He was born on 10 January 1841, in Pennsylvania, to John Knouse and Mary Magdalena Plank. [sources: date: 9, 15, 20, 25; 2 (24 in 1865), 5 (74 yrs, 3 mos, 6 days old at death), 6 (17 in 1850), 7 (25 in 1860), 8 (39 in 1880), 9 (59 in 1900), 10 (69 in 1910), 12 (8 in 1850), 19 (24 yrs 1 mo. on 24 Mar 1865), 24 (24 in 1865). place: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 19, 25 parents: 9, 25]
In 1850, he was living in Menallen Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania. He was living with John and Mary Knouse (presumably his parents), and with various other Knouse's (presumably his siblings). He had attended school within the year. [source: 12]
In 1860, he was living in Menallen Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania. He was living with John Knouse (presumably his father), and with various other Knouse's. He was a cooper. [source: 6]
When he enlisted, he was a carpenter, and was living in Menallen Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania. [source: 19]
When he enlisted, he was five feet eight inches tall, and had gray eyes, dark hair, and a dark complexion. [source: 19]
He was a substitute for John Hoffman of Menallen Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania, who was drafted in Chambersburg on 28 February 1865. He agreed to be a substitute on 24 March 1865, and enlisted and was mustered into service then, as a private, at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. (The company muster-out roll, and the May-June 1865 company F muster roll, claim he reported for duty on 24 February 1865, but this is inconsistent with the rest of the information in the compiled military service record.) He was a private, in company F. [sources: 1, 2, 3, 16, 17, 18, 19, 24 (drafted, co.B)]
He is listed on a Muster and Descriptive Roll of a Detachment of Drafted Men and Substitutes forwarded for the 91st Regiment Pennsylvania Infantry, dated 29 March 1865, at Carlisle, Pennsylvania. [source: 19]
He was reported present on the company F muster roll for March-April 1865. [source: 19]
He was reported absent, sick at hospital, on the company F muster roll for May-June 1865. [source: 19]
On 5 July 1865, he was mustered out, at Auger General Hospital, near Alexandria, Virginia, in accordance with general orders 77, AGO, Washington DC, 28 April 1865. [sources: 19, 24]
When the regiment mustered out, he was reported to owe $12.36 for clothing. However, his actual muster out reported him owing $35.55 for clothing or money advanced. He was a private, in company F. [sources: 1 (co. F, absent sick), 2 (no other records available), 3 (discharged 7 July), 16, 17, 18, 19]
In 1870, he was living in Menallen Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania. He was living with John Knaus (presumably his father), along with various other Knouse's. He was a shingle maker. [source: 7]
He married Martha Jane Gardner. She was born on 17 June 1851. [sources: 20, 21]
In 1880, he was living in Menallen Township, Adams County Pennsylvania. He was living with his wife Martha, and children William, Mary, and Ella. He was a cooper. [source: 8]
On 29 April 1881, he applied successfully from Pennsylvania for a pension. [sources: 4, 13]
On 16 June 1883, his wife, Martha Jane Knouse, died. She was buried in the Greenmount Cemetery, Arendtsville, Adams County, Pennsylvania. [sources: 20, 21]
On 26 October 1883, the Adjutant General's Office, War Department, Washington DC, issued a note verifying his discharge from Auger Hospital. [source: 19]
In 1885/87, he married Caroline Emily [unknown family name]. She was born on 6 December 1851. This was his second marriage and her first. In 1900, she reported having had no children. [sources: 9, 10, 20, 22]
In 1890, he was living in Arendtville, Adams County, Pennsylvania. He had chronic diarrhea, and was a pensioner. [source: 3]
In 1900, he was living in Menallen Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania. He was living with his wife Caroline and son Cecil. He was a farmer. [source: 9]
On 24 April 1907, he again applied for a pension, under the Act of 6 February 1907. A certificate was issued on 17 December 1907, and he received $12 per month, retroactive to 24 April 1907. [sources: 13, 26]
In 1910, he was living in Menallen Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania. He was living with his wife Caroline. [source: 10]
His pension was increased to $15 per month, effective 3 April 1911. The certificate was issued on 17 April 1911. [source: 26]
His pension was increased to $18 per month, effective 31 May 1912. The certificate was issued on 18 February 1913. [source: 26]
He died at 10.30 PM 16 April 1915, at his home near Brysonia, Adams County, Pennsylvania. He died of acute gastritis (four days duration), with infirmities of old age contributing. He had been a 'farmer all his life'. He had been living there for 47 years. Reverend T C Hesson conducted the funeral, at the Reformed Church at Arendtsville. On 25 April 1915, he was buried in the Greenmount Cemetery, Arendtsville, Adams County, Pennsylvania. [sources: 5 (Evergreen Cem, Arendtsville), 13, 14, 20, 25, 26]
On 30 April 1915, his widow, Caroline Knouse, applied successfully from Pennsylvania for a pension, under the Act of 19 April 1908. She received $12 per month, effective 30 April 1915. The certificate was issued on 6 July 1915. [sources: 4, 13, 26]
On 6 July 1915, the Pension Bureau issued an order to pay the accrued pension to Caroline Knouse, R#2, Biglerville, Pennsylvania. [source: 26]
Caroline's pension was increased to $25 per month, effective 6 October 1917. [source: 26]
In 1920, his widow, Caroline Knouse, was living in Menallen Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania. She was living with her son Cecil and Cecil's family. [source: 11]
Caroline's pension was increased to $30 per month, effective 1 May 1920, under the Act of 1 May 1920. [source: 26]
Caroline's pension was increased to $40 per month, effective 4 June 1928, under the Act of 23 May 1928. [source: 26]
On 14 June 1928, his widow, Caroline Knouse, died. She was buried in the Greenmount Cemetery, Arendtsville, Adams County, Pennsylvania. [sources: 20, 22, 26]
Bates (entry 1 below) also has a William H Knous, who was (allegedly) drafted, mustered in at Chambersburg on 24 February 1865 as a private in company B, and was discharged by general order on 5 July 1865. I believe that is actually the William H Knouse who was a substitute, mustered in at Chambersburg on 24 February 1865 as a private in company K, and was discharged in hospital in accordance with general order 77, AGO Washington DC, on 5 July 1865.
The evidence strongly suggests, then, that the notice of his discharge was wrongly sent to company B, and not to company F. Company B then reported him discharged on the company muster-out roll (despite his not appearing in company B's descriptive books), and company simply continued reporting him absent, sick, in hospital.
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) (William H Knouse)
2 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 19 January 2005 (Wm H Knouse)
3 1890 US census, veterans' schedule, Pennsylvania, Adams County, Menallen Township and Bendersville Borough, supervisor's district 7, enumeration district 17, page 1 (William H Knouss)
4 pension index, by name (William H Knouse)
5 William H Knouse [death notice]. The Star and Sentinel (Gettysburg PA), Monday 19 April 1915, page 2 (William H Knouse)
6 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Adams County, Menallen Township (post office Arendtsville), microfilm series M653, film 1057, page 402 = 56 handwritten (William Knouse)
7 1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Adams County, Menallen Township (post office Bendersville), microfilm series M593, film 1289, page 262 = 23 handwritten (William Knouse)
8 1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Adams County, Menallen Township, supervisor's district 7 [?], enumeration district 43, microfilm series T9, film1085, page 34 = 13 A handwritten (William Knouse)
9 1900 US census, Pennsylvania, Adams County, Menallen Township, supervisor's district 12, enumeration district 3, microfilm series T623, film 1354, page 42 = 16 A handwritten (William H Knouse)
10 1910 US census, Pennsylvania, Adams County, Menallen Township, supervisor's district 15, enumeration district 24, microfilm series T624, film 1292, page 278 = [illegible] B handwritten (William H Knouse)
11 1920 US census, Pennsylvania, Adams County, Menallen Township, supervisor's district 13, enumeration district 5, microfilm series T625, film 1507, page 52 = 6 B handwritten (Caroline Knouse)
12 1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Adams County, Menallen Township, microfilm series M432, film 743, page 43 (William Knouse)
13 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company F (William H Knouse)
14 e-mail, Dennis W Brandt to Harry A Ide, 12 August 2009
15 e-mail, Dennis W Brandt to Harry A Ide, 27 October 2009 (William H Knouse)
16 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (William H Knous)
17 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (William H Knouse)
18 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (William H Knause)
19 compiled service record, F 91 Pennsylvania (William H Knouse)
20 Find a grave, memorial 20496786, created by pat callahan, maintained by Melvin L Halterman, added 17 July 2007, accessed 23 August 2014 [includes a photo of the headstone] (William H Knouse)
21 Find a grave, memorial 20496798, created by pat callahan, added 17 July 2007, accessed 23 August 2014 (Martha Jane Gardner Knouse)
22 Find a grave, memorial 20496809, created by pat callahan, added 17 July 2007, accessed 23 August 2014 [the memorial lists her date of death as 14 June 1898, but the pictured headstone clearly reads 'June 14, 1928'] (Caroline Emily Knouse)
23 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 company B roster) (William H Knous)
24 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 28 June 2004 (William H Knous, company B)
25 death certificate, Pennsylvania, Adams County, 16 April 1915, file number 33327 (William H Knouse)
26 Veterans administration pension payment cards (3 cards) (William H Knouse)
| line | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| Dwellings visited | 560 | |||||||||||
| Families visited | 627 | |||||||||||
| Name | John Knouse | Mary " | Trudea [?] " | Jacob " | Mary " | Elizabeth " | Daniel " | Hanah [sic] " | William " | Sarah " | Simon " | Isaiah " |
| Age | 49 | 42 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 1/12 |
| Sex | M | F | F | M | F | F | M | F | M | F | M | M |
| Color | ||||||||||||
| Occupation of males over 15 years | Weaver | L | ||||||||||
| Real estate owned | 600 | |||||||||||
| Birthplace | " [sc. Pa] | " | " | " | " | " | " | " | " | " | " | " |
| Married within year | ||||||||||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
| Over 20 & can't read/write | ||||||||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| Dwelling number | 399 | |||||||
| Family number | 406 | |||||||
| Name | John Knouse | Daniel " | William " | Sarah " | Oliver " | Isaac " | Elmira " | Mary Knouse |
| Age | 59 | 20 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 6 | 40 |
| Sex | M | M | M | F | M | M | F | F |
| Color | ||||||||
| Occupation | Farmer | Cooper | Do | Domestic | ||||
| Value of real estate owned | 1500 | |||||||
| Value of personal estate | 500 | |||||||
| Place of birth | Do [sc. Pennsylvania] | Do | Do | Do | Do | Do | Do | Do |
| Married within year | ||||||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||
| Cannot read & write | ||||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 |
| Dwelling-house number | 177 | ||||||
| Family number | 193 | ||||||
| Name | Knaus John | - Daniel | - William | - Oliver | - Isaiah | - Elmira | - Mary |
| Age | 69 | 30 | 25 | 22 | 19 | 16 | 58 |
| Sex | M | M | M | M | M | F | F |
| Color | W | W | W | W | W | W | W |
| Occupation | Farmer | Cooper | Shingle Maker | Carpenter | Farm Laborer | Housekeeper | |
| Real estate value | 2000 | ||||||
| Personal estate value | 1000 | ||||||
| Birthplace | " [sc. 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 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old who can't vote ... |
| line | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| street name | |||||
| house number | |||||
| dwelling visit # | 110 | ||||
| family visit # | 118 | ||||
| name | Knouse William | - Martha | - William | - Mary E | - Ella |
| color | W | W | W | W | W |
| sex | M | F | M | F | F |
| age | 39 | 29 | 7 | 4 | 2 |
| month born if born in year | |||||
| relationship | Wife | Son | Daughter | Daughter | |
| single | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| married | 1 | 1 | |||
| widowed/divorced | |||||
| married during year | |||||
| occupation | Cooper | Keeping house | |||
| months unemployed | |||||
| currently ill? | |||||
| blind | |||||
| deaf/dumb | |||||
| idiotic | |||||
| insane | |||||
| disabled | |||||
| school this year | 1 | ||||
| can't read | |||||
| can't write | |||||
| birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| father's birthplace | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa |
| mother's birthplace | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa |
| line | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| street | |||
| house number | |||
| dwelling number | 317 | ||
| family number | 324 | ||
| name | Knouse William H | - Caroline | - Cecil |
| relationship | Head | Wife | Son |
| color | W | W | W |
| sex | M | F | M |
| birth date | Jan 1841 | Dec 1852 | Jun 1883 |
| age | 59 | 47 | 16 |
| married? | M | M | S |
| # years married | 13 | 13 | |
| mother of how many children? | 0 | ||
| # of children living | 0 | ||
| birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| father's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| mother's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| immigration year | |||
| # years in USA | |||
| naturalized citizen? | |||
| occupation | Farmer | At School | |
| # months not employed | 3 | ||
| # months in school | 3 | ||
| can read | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| can write | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| speaks English | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| owned/rented | O | ||
| free or mortgaged | F | ||
| farm/house | F | ||
| # of farm schedule | 198 |
| line | 5 | 6 |
| street | Bendersville Road | |
| house nr | ||
| dwelling nr | 149 | |
| family nr | 149 | |
| name | Knouse William H | - Caroline |
| relationship | Head | Wife |
| sex | M | F |
| color | W | W |
| age | 69 | 56 |
| marital status | M2 | M1 |
| #years present marriage | 24 | 24 |
| mother of # children | ||
| mother of # living children | ||
| birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| father's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| mother's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| immigrated | ||
| naturalized/alien | ||
| speaks English | English | English |
| occupation | [illegible] | None |
| nature of industry etc. | ||
| employer etc. | ||
| out of work 15 Apr 1910? | ||
| # weeks out of work 1909 | ||
| can read | [illegible] | [illegible] |
| can write | [illegible] | [illegible] |
| school since 1 Sep 09 | [illegible] | [illegible] |
| owned/rented | [illegible] | [illegible] |
| owned free or mortagaged | [illegible] | [illegible] |
| farm/house | F | |
| nr on farm schedule | [illegible] | [illegible] |
| civil war vet | [illegible] | [illegible] |
| blind | [illegible] | [illegible] |
| deaf & dumb | [illegible] | [illegible] |
| line | 83 | 84 | 85 | 86 | 87 | 88 |
| street | Hicksville Road | |||||
| house number | FM | |||||
| dwelling visit number | 123 | |||||
| family visit number | 124 | |||||
| name | Knouse Cecil | - Minnie | - Robert | - Martha | - Evelyn | - Caroline |
| relationship | Head | Wife | Son | Daughter | Daughter | Mother |
| own/rent | O | |||||
| free/mortgaged (if owned) | M | |||||
| sex | M | F | M | F | F | F |
| race | W | W | W | W | W | W |
| age at last birthday | 37 | 29 | 9 | 5 | 3 1/12 | 68 |
| marital status | M | M | S | S | Wd | |
| year of immigration | ||||||
| naturalized/alien | ||||||
| year of naturalization | ||||||
| attended school since Sept 1919 | yes | |||||
| can read | yes | yes | yes | |||
| can write | yes | yes | yes | |||
| birth place | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Illinois | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| native language | ||||||
| father's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| father's native language | ||||||
| mother's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| mother's native language | ||||||
| can speak English | yes | yes | yes | |||
| occupation | Farmer | none | none | none | none | none |
| industry, business | [illegible] | |||||
| employment status | OA | |||||
| number of farm schedule | 8 [?] | |||||
I, William H Knause born in the State of Pennsylvania, aged Twenty four years, and by occupation a Carpenter DO HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE to have agreed with John Hoffman, Esq., of Menallen Township Adams County Penna to become his SUBSTITUTE in the Military Service, for a sufficient consideration paid and delivered to me, on the Twenty fourth day of March [sic], 1865; and having thus agreed with said John Hoffman, I DO HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE to have enlisted this Twenty fourth day of March [sic], 1865, to serve as a Soldier in the Army of the United States of America, for the period of one YEAR, unless sooner discharged by proper authority: I do also agree to accept such bounty, pay, rations, and clothing, as are, or may be, established by law for soldiers. And I do solemnly swear that I will bear true and faithful allegiance to the United States of America; that I will serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies or opposers whomsoever; and that I will observe and obey the orders of the President of the United States, and the orders of the Officers appointed over me, according to the Rules and Articles of War.
We certify, on honor, That we have carefully examined the above-named Volunteer Substitute agreeably to the Regulations, and that, in our opinion, he is free from all bodily defects and mental infirmity which would in any way disqualify him from performing the duties of a soldier; that he was entirely sober when enlisted; that he is of lawful age, (not under 18 years;) and that, in accepting him as duly qualified to perform the duties of an able-bodied soldier, and as a Substitute in lieu of John Hoffman, drafted in Chambersburg February Twenty-Eighth, 1865, we have strictly observed the Regulations which govern in such cases. This soldier has Gray eyes, Dark hair, Dark complexion; is Five feet Eight inches high.
I, William H. Knouse desiring to ENLIST in the Army of the United States, for one YEAR, Do declare, That I am Twenty four years and one months of age; that I have never been discharged from the United States service on account of disability or by sentence of a court martial; and I know of no impediment to my serving honestly and faithfully as a soldier for one year.
GIVEN at Chamberburg PaAfter a brief sickness from a complication of diseases, William H. Knouse died at 10:30 o'clock Friday night at his home near Brysonia, aged 74 years, 3 months and 6 days. Mr. Knouse suffered an attack of indigestion last Sunday and was sick for several days afterward. He was a veteran of the Civil war, a native of the portion of the country in which he died, and had for the past 47 years been living on his Brysonia farm. Mr. Knouse leaves his wife and five children, Cecil Knouse, and William Knouse, of Dixon, Illinois; Mrs. Ellsworth Bream, Bendersville; Mrs. Howard Waltermeyer and Mrs. James K. May, Harrisburg. He also leaves two brothers and two sisters, Oliver Knouse, Brysonia; Isaiah Knouse, of near Brysonia; Mrs. Aaron Freed, Arendtsville; Mrs. Daniel Arendt, near East Berlin. He also leaves five grandchildren. Funderal Tuesday morning, meeting at the house at 9:30. Services in the Reformed Church at Arendtsville, conducted by the Rev. T. C. Hesson. Interment in Evergreen cemetery, Arendtsville. Friends and relatives are asked to accept this as an invitation to attend.
| CLASS. | RATE. | DATE OF COMMENCEMENT | DATE OF CERTIFICATE. |
| Reiss | 12 | 24 Apr. 1907 | 17 Dec. 1907 |
| Inc | 15 | 3 Apr 1911 | 17 Apr 1911 |
| Reis. | 18 | 31 May 1912 | 18 Feb 1913 |
| CLASS | RATE | DATE OF COMMENCEMENT | DATE OF CERTIFICATE |
| 30 | May 1, 1920 | ||
| 40 | JUNE 4, 1928 |
| CLASS. | RATE. | DATE OF COMMENCEMENT. | DATE OF CERTIFICATE. |
| Orig | 12 | April 30, 1915 | July 6, 1915 |
| INC. | 25 | OCTOBER 6, 1917 | |
| Inc | 30 | May 1, 1920 |