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Civil War Blog

A project of PA Historian

Daniel E. Artz – Militia Man of Gratz – Sudden Death, 1913

| June 27, 2018

Readers of the “Gratz News” column of the Elizabethville Echo of 12 June 1913 were informed of the sudden and unexpected death of Daniel E. Artz. which occurred on 9 June 1913.  Records establish his birth date and place as 28 March 1845, Hubley Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.  He was the son of Simon Artz […]

Two Men Named Emanuel Matter

| May 28, 2018

Today’s post attempts to sort out the differences between the two men from the Lykens Valley named Emanuel Matter, both of whom were Civil War soldiers.  Since research is on-going on these men, it is possible that there is still some co-mingling of information.  Readers are urged to provide facts and sources which may add […]

More Lykens Valley Ku Klux Klan Events Needing Further Research

| 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 […]

Why Does Jacob Umholtz Have a G.A.R. Marker at His Grave in Gratz?

| November 13, 2017

The photo above was recently taken at the Gratz Union Cemetery, Gratz, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, of the grave of Jacob Umholtz, who was born 18 March 1824 in Lykens Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, the son of Johannes “John” Umholtz (1796-1853) and Catherine [Harmon] Umholtz (1795-1880).  Next to the grave marker is a G.A.R. Star-Flag Holder […]

Lykens Valley Ku Klux Klan Events Needing Further Research

| August 25, 2017

Today’s post presents some events involving the Ku Klux Klan that were reported in the Elizabethville Echo.  Each event needs further research. 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 […]