He was born on 21 June 1848 (2, 5 (17 in 1864), 7 (2 in 1850), 8 (12 in 1860), 9 (22 in 1870)). He was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania (2, 5, 7, 8, 9) He was born to Henry Whitaker and Malinda Wright (2, 7, 8).
In 1850, he was living in Union Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania (7). He was living with his parents and siblings (7).
In 1860, he was living in St Clair Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania (8). He was living with his parents and siblings (8). He had not attended school in the previous year (8).
When he enlisted, he was a laborer (5).
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 6 inches tall, and had a fair complexion, grey eyes, and dark hair (5).
He was a substitute (1, 5). He enlisted and was mustered into service on 7 October 1864 (1, 2, 5, 6, 13). He was enlisted for one year, at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, by Captain Boil (5). He was a private in company I (1, 15-18).
He was wounded by a gun shot wound to the muscular part of his leg, below his knee, on 21 or 31 March 1865, near Petersburg, Virginia (2, 5 [31 Mar]). He contracted catarhh while being treated in the hospital (2).
He was discharged on 19 June 1865 by general order (1), or on 21 June 1865, from Chester Hospital, Philadelphia (2, 4, 5 [3 May], 6, 13). He was a private, in company I (15-18).
On 2 July 1868, he married Laura E Wogan, of Bedford County, Pennsylvania (2, 12 [she was 16], 13). They had at least two children (2):
In 1870, he was living in Napier Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania (9). He was living with his wife Laura, his daughter Georgie, and another family (9). He was a farmer, and owned $200 in personal property (9).
He applied successfully for a pension on 8 September 1876 (2, 14).
He died on 29 October 1879, because of the disease, which weakened his lungs (2, 13, 14). He was buried in the Pleasantville Cemetery, in West St Clair Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania (3).
His widow successfully applied for a pension (14).
In 1880, his widow, Laura, was living in New Paris, Bedford County, Pennsylvania (10). She was living with her children Georgianna and James (10).
In 1890, his widow, Laura Whitaker, was living in New Paris, Bedford County, Pennsylvania (6). He had had chronic diarrhea (6).
In 1920, his widow Laura was living in West St Clair Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania (11). She was living with her brother-in-law Reuben (11).
In 1930, his widow Laura was living in West St Clair Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania (12). She was living with her brother-in-law Reuben (12).
His widow, Laura, applied successfully for a pension.
In 1931, Laura Whitaker was living at post-office address Alum Bank, Pennsylvania (13). She was receiving a pension of $40 per month (13). She needed help because of arteriosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease and nephritis (13). She received an annual income of $36, along with the pension, and no one was legally obligated to support her (13). The House Committee recommended that her pension be increased to $50 per month (13).
She died on 2 October 1932 (2).
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)
2 Phyllis Winthurst, "John H Whitaker", message on "Bedford" message board, 20 March 2000, on Ancestry (searched 2 July 2001) (cites his pension certificate)
3 message, from David and Carol Eddleman, 13 November 2002, on PABEDFOR list at RootsWeb, transcribing burial list from the Bedford Inquirer, 22 May 1908 (John Whitaker)
4 company I, register of men discharged (John H Whitaker)
5 company I, descriptive roll, #39 (John H Whitaker)
6 1890 US census, veterans' schedule, Pennsylvania, Bedford County, Napier Township, Schellsburg and New Paris, supervisor's district 7, enumeration district 81, page 5 (John H Whitaker)
7 1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Bedford County, Union Township, microfilm series M432, film 751, page 246 (John Whitaker)
8 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Bedford County, St Clair Township (post office Alum Bank), microfilm series M653, film 1072, pages 473-474 = 19-20 handwritten (John H Whitaker)
9 1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Bedford County, Napier Township, microfilm series M593, film 1304, page 600 = 40 handwritten (John H Whitaker)
10 1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Bedford, New Paris (Napier), supervisor's district 8, enumeration district 230, microfilm series T9, film 1098, page 255 B = 22 handwritten (Laura Whitaker)
11 1920 US census, Pennsylvania, Bedford County, West St Clair, supervisor's district 20, enumeration district 27, microfilm series T625, film 1533, page 65 B = 6 handwritten (Laura B Whitaker)
12 1930 US census, Pennsylvania, Bedford County, West St Clair Township, supervisor's district 17, enumeration district 5-40, microfilm series T626, film 1998, page 101 B = 5 handwritten (Laura C Whitaker)
13 House Report 2441: 'Pensions and increase of pensions for certain soldiers and sailors of the Civil War and certain widows and dependent children of soldiers and sailors of said war. January 30, 1931'. Page 14. Serial Set volume 9332, session volume B, 71st Congress, 3rd Session (John H Whitaker's widow Laura E Whitaker)
14 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company I (John H Whitaker)
15 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John H Whitaker)
16 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John H Whitacker)
17 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John H Witeaker)
18 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John H Witacker)
| line | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Dwellings visited | 1 | |||||||
| Families visited | 1 | |||||||
| Name | Henry Whitaker | Malinda Whitaker | Evelin Whitaker | Mary Ann Whitaker | William J [?] Whitaker | Rebecca Whitaker | John Whitaker | Minerva Whitaker |
| Age | 36 | 34 | 10 [?] | 7 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 8/12 |
| Sex | m | f | f | f | m | f | m | f |
| Color | ||||||||
| Occupation of males over 15 years | Farm | |||||||
| Real estate owned | ||||||||
| Birthplace | Pa | " | " | " | " | " | " | " |
| Married within year | ||||||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Over 20 & can't read/write | ||||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Dwelling number | 129 | ||||||||||
| Family number | 118 | ||||||||||
| Name | Henry Whitaker | Malinda " | Eveline E " | Mary Ann " | Wm P Whittaker | Rebbecca " | John H " | Minerva J " | Franklin " | Ruben " | Martha " |
| Age | 45 | 44 | 20 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 3 |
| Sex | m | f | f | f | m | f | m | f | m | m | f |
| Color | |||||||||||
| Occupation | farmer | Serving | " | Farm Laborer | |||||||
| Value of real estate owned | |||||||||||
| Value of personal estate | 200 | ||||||||||
| Place of birth | " [sc. Penna] | " | " | [blank] | Penna | " | " | " | " | " | " |
| Married within year | |||||||||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
| Cannot read & write | |||||||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
| Dwelling-house number | 269 | |||||
| Family number | 276 | |||||
| Name | Whitaker John H | - Laura | - Georgie E | Blackburn August [?] | Miller Jonne [?] | - Sarah A |
| Age | 22 | 18 | 10/12 | 28 | 31 | 34 |
| Sex | M | F | F | M | M | F |
| Color | W | W | W | W | W | W |
| Occupation | Farmer | Keeping house | Farmer | Mason | Keeping house | |
| Real estate value | 5500 | |||||
| Personal estate value | 200 | 1150 | 300 | |||
| Birthplace | " [sc. Pa] | " | " | " | " | " |
| Father foreign born | ||||||
| Mother foreign born | ||||||
| Birth month if born within year | July | |||||
| 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 | |||
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old who can't vote ... |
| line | 36 | 37 | 38 |
| street name | |||
| house number | |||
| dwelling visit # | [191] | ||
| family visit # | 197 | ||
| name | Whitaker Laura | - Georgianna | - James P |
| color | W | W | W |
| sex | M | F | F |
| age | 27 | 11 | 9 |
| month born if born in year | |||
| relationship | Daughter | Son | |
| single | 1 | 1 | |
| married | |||
| widowed/divorced | 1 | ||
| married during year | |||
| occupation | Keeping House | At House | |
| months unemployed | |||
| currently ill? | |||
| blind | |||
| deaf/dumb | |||
| idiotic | |||
| insane | |||
| disabled | |||
| school this year | 1 | 1 | |
| can't read | |||
| can't write | 1 | ||
| birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| father's birthplace | Penna | Penna | Penna |
| mother's birthplace | Penna | Penna | Penna |
| line | 99 | 100 |
| street | State Road Leading from New Paris to Pleasantville | |
| house number | ||
| dwelling visit number | 141 | |
| family visit number | 144 | |
| name | Whitaker Reuben | - Laura B |
| relationship | Head | Sister in law |
| own/rent | O | |
| free/mortgaged (if owned) | F | |
| sex | M | F |
| race | W | W |
| age at last birthday | 66 | 67 |
| marital status | S | Wd |
| year of immigration | ||
| naturalized/alien | ||
| year of naturalization | ||
| attended school since Sept 1919 | ||
| can read | yes | yes |
| can write | yes | yes |
| birth place | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| native language | ||
| father's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| father's native language | ||
| mother's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| mother's native language | ||
| can speak English | Yes | Yes |
| occupation | Laborer | None |
| industry, business | Farm | |
| employment status | W W | |
| number of farm schedule | ||
| line | 75 | 76 | 77 |
| street | |||
| house number | |||
| dwelling visit # | 158 | ||
| family visit # | 3 | ||
| name | Whitaker Reuben M | " Laura C | " Smith Rebecca |
| relation | Head | Sister in law | Boarder |
| owned/rented | O | ||
| value or rent | 700 | ||
| radio | |||
| farm | No | ||
| sex | M | F | F |
| color | W | W | W |
| age | 76 | 77 | 83 |
| married? | S | Wd | Wd |
| age 1st marriage | 16 | 27 | |
| school/college since 9/29 | No | No | No |
| can read & write | yes | yes | yes |
| birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| father's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| mother's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| native language | |||
| immigration year | |||
| naturalization | |||
| can speak English | yes | yes | yes |
| occupation | laborer | none | none |
| industry | odd jobs | ||
| worker class | W | ||
| at work yesterday | yes | ||
| unemployment schedule # | |||
| veteran? | No | ||
| war | |||
| farm schedule # |
H. R. 13390. Laura E. Whitaker, aged 78 years, whose post-office address is Alum Bank, Pa., is the widow of John H. Whitaker, late a private, Company I, Ninety-first Regiment Pennsylvania Infantry, from October 7, 1864, to June 19, 1865, and who died October 29, 1879.
Applicant and the late soldier were married July 2, 1868.
She is now pensioned as the soldier's widow at the rate of $40 per month under certificate No. 303807.
The medical evidence filed in support of this bill indicates applicant is in condition to require the personal aid and attendance of another person by reason of afflication from arteriosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, disease of heart, and nephritis.
The evidence also shows that she has cash in bank, the amount not disclosed, from which she receives an annual income of $36. It does not appear that she has other means or course of income except her pension.
No one is legally bound to her support.
It is recommended her pension to [sic] increased to $50 per month.