Pvt. Andrew Jackson Rose

Andrew "Jackson" Rose was born in 1838 to Silvester and Sophia (Smith) Rose. In 1858, at the age of twenty, Jackson married Susanna Minerd at the Bethel Methodist Church above Paddytown in Upper Turkeyfoot Twp, Somerset County, PA, by Rev. Benjamin Price. The couple would go on to have seven children.

In August of 1862, Jackson joined his brother-in-law Martin Miner and cousin-in-law Ephraim Miner in the 142nd, and enlisted in Co. C.

The 142nd saw significant action on the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg on July 1, 1863. Pvt. Rose was among the Union soldiers wounded and taken prisoner from the battlefield. Jackson's right arm was amputated below the elbow due to the seriousness of his gunshot wound there. Pvt. Rose would later be exchanged and spend time in an Army hospital in Philadelphia before he went home.

A year after he returned to his home in Kingwood, Somerset County, Jackson, Susanna, and family moved to Fayette County, PA, where he worked as a farmer and a lay preacher, among other jobs.

Andrew Jackson Rose passed away on Apr 4, 1897 after suffering from lung and heart problems. Visiting at his deathbed was his brother-in-law and Co. C comrade Martin Miner. Pvt. Rose is buried in Normalville Cemetery, Fayette County, PA.

All pictures and info courtesy of Mark Miner. A much more robust biography of Pvt. Rose and his wife, Susanna can be found at Mark's extensive family website, minerd.com

Pvt. Gillian Miller, Co. C

Gillian Miller, the eldest son of Jacob and Elizabeth Miller, was born in Rockwood, Somerset County, PA in 1841. Jacob worked as a farmer, and he and his wife were the parents of 12.

On August 25, 1862, Gillian was mustered into military service at Camp Curtin, outside of Harrisburg, PA when he joined Co. C 142nd PA Infantry. He was also one of the fortunate ones who made it through the entire war physically unharmed. He was mustered out with his company on May 29, 1865.

After the war, Gillian moved back home and started his own life as a farmer. He was married to his wife Mary in 1867, and the couple would eventually have six children. A family photo is seen below.

Front row: Anna (Miller) Atchison, Mary Miller, Gillian Miller, William Miller
Back row: Ed Miller, James Miller, George H. Miller, Laura (Miller) Weimer
Photo: Down the Road of Our Past Book III by Rockwood Area Historical & Genealogical Society

The 142nd held a 40th Anniversary reunion in Berlin, Somerset County, PA in September of 1902. According to the Berlin Record, Gillian Miller was one of the attendees. 

Gillian Miller passed away in 1926 and his buried beside his wife in Hauger Church Cemetery, Black Twp, Somerset County, PA.

Pvt. Perry Lee, Co. C

Perry Lee was born around 1846 in Pennsylvania. During the 1850 census, he and four other Lee children between the ages of 1 and 17 were living with Andrew and Sarah Growall in Milford Twp, Somerset County, PA. What happened to their parents is unknown.

On August 26, 1862, at the age of the 16, Perry Lee was mustered into Co. C 142nd PA Infantry.

During the 1864 Overland Campaign, the 142nd was in a hotly contested battle at Laurel Ridge, just outside of Spotsylvania Courthouse, VA. Pvt. Lee was severely wounded in his right leg during this fighting and had the leg amputated on May 12, 1864. He survived two weeks after the amputation and passed away on May 27, 1864 from his battle wounds.

Lee was laid to rest at the new Arlington National Cemetery, just across the Potomac from Washington.

Pvt. John Hoover, Co. C

John Hoover was born in 1844 in Milford Twp, Somerset County, PA to Samuel and Martha Hoover. According to the 1850 Federal Census, Samuel provided for his family by working as a sawyer, or someone who saws wood in the logging industry.

John was mustered into the Army of the Potomac on August 25, 1862 when he joined Co. C 142nd PA Infantry. During Gen. Grant's first campaign as Commander of all Federal Forces, Pvt. Hoover was wounded at the Battle of the Wilderness on May 5, 1864. He was discharged from the service by General Order on June 2, 1865.

After the war, John and his wife Harriet moved west and settled in Kansas. John Hoover lived to be one hundred years old when he passed away in 1944. He and Harriet are buried together in Sabetha, Nemaha County, Kansas.

Go west, young man!

In the years after the American Civil War, there was a westward expansion like our country had never seen. People picked up and moved west for many reasons: increased population growth in the East, increased financial opportunities in the west, and to seek their fortunes on the frontier. The residents of Somerset County, PA were no different.

The town of Dixon, IL became home for many Somerset County expatriates, including several former members of the 142nd PVI. It seems like it was perfect location for anyone trying to make it as a farmer.




Dixon, IL arch. Originally built as a World War I memorial

 
According to the 1872 Lee County Plat Book,"South Dixon County ranked as one of the first in agricultural wealth. There were about 19,000 acres under cultivation, with a population of 900. The land for the most part is rolling prairie, well watered and fenced, and under a high state of cultivation. The building improvements are good. The Illinois Central Railroad passes through the township, north and south. Eldona is on this line and furnishes a small market for the citizens, but the mass of the inhabitants do their trading and marketing at Dixon, which is one of the finest markets on this line of rail road. Corn and wheat are the primary crops and livestock raised is mostly hogs, sheep and cattle."

Aaron Hartman was a member of Co. C. He and Harriet Elizabeth Young were married in Dixon and had a son Albert before the couple was divorced. Although Aaron left Dixon, son Albert is buried in Emanuel (Heckman) Cemetery.

Brothers Charles I. Will and George A. Will fought with Co. F. Their family moved to Dixon a few months after the war was over. Charles ended up farming his wife's family's land, while George later moved to Nebraska.

Elias Caton was another member of Co. F 142nd PVI. He was friends with the Will family, and after Elias was killed in action at Fredericksburg, VA, his sons Emanuel and William stayed with the Wills. When the Wills moved to Illinois, the Caton boys went with them.

Daniel Heckman fought with Co. F and moved to Dixon, IL in 1865 with his wife Mary. He is buried in Mt. Union Cemetery.

Henry Ware, another member of Co F, moved to Ogle County, IL in 1867 where he was a farmer. He then moved to another farm in Nachusa Twp, Lee County, and finally to Dixon when he retired around 1904. Henry passed away in 1932 and is buried in Oakwood Cemetery.

Pvt. Aaron Hartman, Co. C

Aaron P. Hartman was born March 16, 1841 in Pennsylvania to John and Anna Margaretha (Krissinger) Hartman. John died early on in Aaron's life, and he was raised by his mother in the Berlin, Somerset County, PA area and by the time of the 1860 Federal Census was living in the county seat of Somerset, working as a blacksmithing apprentice.

Hartman was mustered into Co. C 142nd PA Infantry on Aug 25, 1862 and mustered out with his company on May 29, 1865 in Washington, DC.

After the war, like many other Americans, Aaron moved back home before heading out west. The Census of 1870 shows Hartman living in Berlin, PA, but he did not stay for long. In 1871, Hartman moved to Lee County, IL. There, on January 2, 1871 he married Harriet Elizabeth (Young) Hartman, with whom he had a son, Albert Welsey. The couple divorced and Aaron moved to Kansas.

By 1880, he had remarried, and his new wife Mary and stepson Henry Finch were living in Great Bend, Barton County, KS. Five years later, the three are living in Caldwell, Sumner County, KS.

Aaron Hartman died on March 28, 1892 and was laid to rest under a government headstone in Caldwell Cemetery, Caldwell, KS.

Much of the information provided by "Portrait and biographical album of Sumner County, KS" by Chapman Brothers and from Aaron Hartman's great-great granddaughter Heather Heikkila.

Pvt. Daniel May, Co. C

Daniel May was born in Somerset County, PA around 1837 to Daniel, Sr., and Elizabeth May. The family were farmers from the Upper Turkeyfoot Township area of Somerset County.

He was mustered into Co. C 142nd PA Infantry on Aug 25, 1862 and died on Feb 14, 1863. Pvt. May is buried at Fredericksburg National Cemetery.

Pvt. Ringold Markel, Co. C

Ringold Markel was born around 1830 in Germany. Two years later, his parents, Leopold and Elizabeth (Wunch) Markel immigrated to the United States and ended up settling around Meyersdale, Somerset County, PA.

Federal Census records from 1860 show Ringold living in Middlecreek Twp, Somerset County, PA and working as a blacksmith.

On Aug 25, 1862, Pvt. Markel was mustered into Co. C 142nd PA Infantry. He was killed in action at Petersburg, VA on Apr 2, 1865, a mere week before the Army of Northern Virginia surrendered, effectively ending the Civil War in the East.




Index for Ringold Markel's pension file


Markel was originally buried on the battlefield, but his body was later moved to Poplar Grove National Cemetery in Petersburg, Section D site 1080.

Information on the Markel family from:

History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania; Bedford County by E. Howard Blackburn; Somerset County by William H. Welfley; v.3, Pub. The Lewis Publishing Company, New York/Chicago 1906, ppg. 337/8

Pvt. Daniel J. Horner, Co. C

Daniel J. Horner was born on May 27, 1843 in Somerset County, PA to John J. and Mary (Beeghley) Horner. He was one of eleven children born to the couple.

Daniel enlisted in Company C 142nd PA Infantry on Aug 11, 1862 and was mustered in on Aug 23. He was severely wounded in his regiment's first battle at Fredericksburg, VA on Dec 13, 1862, and had to have his left leg amputated above the knee. Pvt. Horner was mustered out of the service on Feb 23, 1864.

After he came home, Daniel went to school at  Mount Pleasant College, and at the State Normal School in Millersville, Lancaster County, PA from 1866-1868. He paid for his schooling by teaching during the winter months.

After Daniel moved back to Somerset County, he held a variety of public positions, including Register and Recorder of Deeds, Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners, and Clerk of Courts. As he held these public offices, Daniel also was a store clerk and a carriage manufacturer in the private sector. In 1891 he was elected as an Associate Judge of Somerset County. A very civic minded man, Daniel was a commander of the R.P. Cummins Post 210 of the G.A.R., a member of several fraternal organizations, and was a member of the monument committee for the 142nd monument at Gettysburg, where he spoke at its dedication on Sept 11, 1889.

Daniel married Susan Bell on Dec 14, 1870 and the couple had one child, Marion Bell Horner, who died in 1890 at age 16.

Daniel Horner passed away on Apr 22, 1907 and is buried in Somerset Union Cemetery, Somerset, PA.

Sources:

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW, Vol. XXXII, Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens of 
Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania. Boston, Biographical Review 
Publishing Company: 1899, pp 103-105.

Pvt. Simon Nicola, Co. C

Pvt. Simon Nicola was born in 1841 in Somerset County, PA to John and Mary (Ansell) Nicola. Simon's childhood was spent on the family farm in Upper Turkeyfoot Twp, and the 1860 Federal Census lists his occupation as farmer.

Like many other young men in Upper Turkeyfoot Twp, Simon answered the Union's call to arms. He was mustered into Co. C 142nd PA Infantry on Aug 25, 1862. Regimental records end his record of service as Missing in Action at the Battle of Wilderness.

According to Government records and his mother's pension though, Simon was captured at the Battle of Wilderness on May 5, 1864 and taken to the Prisoner of War camp in Florence, SC. It was there that Simon died on October 25, 1864 and it is there that he was buried.

Below is a picture of the cemetery in Florence, SC where Pvt. Nicola and thousands of other Union Veterans are buried.

A special THANK YOU to Donna D'Agostino for information about Pvt. Nicola

1st Sgt. John J. Hoffman, Co. C

John J. Hoffman was born around 1838 in Somerset County, PA to John and Nancy Hoffman. His childhood was spent with his family in Jenner Crossroads, Somerset County, where his father was a farmer.

John was mustered into Co. C 142nd PVI on Aug 25, 1862 as his company's 1st Sergeant. He was discharged on Dec 28, 1863. The 1890 Veterans Schedule states that he was wounded in the left forearm.

After the war, John returned to Somerset County and worked at various jobs, including as a printer and as a vocal teacher. He and his wife Amanda had at least nine children.

Eventually, John found himself living across the state from his home county, in Philadelphia. By this point, he was widowed and living with his son George.

John J. Hoffman passed away on Dec. 3, 1909 and was laid to rest in Somerset Union Cemetery, Somerset, PA.

Pvt. John S. Heinbaugh, Co. C

John S. Heinbaugh was born in 1841 in Somerset County, PA to Jacob and Eliza (Snyder) Heinbaugh. John spent his childhood with the family in Upper Turkeyfoot Twp, PA, where his father worked as a farmer, like so many others in that locale.

In 1858 John was married to Catharine Nicola by E.K. Haines, a Justice of the Peace. The two would go on to have eight children. Catharine's brother, Simon, was also a member of Co. C 142nd PVI.

John became Pvt. Heinbaugh on Aug. 26, 1862 and was one of the fortunate ones that mustered out with his company at the end of the war, on May 29, 1865.

After the war, John and his family moved to Rockwood, PA where he was a blacksmith, before settling in Westmoreland County, PA. In 1890, John applied for an invalid pension due to "total loss of left hand that occured while coupling cars at the Buck Eye Coke Works..." This injury occurred in Stauffer, PA in July of 1888.

John S. Heinbaugh passed away on June 4, 1896 in Mt. Pleasant, PA and was laid to rest in Greenlick Cemetery, Bullskin Twp, Fayette County, PA.

A special THANK YOU to Donna D'Agostino for information about Pvt. Heinbaugh

Sgt. Benjamin F. Harcomb, Co. C

Sgt. Benjamin F. Harcomb/Harkcom was a member of both the 142nd and the 211th PA Infantries. He enlisted in the 142nd on Aug. 25, 1862 and was discharged on Feb 25, 1863. He would later join the 211th and left their service on Sept 12, 1864.

He is buried in Bakersville Cemetery, Somerset County, PA.

Pvt. Peter Growall, Co. C

Peter Growall, brother of Pvt. Anthony Growall, was born in 1829 to John and Elizabeth (Johnson) Growall. The family lived in Milford Twp. Somerset County, PA.

By 1850 Peter was married to Elizabeth (Betsy) Rugg and  worked as a laborer. The couple had six children. In the early 1860s, Betsy's parents died, and the couple moved to their house on the Upper Turkeyfoot Twp/Lower Turkeyfoot Twp line.

Above is a picture of the house where Betsy Growall lived while Peter was in the 142nd.

Peter was mustered into Co. C 142nd PA Infantry on Aug. 26, 1862. He passed away on Dec. 16, 1862 in Fredericksburg, VA of typhoid fever. He was laid to rest in Fredericksburg National Cemetery among thousands of other Civil War veterans.

A special thanks to Samuel Miller.  Some great information for this post was taken from his book, A Place Called Hexie, which can be purchased by clicking here.

Pvt. Anthony Growall, Co. C

Anthony Growall was born in 1825 in Somerset County, PA to John and Elizabeth (Johnson) Growall, one of at least a dozen children born to this couple.

On Aug 26, 1862 Anthony was mustered into Co. C 142nd PA Infantry at Camp Curtin. He transferred to  160th Company, 2nd Battery of the Veteran Reserve Corps on February 15, 1864. He stayed with this unit until his discharge on July 3, 1865.

Anthony was a carpenter by trade and owned a sawmill in Rockwood, Somerset County. His first wife, Sarah, was tragically killed in a sawmill accident in March of 1880.

Above is a report on the accident in the March 31, 1880 edition of The Indiana Weekly Messenger. 

Anthony would later remarry Annie Cooper.

 Photo of a boiler explosion at J.P. Growall's planing mill in Rockwood in 1900. Anthony is the man on the far left.

Anthony Growall passed away on March 15, 1902 in Rockwood, PA and is buried in the Hauger Cemetery a few miles outside of town in Black Twp.

 

A special THANK YOU to Joe Growall for the picture of the mill explosion.

Pvt. Michael A. Firestone, Co. C

Michael A. Firestone was born on March 2, 1834 in Upper Turkeyfoot Twp, Somerset County, PA to Michael and Elizabeth (Ansell) Firestone. He was one of ten brothers and sisters.

Michael was mustered into Co. C 142nd PA Infantry on Aug 25, 1862 and was wouded by a minie ball in the right thigh during the Battle of Fredericksburg on Dec. 13, 1862. After he was discharged from the hospital, he was transferred to the 95th Company, 2nd battalion of the Veteran Reserve Corps on December 17, 1863, and  discharged by General Order August 24, 1865.

Michael was married to Lavina Nicola in 1860, and after the war the couple moved westward by one county and settled in Springfield Twp, Fayette County, PA and had three children.

Michael A. Firestone passed away on July 8, 1919 in Snydertown, Fayette County, a town he had moved to five years before. His funeral, held on July 11th in his home, was reported by The Daily Courier (Connellsville, PA) being one of the largest in Snydertown in recent memory. He was laid to rest in Hill Grove Cemetery in Connellsville, PA.

The following are clippings from The Daily Courier the week that Michael died. The obituary incorrectly names his parents.

 

More information on Michael Firestone's life and family can be found by clicking here: minerd.com

Pvt. William Faith, Co. C

William Faith was born on Aug 17, 1839 in Pennsylvania, and his childhood was spent in Somerset County. William enlisted in Co. C 142nd PVI on Aug 25, 1862 and was discharged on Feb 26, 1863. His obituary, which errently states that he was in the cavalry during the war, mentions him having war wounds.

William Faith obituary from The Daily Courier (Connellsville, PA)

In 1866, William was married to Tryphena Cable and the couple had eight children together.

Pension index, listing Tryphena as his widow

As an adult, census records show that William and his family moved to different parts of Fayette and Westmoreland Counties until his death in 1910. He and Tryphena are buried together in Mt. Olive Brethern Cemetery, Bullskin Twp, Fayette County, PA.

Corp. Samuel Gerhart, Co. C

Samuel Gerhart was born in 1841 in Somerset County, PA to Jacob and Catherine (Brougher) Gerhart. Samuel's father, a German immigrant, was a farmer and the family lived in the Paddytown section of Upper Turkeyfoot Twp.

Samuel was mustered into Co. C 142nd PVI on August 25, 1862 in Camp Curtin, near Harrisburg, PA. He was captured by Confederate forces at the Battle of the Wilderness on May 5, 1864 and was taken to the Confederate POW camp at Andersonville, GA. It was here that Samuel Gerhart died and was buried on Sept 17, 1864.

The 142nd PA's position on May 5, 1864, when Samuel was captured. Please click on the map to see a larger version. Position is to the left of "WARREN."  Map courtesy of The Civil War Trust. Please click here and check out their preservation efforts.

Image of Andersonville Prison taken in 1864

Sgt. Augustus Davis, Co. C

Augustus C. Davis was born around 1845 in Somerset County, PA to John and Mary (Braillier) Davis. He was mustered into Co. C 142nd PVI on August 25, 1862 at Camp Curtin, near Harrisburg, PA. Sgt. Davis was wounded during the 142nd's actions at Gettysburg on July 1, 1863 and was discharged due to these wounds.

After the war, Davis married Mary Gaither and held a variety of jobs: speculator, hardware merchant, and postmaster.

Augustus C. Davis passed away in 1923 and is buried in Somerset Union Cemetery.

Sgt. Samuel H. Brougher, Co. C

Samuel H. Brougher was born in Upper Turkeyfoot Twp, Somerset County, PA in 1844. He was one of nine children born to Peter and Elizabeth (Hauger) Brougher. Samuel enlisted as a sergeant in Co. C 142nd PA Infantry on Aug 25, 1862, and died in a hospital in Philadelphia on April 4, 1865, mere days before the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia. He was laid to rest at Mt. Moriah Cemetery in Philadelphia.

Thank you very much to John at mtmoriah.info for the picture of Sgt. Brougher's grave. Check out their great page on the Mt. Moriah Cemetery at http://mountmoriah.info/index.php?title=Main_Page