Notes for William Burdine KISTLER
Birth date, place source: Affidavit of Emeline Kister. Military pension records of William Burdine Kistler, National Archives
Marriage data: "...am not married, wife and child died in '72 Source: Military pension records of William Burdine Kistler, National Archives
1911 article in Johnstown, PA newspaper regarding Emeline's 80th birthday. Living with son Horace E. Kistler in Johnstown. " William Kistler served in the Seventh regiment of Pennsylvania reserve corps, as fife major. His oldest son, William B. Kistler, also enlisted at the age of 15. He served two enlistments in the cavalry during the civil war further evidencing the family's martial tendency. There were 12 children in the family of which the local physician is a member. Five are living." Copy in personal collection of Bruce Kistler, Winter Haven, FL
Military: Served as private in Civil War. Enlisted June 16, 1863 at Harrisburg, PA. Served in Co. A, 20th Penna Vol. Cavalry. Discharged January 6, 1864 at Harrisburg, PA. Served as unenlisted army teamster from March, 1864 to December, 1864. Enlisted February 17, 1865 and served in Co. C, 21st Penna Cavalry, mustered out at Lynchburg, VA July 8, 1865. Received saber wound in head and gunshot wound in right arm at Ft. Steadman, VA in March, 1865. Was also at Harper's Ferry, WV in February, 1865. Physically described as 5'4 1/2" tall,brown hair, dark complexion. Occuption prior to enlistment listed as clerk on one document and painter on another. Claim for invalid pension includes that for hemorrhoids contracted "in what was termed Hunter's raid through Maryland and West Virginia, being five days in the saddle..." "On or about March 5th or 6th 1865 received a saber wound on the head and a pistol shot in right arm in a charge at Ft. Steadman." Source: Military pension records of William Burdine Kistler, National Archives
Affidavit of James Orr of Napello, IA, "...messed and stayed in snow, mud and rain together at pettersburge (sic) the time of the last fight we had no tents with us & were exposed 2 all k of weather we were wet night & day at Harpers ferry we shovled the snow in the morning there was mud 2 or 3 inches under us the heat from us thawed the ground. at steadman on 5 & 6th of march we formed line at 2 o'clock in morning drew ammunition & went 2 the front I did not see WB 4 some time he came back with a sore arm..." Source: Military pension records of William Burdine Kistler, National Archives
Following the War, he lived in Philadelphia (2224 Ritter St.) until 1876, then lived in Colorado until 1879 or 1880, then lived in Albuquerque, NM and "travelling East and West of there" until abt. 1891, then lived in Pennsylvania (Johnstown) until 1907, then lived in Putnam Co., FL; Source: Military pension records of William Burdine Kistler, National Archives
West: His letters indicate that he did some prospecting at one point was captured by Indians. Letter to Sydney Kistler from Yuma Desert, CA dated 2/27/92. Edwin sent him some money to LosAngeles. Had expected to get to Phila. before Christmas. "I had between 3 & 4 thousand dollars all together but lost it all." "If I can get back to Mexico I will be all right for I have some lots there that are worth about $15,000." Asks for money. Source: Letters in personal collection of Bruce Kistler, Winter Haven, FL
Florida: Was living with brother Dr. Horace E. Kistler in Johnstown, PA. Left unannounced and moved to Carleton, Putnam Co., FL in March of 1907. On March 12, 1907 filed to record deed on 100' x 150' lot on which he built a shack and later a cottage. Lot is located northwest of Interlachen, east of Lake Loyal, west of Baden Powell Road. Horace purchased an adjoining acre of land in April of 1909. Source: Book 47, Pg. 471, Lot 21, Blk 9; Map book 1, pg. 109, Public Records of Putnam County, FL
Letter to Sydney L. Kistler postmarked Carleton, FL dated 6/13/07 "I have found a place that suits me...It is no place to make money as there is nothing doing but it is a good place to save money and live cheaply. I have bot me a small place 100 ft by 150 right on the bank of the lake...I am building my house of Cypress Shingles. It is 14 x 16 ft with a hip roof and a kitchen on the North side 7' by 14' and a porch on the West 7 by 16 all under one roof...I took my place on March 12th...I have a good garden and can raise all the garden truck I want...there is nothing here but woods, water and sand, plenty of sand..." Source: Letters in personal collection of Bruce Kistler, Winter Haven, FL
He was living in Putnam Co. at least until June of 1908. Letter to Richard D. Kistler postmarked Anna Maria, FL dated 9/9/22 "I have bought a place here but it is to large for Bill, so I built a room on rear end of lot to Batch and have rented the cottage and may sell it if I get my price but will keep my end of the lot. It is 52 x 45 that gives me a little garden spot while the lot on which the cottage stands is 52 x 100 feet...I may build me a bungalow...they tell me the ducks are plentiful in the fall but I am going to spend the winter here and see for myself...I am in about the center of the island between the bay and the gulf and nearly opposite Ft. Dade. I can (see) the flash light on the point from my front door...I go down the beach further where there is a City bathing beach." Source: Letters in personal collection of Bruce Kistler, Winter Haven, FL
It is believed that William B. Kistler is buried in Johnstown, PA
| HOME | EMAIL | SURNAMES |
Page built by
Gedpage Version 2.20 ©2000 on 05 August 2007