He was born on 5 May 1840, in Perry Township, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, to Benjamin Barger and Isabella Truby. [sources: date: 24 (5 May 1840), 20 (May 1841), 14 (1840); 8 (21 in 1863), 9 (21 in 1863), 10 (22 in 1863), 15 (8 in 1850), 16 (19 in 1860), 17 (30 in 1870), 18 (38 in 1880), 21 (69 in 1910), 23. place: 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 24. parents: 15, 16, 23, 24]
In 1850, he was living in Perry Township, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. He was living with Benjamin and Isabella Barger (presumably his parents), and with others (presumably siblings). He had attended school within the year. [source: 15]
In 1860, he was living in Perry Township, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. He was living with Benjamin and Isabella Barger (presumably his parents), and with others (presumably siblings). He was apparently not working, and had attended school within the year. [source: 16]
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 8-1/2 inches tall, and had a dark complexion, black eyes, and black hair. [sources: 8, 9]
He was drafted. He enlisted and was mustered into service on 17 July 1863 in the 62nd Pennsylvania Infantry. He served in company M. He enlisted for three years. He was mustered in as a private, in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. His service was credited to the 23rd congressional district. [sources: 1, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 27]
He was wounded in May or June 1864. [source: 6]
He was transferred on 20 July 1864 from company M of the 62nd Pennsylvania to the 91st. On 21 July 1864, he, and the other members of companies L and M, were assigned to company G. On 22 July 1864, they were transferred to company K, following brigade orders to assign them to the smallest company. He was then absent. He was a private, in company K. [sources: 1, 2, 3, 6, 12 (15 Aug), 27]
On 27 April 1865, he was promoted to corporal, effective 1 April 1865. His surname was crossed out, which may mean that the order was cancelled. [sources: 2, 4]
On 31 May 1865, he was promoted to corporal, effective 31 May. He was promoted on 6 June 1865 to corporal. [sources: 1, 5, 10]
He mustered out on 10 July 1865 with his company. He was a corporal, in company K. [sources: 1, 10, 12, 27]
On 25 January 1866, he married Margaret Jane Hours, in Dutch Hill, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. She was born on 19 February 1848, in Clarion County, Pennsylvania. They had seven known children:
[sources: 17, 18, 20, 21, 23]
On 26 May 1868, he applied succesfully for a pension. [sources: 11, 12]
In 1870, he was living in Perry Township, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania (post office Brady's Bend). He was living with Margaret (presumably his wife), and with Benjamin and Venice (presumably their children). He was a laborer. [source: 17]
In 1880, he was living in Perry, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. He was living with his wife Margaret, and children Ben F, Leslie, Susan A, Elizabeth, and Mary. He was a coal miner. [source: 18]
In 1890, he was living in Perry Township, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. He had been shot in the back, and had rheumatism. [source: 19]
In 1900, he was living in Perry Township, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. He was living with his wife Margaret, children Catharine R and Carrie L, and grandchildren Martha J and Anna E Zimmerley. He was a farmer. [source: 20]
In 1910, he was living on Parker Road, in Perry Township, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. He was living with his wife Margaret J, his daughter Catharine R, and his grandchidlren Martha J and Anna E Zimmerly. He was a farmer, on a general farm. [source: 21]
On 20 June 1911, his wife, Margaret, died, at Parker City, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. She was buried in Walley Cemetery, in Brady's Bend, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. [sources: 22, 23, 26]
He received a pension under the Act of 11 May 1912 [?]. Beginning 24 May 1912, he received $21.50 per month. [source: 25]
He died on 20 March 1916, at Karma City, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. He died of chronic Brights disease, which he had had for two years. He was a farmer. On 24 March 1916, he was buried in Walley Cemetery, Brady's Bend, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. [sources: 12, 13, 14, 24, 25]
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) (Reuben Berger)
2 special order 65, HQ 91st PA, 21 July 1864 (Reuben Berger)
3 special order 66, HQ 91st PA, 22 July 1864 (Reuben Berger)
4 special order 25, HQ 91st PA, 27 April 1865 (Ruben Berger) [Note: his surname is crossed out. Although other entries in the same order have the entire line crossed out, I suspect his promotion was also cancelled.]
5 special order 31, HQ 91st PA, 31 May 1865
6 company K, second list of non-commissioned officers (Reuben Berger)
7 company K, second descriptive roll (Reuben Berger)
8 company K, third descriptive roll (Reuben Berger)
9 company K, fourth descriptive roll (Reuben Berger)
10 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 13 May 2005 (Reuben Berger)
11 pension index, by name (Reuben Berger)
12 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company K (Reuben Barger [sic])
13 Pennsylvania death indices, 1916 ("Barger, Reuben; 38482; Armstrong Co.; Mar. 20.")
14 Find a grave, memorial 15525826, created by Michael S Emett, added 27 August 2006, accessed 17 May 2013 (pictured headstone refers to his service in the 62nd PA) (Reuben Barger [sic])
15 1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Armstrong County, Perry Township, microfilm series M432, film 749, pages 6 verso = 12 handwritten to 7 recto = 13 handwritten (FamilySearch) (Rheuben [sic] Barger)
16 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Armstrong County, Perry Township, microfilm series M653, film 1070, pages 509 = 74 handwritten to 510 = 75 handwritten (FamilySearch) (Reuben Berger)
17 1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Armstrong County, Perry Township (post office Brady's Bend), microfilm series M593, film 1301, page 316 verso = 86 handwritten (FamilySearch) (Reuben Barger)
18 1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Clarion County, Perry, microfilm series T9, film 1117, page 239 = 34 B handwritten (FamilySearch) (Rheubin Barger)
19 1890 US census, veterans' schedule, Pennsylvania, Armstrong County, Perry Township, enumeration district 24, microfilm series M123, film 87, page 2 handwritten (FamilySearch) (Ruben Barger)
20 1900 US census, Pennsylvania, Armstrong County, Perry Township, enumeration district 16, microfilm series T623 film 1373, page 232 = 8 A handwritten (FamilySearch) (Reuben Barger)
21 1910 US census, Pennsylvania, Armstrong County, Perry Township, enumeration district 18, microfilm series T624, film 1309, page 4 = 4 B handwritten (FamilySearch) (Ruebon [sic] Barger)
22 Find a grave, memorial 15525845, created by Michael S Emett, added 27 August 2006, accessed 17 May 2013 (Margaret J Barger)
23 'Emery family tree', a gedcom, available on RootsWeb WorldConnect, contact Robert Emery, updated 21 September 2012 (accessed 17 May 2013) (Reuben A Barger)
24 death certificate, Pennsylvania, Armstrong County, 20 March 1916, file 38482 (Reuben Barger)
25 Veterans administration pension payment cards, 1907-1933, National Archives and Records Administration, microfil mseries M850, film 101 (Reuben Barger)
26 Pennsylvania death indices, 1911 ("Barger, Mary A.; 62065; Parker City; June 20.")
27 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Reuben Berger)
line | 42 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
Dwellings visited | 81 | ||||||||
Families visited | 81 | ||||||||
Name | Benjn Barger | Isabella Barger | Loffer [?] " | Christopher " | John " | Elizabeth " | Rheuben [sic] " | Jacob " | Saville [?] " |
Age | 38 | 35 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 4 | 1 |
Sex | m | f | m | m | m | f | m | m | m |
Color | |||||||||
Occupation of males over 15 years | Farmer | Labourer | |||||||
Real estate owned | 500 | ||||||||
Birthplace | Pa | Pa | " | " | " | " | " | " | " |
Married within year | |||||||||
Attended school within year | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
Over 20 & can't read/write | 1 | ||||||||
Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
line | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 1 |
Dwelling number | 613 | |||||||
Family number | 537 | |||||||
Name | Benjamin Berger | Isabella " | John " | Reuben " | Elizabeth " | Jacob " | Susannah | Samuel L [?] |
Age | 50 | 45 [?] | 21 | 19 | 17 | 14 | 11 | 6 |
Sex | M | F | M | M | F | M | F | M |
Color | ||||||||
Occupation | Stone Mason | Farm Hand | Domestic | |||||
Value of real estate owned | 1,000 | |||||||
Value of personal estate | 50 | |||||||
Place of birth | Do [sc. Pa] | Do | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa |
Married within year | ||||||||
Attended school within year | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
Cannot read & write | ||||||||
Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
line | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 |
Dwelling-house number | [608] | |||
Family number | [604] | |||
Name | Barger Reuben | - Margret | - Benjaman [sic] | - Venice |
Age | 30 | 22 | 3 | 1 |
Sex | M | F | M | M |
Color | W | W | W | W |
Occupation | Laborer | House Keeper | ||
Real estate value | ||||
Personal estate value | ||||
Birthplace | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna |
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 old | 1 | |||
Male US citizen at least 21 years old who can't vote ... |
line | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
street name | |||||||
house number | |||||||
dwelling visit # | 319 | ||||||
family visit # | 323 | ||||||
name | - [sc. Barger] Rheubin [sic] | - Margret | - Ben F | - Leslie | - Susan A | - Elizabeth | - Mary |
color | w | w | w | w | w | w | w |
sex | M | F | M | M | F | F | F |
age | 38 | 32 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 2 |
month born if born in year | |||||||
relationship | wife | son | " | daugh | " | " | |
single | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
married | 1 | 1 | |||||
widowed/divorced | |||||||
married during year | |||||||
occupation | Coal Miner | Keeps house | At home | " " | " " | " " | " " |
months unemployed | |||||||
currently ill? | |||||||
blind | |||||||
deaf/dumb | |||||||
idiotic | |||||||
insane | |||||||
disabled | |||||||
school this year | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
can't read | |||||||
can't write | |||||||
birthplace | " [sc. Pa] | " | " | " | " | " | " |
father's birthplace | " [sc. Pa] | " | " | " | " | " | " |
mother's birthplace | " [sc. Pa] | " | " | " | " | " | " |
line | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 |
street | ||||||
house number | ||||||
dwelling number | 152 | |||||
family number | 154 | |||||
name | Barger Reuben | - Margaret J | - Cathren R | - Carrie L | Zimmerley Martha J | - Anna E |
relationship | Head | Wife | Daughter | Daughter | G daughter | G daughter |
color | W | W | W | W | W | W |
sex | M | F | F | F | F | F |
birth date | May 1841 | Feb 1848 | Aug 1882 | May 1885 | Dec 1893 | Mar 1896 |
age | 59 | 52 | 17 | 15 | 6 | 4 |
married? | M | M | S | S | S | S |
# years married | 34 | 34 | ||||
mother of how many children? | 7 | |||||
# of children living | 6 | |||||
birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
father's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
mother's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
immigration year | ||||||
# years in USA | ||||||
naturalized citizen? | ||||||
occupation | Farmer | |||||
# months not employed | 0 | |||||
# months in school | ||||||
can read | yes | yes | yes | yes | ||
can write | yes | yes | yes | yes | ||
speaks English | yes | yes | yes | yes | ||
owned/rented | O | |||||
free or mortgaged | F | |||||
farm/house | F | |||||
# of farm schedule | 101 |
line | 74 | 75 | 76 | 77 | 78 |
street | Parker Road | ||||
house nr | |||||
dwelling nr | 89 | ||||
family nr | 90 | ||||
name | Barger Ruebon [sic] | - Margaret J | - Catharine R | Zimmerly Martha J | - Anna E |
relationship | head | wife | daughter | grand daughter | grand daughter |
sex | M | F | F | F | F |
color | W | W | W | W | W |
age | 69 | 62 | 27 | 16 | 14 |
marital status | M1 | M1 | S | S | S |
#years present marriage | 44 | 44 | |||
mother of # children | 7 | ||||
mother of # living children | 5 | ||||
birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
father's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
mother's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
immigrated | |||||
naturalized/alien | |||||
speaks English | English | English | English | English | English |
occupation | Farmer | none | Cook | none | none |
nature of industry etc. | General Farm | in Restaurant | |||
employer etc. | Emp | W | |||
out of work 15 Apr 1910? | no | ||||
# weeks out of work 1909 | 0 | ||||
can read | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
can write | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
school since 1 Sep 09 | yes | yes | |||
owned/rented | O | ||||
owned free or mortagaged | F | ||||
farm/house | F | ||||
nr on farm schedule | 62 | ||||
civil war vet | UA | ||||
blind | |||||
deaf & dumb |
ISSUES. | |||
CLASS. | RATE. | DATE OF COMMENCEMENT. | DATE OF CERTIFICATE. |
Reis | 21.50 | 24 May 1912 | 7. Jan 1913 |