Genealogical Gems

A Quarryville man and his wife headed West On This Day in 1880. George W. Hensel and his wife left in the morning and headed out to Chicago, Minneapolis and other points.  Quarryville is in Southern Lancaster County. Source Lancaster Daily Intelligencer. ( Lancaster , PA ), 6 September 1880. Chronicling America : Historic American Newspapers . Library of Congress.      On This Day is a prompt to further explore historical events.                  © Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman, 2015

May has been designated by Congress as National Military Appreciation Month. As such, Genealogical Gems is featuring a veteran or current member of the military each day. Today, I selected Benjamin Franklin VanHorn - the brother of my great great great grandfather, Chrispin P. VanHorn. On 2 September 1863, Benjamin was mustered into the Union Army at West Chester, PA. He served in Company H of the 90th Infantry. His term was a three year term. He was taken prisoner on 19 August 1864 at the Second Battle of Weldon Railroad in Virginia. On 26 November of 1864 the 90th Regiment consolidated with the 11th Regiment at the Siege of Petersburg. He was discharged at Annaplis, MS by General Order. Benjamin was born 8 March 1843 to George and Jane Dudbridge VanHorn in Coatesville, PA. His enlistment paperwork states he was a stone mason. At age 20 he stood 5'8", had light hair, a fair complexion and hazel eyes. He married Margaret Hensel on 24 April 1867 in Philadelphia, w...