Tag: Civil War
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The Life and Legacy of Rebecca Keefer Markey
Almost certainly among the people sheltering in David Troxell’s basement during the battle was Rebecca Keefer. Rebecca Rosenberger (later known as Rebecca Markey or Rebecca Keefer) was born March 7, 1802, in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of Abraham Rosenberger Jr. (1754–1821) and Catharine (Catherine) Keefer (1778–1863). Rebecca’s family was part of the…
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The Life and Legacy of Dr. John Edward Herbst
John Edward Herbst was born on February 24, 1828, into one of the long-established Pennsylvania German families of Gettysburg. He was the son of Rev. John Herbst Sr., a German Reformed minister and farmer, and Juliana Kurtz Herbst. Raised in a household that valued faith, education, and public service, John Edward was destined for a…
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Life of Reverend John Herbst: Faith and Farming in 19th Century Pennsylvania
Reverend John Herbst was born in 1793 in York, Pennsylvania, a son of John Heinrich Herbst (who went by Henry) and his wife Catherine. The Herbsts were part of the early Pennsylvania German community that helped build Adams County. Raised with strong traditions of faith, farming, and hard work, John was one of ten children…
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The Life and Legacy of Peter Thorn in Gettysburg
As the legend goes, Peter Thorn was escorting his bride, Elizabeth Catharine Masser, on September 1, 1855, when all the bells in Gettysburg began to ring. Elizabeth asked Peter why all the ringing, and he explained that they were acknowledging the dedication of the Evergreen Cemetery. Of course, a short time later, Peter would be…
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Elizabeth Thorn: The Pregnant Grave Digger of Gettysburg
In her waning years, Elizabeth Thorn wrote for the Gettysburg Compiler an account of her experiences at the Battle of Gettysburg. Her husband, Peter, had joined the 138th Pennsylvania, leaving her pregnant and with three children at home. Her only male family member was her aged father. The Thorns were the caretakers of the Evergreen…
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Tragedy of Young James Culp: A Family’s Loss After Gettysburg
The tragedy of young James Culp only multiplied the sorrows in the Culp family and the inexplicable horrors the town had experienced. Two months after the Battle of Gettysburg, shallow graves still dotted the farms; visitors poured in from around the country, seeking to reclaim their fallen loved ones; scavengers and souvenir collectors of all…
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William Culp, Older Brother of Wesley Culp
The second-most recognized Culp in history is Wesley’s brother William Culp. The two cannot be separated because they have come to be emblematic of “brother against brother” Civil War. In fact, unveiled in 2013 is a monument on Steinwehr Avenue with the face of William pointing north and the face of Wesley pointing south. Legends…
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The Battle of the Crater: William Bedford’s Valor
William Bedford was born in Maryland, the son of Sylvester and Agnes (Williams) Bedford. Though records indicate he was likely living in Frederick County in 1860, his exact location in that year’s census is uncertain. Standing 5 feet 9 inches tall with black hair, black eyes, and a black complexion, Bedford would later find himself…
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The Anonymity of History: Remembering William Burley
You don’t know William Burley. Neither do I. On Presidents’ Day, we have nearly innumerable sources to draw from in contemplating the lives and impacts of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Naturally, both are inextricably linked to the story of freedom for all in the United States. Most of us never generate this sort of…
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Exploring Joseph Craig’s Remarkable Journey
Joseph Craig’s life was short—just 39 years—but included a large family he grew up with, his own marriage and children, and enough hair-raising incidents for a couple of lifetimes. Joseph now rests quietly in the Lincoln Cemetery beneath a headstone provided by the government in 1887. He was born free in Adams County in 1843…