He was born on 3 October 1846, in Ringtown, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, to Daniel Broscious and Sarah Gohs [?]. [sources: date: 6, 12, 15, 19; 2 (19 in 1865), 4 (68 in 1918), 6 (53 in 1900), 7 (63 in 1910), 8 (73 in 1920), 9 (83 in 1930), 13, 16 (3 in 1850), 17 (14 in 1860), 18 (34 in 1880). place: 19; 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 16, 17, 18. parents: 12, 15, 16, 17, 19 (Sarah Boles)]
On 18 August 1847, he was christened, at the Saint Paul's Lutheran and Reformed Church, Ringtown, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. [source: 15]
In 1850, he was living in Butler Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. He was living with his (presumed) parents Daniel and Sarah, and (presumed) sister Elizabeth. [source: 16]
In 1860, he was living in Butler Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. He was living with his (presumed) parents Daniel and Sarah, and (presumed) siblings Elizabeth, Sarah, Daniel, and Mary. He had attended school within the year. [source: 17]
When he enlisted, he was a laborer. [source: 2]
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 2-1/2 inches tall, and had a fair complexion, blue eyes, and light hair. [source: 2]
He was a substitute. He was enlisted and mustered into service on 27 March 1865. He was enlisted for one year, at Pottsville, Pennsylvania, by Captain Bowen. He was mustered in as a private in company H. [sources: 1, 2, 4, 5, 13, 22, 23]
He mustered out with his company on 10 July 1865. He was a private, in company H. [sources: 1, 4, 5, 13, 22, 23]
In 1868/70, he married Annetta Elizabeth Paul ("Nettie"). She was born in October 1852, in Pennsylvania. They apparently had eight children, including:
[sources: 6 (8 children all alive in 1900), 7 (8 children 5 alive in 1910), 9 (at 25 (?) years old), 12, 13, 14, 18, 19]
In 1880, he was living in West Mahanoy, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. He was living with his wife, and with their children Teressa, Sammy E, Charly, and Henry. He was a laborer, and had been unemployed for three months in the previous year. [source: 18]
In 1890, he was apparently living in Ringtown, Union Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. [source: 20]
On 11 November 1891, he applied successfully from Pennsylvania for a pension. He was initially pensioned under the Act of 17 June 1890, for rheumatism, at a rate of $6 per month. [sources: 3, 4, 5]
In 1900, he was living in Ringtown, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. He was living with his wife Annie, and children Henry, Lillian, Victor, and George. He was a sawmill laborer. [source: 6]
On 24 November 1908, he again applied for a pension. [source: 5]
In 1910, he was living in Union Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. He was living with his wife Anetta, son Samuel, and a granddaughter. He was a sawyer, at a sawmill. [source: 7]
In 1918, he was receiving a pension of $18 per month, under the act of 11 May 1912. He was living in Ringtown, Pennsylvania. He was unable to support himself, because of rheumatism, hydrocele, disease of urinary organs, and loss of left thumb. He owned a house worth $1,000, which had a mortgage of $500, and had no other property or income. The House and Senate committees recommended that his pension be increased to $25 per month. [source: 4]
In 1920, he was living on Main Street, in Ringtown Borough, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. He was living with his wife Anetta, and daughter Elizabeth (who may well be the granddaughter in the 1900 census). He was not working. [source: 8]
In 1930, he was living on West Main Street, Ringtown Boro, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. He was living with his wife Annetta. He owned his house, which was worth $2,000. He was not working. [source: 9]
On 11 December 1930, his wife, Annetta, died, in Ringtown, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. She was buried in the Methodist Cemetery, Ringtown, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. [sources: 14, 21]
On 13 May 1935, he died, in Ringtown, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. He died of bronchopneumonia (5 days duration), with chronic emphysema and bronchitis (duration about 10 years) contributing. He was a laborer. He was buried in the Methodist [?] Cemetery, Ringtown, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. [sources: 10 (Lutheran), 11, 12 (Evangelical Cem), 13 (Methodist), 19]
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) (John Brocus)
2 company H, descriptive roll, #165 (John Brocus)
3 pension index, by name (John Brocious [?])
4 'Pensions and increase of pensions for certain soldiers and sailors of the Civil War, etc. May 8, 1918.' Senate Report 430. Page 63. Serial Set volume 7306, 65th Congress, 2nd Session, session volume B. [repeats Serial Set volume 7310. 65th Congress, 2nd Session. Session volume B. 'Pensions and increase of pensions for certain soldiers and sailors of the Civil War. April 10, 1918.' House Report 481. Pp.63-64] (John Brocious)
5 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company H (John Brocious)
6 1900 US census, Pennsylvania, Schuylkill County, Union Township, Ringtown Village, supervisor's district 7, enumeration district 210, microfilm series T623, film 1486, page 27 A = 6 handwritten (John C Brocious)
7 1910 US census, Pennsylvania, Schuylkill County, Union Township, supervisor's district 8, enumeration district 105, microfilm series T624, film 1419, page 149 B = 14 handwritten (John Brocious)
8 1920 US census, Pennsylvania, Schuylkill County, Ringtown Borough, supervisor's district 6, enumeration district 105, microfilm series T625, film 1651, page 172 B = 1 handwritten (John Brocious)
9 1930 US census, Pennsylvania, Schuylkill County, Ringtown Boro, supervisor's district 54-101, enumeration district 20, microfilm series T626, film 2147, page 48 = 2 A handwritten (John Broscious)
10 Pennsylvania veterans burial records, available on Ancestry (transcribed 4 December 2010) (John Brocious)
11 Pennsylvania death indices, 1935 ('B622 John Broscious 51588 Ringtown 5/13')
12 death certificate, Pennsylvania, Schuylkill County, file number 51588, 13 May 1835 (John Broscious)
13 Find a grave, memorial 115955751, created by Donald Seltzer, added 23 August 2013, accessed 27 October 2013 (identification is confirmed by reference on the stone to his service in the 91st) (John Brocious)
14 Find a grave, memorial 116003875, created by Donald Seltzer, added 24 August 2013, accessed 27 October 2013 (Annetta Brocious)
15 [not transcribed] abstract of christening record for John Broscious (available on FamilySearch, accessed 28 October 2013)
16 1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Schuylkill County, Butler Township, microfilm series M432, film 826, page 24 verso = 48 handwritten (FamilySearch) (John Grocus [sic])
17 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Schuylkill County, Butler Township, microfilm series M653, film 1180, page 160 = 96 handwritten (FamilySearch) (John Broches [sic])
18 1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Schuylkill County, West Mahanoy, enumeration district 246, microfilm series T9, film 1194, page 328 = 81 A handwritten (FamilySearch) (J C Brochius)
19 'Webber ancestry', an Ancestry family tree, owner webbergh, accessed 28 October 2013 (John C Brocious)
20 1890 US census, veterans' schedule, Pennsylvania, Schuylkill County, Union Township, enumeration district 245, microfilm series M123, film 83, page 1 (FamilySearch) (Charles [sic] C Brosious)
21 Pennsylvania death indices, 1930 ('ANNETTA BROSIUS RINGTOWN B622 54 12 11 30 118494')
22 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John Brocus)
23 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John Brosino)
| line | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| Dwellings visited | 295 | |||
| Families visited | 295 | |||
| Name | Daniel Grocus [sic] | Sarah " | John " | Elizabeth " |
| Age | 26 | 24 | 3 | 2 |
| Sex | m | f | m | f |
| Color | ||||
| Occupation of males over 15 years | Sawyer | |||
| Real estate owned | ||||
| Birthplace | " [sc. Pa.] | " | " | " |
| Married within year | ||||
| Attended school within year | ||||
| Over 20 & can't read/write | 1 | 1 | ||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 |
| Dwelling number | 693 | ||||||
| Family number | 642 | ||||||
| Name | Danl Broches [sic] | Sarah " | John " | Elizabeth " | Sarah " | Danl. " | Mary " |
| Age | 36 | 33 | 14 | 11 | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| Sex | m | f | m | f | f | m | f |
| Color | |||||||
| Occupation | Sawyer | ||||||
| Value of real estate owned | |||||||
| Value of personal estate | 50 | ||||||
| Place of birth | " [sc. Penna] | " | " | " | " | " | " |
| Married within year | |||||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Cannot read & write | |||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
| street name | ||||||
| house number | ||||||
| dwelling visit # | 661 | |||||
| family visit # | 685 | |||||
| name | Brochius [?] J.C. | - [illegible initial] E. | - Teressa | - Sammy E. | - Charly | - Henry |
| color | W | W | W | W | W | W |
| sex | M | F | F | M | M | M |
| age | 34 | 28 | 6 | 11 | 9 | 2 |
| month born if born in year | ||||||
| relationship | Wife | Daughter | Son | Son | Son | |
| single | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| married | 1 | 1 | ||||
| widowed/divorced | ||||||
| married during year | ||||||
| occupation | Laborer | keeping house | Laborer | |||
| months unemployed | 3 | 2 | ||||
| currently ill? | ||||||
| blind | ||||||
| deaf/dumb | ||||||
| idiotic | ||||||
| insane | ||||||
| disabled | ||||||
| school this year | 1 | |||||
| can't read | ||||||
| can't write | ||||||
| birthplace | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa |
| father's birthplace | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa |
| mother's birthplace | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa |
| line | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
| street | ||||||
| house number | ||||||
| dwelling number | 122 | |||||
| family number | 122 | |||||
| name | Brocious John C | - Annie | - Henry | - Lilian [sic] | - Victor E | - George W |
| relationship | Head | Wife | Son | Daughter | Son | Son |
| color | W | W | W | W | W | W |
| sex | M | F | M | F | M | M |
| birth date | Oct 1846 | Oct 1852 | July 1879 | July 1885 | Jan 1887 | Feb 1892 |
| age | 53 | 47 | 20 | 14 | 13 | 8 |
| married? | M | M | S | S | S | S |
| # years married | 31 | 31 | ||||
| mother of how many children? | 8 | |||||
| # of children living | 8 | |||||
| birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| ['Pennsylvania' is written across three columns on each line] | ||||||
| father's birthplace | [see the previous line] | |||||
| mother's birthplace | [see two lines above] | |||||
| immigration year | ||||||
| # years in USA | ||||||
| naturalized citizen? | ||||||
| occupation | Sawmill laborer | R R track repair | Day laborer | |||
| # months not employed | 6 | |||||
| # months in school | 7 | 7 | 3 | |||
| can read | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | |
| can write | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | |
| speaks English | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | |
| owned/rented | R | |||||
| free or mortgaged | ||||||
| farm/house | H | |||||
| # of farm schedule | ||||||
| line | 59 | 60 | 61 | 62 |
| street | ||||
| house nr | ||||
| dwelling nr | 110 | |||
| family nr | 114 | |||
| name | Brocious John | - Anetta | - Samuel | Shietle [?] Elizabeth |
| relationship | Head | Wife | Son | Granddaughter |
| sex | M | F | M | F |
| color | W | W | W | W |
| age | 63 | 57 | 40 | 4 |
| marital status | M1 | M1 | Wd | 3 |
| #years present marriage | 40 | 40 | ||
| mother of # children | 8 | |||
| mother of # living children | 5 | |||
| birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| father's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| mother's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| immigrated | ||||
| naturalized/alien | ||||
| speaks English | English | English | English | |
| occupation | Sawyer | General Housework [?] | Laborer | None |
| nature of industry etc. | Saw Mill | Working Out | Odd Jobs | |
| employer etc. | W | W | W | |
| out of work 15 Apr 1910? | No | No | No | |
| # weeks out of work 1909 | 0 | 26 | 20 | |
| can read | No | No | Yes | |
| can write | No | No | Yes | |
| school since 1 Sep 09 | ||||
| owned/rented | R | |||
| owned free or mortagaged | ||||
| farm/house | H | |||
| nr on farm schedule | ||||
| civil war vet | UA | |||
| blind | ||||
| deaf & dumb |
| line | 66 | 67 | 68 |
| street | Main Street | ||
| house number | X | ||
| dwelling visit number | 18 | ||
| family visit number | 0 | ||
| name | Brocious John | - Annetta | - Elizabeth |
| relationship | Head | Wife | Daughter |
| own/rent | O | ||
| free/mortgaged (if owned) | M | ||
| sex | M | F | F |
| race | W | W | W |
| age at last birthday | 73 | 67 | 14 |
| marital status | M | M | S |
| year of immigration | |||
| naturalized/alien | |||
| year of naturalization | |||
| attended school since Sept 1919 | Yes | ||
| can read | No | No | Yes |
| can write | No | No | Yes |
| birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| native language | |||
| father's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| father's native language | |||
| mother's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| mother's native language | |||
| can speak English | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| occupation | None | None | None |
| industry, business | |||
| employment status | |||
| number of farm schedule | |||
| line | 6 | 7 |
| street | West Main Street | |
| house number | ||
| dwelling visit # | 23 | |
| family visit # | 27 | |
| name | Broscious John | - Annetta |
| relation | Head | Wife-H |
| owned/rented | O | |
| value or rent | $2000 | |
| radio | ||
| farm | No | |
| sex | M | F |
| color | W | W |
| age | 83 | 76 |
| married? | M | M |
| age 1st marriage | 25 | 16 |
| ['25' might be '23'] | ||
| school/college since 9/29 | No | No |
| can read & write | Yes | No |
| birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| father's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| mother's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| native language | ||
| immigration year | ||
| naturalization | ||
| can speak English | yes | yes |
| occupation | none | none |
| industry | ||
| worker class | ||
| at work yesterday | ||
| unemployment schedule # | ||
| veteran? | Yes | |
| war | Civ | |
| farm schedule # | ||
H. R. 11063. John Brocious, aged 68 years, late a private, Company H, Ninety-first Regiment Pennsylvania Infantry, from March 27 to July 10, 1865 (length of service, 3 months 14 days), and is now pensioned under certificate No. 1109608 at the rate of $18 per month.
Post office, Ringtown, Pa.
[page 64]He was formerly pensioned at $6 per month under act of June 17, 1890, for rheumatism, and is now pensioned for age and length of service under act of May 11, 1912.
Medical testimony submitted to this committee indicates the claimant is unfitted for self-support by reason of rheumatism, hydrocele, disease of urinary organs, and loss of left thumb; further evidence is to the effect that he owns a home valued at $1,000 which is encumbered by mortgage to the amount of $500, but has no other means, property, or income except his pension, which it is recommended be increased to $25 per month.