of Daniel Toy by placing his name on the plaque on the Millersburg Soldier Monument.

 

 

 

John J. Tobias – Obituary of a Donaldson Native

Posted By on December 1, 2017

The obituary of Civil War veteran John J. Tobias, who was born near Donaldson, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, appeared in the Mount Carmel Item, 19 February 1935:

J. J. TOBIAS, CIVIL WAR VETERAN, DIES DUE TO INFIRMITIES

Defender of the Union Answers “Taps” After Being Bedfast a Week; Military Funeral To Be Held on Friday Afternoon

ENLISTED TO SERVE COUNTRY AT THE AGE OF SIXTEEN YEARS

Thinning ranks of the Grand Army of the Republic [G.A.R.], valiant wearers of the Blue during the Civil War in the days of 1861-1865, were further reduced today in Mount Carmel, when Comrade John J. Tobias, 86, answered the final call of “Taps.”

He died at seven a.m. at the family residence, North Maple Street, where he was taken bedfast just a week ago.

His death caused by infirmities brought on by advanced age, leaves only two Civil War veterans in this city, Jacob Umlauf and Charles Evert.

Comrade Umlauf by the passing of Mr. Tobias is the only surviving member of Burnside Post. No. 92, G.A.R., as Comrade Evert held affiliation with the post at Shenandoah, where he lived before becoming a resident here a few years ago.

The military funeral for Comrade Tobias is to be held Friday afternoon with services at the home at 1:30 o’clock by Rev. C. W. Fields, pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal Church.

Military arrangements for the burial will be in charge of Garfield Camp No. 34, Sons of Union Veterans, assisted by Harry Geist Post No. 91, American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Lawton Camp No. 29, United Spanish War Veterans.

Interment following the services to be made at the Mount Carmel cemetery.

John J. Tobias was born 26 June 1848, on a little farm in, Schuylkill County, near Pottsville, a son of John Tobias and Nancy [Rowe] Tobias.

At the early age of 16 while the family was living at Donaldson, also in Schuylkill County, he enlisted with Company I, 48th Regiment, Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers [48th Pennsylvania Infantry].  It was his third attempt to enter the service and finally meeting with success, the youth was overjoyed.  On two previous occasions, he had been turned down on account of his tender age.

The war at the time of Comrade Tobias’ enlistment was in its last year, and with distinction he served until the end.

He saw action in the Battle of Petersburg, Virginia, 2 April 1865, was mustered out of service near Alexandria, Virginia, in July, and received his honorable discharge in Harrisburg a little later the same year.

One of Comrade Tobias’ dearest recollections was that he had seen Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States during those stormy times.  The opportunity presented itself when Lincoln reviewed the Union troops.

Returning home after his honorable discharge, Mr. Tobias was married, 8 May 1869, at Tremont, to Emma Frances Long.  It was 2 February 1882, that the couple came to Mount Carmel from Donaldson.

The union was blessed by five children, all sons, three of whom survive.

Comrade Tobias, a mine foreman by occupation, immediately took active interest in the affairs of Burnside Post of the G.A.R. upon becoming a resident of this city and he held the same enthusiasm until the end.  He was a past commander of the post.

Outside of his G.A.R. activities which he held so dear to his heart, the veteran was a member of Donaldson Lodge of the I.O.O.F. without interruption for 66 years, a member of Mount Carmel Lodge No. 376, F. & A. M., and an honorary life member of Mount Carmel Lodge No. 356, B. P. O. Elks.

He was a lifelong member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Comrade Tobias was held in reverence by all who knew him for he loved only the things in life that were good.  His was a life well-spent.

The survivors, besides Mrs. Tobias, include three sons:  Charles Fred Tobias of Mount Carmel; Horace W. Tobias of Baltimore, Maryland; Attorney Raymond B. Tobias of this city; nine grandchildren; two brothers, Walter Tobias of Branchdale and William Tobias of Pottsville; and two sisters, Margaret L. Tobias of Pottsville and Mrs. Sarah Carolan of Philadelphia.

Sons who preceded their father in death were:  Clarence E. Tobias and Herbert H. Tobias, for many years secretary of Mount Carmel Lodge of Elks and a former district official in the organization.

Besides the aforementioned survivors, Comrade Tobias leaves an uncle, Thomas Jefferson Tobias, Washington, D. C., who is 89 years of age.

______________________________________________

News article from Newspapers.com.

 

Was George Tippers a Civil War Soldier?

Posted By on November 29, 2017

According to file information (above) obtained at a local historical society in the Lykens Valley, there is a Civil War veteran named George Tippers who is buried at the Methodist Cemetery in Wiconisco, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.

Available information indicates George Tippers was born 11 August 1821 and died 1 March 1884.

His wife, Mary Tippers, maiden name unknown, was born on 22 February 1826 and died on 5 April 1894.

The service group to which George Tippers belonged is only given as “G.A.R“, possibly because a marker was seen at his grave site.

Thus far no stone has been located for him in the United Methodist Cemetery and he does not have a Findagrave Memorial.

Several records for a George Tipper have been found on Fold3, but they are for a California Civil War regiment.

Information is sought about George Tippers?  Has anyone seen his grave site?  Did he serve in the Civil War and if so, in what regiment?

When Did Conrad Toby Die and Where Is He Buried?

Posted By on November 27, 2017

Conrad Toby, born about 1836, was an immigrant from Bavaria, Germany who served in the 173rd Pennsylvania Infantry, Company H, as a Private, from 5 November 1862 to 17 August 1863.

The Pension Index Card, shown above from Ancestry.com, indicates that his widow, Caroline [Hildebrandt] Toby, applied for pension benefits on 23 July 1890, which she received and apparently collected until her death.  There is no record that Conrad ever applied for benefits.  Therefore, Conrad died prior to her date of application.

In July 1863, Conrad Toby was living in Tremont, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, when he registered for the Civil War Draft.  He was married and working as a coal miner.  However, the draft record erroneously gives his birth place as Pennsylvania.

Conrad Toby was found with his family in the 1870 Census for Tremont, Schuylkill County.  At the time he was working as a coal miner.

Conrad Toby was also found with his family in the 1880 Census for Tremont, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.  He was still working as a coal miner.  The youngest child in the household was a daughter, Mary Toby, born about 1874.

In June 1890, the widow Caroline Toby is named in the Census with the correct regiment of service for her deceased husband, Conrad.

In the Findagrave Memorials, the only Conrad Toby found is the son who was born 1860 and died 1936.  He is buried at the United Methodist Church Cemetery in Tremont.  According to available information, this son was the oldest child of the couple.  In that same database, the father of Conrad Toby is named as “Konrad Toby.”  He is buried at the same cemetery, his grave marker is pictured, and his dates of birth and death are given as 27 October 1835 and 8 July 1886.

The stone is inscribed in German and there is no mention in the Findagrave Memorial that Konrad or Conrad was a Civil War veteran.

Confirmation of the death date of Conrad Toby can most likely be found in the pension application file of the widow.  The file was not consulted for this blog post due to the expense of obtaining it.  However, Additional information about him and the minor children who were alive when he died can be found there, so if any reader has obtained the file and is willing to share it, it would be greatly appreciated.

J. Theodore Thomson, Buried at Halifax, Served in New Jersey Regiments

Posted By on November 24, 2017

Jacob Theodore Thomson, sometimes referred to in the records as Jacob T. Thompson, was born about 1835 in New Jersey.  He is buried at the Halifax United Methodist Church Cemetery, Halifax, Dauphin County. Pennsylvania, and his stone reads J. Theodore Thomson, 1835-1907.

According to information found in the pension application records on Ancestry.com, Jacob served in two New Jersey regiments during the Civil War: (1) 31st New Jersey Infantry, Company B; and (2) 18th New Jersey Infantry, Company H.   Other on-line records note that his service in New Jersey was at the rank of 2nd Sergeant and later at the rank of 1st Lieutenant.

On 23 November 1901, he first applied for a pension from Pennsylvania, which he received and collected until his death.  His widow, Angelia [Boyer] Thomson applied on 20 August 1907, and collected benefits until her death, which occurred in 1927.  She is also buried at the Halifax United Methodist Church Cemetery.  It is believed that Angelia Boyer was from the Halifax area and that is the reason that Jacob located there after the Civil War.  He connection to other members of the Boyer family from that area has not yet been ascertained.

In 1880, Jacob Theodore Thomson was living in Halifax, and gave his occupation as traveling salesman.  In his household, were his wife Angelia B. Thomson, age 34; son Harry Thomson, age 6; son Frank Thomson, age 4; and mother Ruth Thomson, age 71.

However, in 1890, Jacob Theodore Thomson was living in Muncy, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, where he reported his military service in the 31st New Jersey Infantry, Company B, as a Private, from 15 September 1861 through 16 September 1864.

In 1901, when he applied for a pension, he did so as a resident of Pennsylvania, and in 1907, when his wife applied, she also did so from Pennsylvania.

Not much more is known about this Civil War soldier.  If any reader can provide additional information, it will be greatly appreciated.