Notes for John A. KISTLER
Family Histories: (1) An outline of the Abraham Kistler family appears in: Rev. John Kistler, "Hanjoerg Kistler and His Descendants"; THE PENNSYLVANIA GERMAN, Vol. IX, No. 4, April, 1908. (Note: Modern genealogists discount the then prevailing belief that Abraham's father Johannes was the son of John George (Hanjoerg) Kistler). (2) THE HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PA; Vol. II, 1914, pp. 669-671. (3) Descendants chart by Harry Lenig, Copy in Perry Historians collection, New Bloomfield, Perry Co., PA. (4) Laura Willhide Johnston, DESCENDANTS OF MY GREAT-GRANDPARENTS (Peter Sheibly), 1924, p. 76 & 77; Copy in Perry Historians collection, New Bloomfield, Perry Co., PA. (5) COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE JUNITA VALLEY, 1897, p. 1150,1151
Began training as a tanner under James Magee at Huntingdon, PA. Became farmer in Jackson Twp., Perry Co., PA. Tried to re-enlist after his first term of service but was rejected due to his disability. Spent a year in Washington D.C. after the war.
Military service: Served as a Private in Company I which was later consolidated with Company A, 49th Regiment, PA Infantry. Muster roll of July/
Aug. 1862: "absent sick since July,2/62 at Long Island College Hospital." Nov/Dec. 1863: "Wounded in action Nov. 7, 63 Genl hospital Wash. D.C." March/Apr '64: "Returned from Hosp'l April 18,64" Nov/Dec '64: "Discharged Oct 23/64 Expiration of term of Service." Source: Veterans Military Records, National Archives
Pension application: Confirms much information in obiturary below. Enrolled at Harrisburg, PA Discharged near Winchester, VA. Following the War, lived three years in Huntingdon Co. PA then Blain, Perry Co., PA Applied for Invalid Pension for "gunshot wound of left leg, rheumatism and disease of eyes." Affidavits in support of claim submitted by: Samuel Rinesmith of Blain, Daniel Sheaffer of Blain, Dr. F.A. Gutshall of Blain (rheumatism and atrophy of left arm). Wounded at Savage Station (Rappahannock Station), VA "received a gunshot wound in left leg below the knee" At Armory Square Hospital, Washington, D.C. from Nov. 9, 1863 to Spring of 1864. Described as 5'6" tall, dark hair, blue eyes, dark compexion. Occupation prior to war: tanner. Separate application by Carrie V. Kistler for Widows Pension contains affidavit of F.B. Riddle confirming marriage date. Source: Veterans Military Pension Records, File No. WC 716-824, National Archives
"John A. Kistler, son of Samuel, was born 1832, in Perry county. He was a farmer and lime-stone dealer at Blain, Pa. His wife was Caroline Virginia Sheibly, who still lives at Blain. He died in 1911. Their children are: Milton S., mentioned later; Lila I., married to Abram F. Bucher, of New York City; Olivia Irene, widow of Frank Avernill, deceased; Clark, of Lewistown, Pa.; Mary, single; Dr. Edward C., of Blain, Pa.; and Fred B., a builder, of New York City. ..." Source: HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, p. 671
Obituary: "Our Blain correspondent thus writes: This community laments the death of one of its most highly respected citizens, veteran John A. Kistler, whose demise occurred at his beautiful home in this borough on Friday morning of last week... John A. Kistler was born February 8, 1832, died December 30, 1910, consequently he was aged 78 years, 10 months and 22 days. The deceased was the son of the late Samuel and Catharine (Kline) Kistler. He was married to Carrie V. Sheibley at Bixler, Pa. on Jan. 11, 1866, by Rev. Riddle. From this union seven children were born, namely, Milton Samuel of New York; Allia Irene, Mrs. A.F. Bucher, of New York; Mrs. Olevia Harriet Averill, at home; Clark Luther of Lewistown, Pa.; Mary Jane of New York; Edwin Cloyd of New York and Frederick Blain of New York. Mrs. Kistler survives her husband... There are twelve grandchildren. ...Mr. Kistler is the first one to die out of the family, excepting a little grandson who was accidentally drowned, being a son of Clark L. Kistler... The Kistler and Sheibley ancestors evidently have been long livers...grandmother Kistler being 84 years, grandfather Sheibley 81 years and grandfather Kistler 75 years and grandmother Sheibley 68 years of age. Mr. Kistler was a lime burner and after taking up housekeeping and living one year where Benj Gutshall now resides, moved with his wife to the limestone quarry property, northwest of town, now occupied by Edward McVay. They resided there for twenty years where all their children were born. They then moved to the quarry premises now owned by Sylvester Sheilds and they then moved to town about six years in the Moreland house and then purchased the D.M. Fetro home... Mr. Kistler was a Civil War veteran, having enlisted Sept. 14, 1861 in Compary I and later in Company A of the 49th Regiment Penn'a Volunteer Infantry. He saw hard service, being in twenty or more engagements. He fought in some of the bloodiest battles of the war, including Fredericksburg, Petersburg, Antietam, Gettysburg, etc. he was wounded in the battle of Rappahannock in 1864 by a gunshot in the left leg. He was honorably discharged Oct. 23, 1864... G.A.R. services were held in the M.E. Church... internment was made in the Methodist cemetery..." Source: A Perry Co., PA newspaper in the collection of the Perry Historians, as quoted in Gerald Collins, MARIANA (LOY) KISTLER AND SOME OF HER DESCENDANTS, 1996
Burial: Blain Methodist Episcopal Cemetery. Source: Tombstone transcriptions.
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