He was born in 1828/30, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, perhaps to John and Margaret Kucker.
[sources:
date: 3 (31 in 1861), 4 (42), 7 (33 in 1863), 10 (33 at death in 1862), 11 (29 in 1860), 15 (21 in 1850).
place: 7, 10, 11, 15.
parents: 15]
In 1850, he was living in ward 7, Kensington, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
He was not working.
He was living with John and Margaret Kucker (presumably his parents), and with Jacob, John, and Margaret (presumably his siblings).
[source: 15]
On 28 August 1854, he married Sarah Ann Stokes.
They were married by George Chandler, apparently minister of the First Presbyterian Church, Kensington, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
He was a brickmaker.
She was born in 1832/33, in Pennsylvania.
They had two children:
[unknown name] (died before December 1865)
Sarah Ann Cooker (born 22 April 1860)
[source: 13]
In 1860, he was living in the 19th ward of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
He was living with Sarah Cooker (presumably his wife), Sarah Cooker (presumably their daughter), and Charles Thimm.
He was a laborer.
[source: 11]
Description
When he enlisted, he was 6 feet tall, and had a sandy complexion, grey eyes, and sandy hair.
[sources: 7m 13]
During the war
He enlisted and was mustered into service on 30 September 1861.
He was enlisted for three years, by Colonel Zinn, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
He was mustered in as a private, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
He was a private in company D.
[sources: 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 13, 18, 19]
He was transferred to company H on 31 October 1861.
[sources: 2, 3 (from H to D), 5]
At some point in 1861, he contracted 'a severe cold caused by exposure during guard duty, on low set round, in very bad weather'.
This destroyed his health.
[source: 13]
He was discharged at Camp Stanton, Washington, DC, on 11 March 1862 on surgeon's certificate of disability.
He was discharged because he had phthisis pulmonalis.
He had been unfit for duty 60 days in the past two months, and could barely stand.
He was a private, in company H.
[sources: 1, 4, 6, 7, 13, 18, 19]
After the war
He tried to treat himself, with medications he received from a druggist at Frankford Road and York Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
[source: 13]
He died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, of phthisis pulmonalis (or, consumption of lungs, on 21 April 1862.
He was married.
He was a laborer.
He died at, or was buried from, his late residence, at the corner of Gordon and Tulip Streets, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
He was buried on 23 April 1862 at "West st", Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
[sources: 10, 12, 13]
On 22 May 1863, his widow, Sarah A Cooker, unsuccessfully applied from Pennsylvania for a pension under the Act of 14 July 1862.
She lived at 6 Day Street, between Thompson and Girard Avenue, Philadelphia.
Her application was rejected because she remarried before she had finished proving the relevant facts.
Her attorney was George Cragg and Brother, Philadelphia.
[sources: 8, 9, 13]
On 12 October 1863, his widow, Sarah A Cooker, married Hiram E Wetzel.
He was a paperhanger, and was born in 1832/33, in Pennsylvania.
They were married in a Methodist ceremony.
[source: 13]
On 22 September 1865, the Philadelphia Orphans' Court appointed Sarah Ann Wetzel guardian of Sarah Ann Cooker, requiring $300 security.
[source: 13]
On 3 March 1866, his remarried widow Sarah A Wetzel, applied successfully from Pennsylvania for a pension as guardian of their daughter Sarah Ann Cooker, under the Act of 14 July 1862.
She lived in Philadelphia; her post office address was Philadelphia, care of Mrs McCarty, Front Street 2 doors below Vine, East Side.
Her attorney was George Cragg and Brother, Philadelphia.
[sources: 8, 9, 13]
On 5 April 1868, his remarried widow, Sarah A Wetzel, replaced her attorney (George Cragg and Brother) with Thomas E Lloyd, of Washington DC.
Charles Henry testified in support of her application.
[source: 13]
In 1870, his (remarried) widow, A Sarah Wetzel, was living in ward 17, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
She was living with her (second) husband, and with her and Adam Cooker's daughter Sarah.
[source: 16]
On 6 September 1873, his remarried widow, Sarah Wetzel applied for an increase in pension under the Act of 25 July 1866.
She was living at 606 Alaska Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
On 18 December 1873, her application was approved, and she received an additional $2 per month, retroactive to 25 July 1866.
[source: 13]
In 1880, his (remarried) widow, Sarah Wetzel, was living at 1020 Hall Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
She was living with her husband, Hiram E Wetzel, who was a paperhanger.
She was suffering from sunstroke.
[source: 17]
On 13 November 1880, his (remarried) widow, Sarah A Wetzel, died.
She died of dropsy--atrophy of liver.
She died at 627 Dorsey [?] Street, ward 4, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
On 16 November 1880, she was buried, at Saint Joseph Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
[source: 14]
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)
(Adam Cooper)
10death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 21 April 1862
(Adam Cooker)
111860 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 19, microfilm series M653, film 1169, page 250 = 250 handwritten
(Adam Cooker [sic])
12death notice, Public Ledger 23 April 1862 page 2
(Adam Cooker)
13widow's pension certificate file, National Archives and Records Administration, record group 15, certificate WC 114,466
(Sarah A Cooker minor child of Adam Cooker)
14death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 13 November 1880
(Sarah A Wetzel)
151850 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Kensington, ward 7, microfilm series M432, film 807, page 493 recto = 987 handwritten (FamilySearch)
(Adam Kucker)
161870 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 2nd enumeration, ward 17, district 51, microfilm series M593, film 1430, page 143 verso = 18 handwritten
(A Sarah Wetzel)
171880 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, enumeration district 50, microfilm series T9, film 1168, page 279 = 12 D handwritten (FamilySearch)
(Sarah Wetzel)
18index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania
(Adam Cooker)
19index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania
(Adam Cooper)
Sources checked unsuccessfully
1890 US census, veterans schedules
Ancestry index (accessed May 2007)
1900 US census
FamilySearch index (accessed 31 March 2013)
1910 US census
FamilySearch index (accessed 31 March 2013)
1920 US census
FamilySearch index (accessed 31 March 2013)
1930 US census
FamilySearch index (accessed 31 March 2013)
RootsWeb WorldConnect
accessed May 2009, and again 31 March 2013
GenealogyBank
no entry for Sarah Wetsel in death notices in Philadelphia Inquirer on 13, 15, or 16 November 1880 (and apparently they don't have the 14th) (accessed 31 March 2013)
Pennsylvania veterans burial cards
Ancestry index (accessed 31 March 2013)
applications for headstones for military veterans, 1925-1941
FamilySearch index (accessed 31 March 2013)
records of headstones of deceased Union veterans, 1879-1903
FamilySearch index (accessed 31 March 2013)
Display
Adam Cooker in the 91st PA gedcom on RootsWeb WorldConnect
[1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 19, microfilm series M653, film 1169, page 250 = 250 handwritten]
[identification is confirmed by the fact that the names and ages match the names and ages in the widow's pension certificate file abstracted below]
[1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 2nd enumeration, ward 17, district 51, microfilm series M593, film 1430, page 143 verso = 18 handwritten]
[I did not transcribe the other family at this residence, headed by James Liney]
[identification is confirmed by the fact that the names and ages match the names and ages in the widow's pension certificate file abstracted below]
line
19
20
21
Dwelling-house number
[1441]
Family number
Name
Wetzel Hart [??]
A Sarah
Sarah
Age
41
35 [?]
10
Sex
M
F
F
Color
Occupation
Real estate value
Personal estate value
Birthplace
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
Male US citizen at least 21 years old who can't vote ...
[1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, enumeration district 50, microfilm series T9, film 1168, page 279 = 12 D handwritten (FamilySearch)]
[identification is probable; see the 1870 census entry transcribed above]
[index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania]
[transcribed 24 Mar 2014, from Fold3]
Cooker Adam
Co. D, H, 91 Pennsylvania Inf.
Pvt | Pvt
REFERENCE CARD.
Original filed under
Cooper Adam
[index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania]
[transcribed 24 Mar 2014, from Fold3]
Cooper Adam
Co. D, H, 91 Pennsylvania Inf.
Pvt | Pvt
See also [blank]
[death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 21 April 1862, Adam Cooker]
[source: www.familysearch.org (viewed 1 December 2008)]
RETURN OF A DEATH,
IN THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA.
PHYSICIAN'S CERTIFICATE.
1. Name of Deceased, Adam Cooker
2. Colour, White
3. Sex, Male
4. Age, Thirty Three Yrs.
5. Married
6. Date of Death, April 21st 1862
7. Cause of Death, Phthisis Pulmonalis
J. L. Rihl M.D.
Residence, 2007 Frankford Rd.
UNDERTAKER'S CERTIFICATE IN RELATION TO DECEASED.
8. Occupation, Laborer
9. Place of Birth, Philadelphia
10. When a Minor, [blank]
11. Ward, 19th
12. Street and Number, corner of Gordon and Tulip
13. Date of Burial, April 23rd 1862
14. Place of Burial, West st
B R Baen UNDERTAKER.
Residence, 245 Richmond St
Date of Certificate, April 23 [illegible]
[death notice, Public Ledger 23 April 1862 page 2, Adam Cooker]
COOKER--On the 21st instant, ADAM COOKER [sic], of the 91st Pennsylvania Regiment, aged 33 years.
The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend his funeral, from his late residence, in Gordon, above Tulip street, on Wednesday, at 1 o'clock P.M.
[widow's pension certificate file, National Archives and Records Administration, record group 15, certificate WC 114,466, Sarah A Cooker minor child of Adam Cooker]
[abstracted from 56 pages on Fold3, March 2013]
28 August 1854
Adam Cooker married Sarah Ann Stokes (pp.6, 15, 16, 18, 19)
married by George Chandler, a presbyterian clergyman, records held in the First Presbyterian Church, Kensington, at Philadelphia (pp.6, 15, 18, 19)
two children: Sarah Ann Cooker (born 22 April 1860); the other died before Sarah A Wetzel's pension application in Dec 1865 (pp.4, 5, 6, 18, 26)
22 April 1860
Adam was a brickmaker (p.26)
30 Sep 1861
Adam Cooker enrolled and was mustered in on 30 Sep 1861 at Philadelphia (pp.10 [Cooper], 52 [Cooker])
Lt Geo Black enlisted him (p.52)
born in Philadelphia, 33 years old, 6 feet 0 inches tall, sandy complexion, grey eyes, sandy hair, a laborer when enlisted (p.52)
"latter part of year 1861"
Captain Henry: contracted 'a severe cold caused by exposure during guard duty, on low set round, in very bad weather, and the effect on his system very severe, completely wrecking him'
was ill from then until discharge
11 March 1862
Adam Cooker [sic] discharged at Camp Stanton Washington DC for phthisis pul (p.11)
certificate of discharge has 8 March 1862 (p.52)
March-April muster roll has 11 March 1862, at Camp Stanton (pp.9, 10, 11 30)
last paid by Paymaster Major Brua to 28 February (p.11)
discharged for phthisis pulmonalis (pp.10, 52)
unfit for duty 60 days in the previous 2 months (p.52)
discharged signed by Chas Brown, Camp Stanton, Feb 1862; I D Knight Surgeon, and E M Gregory (p.52)
9 Apr 1862 to 23 Apr 1862
MD attended him for only the last week of his life (p.12)
before the MD attended him 'he doctored himself by taking pills got from a Mr John Riley [??] druggist at Frankford Road + York st. Philada' (p.12)
died 23 Apr 1862 of consumption of lungs (pp.4, 12, 18)
23 May 1863
widow applied for a pension, application 22,258 (pp.6, 18)
rejected because she remarried before she had finished proving the relevant facts (pp.3, 27)
[not dated (p.18)]
Sarah Ann Cooker, resident of Philadelphia, 28 years old (p.18)
residence 6 Day St between Thompson and Girard Avenue, Philadelphia (p.18)
attorney George Cragg & Brother, Philadelphia (p.18)
witnesses Catharine McCluskey and Mary Ann Wittaker (p.20)
2 June 1863
the Adjutant General's office reported to the Pension Office the above-summarized information and that there was no evidence he had enlisted or been mustered in (p.9)
1 Oct 1863
the Pension Office made this note: 'muster in +c', perhaps because they had requested information about that? (p.43)
12 October 1863
Sarah A Cooker (25, b. PA, residence Philadelphia) married Hiram E Wetzel (paper hanger, 30 years old, born in PA, residence Philadelphia), Methodist ceremony (pp.4, 23)
3 Jan 1865
the Pension Office received some additional information, and sent circular 16 to the Adjutant General (p.43)
5 Jan 1865
the Adjutant General's office reported the above-summarized information (p.11)
9 Jan 1865
the Pension Office received circular 16 with some evidence, and sent circular 16 to the Paymaster General (p.43)
17 Feb 1865
the Pension Office received circular 16 from the Paymaster General with some evidence (p.43)
Adam Cooker was paid $35.00 on 11 March 1862 (for 1 January to 8 March) by Major DM McClure (p.46)
22 Feb 1865
the Pension Office returned the Adjutant General's report to him with two affidavits about Cooker's muster (p.43)
12 March 1865
the Adjutant General's office reported the above-summarized information (p.10)
18 Mar 1865
the pension office received a reply to their request of 22 February 1865 with evidence (p.43)
the pension office sent circulars 17, 21, and 9 requesting evidence about Cooker's physical condition etc. (p.43)
4 April 1865
Hiram E Wetzel and Cathrine McClusky (both residents of Philadelphia) swore that they knew Sarah Ann and Adam Cooker, that he was a healthy strong man before enlisting, that he was a brickyard laborer (p.48)
11 Apr 1865
the pension office received some evidence about Cooker's physical condition (p.43)
12 Apr 1865
the pension office [sent] circular 9, 17, 19, and 21 [to her attorney] (p.43)
6 May 1865
Charles Henry testified that 'at the present time, there are no officers connected with the Company and Regiment, who know anything about the said Adam Cooker, and that the statement made by him in regard to the disease of the said Adam Cooker is true, and that he was able to state the facts from having been connected with the' company etc. (p.34)
before enlisting, Cooker was a laborer in a brick yard, and was apparently a hearty strong man (p.34)
13 May 1865
Jacob L Rihl [?], Philadelphia resident, swore that he attended Adam Cooker starting about 9 April 1862 and ending with his death on 23 April 1862, from consumption of the lungs, contracted with in the service (p.39)
16 May 1865
the pension office received a response to circular 9 about the date etc. of Cooker's death (p.43)
30 June 1865
the pension office sent circular 10 (p.43)
22 September 1865
the Philadelphia Orphans' Court appointed Sarah Ann Wetzel guardian of Sarah Ann Cooker, requiring security of $300 (p.22)
25 September 1865
George Cragg & Bro. informed the pension office that Sarah A Cooker had remarried, and sent her appointment as guardian and a copy of the marriage record (p.21)
26 September 1865
the pension office determined that no invalid application for a pension had been filed (p.24)
27 September 1865
the pension office received evidence that Sarah A Cooker had remarried, rejected her case, and notified her attorney (p.43)
3 March 1866
Sarah Ann Wetzel, remarried widow of Adam Cooker (H 91 PA) applied for a pension under the Act of 14 July 1862 (p.4)
application 122773 (p.27)
Sarah Ann Wetzel was 29 years old, resident of Philadelphia (p.4)
guardian's residence: Philadelphia; post office address Philadelphia, care Mrs McCarty, Front St 2 doors below Vine, East side
attorney George Cragg + Bros, Philadelphia (p.5)
witnesses: Margaret Huhn, Jane Stephens (both residents of Philadelphia) (p.6)
attorney Thos E Lloyd, Washington DC
dated 11 Dec 1865 (p.4)
approved 28 May 1868, for $8 per month retroactive to 23 Apr 1862, payable to Sarah A Wetzel (pp.3, 28)
certificate dated 9 June 1868; sent to T C [?] Lloyd Washington DC (p.28)
30 May 1866
the Adjutant General's Office sent the above-summarized information to the Pension Office (p.30)
20 Jan 1868
the Pension Office sent circular 16 to the Adjutant General for evidence about the service of Lt + Capt Henry (p.27; p.37 is the circular)
the Pension Office sent a letter [the Sarah Wetzel's attorney?] asking about his 'condition when enlisted, to what hardships +c exposed, when dis[ease] contracted +c' (p.27)
11 Feb 1868
the Pension Office received a response from the Adjutant General about Henry (p.27; p.38 is the response)
Charles Henry was mustered in on 25 Nov 1861 as 2nd Lt H 91 PA; present Jan/Feb and Mar/Apr 1862 muster rolls as 2d lt; mustered in as captain 12 May 1862; discharged for disability 27 April 1863 (p.38)
5 April 1868
Sarah A Wetzel revoked her authorization of George Cragg + Bro to act as her attorney, and appointed Thomas E Lloyd (Washington DC) her attorney (p.50)
received by the Pension Office on 17 April 1868 (p.51)
20 April 1868
the Pension office sent circulars 9 and 20 to Clagg + Bro 'care [?] Lloyd' (p.27)
1 May 1868
Charles Henry (late capt H 91) swore that at the end of 1861 at Camp Chase (Darby Road, Philadelphia) Cooker contracted his disease, initially a severe cold, caused by exposure while in the actual line of duty, doing guard duty (p.32)
'the said Camp Chase was a sort of Hollow a low ground which unfortunately had been selected for the Camp and the weather during the time was Excessively bad and the effect on said soldier's constitution was very severe it having apparently completely wrecked his physical condition' (p.32)
Cooker was sick from then until his discharge, unfit for duty although with the company (p.32)
Cooker could barely stand when he was discharged (p.32)
he would undoubtedly have died in the company if he had remained with them for a short time longer (p.32)
Henry knew Cooker for about two years before he enlisted, having lived in the same neighborhood, and he was always healthy during that time (p.32)
12 May 1868
Sarah A Wetzel swore that she is the guardian of Sarah A Cooker (Adam Cooker's only child), that he was always in good health before enlisting and therefore she can't provide medical evidence of his health before enlisting (p.12)
dated 29 April 1868 (p.12)
12 May 1868
Alfred Matford [??] and Margaret Hahn swore that Cooker was healthy before enlisting, that he died or or about 23 April 1862, about 5 weeks after discharge, and was in very bad condition during those weeks and continually getting worse and plainly dying (p.13)
dated 29 April 1868 (p.13)
15 May 1868
the Pension Office sent circular 1 to Lloyd (p.27)
6 October 1868
the Pension Office sent the discharge to Hon G French, second auditor, as he requested (p.29)
18 December 1873
the pension office issued a new certificate, retroactive to 23 April 1862 (and ending 21 April 1876), for $8 plus an additional $2 per month for Cooker's child retroactive to 25 July 1866 (pp.44, 54)
when she applied, she was living at 606 Alaska St, Philadelphia (p.54)
she applied on 6 September 1873 (p.54)
16 February 1874
the pension office informed Sarah Cooker's guardian, at 644 Bainbridge Street, that the increase in her pension had been allowed (p.45)
[death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 13 November 1880, Sarah A Wetzel]
[transcribed 31 March 2013, from FamilySearch]
RETURN OF A DEATH
IN THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA.
PHYSICIAN'S CERTIFICATE.
1. Name of Deceased, Sarah A. Wetzel
2. Color, White
3. Sex, Female
4. Age, 40
5. Married
6. Date of Death, Nov. 13 1880
7. Cause of Death, Dropsy - Atrophy of Liver
M. B. Kirkpatrick M.D.
Residence, 519 S. 6. St.
UNDERTAKER'S CERTIFICATE IN RELATION TO DECEASED.
8. Occupation, [blank]
9. Place of Birth, Philad
10. When a Minor, [blank]
11. Ward, 4th ward
12. Street and Number, No 627 Dorsey [?] St
13. Date of Burial, Nov 16 /80
14. Place of Burial, Saint Joseph Cemety
Geo A Brewster Undertaker.
Residence, 270 S 4th St