62d Pennsylvania Volunteers

Company G: Kramer Guards
(Allegheny County)

Company Origins

Frank C. O'Brien

Captain

Died 7 January 1893. Buried in St. Mary's Roman Catholic Cemetery, Lawrenceville, Pa.

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 31; Occupation: Plasterer; Residence: Pittsburgh; Hair: Brown; Eyes: Black; Complexion: Fair; Height: 5'8"; Remarks: Resigned 10-3-62.

Frank appears to be the older brother of Sgt. Joseph O'Brien. The 1860 Census places them in the same dwelling as their father Joseph, although Frank, married and aged 30, is listed as head of his own family. Some confirmation of the relationship comes from the 1880 Census by the fact that the place of birth of his father is listed as Maryland. Maryland was listed as the place of birth of the elder Joseph O'Brien in the 1860 Census. Frank (or Francis, as he is listed in the 1860 Census) married his wife Ellen before the war. They had two children, Harry G. and Ruthan. In the 1880 Census, the line for Frank's occupation is blank.

Pension card file, filed by widow Ellen O'Brien, indicates he also served in Company G, 66th Pennsylvania Infantry, but there is no other evidence for it. Formed in Philadelphia in July 1862, the 66th was consolidated with 73rd and 99th Pennsylvania Volunteers in March 1862, months before O'Brien resigned.

William Kennedy

1st Lieutenant, Captain

Wounded at Malvern Hill, 1 July 1862, and Spottsylvania Courthouse, 12 May 1864. Mustered out with company, 13 July 1864.

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 34; Occupation: Carpenter; Residence: Pittsburgh; Hair: Dark; Eyes: Blue; Complexion: Fair; Height: 5'9"; Remarks: (Wounded at Malvern Hill, Va. 7-1-62. Pr. to Capt. 10-3-62. Wounded at Spottsylvania Court House 5-12-64. Bates). Dis. Exp. of Term.

Kennedy was 34 when he enlisted. Previously served in the Mexican War in Company A of the First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, moving up in the ranks from private to third sergeant.

Scott C. McDowell

1st Sergeant, 1st Lieutenant

Killed at Gettysburg

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 21; Occupation: Clerk; Residence: Pittsburgh; Hair: Brown; Eyes: Blue; Complexion: Fair; Height: 5'10"; Remarks: Pro. to 1st Lt. (10-4-62 Bates) Killed in action 7-2-63 at Gettysburg, Pa.

William Phillips

Sergeant, 2nd Lieutenant, 1st Lieutenant

Died 3 June 1864 of wounds received at Spottsylvania Courthouse, 12 May 1864. Buried in Allegheny Cemetery, Lawrenceville, Pa., Plot 162

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 43; Occupation: Steam Boatman; Residence: Pittsburgh, Pa.; Hair: Dark; Eyes: Grey; Complexion: Fair; Height: 5'9"; Remarks: Pr. to Sgt. to 2nd Lt. (7-11-62. Bates). Pr. to 1st Lt. 10-3-63. Died 6-3-64, (of wounds received at Spottsylvania Court House 5-12-64. Buried at Natl. Cem. Arlington, Va. Bates).

Listed in Bates as "Mustered out with company, 13 July 1864." A biography of his son-in-law indicates he was killed at the Wilderness.

Adam E. Smith

2nd Lieutenant

Resigned 10 July 1862.

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 26; Occupation: Clerk; Residence: Pittsburgh; Hair: Dark; Eyes: Hazel; Complexion: Fair; Height: 5'11"; Remarks: Resigned 7-10-62.

Charles Seibert

Private, Corporal, Sergeant, 1st Sergeant, 2nd Lieutenant

Mustered out with company, 13 July 1864.

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 18; Occupation: Printer; Residence: Pittsburgh, Pa.; Hair: Light; Eyes: Blue; Complexion: Light; Height: 5'8"; Remarks: (Pr. to Corp. 7-11-62 to Sgt. 9-26-62 to 1sr Sgt. 10-4-62. Bates). Fr. to 2nd Lt. 4-26-64. Discharged Exp. of Term.

Born in Germany, but moved with family to Sandusky, Ohio, when he was four years old. Brother of Nicholas Seibert. As a young adult, he moved to Allegheny City in 1852, where he got a job in a bank. He remained in the bank business after the war, moving up from teller to executive positions. Married Philomena Zinsmeister. They had four children: Henry, William, Charles A., and Estelle. Moved to California for his health, but did not stay long before moving to St. Louis. He was a banker there for seven years before moving back to Pittsburgh to retire. Never received even a slight wound throughout the war.

Personal information from A century and a half of Pittsburg and her people by John Newton Boucher (Lewis Publishing, 1908).

Nicholas Seibert

Private, Corporal, Sergeant, 1st Sergeant

Wounded and captured at Gaines Mill, 27 June 1862, when a private. Exchanged and returned to company, date unknown. Listed as "Seibert, W, Corporal" on register of Sick and Wounded Received on Floating Hospital Tranport "State of Main" [sic] from City Point, Va., July 25, 1862. Mustered out with company, 13 July 1864.

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 19; Occupation: Farmer; Residence: Pittsburgh, Pa.; Hair: Light; Eyes: Blue; Complexion: Light; Height: 5'8"; Remarks: Pr. to Corp., (1-22-62 Sgt. 7-11-62 to 1st Sgt. 4-26-64. Bates).

Brother of Charles Seibert. May have been born in Germany or Sanduskey, Ohio.

Walter H. Beeson

1st Sergeant

Previously served as corporal in Company B, 12 P.V. (3-month). Died in Richmond, Va. [in prison?] 10 July 1862 of wounds received at Malvern Hill, 1 July 1862, and Spottsylvania Courthouse, 12 May 1864.

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 27; Occupation: Clerk; Residence: Pittsburgh; Hair: Dark; Eyes: Black; Complexion: Fair; Height: 5'7"; Remarks: (Died at Richmond, Va. 7-10-62, wounds received at Malvern Hill, Va. 7-1-62. Bates).

James J. Ricketts

Corporal, Sergeant

Mustered out with company, 13 July 1864.

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 19; Occupation: Gasfitter; Residence: Pittsburgh; Hair: Dark; Eyes: [blank]; Complexion: Light; Height: 5'8"; Remarks: (Pr. to Sgt. 12-30-62. Bates). Rolls show last name as "RICKETS".

Born in Wales to Irish parents, Ricketts moved with his family to Pittsburgh before 1850. He returned to Pittsburgh after the war where he continued in the plumbing trade. He became a citizen in 1865. He and his wife Olivia had six children. By 1900, he listed his occupation as landlord. He died in 1931.

Joseph Minck

Private, Corporal, Sergeant

Mustered out with company, 13 July 1864.

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 23; Occupation: Blacksmith; Residence: Pittsburgh, Pa.; Hair: Light; Eyes: Blue; Complexion: Dark; Height: 5'11"; Remarks: (Pr. to Corp. 7-11-62 to Sgt. 4-1-63. Bates)/ Ledger shows last name as Mink.

According to the civil war pension index card, Joseph Minck was an alias for Joseph Muench. Philomena Winterhalter filed for a widow's pension in 1893.

Frank Fisher

Private, Corporal, Sergeant

Mustered out with company, 13 July 1864.

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 21; Occupation: Farmer; Residence: East Brook; Hair: Dark; Eyes: Blue; Complexion: Light; Height: 5'6"; Remarks: (Pr. to Corp. 7-11-62 to Sgt. 4-1-64. Bates).

Hailed from Hickory, in Neshannock Township, Lawrence County, according to the History of Lawrence County Pennsylvania, 1770 - 1877, by S.W. and P.A. Durant. Brother or cousin of Abel, John, Jr., and Matthias Fisher?

Thomas Hammill

Private, Corporal, Sergeant

Mustered out with company, 13 July 1864.

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 19; Occupation: Nail Feeder; Residence: Allegheny City; Hair: Dark; Eyes: Gray; Complexion: Light; Height: 5'5"; Remarks: (Pr. to Corp. 7-1162 to Sgt. 4-26-64. Bates). Rolls show last name as "HAMIL".

Pension index card lists his name as Thomas Hammell when he filed for an invalid pension in 1869.

James P. Green

Sergeant

Enlisted in the army in 1 March 1856 for a five year term, but deserted 25 May 1856, according to U.S. Army, Register of Enlistments, 1798-1914. May have served previously as Private in Company K, 13th (3 month) P.V. Infantry. Discharged on surgeon's certificate, 29 December 1862.

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 26; Occupation: Coppersmith; Residence: Harrisburg; Hair: Brown; Eyes: Gray; Complexion: Fair; Height: 5'11"; Remarks: (S.C. of D. Bates).

Joseph J. O'Brien

Sergeant; promoted to Commissary Sergeant (for regiment)

Mustered out with company, 13 July 1864.

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 20; Occupation: Clerk; Residence: Pittsburgh; Hair: Brown; Eyes: Black; Complexion: Fair; Height: 5'7"; Remarks: Trans. from Company G (Pro. to Com Sgt. 3-22-64 Bates) [last name spelled O'Brein in CWVCF]

Joseph appears to be the younger brother of Capt. Frank C. O'Brien. The 1860 Census places them in the same dwelling as their father Joseph, although Frank, married and aged 30, is listed as head of his own family. Joseph Some confirmation of the relationship comes from the 1880 Census by the fact that the place of birth of his father is listed as Maryland. Maryland was listed as the place of birth of the elder Joseph O'Brien in the 1860 Census.

Joseph married Elizabeth (listed as Lizzie in the 1880 Census) and had children named Mary, Joseph, James, and Harry. He lived in Pittsburgh or Allegheny City his whole life. Occupations listed in the census include clerk in store and paper-hanger.

Jacob Myers

Sergeant

Died 9 July 1863 of wounds received at Gettysburg; buried in Gettysburg National Cemetery, section C, Grave 29.

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 25; Occupation: Blacksmith; Residence: Pittsburgh; Hair: Light; Eyes: Blue; Complexion: Light; Height: 5'11"; Remarks: Promoted to Sgt., date unknown.

Alonzo Kelley

Private, Corporal

Promoted to Corporal 4 October 1862. Mustered out with company, 13 July 1864.

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 19; Occupation: Engineer; Residence: Allegheny City; Hair: Black; Eyes: Blue; Complexion: Light; Height: 5'6"; Remarks: (Pr, to Corp. 10-4-62. Bates).

The family name is Kelley, but most documents spell the name "Kelly." The 1880 Census ists his wife as Nancy, with whom they then had 7 children. Three more children were added to the family between 1880 and 1886. He was still listed as an engineer. Nancy was his first wife. She died in 1888. Kelly's second wife was Sadie. She filed for a widow's pension in 1907, the year ALonzo died. He name was recorded as Saide.
Alonzo's brother Hiram fought in the 61st Pennsylvania's Company B. He was wounded and became quite deaf during the war.

Thanks to Leah Kieffer for supplying me additional information about her husband's great grandfather.

George B. Gissinger

Private, Corporal

Promoted to Corporal 30 December 1862. Lost arm in Battle of the Wilderness. Mustered out with company, 13 July 1864.

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 18; Occupation: Confectioner; Residence: Allegheny Co.; Hair: Dark; Eyes: Blue; Complexion: Light; Height: 5'6"

He joined the Pittsburgh police force after the war, working his way up from park patrolman to park superintendent.

According to the 1910 Census, he was Superintendent of Park Police in Pittsburgh, living with his wife Annie, two sons, a grandson, and a servant. He died 4 December 1928.

Information abut his lost arm is found in the 1890 Veterans Schedule.

Jacob C. Roll

Private, Corporal

Captured at Gainseville, 27 June 1862, as evidenced by his being listed on register of Prisoners Received at C. S. Prison [Richmond?] on June 27th and 29th, 1862. Mustered out with company, 13 July 1864.

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 19; Occupation: Brakeman; Residence: Pittsburgh, Pa.; Hair: Dark; Eyes: Blue; Complexion: Dark; Height: 5'6"; Remarks: (Pr. to Corp. 9-1-62. Bates).

Amos S. Messimer

Private, Corporal

Mustered out with company, 13 July 1864.

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 18; Occupation: Farmer; Residence: New Castle; Hair: Light; Eyes: Blue; Complexion: Light; Height: 5'7"; Remarks: (Pr. to Corp. 12-28-63. Bates).

Adam Moffit

Private, Corporal

Wounded at Gaines Mills, 27 June 1862, and Petersburg, 18 June 1864. Mustered out with company, 13 July 1864.

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 23; Occupation: Teamster; Residence: Pittsburgh; Hair: Light; Eyes: Gray; Complexion: Light; Height: 5'9"

Andrew J. Bell

Private, Corporal

Promoted to Corporal 25 February 1864. Mustered out with company, 13 July 1864.

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 19; Occupation: Gardner; Residence: Allegheny Co.; Hair: Dark; Eyes: Blue; Complexion: Fair; Height: 5'11"

Family stories tell that he was wounded at the Battle of the Wilderness and carried off the field of battle by Corp. George Gissinger.

Isadore Murr

Private, Corporal

Mustered out with company, 13 July 1864.

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 25; Occupation: Farmer; Residence: Allegheny City; Hair: Light; Eyes: Blue; Complexion: Light; Height: 5'10"

Listed with last name spelled Muir in 1890 Federal Census Special Schedule (for Civil War Veterans) as resident of Marathon, Wisconsin.

John Y. C. Bell

Corporal

Discharged on surgeon's certificate, 26 September 1862.

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 24; Occupation: Farmer; Residence: Pittsburgh; Hair: [blank] ; Eyes: Light; Complexion: Fair; Height: 5'9"; Remarks: Promoted from Private, date unknown.

Robert Erwin

Corporal

Discharged for wounds received at Gaines Mill.

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 23; Occupation: Clerk; Residence: Allegheny City; Hair: Black ; Eyes: Hazel; Complexion: Light; Height: 5'6"; Remarks: (Discharged for wounds recieved at Gaines Mill, Va. Bates).

Henry R. Clowes

Corporal

Drafted. Mustered in 15 July 1863. Transferred to Company C, 155th P. V., 2 July 1864. Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, 20 November 1864. Discharged by general order, 9 June 1865.

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866 [from C 155 I card]: Age at Enrollment: 18; [No other personal information provided]; Remarks: Trans. from Company G. 62nd. Regt. 7-2-64. Trans. to V.R.C. Dis. by G.O.

Moved to Ashley, N. D., after the war.

George A. Stewart

Corporal

Deserted after Gettysburg, at Williamsport, Md., 15 July 1863.

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 19; Occupation: Farmer; Residence: Allegheny County; Hair: Dark ; Eyes: Blue; Complexion: Light; Height: 5'8"; Remarks: Deserted 7-15-63 Williamsport.

Bates lists date of desertion as 2 July 1863.

Charles P. McKillip

Corporal

Killed at Gaines Mill.

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 24; Occupation: Carpenter; Residence: [blank]; Hair: Dark; Eyes: Gray; Complexion: Light; Height: 5'9"; Remarks; (Missing at Gaines Mill, Va. 6-27-62. Bates).

Listed in Bates as "Missing at Gaines Mill, 27 June 1862," but by an Act of Congress, the Secretary of the Interior was directed to place on the pension roll the name of Miss Ann E. Hamilton, aunt and adopted mother of James (of the 61st P.V.) and Charles P. McKillip, "who was killed in battle at Gaines Hill, Virginia, June twenty-seventh, eighteen hundred and sixty-two." She was paid a pension of eight dollars per month during her natural life.

Alexander Spenier

Corporal

Missing at Gaines Mill, 27 June 1862.

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 19; Occupation: Nail Feeder; Residence: Baltimore; Hair: Dark; Eyes: Gray; Complexion: Light; Height: 5'6"; Remarks: (Missing at Gaines Mill, Va. 6-27-62. Bates). Rolls show name as Spurrier, Alexander.

John Bryan

Discharged on surgeon's certificate, 11 November 1861

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 18; Occupation: Clerk; Residence: Beaver; Hair: Brown; Eyes: Gray; Complexion: Light; Height: 5'11"; Remarks: Discharged S.C. of D.

Charles Hill

Discharged on surgeon's certificate, 3 March 1862

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 18; Occupation: Shoemaker; Residence: Columbia, Ohio; Hair: Light; Eyes: Dark; Complexion: Light; Height: 5'3"; Remarks: Discharge S.C. of D.