He was born in 1819/21 (34 (40 in 1861), 38 [50 in 1870], 39 [63 in 1880], 43 [78 in 1897], 50 [78 in 1897]).
In 1850, he was living in the fourth ward of Southwark, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania (40). He was a painter (40). He was living with his wife Adeline, and seven children (40).
When he enlisted, he was living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (34).
He was enlisted at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 24 September 1861 (34, 37). On 19 October 1861, he was captain of company K (45). He was mustered into service as captain on 3 December 1861, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1, 19, 34, 35, 37, 48, 51, 60). He was mustered in by Lieutenant Pearce (60). He was captain of company K (1, 57).
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 (58).
On 17 September 1862, he gave John Groff permission to fall to the rear and ask Dr Knight whether he could ride in the ambulance (56).
On 7 February 1863, he was sick, in his quarters (24). He remained present sick until 6 March 1863, when he went on a fifteen-day sick leave (25). He had returned on 21 March 1863 (26).
In March 1863, he testified on behalf of John Groff at Groff's court martial (56).
On 4 June 1863, he and Captain Francis Gregory (A) were under arrest (29). On the next extant report, from 9 June, they were reported present for duty (30).
He fought at the Battle of Gettysburg (41).
On 30 July 1863, he was serving on a court martial, which tried Morris Kayser, among others (28).
He led details on picket duty on 20 August 1863 (4, 31) to 21 August 1863 (32), on 22 August 1863 (5), and on 21 September 1863 (6).
Lieutenant Carpenter was ordered to report to him for duty, on 28 September 1863 (7).
He was appointed to a board of survey on 3 October 1863, which inventoried and reported the condition of public property transferred from Captain Bowman to Morris Kayser (8).
He was appointed to a board of survey on 6 March 1864, which was supposed to investigate deficiencies of items for which David Baker and John Brass were responsible (9).
On 23 March 1864 [?], he certified that Lewis Lammey had been mustered in to company K, and had died of wounds (55).
In May 1864, he was commanding company B (53).
On 26 June 1864, he was assigned to command company B as well as company K (11).
On 5 July 1864, he was appointed to a Board of Survey to determine what government property was in company C (15).
On 9 September 1864, he was ordered to issue all surplus ordnance and stores in his company to John Hamill (D) (16).
On 24 September 1864, he was appointed a member of a council of administration (17).
On 27 September 1864, Edward Maguigan was ordered to turn over surplus ordnance and stores to him and to two other officers (18). On 28 September 1864, John Graham was ordered to turn over surplus ordnance and stores in company C to him (20).
On 21 October 1864, he was appointed to a regimental court martial to try George Justice (D) (21).
He was wounded on 27 October 1864 at Hatcher's Run Virginia (1 [roster, p.192], 35).
On 19 November 1864, Sellers recommended that he receive a brevet appointment, effective 27 October 1864, for meritorious conduct during the battle at Hatcher's Run (12). He was appointed brevet major, effective 27 October 1864 (3).
He was still absent, wounded, on 16 December 1864 (13).
He was promoted on 3 April 1865 to major (replacing Major Lentz) (1, 2 [1863], 3, 34, 42, 51, 52, 59, 60). He was mustered in by Captain Gentry, at Nottaway [?] Court House, Virginia (60).
On 27 April 1865, Sellers recommended that he received a brevet appointment "[f]or meritorious conduct during the late campaign" (14).
He was appointed a member of a field officers court martial to try George Sweed (D) (23). However, he was the only member appointed (23).
On 21 May 1865, and 1 June 1865, he was commanding the regiment (22, various orders).
On 7 June 1865, he went on a leave, which expired on 22 June 1865 (27, citing special order 125, HQ 5th Corps).
He mustered out on 10 July 1865 with the regiment (1, 2, 3, 34, 35). He was the regiment's major (1, 2, 3, 57). He had last been paid, by Major Gresson, through 31 May 1865, and was due the difference between a captain's and a major's pay for May (60).
He applied successfully for a pension on 16 September 1869 (2, 33, 51).
O 26 April 1869, he testified supporting the application for pension by Eliza Ann Scott, mother of Thomas B Scott (59). He was living at 1404 Ellsworth Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (59).
In 1870, he was living in Philadelphia, with his wife Adeline, and John (his son?), and Mary (his daughter?) Casner (38). If this is the right John Casner, he was a painter, and owned $4500 in real property, and $300 in personal property (38).
At a meeting of the 91st's survivors after Edgar Gregory's death, he was appointed to a committee to draft resolutions about Gregory's death (49).
He was living at 1404 Ellsworth Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, probably from fall 1872 through fall 1878 (54). He was a painter (54). William and Ellen Casner also lived there (54).
In 1880, he was living at 1404 Ellsworth, with his wife Adeline and several others (39). He was a painter (39).
In 1890, he was living at 1404 Ellsworth Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (35, 36). He was a painter (36). He had lumbago in his back (35). Also living there were Mary J Tomlinson and E Watkins (36).
He died on 24 June 1897, at 1341 Bouvier Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, of old age, or of "paralysis of the brain", resulting from a wound received in the field (43, 44, 50). He was a painter when he died (50). The funeral was held on Saturday, 27 June 1897, from 1341 Bouvier Street (near 18th and Reed), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (his residence) (43, 44, 50). Members of General John F Reynolds Post, number 71, GAR, were invited to attend (43). He was buried at Philanthropic Vault (43) or Mount Moriah Cemetery (50).
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 page 192)
2 pension index, by regiment (John F Casner Sr)
4 special order 58, HQ 91st PA, 20 August 1863
5 special order 59, HQ 91st PA, 22 August 1863
6 special order 86, HQ 91st PA, 21 September 1863
7 special order 95, HQ 91st PA, 28 September 1863
8 special order 101, HQ 91st PA, 3 October 1863
9 special order 16, HQ 91st PA, 6 March 1864
10 special order 30, HQ 91st PA, 28 March 1864
11 special order 51, HQ 91st PA, 26 June 1864
12 letter, Sellers to Bartlett, 19 November 1864
13 letter, Sellers to Bartlett, 16 December 1864
14 letter, Sellers to Farnsworth, 27 April 1865
15 special order 63, HQ 91st PA, 5 July 1864
16 special order [unnumbered], HQ 91st PA, 9 September 1864
17 special order 85, HQ 91st PA, 24 September 1864
18 special order 86, HQ 91st PA, 27 September 1864
19 regimental descriptive book
20 special order [unnumbered], HQ 91st PA, 28 September 1864
21 special order 99, HQ 91st PA, 21 October 1864
22 special order 28, HQ 91st PA, 21 May 1865
23 special order 30, HQ 91st PA, 30 May 1865
24 consolidated morning report, 7 February 1863
25 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 6 March 1863 (inferred, not named)
26 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 21 March 1863 (Capt Casner)
27 undated officers' furlough list, in regimental letter, order, guard, and furlough book (John F Casner)
28 court-martial record, Morris Kayser
29 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 4 June 1863 (not named)
30 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 9 June 1863 (not named)
31 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 20 Aug 1863 (Capt Cassner)
32 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 21 Aug 1863 (Capt Casner)
33 pension index, by name (John F Casner Sr)
34 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 5 May 2004 (John F Casner)
35 1890 US census, veterans' schedule, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 583, page 1, line 7 (John F Casner)
36 1890 Gopsill's Philadelphia directory (John F Casner)
37 company K, list of commissioned officers (John F Casner)
38 1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 26 district 85, page 42 handwritten = 283 stamped (John F Casner)
39 1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 553, page 7 handwritten = 552 stamped, lines 10-11 (John F Casner)
40 1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 4th ward Southwark, microfilm series M432, film 822, page 241 (John F Casner)
41 Pennsylvania Memorial, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (John F Casner)
42 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 27 April 1865 (Capt Casner)
43 [death notice], Philadelphia Inquirer, 26 June 1897, page 10 (reprinted 27 June 1897 page 17) (John F Casner)
44 'Major Casner's Funeral'. Philadelphia Inquirer, 27 June 1897, page 6 (John R Casner)
45 'Camp Chase at Gray's Ferry' Philadelphia Inquirer 19 October 1861 page 8 (- Casner)
46 'Camp Chase', Philadelphia Inquirer 30 November 1861 (FI Cassner)
47 'Departure of Col. Gregory's regiment', Philadelphia Inquirer 22 January 1862 page 2 (FI Cassner)
48 'Local intelligence', Philadelphia Inquirer 19 September 1862 page 8 (John F Casner)
49 'General Gregory'. Philadelphia Inquirer 11 November 1871 page 2. (Major Casner)
50 death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 24 June 1897 (John F Casner)
51 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company K (John F Casner Sr)
52 company K, monthly report, April 1865 (Jno F Casner)
53 monthly return, company B, May 1864 (John F Casner)
54 Gopsill's Philadelphia directory, 1870-1880 (in William G Casner's page)
55 National Archives and Records Administration, RG 15, Case files of approved pension applications of widows and other dependents of Civil War veterans, ca 1861 - ca 1910, certificate WC 48739, Eleanor Lammey, p.31 (John F Casner)
56 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 (John F Casner)
57 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John F Casner)
58 'Ninety-first Pennsylvania Regiment'. Philadelphia Inquirer, 11 July 1862, page 2 (John F Casner)
59 abstract of dependent's pension certificate file, WC 135,801, 19 May 1869, Eliza A Scott, mother of Thomas B Scott (John F Casner)
60 muster-out roll, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, record group 19, series 19.11, records of the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs (John F Casner)
| line | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| Dwellings visited | 10 | ||||||||
| Families visited | 11 | ||||||||
| Name | John F. Casner | Adeline " | William " | Thomas " | Mary Jane " | John " | Harvey " | Alice " | Adeline " |
| [Is the 5-year-old John the John Casner who enlisted in the 91st PA?] | |||||||||
| Age | 33 | 33 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 3/12 |
| Sex | M | F | M | M | F | M | M | F | F |
| Color | |||||||||
| Occupation of males over 15 years | Painter | ||||||||
| Real estate owned | |||||||||
| Birthplace | " [sc. Penna] | " | " | " | " | " | " | " | " |
| Married within year | |||||||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||
| Over 20 & can't read/write | |||||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. | |||||||||
| line | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| Dwelling-house number | 278 | |||
| Family number | 310 | |||
| Name | Casner John F | - Adeline | - John F | - Mary |
| Age | 50 | 50 | 25 | 21 |
| Sex | M | F | M | F |
| Color | W | W | W | W |
| Occupation | Painter | Keeping house | Druggist | At Home |
| Real estate value | $4500 | |||
| Personal estate value | $300 | |||
| Birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| 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 | 1 | ||
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old who can't vote ... |
| line | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
| street name | Ellsworth | |||
| house number | 1404 | |||
| dwelling visit # | 52 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| family visit # | 55 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| name | Casner John F | - Adeline | Tomlison Mary | _ Adeline |
| color | W | W | W | W |
| sex | M | F | F | F |
| age | 63 | 60 | 89 | 3 |
| month born if born in year | ||||
| relationship | Wife | Son [sic] | Daughter | |
| single | 1 | |||
| married | 1 | 1 | ||
| widowed/divorced | 1 | |||
| married during year | ||||
| occupation | Painter | |||
| months unemployed | ||||
| currently ill? | ||||
| blind | ||||
| deaf/dumb | ||||
| idiotic | ||||
| insane | ||||
| disabled | ||||
| school this year | ||||
| can't read | ||||
| can't write | ||||
| birthplace | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna |
| father's birthplace | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna |
| mother's birthplace | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna |
| NUMBER OF EACH GRADE. | 1 | ||
| NAMES. PRESENT AND ABSENT. | John F Casner | ||
| RANK. | Maj | ||
| AGE. | |||
| JOINED FOR SERVICE AND ENROLLED AT GENERAL RENDEZVOUS--COMMENCEMENT OF FIRST PAYMENT BY TIME. | WHEN. | Dec 3 /61 | |
| WHERE. | Phila Pa | ||
| BY WHOM. | Lt Pearce | ||
| PERIOD. | 3 yrs | ||
| MUSTERED INTO SERVICE. | WHEN. | Apr 3 /65 | |
| WHERE. | Dottaway [?] CH Va | ||
| BY WHOM. | Cap Gentry | ||
| LAST PAID. | BY PAYMASTER. | Maj Gresson | |
| TO WHAT TIME. | May 31 /65 | ||
| TRAVELING. | To place of rendezvous, No. of miles. | ||
| From place of discharge home, No. of miles. | |||
| Clothing Act | Due U.S | ||
| Due Soldier | |||
| AMOUNT for clothing in kind, or in money advanced. | |||
| VALUE OF equipments, arms &c., received from the United States, to be paid for if lost or destroyed. | |||
| Bounty | Paid | ||
| Due | |||
| REMARKS | |||
| Promoted from Capt Copmy K vice Lentz Discharged due the difference of pay for the m of may 1865 as captain | |||
Many veterans will this afternoon follow the body of Major John R. Casner to the cemetery from his home, No. 1311 South Bouvier street. The Major's death was caused by paralysis of the brain, the result of a wound received on the field. He organized Company K of the Ninety-first Pennsylvania Volunteers and was promoted for bravery on the field. He was a member of Reynolds Post, No. 71, G.A.R.
CASNER.--On June 24, 1897, Major John F. Casner, aged 78 years. The relatives and friends of the family, also General John F. Reynolds Post, No. 71, G.A.R., Ninety-first Regiment, P.V.V.I., are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, on Saturday afternoon, at 3 o'clock, from his late residence, 1341 Bouvier street, near Eighteenth and Reed. Interment at Philanthropic Vault.