He was born in December 1846, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Francis M Bilhartz and Catherine [unknown family name]. [sources: date: 6; 2 (18 in 1861), 3, 4 (4 in 1850), 5 (37? in 1880), 6 (53 in 1900), 7 (60 in 1910), 8 (71 at death in 1918), 20 (18 in 1864). place: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 20. parents: 16]
In 1850, he was living in ward 6, Northern Liberties, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with Francis and Catherine Billhart (presumably his parents), and with Frances, Amelia, Albert, and Mary (presumably his siblings). His father was a gunsmith. [source: 4]
In 1857, his father was a gun-stock maker, living on Hill's Court, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 13]
He was a gunsmith when he enlisted. [source: 3]
In 1861, his father was a gun stocker, living at 510 Coates, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 13]
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 4-1/2 inches tall, and had a light complexion, dark eyes, and dark hair. [source: 3]
When he enlisted in the US Army, he had hazel eyes, dark hair, and a florid complexion, and was 5 feet 8 inches tall. [source: 20]
He enlisted and was mustered into service, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 23 September 1861. He was enlisted for three years, by Captain Dye. He was mustered in as a private, in company F. [sources: 1, 2, 3]
He was transferred to company D when the two regiments were consolidated. [sources: 3; 1 (mustered in co.D), 21 (mustered in co D)]
He was not on the muster-out roll when the regiment mustered out. [source: 1]
He may have transferred to the US Army Ordinance Department, where he served as a corporal. If so, when he was transferred, he was a private, in company D. He enlisted on 14 November 1864, at the Frankford Post [?], Pennsylvania. He was a laborer. [sources: 17, 18, 20, 21]
He was discharged from the US Army on 14 November 1867, at the Frankford Arsenal in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.. He was a corporal when he was discharged. [sources: 17, 18, 20]
In 1866, his father was a gunsmith, on Tacony Road, Whitehall. [source: 13]
In 1867-68, his father was a gunsmith, living at 2008 New 5th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 13]
In 1869, his father was living at 4957 James, in Whitehall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a laborer, living at 4957 Whitehall (sic; presumably 4957 James, Whitehall). (This is the first appearance of him in the city directories that I have found.) [source: 13]
About 1872/73, he married Mary Ann Moss. They apparently had four children, including:
[sources: 5, 7, 10 (4 children, 4 living in 1900), 11 (4 children 3 living in 1910)]
In 1874, his father was a gunsmith, living at 715 Fairmount Avenue. [source: 13]
From 1876 to 1878, he was a machinist, living on Washington near James, in Whitehall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 13]
In 1880, he was living on Pratt Street, ward 23, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his wife Mary A, his sons Joseph and Albert, and his father Francis. He was an engineer. [source: 5]
Starting in 1882, he appears regularly in the city directories. [source: 13]
In 1882-1883, he was living with his father at Pratt near James, Whitehall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1882-83, he was a boltcutter. [source: 13]
In 1884, he was a cutter, living with his father at 335 Pratt, Whitehall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 13]
In 1886, he was an engineer, living with his father at Pratt near James, Frankford, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 13]
In 1887, he was a machinist, living with his father at 335 Pratt, Whitehall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 13]
In 1888-89, he was a machinist, living with his father at Pratt near Trenton Avenue, Whitehall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 13]
In 1890, he was a driver, living with his father at 335 Pratt, Whitehall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 13]
Starting in 1892, he lived at 2225 Pratt Street, Whitehall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He lived with his father until his father's death on 29 May 1897. In 1892, he was a driver. In 1893-94, he was a messenger. In 1895, he was a laborer. In 1897-99, he was a messenger. In 1900, he was a driver. [sources: 13, 14]
In 1900, he was living at 2225 Pratt Street, ward 23, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his sons Albert and George. He worked for the government. His wife, Mary Ann Bilhartz, was living in the State Hospital for the Insane, in Norristown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. [sources: 6, 10]
On 21 December 1908, he successfully applied from Pennsylvania for a pension. He received a pension of $12 per month, retroactive to 21 December 1908; the certificate was dated 25 January 1909. He apparently received this under the Act of 6 February 1907. [sources: 17, 18, 19]
In 1910, he was living at 2225 Pratt Street, ward 23, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his son George. He was a messenger, at the US Arsenal. His wife, Mary A Bilhartz, was living in the State Hospital for the Insane, in Norristown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. [sources: 7, 11]
On 15 May 1912, his pension was increased to $13.50 per month; the certificate was dated 11 June 1912. He apparently received this under the Act of 11 May 1912. [source: 17]
On 18 December 1912, his pension was increased to $15.50 per month. [source: 17]
On 18 December 1916, his pension was increased to $19 per month. [source: 17]
On 10 June 1918, his pension was increased to $30 per month. [source: 17]
On 8 August 1918, he died, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He died of thermic fever, with cerebral apoplexy contributing. He was married, to Mary Ann Bilhartz. He was a chauffer. On 12 August 1918, he was buried in Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery. The funeral was held from his residence, 2225 Pratt Street, Frankford, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Members of St John's and St Bonifacius Society, and employees of the Frankford Arsenal, were invited to attend. [sources: 8, 15, 16, 18]
His estate was worth $3,450. He left $100 each to St Vincent's Orphan Asylum and to the All Saints' Roman Catholic Church, in Bridesburg, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The rest was distributed to his relatives. [source: 9]
On 18 December 1918, his pension was apparently scheduled to be increased to $32 per month. [source: 17]
In 1920, his widow, Mary Ann Bilhartz, was living in the State Hospital for the Insane, in Norristown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. She was working, as a servant, in the kitchen. [source: 12]
On 17 September 1920, his widow Mary A Bilhartz successfully applied for a pension from Pennsylvania, under the Act of 1 May 1920. She received a pension of $30 per month, retroactive to 17 September 1920. The certificate was dated 19 January 1922. [sources: 17, 18, 19]
On 18 December 1921, his pension was apparently scheduled to be increased to $22.50 per month. [source: 17]
On 27 February 1922, Frankford Trust Company was appointed Mary Ann Bilhartz's guardian, after posting $850 bond. They apparently replaced George J Bilhartz as her guardian. A certificate of guardianship was filed (with the Pension Bureau?) in March 1922. [sources: 17, 19]
On 11 November 1927, his widow Mary A Bilhartz died. [source: 17]
I am reasonably confident that the census, city directory, and death records I have located are all for the same Joseph Billhartz. However, the only evidence I have that this is the Joseph Billheart who served in the 91st is that I have found no other candidates. While his name eventually seems to have been standardized as 'Bilhartz', the city directories reveal many other spellings, including 'Billhart' in 1857 and 1861.
Note also that the Veterans administration pension payment cards make very clear that this Joseph served as a corporal in the US Army Ordinance Department. I am guessing that he was transferred there from the 91st, and the loss of regimental records in November 1862 explains why the transfer wasn't reported on the muster-out roll. But that is only a guess.
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) (Joseph Billheart)
2 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 8 Aug 2004 (Joseph Billheart)
3 company F, descriptive roll, #16 (Joseph Bilherty)
4 1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Northern Liberties, ward 6, microfilm series M432, film 811, page 422 verso = 60 handwritten = 842 handwritten (Joseph Billhart)
5 1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 23, division 22, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 481, microfilm series T9, film 1182, page 276 = 1 B handwritten (Joseph Bilhartz)
6 1900 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 23, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 537, microfilm series T623, film 1465, page 101 = 9 B handwritten (Joseph F Billhartz)
7 1910 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 23, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 482, microfilm series T624, film 1397, page 238 = 2 A handwritten (Joseph Billhartz)
8 death notice, Joseph F Bilhartz, Evening Public Ledger (Philadelphia PA), 9 August 1918, night extra closing stock prices, page 16 (Joseph F Bilhartz)
9 'Will benefits orphans', Evening Public Ledger (Philadelphia PA) 16 August 1918, final, page 9 (Joseph F Bilhartz)
10 1900 US census, Pennsylvania, Montgomery County, Norristown Borough, ward 6, State Hospital for the Insane, supervisor's district 2, enumeration district 241, microfilm series T623, film 1444, page 159 = 6 A handwritten (Mary Ann Bilhartz)
11 1910 US census, Pennsylvania, Montgomery County, Norristown Borough, ward 6, State Hospital for Insane, supervisor's district 3, enumeration district 120, microfilm series T624, film 1379, page 185 = 20 A handwritten (Mary A Bilhartz)
12 1920 US census, Pennsylvania, Montgomery County, Norristown Borough, ward 6, State Hospital for the Insane, supervisor's district 3, enumeration district 143, microfilm series T625, film 1604, page 200 = 19 A handwritten (Mary Ann Bilhartz)
13 various Philadelphia city directories
14 Philadelphia death certificate, #25305, 29 May 1897, Francis M. Bilhartz (90, gunsmith, died at or was buried from 2225 Pratt Street, 23rd ward, buried St Peters Cem) (accessed 26 March 2011)
15 Pennsylvania death indices, 1918 ("Bilhartz,Joseph F;--83243;Phila;Aug.8.")
16 death certificate, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 8 August 1918, file number 83243 (Joseph F Bilhartz)
17 Veterans administration pension payment cards, 1907-1933, National Archives and Records Administration, microfilm series M850, film 172 (three cards) (Joseph F Bilhartz)
18 pension index, by unit (Joseph F Bilhartz)
19 pension index, by name (Joseph F Bilhartz)
20 US Army, register of enlistments, 1798-1914 (Joseph F Bilhartz)
21 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Joseph Billheart)
| line | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| Dwellings visited | 411 | ||||||
| Families visited | 523 | ||||||
| Name | Francis Billhart | Catherine Do | Frances Do | Amelia Do | Albert Do | Mary Do | Joseph Do |
| Age | 42 | 32 | 14 | 12 | 8 | 5 | 4 |
| Sex | M | F | F | F | M | F | M |
| Color | |||||||
| Occupation of males over 15 years | Gun Smith | ||||||
| Real estate owned | |||||||
| Birthplace | Do [sc. Germany] | Md | Penn | Do | Do | Do | Do |
| Married within year | |||||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
| Over 20 & can't read/write | 1 | ||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 |
| street name | Pratt Street | ||||
| house number | |||||
| dwelling visit # | 22 | ||||
| family visit # | 22 | ||||
| name | Bilhartz Joseph | - Mary A | - Joseph | - Albert | - Francis |
| color | W | W | W | W | W |
| sex | M | F | M | M | M |
| age | 37 [?] | 35 | 6 | 3 | 73 |
| month born if born in year | |||||
| relationship | Wife | Son | " | Father | |
| single | 1 | 1 | |||
| married | 1 | 1 | |||
| widowed/divorced | |||||
| married during year | |||||
| occupation | Engineer | Keeping house | At home | " " | Laborer |
| months unemployed | |||||
| currently ill? | |||||
| blind | |||||
| deaf/dumb | |||||
| idiotic | |||||
| insane | |||||
| disabled | |||||
| school this year | |||||
| can't read | |||||
| can't write | |||||
| birthplace | Penna | Ireland | Penna | Penna [?] | Prussia |
| father's birthplace | Prussia | Ireland | Penna | Penna | Prussia |
| mother's birthplace | Md | Ireland | Ireland | Ireland | Prussia |
| line | 67 | 68 | 69 |
| street | Pratt Street | ||
| house number | 2225 | ||
| dwelling number | 175 | ||
| family number | 179 | ||
| name | Billhartz Joseph F | - Albert J | - George A |
| relationship | Head | Son | Son |
| color | W | W | W |
| sex | M | M | M |
| birth date | Dec 1846 | Dec 1876 | May 1881 |
| age | 53 | 23 | 19 |
| married? | Wd | S | S |
| # years married | |||
| mother of how many children? | |||
| # of children living | |||
| birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| father's birthplace | Germany | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| mother's birthplace | Baltimore | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| immigration year | |||
| # years in USA | |||
| naturalized citizen? | |||
| occupation | Government | Government | At school |
| # months not employed | 0 | 0 | |
| # months in school | 10 | ||
| can read | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| can write | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| speaks English | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| owned/rented | O | ||
| free or mortgaged | F | ||
| farm/house | H | ||
| # of farm schedule | |||
| line | 29 | 30 |
| street | Pratt Street | |
| house nr | 2225 | |
| dwelling nr | 30 | |
| family nr | 30 | |
| name | Billhartz Joseph | - George |
| relationship | Head | Son |
| sex | M | M |
| color | W | W |
| age | 60 | 23 |
| marital status | M1 | S |
| #years present marriage | 37 [?] | |
| [the first digit is clearly '3', but the second digit is hard to read] | ||
| mother of # children | ||
| mother of # living children | ||
| birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| father's birthplace | Germany Ger | Pennsylvania |
| mother's birthplace | Germany Ger | Ireland Eng |
| immigrated | ||
| naturalized/alien | ||
| speaks English | English | English |
| occupation | Messenger | Rope Maker |
| nature of industry etc. | US Arsenal | Rope Work |
| employer etc. | W | W |
| out of work 15 Apr 1910 | No | No |
| # weeks out of work 1909 | 0 [?] | 0 |
| can read | Yes | Yes |
| can write | Yes | Yes |
| school since 1 Sep 09 | ||
| owned/rented | O | |
| owned free or mortagaged | F | |
| farm/house | H | |
| nr on farm schedule | ||
| civil war vet | ||
| [I think Joseph's line is unmarked, but there may be something written under the occupation classification number] | ||
| blind | ||
| deaf & dumb | ||
| line | 48 |
| street | |
| house number | |
| dwelling number | |
| family number | |
| name | Bilhartz Mary Ann |
| relationship | Patient |
| color | W |
| sex | F |
| birth date | [no month listed] 1847 |
| age | 53 |
| married? | M |
| # years married | 27 |
| mother of how many children? | 3 |
| # of children living | 3 |
| birthplace | Ireland |
| father's birthplace | Ireland |
| mother's birthplace | Ireland |
| immigration year | |
| # years in USA | |
| naturalized citizen? | |
| occupation | |
| # months not employed | |
| # months in school | |
| can read | yes |
| can write | yes |
| speaks English | yes |
| owned/rented | |
| free or mortgaged | |
| farm/house | |
| # of farm schedule |
| line | 46 |
| street | |
| house nr | |
| dwelling nr | |
| family nr | |
| name | Bilhartz Mary A |
| relationship | Inmate |
| sex | F |
| color | W |
| age | 62 |
| marital status | M |
| #years present marriage | 38 |
| mother of # children | 4 |
| mother of # living children | 3 |
| birthplace | Ireland |
| father's birthplace | Ireland |
| mother's birthplace | Ireland |
| immigrated | |
| naturalized/alien | |
| speaks English | English |
| occupation | None |
| nature of industry etc. | |
| employer etc. | |
| out of work 15 Apr 1910? | |
| # weeks out of work 1909 | |
| can read | yes |
| can write | yes |
| school since 1 Sep 09 | |
| owned/rented | |
| owned free or mortagaged | |
| farm/house | |
| nr on farm schedule | |
| civil war vet | |
| blind | |
| deaf & dumb |
| line | 25 |
| street | |
| house number | |
| dwelling visit number | |
| family visit number | |
| name | Bilhartz Mary Ann |
| relationship | Patient |
| own/rent | |
| free/mortgaged (if owned) | |
| sex | F |
| race | W |
| age at last birthday | 72 |
| marital status | M |
| year of immigration | Un |
| naturalized/alien | Un |
| year of naturalization | |
| attended school since Sept 1919 | |
| can read | yes |
| can write | no |
| birth place | Ireland |
| native language | English |
| father's birthplace | Ireland |
| father's native language | English |
| mother's birthplace | Ireland |
| mother's native language | English |
| can speak English | Yes |
| occupation | Servant |
| industry, business | Kitchen |
| employment status | |
| number of farm schedule |
| CLASS. | DATE. | DATE OF COMMENCEMENT. | DATE OF CERTIFICATE. | ||
| ORIGINAL | 12 | Dec21 /08 | Jan. 25/09 | ||
| REISSUE | 13 50 | May 15 /12 | June 11 /12 | ||
| INCREASE. | 15 50 | Dec 18/12 | |||
| 19 | Dec 18/16 | June 5/13 | |||
| 22 50 | Dec 18 /21 | ||||
| [curly braces connect the previous three lines to 'June 5 /13'] | |||||
| 30 | JUN 10 1918 | ||||
| 32 | Dec 18 1918 | ||||
| CLASS | RATE | DATE OF COMMENCEMENT | DATE OF CERTIFICATE |
| [the rate and date of commencement on the first line are x-ed out, and illegible] | |||
| Orig | 30 | Sep 17 1920 | Jan 19 1922 |
| CLASS. | RATE. | DATE OF COMMENCEMENT. | DATE OF CERTIFICATE. |
| Orig | 30 | Sep. 17. 20 | Jan-19-22 |
| DEAD NAME OF SOLDIER | Bilhartz, Joseph F | |||
| SERVICE | Late rank Corp'l. | Ord. Dept Reg't U.S.A. | ||
| TERM OF SERVICE | Enlisted Nov. 14, 1864 | Discharged Nov 14, 1867 | ||
| DATE OF FILING | CLASS | APPLICATION NO | LAW | CERTIFICATE NO. |
| 1908 Dec. 21 | Invalid | 1.379.698 | Agl | 1152.526 |
| 1920. Sept. 17 | Widow | 1.163.363 | Feb 20 | 909.038 |
| Minor | ||||
| ADDITIONAL SERVICES | ||||
| REMARKS | ||||
| Died Aug 8, 1918, | at Phila Pa | |||
| NAME OF SOLDIER | Bilhartz, Joseph F. | |||
| NAME OF DEPENDENT | Widow | Bilhartz Mary A by Geo J Bilhartz Gdn | ||
| Minor | ||||
| SERVICE | Ord. Dept USA | |||
| DATE OF FILING | CLASS | APPLICATION NO | CERTIFICATE NO | STATE FROM WHICH FILED |
| 1908 Dec 21 | Invalid | 1379698 | 1152526 | Pa. |
| 1920 Sept 17 | Widow | 1163363 | 909038 | Pa |
| Minor | ||||
| ATTORNEY | ||||
| REMARKS | ||||
BILHARTZ.--Aug. 8, JOSEPH F., husband of Mary Ann Bilhartz (nee Moss), aged 71. Relatives and friends, St. John's and St. Bonifacius Society, employes Frankford Arsenal, invited to funeral, Mon., 8 a.m., 2225 Pratt st., Frankford. Solemn requiem high mass All Saints Church. Int. Most Holy Redeemer Cem.
In disposing of an estate valued at $3450, the will of Joseph F. Bilhartz, 2225 Pratt street, leaves $100 each to St. Vincent's Orphan Asylum and All Saints' Roman Catholic Church, Bridesburg. The remainder goes to relatives.