91st PA: Howard Wheatley Shipley

Howard Wheatley Shipley

picture of Howard Shipley
Thanks to Joe Fulginiti for this image

Before the war

He was born on 12 August 1844 (53, 54 [16 in 1860], 55 [33 in 1870], 56 [35 in 1880], 59 [1844], 71 [51 at death in 1895], 72 [12 Aug 44], 74). He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (54, 55, 56, 71, 72) He was born to Augustus B Shipley and Elenora Potts (53, 59, 74).

His grandfather, Thomas Shipley, was an abolitionist Quaker (74).

In 1850, he was living in the second ward of Spring Garden, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania (58). He was living with his father, Augustus B Shipley, and other people (58). He had attended school within the year (58).

On 27 June 1855, at Claverick Creek, Hudson County, New York, his brother Percival G Shipley died (75). This is probably the brother who saved Howard's life, and then died a few minutes later while trying to rescue a second person (74).

He was educated in the public schools (59). He graduated from the Normal Academy of Chester, Delaware County, Pennsylvania (74). After graduating, he worked for his father (74).

In 1860, he was living in the 13th ward of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (54). He was living with his father Augustus Shipley and his brother Malcolm (54). He had attended school within the year (54).

When he enlisted, he was living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (45).

During the war

He also served as private in the 20th Pennsylvania Infantry (72). They served in the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, of General Patterson's Army, in Virginia (74). On 26 April 1861, he mustered in (72, 74). On 6 August 1861, he mustered out (72, 74).

On 19 October 1861, he was second lieutenant of company G (67).

He enlisted and was mustered into service, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 2 December 1861 (1, 25, 43 [also has 29 Dec 61], 45 [2 Dec 61], 46 [2 Dec 61], 72, 74). He was mustered into service as second lieutenant, in company G (1, 45, 76, 82).

On 29 June 1862, he, along with the other commissioned officers in the regiment (except Colonel Gregory), signed a statement denying accusations that they were on the verge of open mutiny, that the regiment had been reduced to 400 men, and that Colonel Gregory was too lenient to Confederates and too harsh to men in the regiment (62).

On 8 August 1862, Major Todd ordered him to relieve Lieutenant Brewster as Officer of the Guard at slave pen, because Brewster was drunk (49). He later testified that Brewster seemed to him to be intoxicated enough to be unfit for duty (49). Because the Sergeant of the Guard told Shipley (presumably after the roll call Shipley had him conduct) that two prisoners were missing, and that Brewster had released them, Shipley wrote Brewster's name in the Guard Book as the person who had released them (49). He later testified he did that "to throw the responsibility of[f] my shoulders" (49). Shipley was usually Officer of the Guard every three days (49).

On 7 February 1863, he was commanding company D (26).

On 8 March 1863, he was transferred from company D to company K (27). On 22 March 1863, he was transferred from company K to company G (28).

On 25 March 1863, he testified at the trial of John Groff (K). Unsurprisingly, he didn't know anything (78).

He was commissioned, but never mustered in, as first lieutenant on 12 May 1863 (1, 45, 72, 74).

On 24 May 1863, he was assigned to company H (31). He may have been transferred back to company G on 29 or 30 May 1863 (32).

He fought at the Battle of Gettysburg (61).

On 15 August 1863, he was assigned to command company B (9, 34). On 16 August 1863, he was assigned to lead a detail on picket duty (10, 35). On 28 August 1863, he was detailed to lead recruits from the railroad station to camp (12). On 30 August 1863, he was assigned to lead a detail on picket duty (13).

He was a witness to the charges and specifications Joseph Sinex filed against Morris Kayser, but did not testify in his court martial (11, 30).

On 5 September 1863, he led a picket detail, comprising 1 corporal and 4 men from company B, 8 men from company E, and 1 sergeant, 2 corporals, and 3 men from company F (15). He failed to report to the Assistant Adjutant General when the picket detail arrived in front of the 146th New York Volunteers at 8.20 (14).

He was relieved of command of company B on 18 September 1863, and ordered to report to Captain Sellers, of company G (16).

He was assigned to duty as acting adjutant on 19 September 1863, because Benjamin Tayman was sick (17, 36), and relieved from that duty on 15 November 1863 (18, 37, 38).

He was acting adjutant on 12 December 1863 (39), and on 14 December 1863 (19).

He was not acting adjutant on 15 December 1863 (20). Fifth Corps Headquarters granted him a leave of absence on 14 December 1863 (29). He was reported on leave from 16 December 1863 to 26 December 1863 (40, 41)--but he signed the 25 December consolidated morning report (42)!

He was again acting adjutant on 29 December 1863 (21)

He was detailed for recruiting when the 91st PA was on veteran furlough, in January 1864, and was still on recruiting service when he enlisted Aaron K Vanarsdall (D) on 12 February 1864 (1 [p.190], 2, 33, 79). He enlisted John Brown (E) on 21 January 1864 (81).

On 5 February 1864, he enlisted John Martin (E), at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (83).

He was acting adjutant in March and April 1864 (5, 6, etc.). He had stopped being acting adjutant by 8 June 1864 (22).

On 7 April 1864, he certified that John Donnell was whom he claimed to be (77).

He was wounded--apparently severely--on 12 May 1864 at Spottsylvania Court House, Virginia (Laurel Hill) (1 [p.191], 2, 45, 59, 70, 74). He received a gunshot wound in his left arm (74).

He was commissioned, but not mustered in, as captain on 12 July 1864 (45, 59, 72, 74).

He was detailed as acting adjutant on 10 September 1864, when he returned to the regiment (23, 50, 74). He was acting adjutant on 9 September 1864, 14 September 1864 (7) and on 16 October 1864 (8) and 22 October 1864 and 5 November 1864 (various orders).

He declined the commission on 14 October 1864 (72, 74).

On 21 October 1864, as acting adjutant, he sent John Hamill in charge of a picket detail (48). When Hamill was reported drunk, he sent Theodore Hope to replace him (48). When Hamill reported to him, he told Hamill to report to his quarters under arrest, but did not view Hamill as "out of the way" (48). He later testified that he thought Hamill had a "good" reputation for sobriety, though he refused to specify precisely what a good reputation for sobriety meant (48).

He was still acting adjutant on 30 November 1864, when John Allen (F) was appointed acting adjutant (24, 51, 52).

He mustered out on 1 or 2 December 1864 when his term expired (1 [has 2 Dec], 3 [has 1 Dec, 43 [2 Dec 64; also has 12 Aug 186?], 45 [2 Dec 64], 57, 72 [2 Dec 64]). He was first lieutenant of company G (82).

After the war

After the war he "engaged in business enterprises", but in the end associated with his father, the senior member of AB Shipley & Co., a hardware firm (59, see also 74).

Eli Sellers named one of his sons, born about 1865/66, 'Howard Shipley Sellers' (80).

On 9 May 1866, he certified that he enlisted Aaron K Vanarsdall (D) while on recruiting service in Philadelphia during February 1864 (79).

In January 1870, Howard W Shipley withdrew from the firm of A B Shipley & Sons (66).

In 1870, he was living in the 15th ward of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (55). His occupation was "hardware" (55).

In 1874, Howard W Shipley's pocket cutlery won a silver medal from the Franklin Institute (65).

In March 1877, AB Shipley & Sons and Howard W Shipley (pocket cutlery manufacturer) were temporarily closed, because they could not pay the debts of another business that failed, as they had promised to do (64). The creditors agreed to take half the money then, and to accept long-term notes without interest for their other half (64).

In 1880, he was living at 201 Chelton Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (56). He was living with his father Augustus Shipley, other family members, and two servants (56). He was a hardware merchant (56).

He attended the 1884 meeting of the 91st's Survivors' Association (4).

From 1 June 1886 until he died, he was Sergeant-Major of Post 2 of Philadelphia, Department of Pennsylvania, of the GAR (74).

On 1 February 1888, he was elected to the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (60, 72, 73, 74). He had insignia 5996 (72, 74).

In 1890, he was living at 201 West Chilton Avenue, in Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (43, 44). He was a clerk (44).

He died of an aortic aneurysm, on 10 October 1895, at his residence, 222 W Penn Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (53, 59, 63, 71, 72 [11 Oct], 74 [11 Oct]). He was single (71). He was a merchant (71). The funeral services were held on Saturday 12 October 1895, at Calvary Church, Manheim Street, with its rector, Dr Perry, conducting the service, assisted by Rev Romney of St Peter's Church (59, 63, 71). He was a member of the Post Number 2 of the GAR, of the Loyal Legion, and of the 91st Regiment Association (59, 63). He was buried at Monument Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (59, 63, 71).

Sources

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, and on pages 190 and 191)

2 Welch, p.504.

3 Official Army Register.

4 'The 91st' [account of 1884 meeting of survivors' association]. Grand Army Scout and Soldiers' Mail, 20 December 1884, page 6 column 2.

5 special order 36, HQ 91st PA, 18 April 1864

6 special order 13, HQ 91st PA, 1 March 1864; see also consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 1 March 1864 (etc.)

7 general order 11, HQ 91st PA, 14 September 1864

8 general order 12, HQ 91st PA, 16 October 1864

9 special order 53, HQ 91st PA, 15 August 1863

10 special order 56, HQ 91st PA, 16 August 1863

11 charges and specifications preferred against Morris Kayser.

12 special order 63, HQ 91st PA, 28 August 1863

13 special order 67, HQ 91st PA, 30 August 1863

14 letter, Sinex to Marvin, 5 September 1863 [doesn't mention Shipley by name, but special order 71 (HQ 91st PA, 5 Sep 63) seems to confirm the identity.

15 special order 71, HQ 91st PA, 5 September 1863

16 special order 82, HQ 91st PA, 18 September 1863

17 special order 84, HQ 91st PA, 19 September 1863 [dated 19 September 1862]

18 special order 104, HQ 91st PA, 15 November 1863

19 circular, HQ 91st PA, 14 December 1863

20 special order 115, HQ 91st PA, 15 December 1863

21 circular, HQ 91st PA, 29 December 1863

22 special order 41, HQ 91st PA, 8 June 1864

23 special order 75, HQ 91st PA, 10 September 1864

24 special order 115, HQ 91st PA, 30 November 1864

25 regimental descriptive book (Howard W Shipley)

26 consolidated morning report, 7 February 1863

27 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 8 March 1863 (Lieut Shiply)

28 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 22 March 1863 (Lieut Shipley)

29 special orders received, #59, received 16 December 1863 (Lt Shipley)

30 record of Morris Kayser's court martial

31 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 24 May 1863 (Lieut Shipley)

32 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 29 or 30 May 1863

33 enlistment paperwork, George Rodearmal (Howard W Shipley)

34 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 15 August 1863 (Lieut H Shipley)

35 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 16 August 1863 (Lieut Shipley)

36 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 19 September 1863 (Lieut Shipley)

37 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 14 November 1863 (Howard W Shipley)

38 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 15 November 1863

39 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 12 December 1863 (Howard W. Shipley)

40 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 16 December 1863 (not named)

41 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 26 December 1863 (not named)

42 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 25 December 1863 (Howard W Shipley)

43 1890 US census, veterans' schedule, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Germantown, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 471, page [blank] (Howard W Shipley)

44 1890 Gopsill's Philadelphia directory, transcription at <www.ancestry.com> (searched Dec 04) (Howard W Shipley)

45 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 21 January 2005 (Howard W Shipley [rolls have 'Henry W Shipley'])

46 company G, list of commissioned officers (Howard W Shipley)

47 company G, register of men discharged, second list, #3 (Howrad W Shipley)

48 court-martial record, John Hamill (Howard W Shipley)

49 court-martial record, E Carroll Brewster (and second testimony by Shipley) (Howard W Shipley)

50 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 10 September 1864 (Howard W Shipley)

51 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 30 November 1864 (Howard W Shipley)

52 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 1 December 1864 ([no longer named as adjutant])

53 "Hollett", a gedcom on Rootsweb.com WorldConnect, last updated 23 Oct 2005, viewed 11 February 2006 (Howard Wheatley Shipley)

54 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 13th ward, microfilm series M653, film 1163, page 484 = 64 handwritten (Howard W Shipley)

55 1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 15th ward, microfilm series M593, film 1399, page 482 = 108 handwritten (Howard Shipley)

56 1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Germantown, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 447, microfilm series T9, film 1181, page 386 C = 23 handwritten (Howard Shipley)

57 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 3 December 1864 (Lt Shipley)

58 1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Spring Garden, second ward, microfilm series M432, film 818, page 364 (Howard W Shipley)

59 [obituary], The Germantown Guide, Saturday 19 October 1895 (Howard W Shipley)

60 "Original Companions of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States" (Howard W Shipley)

61 Pennsylvania Memorial, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (H W Shipley)

62 'Ninety-first Pennsylvania Regiment'. Philadelphia Inquirer, 11 July 1862, page 2 (Howard W Shipley)

63 [death notice], Philadelphia Inquirer, 11 October 1895, page 11 (also published at 12 October 1895 page 9) (Howard W Shipley)

64 'Mercantile embarrassments'. Philadelphia Inquirer, 24 March 1877, page 2. (Howard W Shipley)

65 'Medals of merit'. Philadelphia Inquirer, 26 November 1874, page 2. (Howard W Shipley)

66 'Mercantile changes'. Philadelphia Inquirer 3 January 1870 page 2 (Howard W Shipley)

67 'Camp Chase at Gray's Ferry' Philadelphia Inquirer 19 October 1861 page 8 (H W Shipley)

68 'Camp Chase', Philadelphia Inquirer 30 November 1861 (HW Shipley)

69 'Departure of Col. Gregory's regiment', Philadelphia Inquirer 22 January 1862 page 2 (HW Shipley)

70 'The Ninety-first Pennsylvania volunteers', Philadelphia Inquirer 8 June 1864 page 3 (Howard W Shipley

71 death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 10 October 1895, #7713 (Howard W Shipley)

72 Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. Register of the Commandery of the State of Pennsylvania April 15, 1865--September 1, 1902. Philadelphia, 1902. (Howard Wheatley Shipley)

73 Register of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. Compiled from the Registers and Circulars of the Various Commanderies by J. Harris Aubin. Boston: Published under the Auspices of the Commandery of the State of Massachusetts, 1 January 1906. (Howard W Shipley)

74 'In memoriam: Howard Wheatley Shipley', circular 2, series of 1896, whole no. 305, in Memorial circulars, Commandery of Pennsylvania 1880-1899 (Howard Wheatley Shipley)

75 Philadelphia death certificate abstract, available on LDS Pilot site (accessed 27 September 2010) (Percival G Shipley)

76 'Col Gregory's regiment' (Philadelphia Press 26 November 1861 page 3 and Monday 25 November 1861 page 3 and Saturday 23 November 1861 page 3) (H W Shipley)

77 widow's pension certificate file, NARA, RC 15, certificate 51729 (Catherine widow of James Kiernan) (Howard W Shipley)

78 court-martial record, National Archives and Records Administration, record group 153 (Records of the Judge Advocate General (Army)), John Groft, 25 March 1863, LL 231 (Howard W Shipley)

79 widow's pension certificate file, National Archives and Records Administration, record group 15, certificate number WC 112,570, Catharine Reeves widow of Aaron K Vanarsdall (Howard W Shipley)

80 sellers3, a family tree, available on Ancestry, owner Lewana63, accessed 23 November 2013 (including Howard Shipley Sellers)

81 compiled service record, John Brown (E) (Howard W Shipley)

82 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Howard W Shipley)

83 compiled service record, E 91 PA, John Martin (Howard W Shipley)

Sources checked unsuccessfully

pension index by name
Ancestry index (accessed 13 June 2005)
1900 US census
LDS pilot and HeritageQuest indices (accessed 27 September 2010)
1910 US census
HeritageQuest index (accessed 27 September 2010)
1920 US census
LDS pilot and HeritageQuest indices (accessed 27 September 2010)
1930 US census
Footnote index (accessed 27 September 2010)

Display



Howard W Shipley in the 91st PA database

1850 census

[1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Spring Garden, second ward, microfilm series M432, film 818, page 364]
[I did not transcribe the twelve other people at this residence, headed by Nathan R Potts]
line39404142
Dwellings visited    
Families visited    
NameAugustus B ShipleyPercival G "Howard W "Malcolm R "
Age35863
SexMMMM
Color    
Occupation of males over 15 yearsHardware Mercht   
Real estate owned    
BirthplacePennsylvania"""
Married within year    
Attended school within year 11 
Over 20 & can't read/write    
Deaf, dumb, blind, etc.    

1860 census

[1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 13th ward, microfilm series M653, film 1163, page 484 = 64 handwritten]
[I did not transcribe the other people at this residence, headed by Natan [sic] R Potts]
line212223
Dwelling number[440]  
Family number[436]  
NameAugustus B ShipleyHoward W "Malcom A "
Age431612
SexMMM
Color   
OccupationMerchant  
Value of real estate owned3000  
Value of personal estate   
Place of birth" [sc. Penna]""
Married within year   
Attended school within year 11
Cannot read & write   
Deaf, dumb, blind, etc.   

1870 census

[1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 15th ward, microfilm series M593, film 1399, page 482 = 108 handwritten]
[I did not transcribe the eleven other people at this residence, headed by Chas Amet]
line23
Dwelling-house number[700]
Family number[677]
NameShipley Howard
Age33
SexM
Color" [sc. W]
OccupationHardware
Real estate value 
Personal estate value5000
BirthplacePenna
Father foreign born 
Mother foreign born 
Birth month if born within year 
Marriage month if married within year 
Attended school past year 
Can't read 
Can't write 
Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. 
Male US citizen at least 21 years old1
Male US citizen at least 21 years old who can't vote ... 

1880 census

[1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Germantown, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 447, microfilm series T9, film 1181, page 386 C = 23 handwritten]
line123456789
street nameChelton Ave
house number201        
dwelling visit #167        
family visit #169        
nameShipley Agustus- Josephine- Howard- Julia- Walter- Fanny- CharlesMcDonnell Kate- Ellen
colorWWWWWWWWW
sexMFMFMFMFF
age64493514111082322
month born if born in year         
relationship wifesondaughtersondaughtersonServantServant
single  1111111
married11       
widowed/divorced         
married during year         
occupationHardware MchtKeepg HouseHardware MchtAt schoolAt schoolAt schoolAt schoolServantServant
months unemployed         
currently ill?         
blind         
deaf/dumb         
idiotic         
insane         
disabled         
school this year   1111  
can't read         
can't write         
birthplacePaPaPaPaPaPaPaPaPa
father's birthplacePaPaPaPaPaPaPaIrelandIreland
mother's birthplacePaPaPaPaPaPaPaIrelandIreland

index to compiled service records

[index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania]
[transcribed 29 March 2015, from Fold3]


Shipley Howard W.
Co. G, 91 Pennsylvania Inf.
2" Lieut | 1" Lieut.
See also [blank]

GENERAL INDEX CARD.

Obituary

[source: The Germantown Guide, Saturday 19 October 1895]
[transcribed at message on Rootsweb's PA-CIVIL-WAR, 12 April 2006, from Eugene Stackhouse]

A SOLDIER'S FUNERAL.

The funeral services of Howard W. Shipley, who died at his residence, 222 W. Penn street, on Thursday of last week, were held Saturday afternoon in Calvary Church, Manheim street. The rector of the church, the Rev. Dr. Perry, assisted by the Rev. T. S. Romney, D. D., of St. Peter's Church, conducted the service. Mr. Shipley was born in Philadelphia in 1844, and was a son of Mr. A. B Shipley. He received his early education in the public schools, and when the Rebellion opened he enlisted in the Ninety-first Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, being but 16 years of age. He took part in many engagements, in one of which he was severely wounded, and on recovering was appointed a captain of one of the companies in the regiment. When the war ended Mr. Shipley engaged in business enterprises, finally associating with his father, who is the senior member of the hardware firm of A. B. Shipley & Co., of this city. Mr. Shipley was a member of Post No. 2, G. A. R., Loyal Legion and the Ninety-first Regiment Association, all of which organizations were represented at the services at the church and at Monument Cemetery, where the interment was made.

death notice

[Philadelphia Inquirer, 11 October 1895, page 11 (also 12 Oct page 9)]

SHIPLEY.--On the 10th inst., Howard W. Shipley, Sergeant Major Post 2, G.A.R., aged 51 years. The relatives and friends of the family, Post 2, G.A.R.; Loyal Legion and the Ninety-first Regiment Association, are respectfully invited to attend the funeral services Saturday, at 2 o'clock, at Calvary Church, Manheim street, below Wayne, Germantown. Interment at Monument Cemetery.

problems with business

[Philadelphia Inquirer, 24 March 1877, page 2]
MERCANTILE EMBARRASSMENTS.
SUSPENSION OF SEVERAL PHILADELPHIA BUSINESS HOUSES.
[...]

A. B. Shipley & Sons, importers of hardware, Commerce street, above Fifth, and Howard W. Shipley, manufacturer of pocket cutlery, same place. Suspensions caused by firms indorsing paper for another house, whose failure carried them down. The creditors of Messrs. Shipley have unanimously agreed to accept fifty per cent., balance in long notes, without interest, and allow the firms to go on with their business.

Medals of merit

[Philadelphia Inquirer, 26 November 1874, page 2]
MEDALS OF MERIT.
AWARDS BY THE FRANKLIN INSTITUTE BRONZE AND SILVER TESTIMONIALS TO UTILITY, SKILL, AND EXCELLENCE--FULL LIST OF THE RECIPIENTS, WITH NAMES OF MERITORIOUS ARTICLES.
[...]

XIX.--HARDWARE, CUTLERY, ETC.

Silver Medal.--[...] Howard W. Shipley, Philadelphia, pocket cutlery; [...]


[...]

Withdrawal from firm

[Philadelphia Inquirer 3 January 1870 page 2]
MERCANTILE CHANGES.--[...]
WITHDRAWALS.
[...]
Howard W. Shipley, from A. B. Shipley & Son.
[...]

memorial circular

['In memoriam: Howard Wheatley Shipley', circular 2, series of 1896, whole no. 305, in Memorial circulars, Commandery of Pennsylvania 1880-1899.]

Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.
COMMANDERY OF THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA.
In Memoriam
HOWARD WHEATLEY SHIPLEY
First Lieutenant 91st Penna. Infantry
DIED AT PHILADELPHIA PA. OCTOBER 11 1895

Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.
HEADQUARTESR COMMANDERY OF THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA

CIRCULAR NO. 2. Series of 1896. Whole No. 305.

Philadelphia, January 16, 1896.

HOWARD WHEATLEY SHIPLEY.
Private 20th Penna. Infantry April 26, 1861; mustered out August 6, 1861.
Second Lieutenant 91st Penna. Infantry December 2, 1861; First Lieutenant May 12, 1863; honorably mustered out December 2, 1864.
Captain 91st Penna. Infantry July 12, 1864; declined October 14, 1864.
Elected February 1, 1888. Class 1. Insignia 5996.
Died at Philadelphia, Pa., October 11, 1895.

Companion Shipley, like many of those who composed the loyal soldiery of the North in the war for the Union, was descended from Quaker stock; his grandfather, Thomas Shipley, being conspicuous by his bold and advanced advocacy of human freedom without distinction of race or color.

After graduating from the Normal Academy of Chester, Delaware Co., Companion Shipley entered the employ of his father, Augustus B. Shipley, where he remained actively engaged in business until the firing upon Fort Sumter. The spirit of bravery and self-devotion that prompted him as a youth of seventeen to enlist a few days thereafter as a private in the 20th Regiment Penna. Infantry was characteristic of that displayed by other members of this family, as illustrated in the heroism shown by his elder brother, when a youth, in rescuing from a watery grave the subject of this sketch, to lose his own life a few moments afterwards in the effort to rescue a second companion.

Companion Shipley remained on duty during the three months of his first enlistment, serving in the 3d brigade 1st division of Gen. Patterson's army in its operations in Virginia until mustered out August 6, 1861.

On December 2, 1861, he re-entered the service as Second Lieutenant Co. G., 91st Regiment Penna. Infantry, and with the command was assigned to duty in the defences of Washington until April 27, 1862, from which time this regiment was actively engaged in all the campaigns of the Army of the Potomac.

On May 12, 1863, he was promoted to First Lieutenant, and on the same day of the following year was disabled at Spottsylvania Court House, Va., by a gunshot wound in the left arm. Upon returning to duty he was detailed as Adjutant of the regiment for several months, being finally mustered out of service December 2, 1864.

After leaving the army he again identified himself with mercantile pursuits in the stores of his father, remaining there until his decease.

His connection with the various organizations of veterans of the late war has been a notable one. Of a quiet and unassuming nature, he won the love and esteem of his associates by his warm heart and beneficent impulses. His ready and cheerful responses to the appeals of distress, and his voluntary offerings in alleviating the wants of the deserving needy greatly endeared him to all with whom he was brought in contact.

That his services as a soldier were well performed is exemplified by his devotion and energetic attention to the duties that marked his occupancy of the positions he was selected to fill after the close of the rebellion,--notably that of Sergeant-Major Post No. 2 of Philadelphia G.A.R., Dept. of Penna., which office he most efficiently filled from June 1, 1886, until his death.

He was affectionate, earnest, faithful and competent; more cannot be said.

LOUIS R. FORTESCUE, Captain 29th Penna. Infantry.
THOMAS E. MERCHANT, Brevet Captain U.S. Vols.
CHARLES M. BETTS, Lieut.-Colonel 15th Penna. Cavalry.
Committee.

By command of Brevet Major-General D. McM. GREGG, U.S.V., Commander.
JOHN P. NICHOLSON, Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel U.S.V., Recorder.

Official.

Recorder.

death certificate

[death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 10 October 1895, #7713, Howard W Shipley]
[thanks to Ed McLaughlin for finding this!]

RETURN OF A DEATH
IN THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA.
PHYSICIAN'S CERTIFICATE.
7713
1. Name of Deceased, Howard W. Shipley
2. Color, W
3. Sex, M
4. Age, 51 yrs.
5. Single
6. Date of Death, Oct. 10, 1895.
7. Cause of Death, Aortic Aneurism
Chas. S. Potts M.D.
Residence, 1712 Wallace St.

UNDERTAKER'S CERTIFICATE IN RELATION TO DECEASED.
8. Occupation, Merchant
9. Place of Birth, Philad
10. When a Minor, [blank]
11. Ward, Germantown
12. Street and Number, 222 Penn St
13. Date of Burial, Oct 12th 1895
14. Place of Burial, Monument Cem.
John A. Franks, Undertaker.
Residence, 441 North 6th St.

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