He was born in 1823/24, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [sources: date: 7 (38 in 1862), 8 (38 in 1862), 18-19 (70 in 1894). place: 7, 19]
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 7-1/2 inches tall, and had a dark complexion, dark eyes, and black hair. [source: 7]
He enlisted and was mustered into service, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 16 September 1862. He was enlisted for three years by Lieutenant Gregory. He was mustered in as a private in company C. [sources: 1, 7, 8, 11, 14, 16]
He was wounded between the eyes at the Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia. Captain Parsons told the widow of William Brown that he was safe. [sources: 1, 15]
On 23 March 1864, he was detailed as a hospital nurse and ordered to report to surgeon Knight. [sources: 2, 10]
On 19 April 1683, he was sent to a hospital in Washington DC. [source: 3]
He was discharged on 4 August 1864 on surgeon's certificate of disability, near Petersburg, Virginia, because of amaurosis (4 [has 2 August]), which is "[a] loss or decay of sight from loss of power in the optic nerve, without any perceptible external change in the eye". He was a private, in company C. [sources: 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11 (16 Aug), 12, 14, 16]
The final statement was sent to the Pension Office on 27 February 1865 (7).
On 3 February 1865, he applied successfully for a pension (13, 14).
In 1890, he was living in Tacony, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (11).
On 19 February 1894, he died, at 2404 E Dauphin Street, ward 31, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He died of valvular disease of the heart. He was a saw grinder. On 22 February 1894, he was buried at North Cedar Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (after being initially held in Palmer Vault). Members of Kensington Council, No. 9, Order of United American Mechanics, Kensington Lodge, No. 55, Knight of Pythias, Schuyler Post, No. 51, Grand Army of the Republic, and employees of Henry Disston & Sons were invited to the funeral, which was held from his late residence at 2404 East Dauphin Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (The government supplied a headstone.) [sources: 17, 18, 19]
Frank McKane is researching Henry McKane. Contact him at [email protected].
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster)
2 special order 24, HQ 91st PA, 23 March 1864
3 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 24 April 1864 (Private McKain)
4 bi-monthly report of enlisted men discharged for disability (Henry McKane)
5 Webster's new international dictionary, 2nd edition, unabridged
6 company C, register of men discharged, number 20 (Henry McKane)
7 company C, descriptive roll, entry 109 (Henry McKane)
8 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 10 July 2004 (Henry McKane)
9 company C, untitled list, probably of status at muster out, entry 49 (Henry McKane)
10 consolidated morning report, 24 March 1864 (Priv H McKane [?])
11 1890 US census, veterans' schedule, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Tacony, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 507, page 1 (Henry McKane)
12 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 3 August 1864 (Private McKane)
13 pension index, by name (Henry McKane)
14 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company C (Henry McKane)
15 widow's pension certificate file, Sarah Brown widow of William H Brown, NARA record group 15 (available at Footnote (viewed December 2008) (Harry [sic] McKane)
16 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Henry McKane)
17 records of headstones of deceased Union veterans, 1879-1903 (Henry McKane)
18 death notice, Philadelphia inquirer, Thursday 22 February 1894, page 7 (Henry McKane)
19 death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19 February 1894, #18055 (Henry McKane)
McKANE.--On February 19, Henry McKane, in his 70th year.
The relatives and friends of the family, Kensington Council, No. 9, O.U.A.M.; Kensington Lodge, No. 55, K. of P.; Schuyler Post, No. 51, G.A.R., and employes [sic] of Henry Disston & Sons, are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, on Thursday afternoon, at 3 o'clock, from his late residence, No. 2404 East Dauphin street. To proceed to Palmer Vault.