91st PA: Franklin Wolfinger

Franklin Wolfinger

Before the war

He was born in 1843/44 (10 (21 in 1864), 11 (16 in 1860)). He was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania (10, 11).

In 1860, he was living in Hilltown Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania (11). He was a farmhand, living (and presumably working) on John Fulmer's farm (11).

When he enlisted, he was a mould[er] (10).

Description

When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 8 inches tall, and had a light complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair (10).

During the war

He also served in company A of the 98th Pennsylvania Infantry (7, 14). He was a sergeant when he mustered out (7).

He enlisted and was mustered into service on 11 February 1864 (1, 10). He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Lieutenant Shipley (10). He was mustered in as a private company H, by Lieutenant Boorke (1, 10, 15).

He picked up the colors and waved "them defiantly in face of the enemy" on 18 June 1864 (1, 2, 3). Sellars said he deserved a medal of honor, which he did not receive (2). On 20 June 1864, he was promoted to sergeant (to be color sergeant) "for gallant and meritorious conduct in the Battle before Petersburg" (4, 9).

On 17 November 1864, he went on a furlough, which ended on 28 November 1864 (6).

On 7 January 1865, he was promoted to first sergeant, effective 5 January 1865 (5, 9).

He was commissioned, but not mustered in as, first lieutenant, on 28 April 1865 (1).

He was discharged on 24 June 1865 by general order (1, 13). He was a sergeant, in company H (15).

After the war

He married Mary E [unknown family name] (7).

In 1870, he was living in Rockhill Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania (12). He was living with his wife Mary, and children Lydia and Levi, along with Samuel Shearer and his family, and Mary Frederick (12). He was a stone mason, and owned $150 in personal property (12).

In 1880, he was living in Rock Hill, Bucks County, Pennsylvania (8). He was living with his wife Mary and children Lydia and Levi (8). He was a stonemason (8).

He applied successfully for a pension on 14 June 1886 (7, 14).

On 8 August 1893, he died, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (14).

His widow, Mary E Wolfinger, applied successfully from Pennsylvania for a pension on 1 September 1890 [?] (7, 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) (Franklin Wolfinger)

2 letter, Sellars, 25 December 1864

3 Advance the colors, p.314 ("Franklin C Wolfong")

4 special order 46, HQ 91st PA, 20 June 1864

5 special order 3, HQ 91st PA, 7 January 1865

6 enlisted men's furloughs (Franklin Wolfinger)

7 pension index by name (two cards) (thanks to Dennis Clowney for sending me this!) (Franklin Wolfinger)

8 1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Bucks County, West Rockhill, supervisor's district 4, enumeration district 162, microfilm series T9, film 1107, page 35 A = 17 handwritten (Franklin Wolfinger)

9 company H, list of non-commissioned officers (Franklin Wolfinger [2 entries])

10 company H, descriptive roll, #125 (Franklin Wolfinger)

11 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Bucks County, Hilltown Township, microfilm series M653, film 1084, page 400 = 226 handwritten (Franklin Wolfinger)

12 1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Bucks County, Rockhill Township, microfilm series M593, film 1314, page 604 = 32 handwritten (Frank Wolfinger)

13 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 2 July 1865 (Wolfinger)

14 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company H (Franklin Wolfinger)

15 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Franklin Wolfinger)

Sources checked unsuccessfully

1890 US census, veterans schedule
Ancestry index (accessed Feb 06)

1860 census

[1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Bucks County, Hilltown Township, microfilm series M653, film 1084, page 400 = 226 handwritten]
line22232425262728
Dwelling number1717      
Family number1717      
NameJohn FulmerCatharine "Catharine "Able "Lewis "Franklin WolfingerCatharine Kramer
Age56502019181683
SexMFFFMMF
Color       
OccupationFarmer   FarmerFarmhand 
Value of real estate owned7500      
Value of personal estate1800      
Place of birth" [sc. Penna]""""""
Married within year       
Attended school within year       
Cannot read & write       
Deaf, dumb, blind, etc.       

1870 census

[1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Bucks County, Rockhill Township, microfilm series M593, film 1314, page 604 = 32 handwritten]
line16171819202122
Dwelling-house number201      
Family number244 245    
NameShearer Samuel- LydiaWolfinger Frank- Mary- Lydia Ann- LeviFrederick Mary
Age574532268258
Sex" [sc. M]FMF"MF
Color" [sc. W]""""""
OccupationFarmerKeeping houseStone masonKeeping house   
Real estate value2000      
Personal estate value300 150    
Birthplace" [sc. Pennsylvania]""""""
Father foreign born       
Mother foreign born       
Birth month if born within year       
Marriage month if married within year       
Attended school past year    1  
Can't read      1
Can't write 1    1
Deaf, dumb, blind, etc.       
Male US citizen at least 21 years old1 1    
Male US citizen at least 21 years old who can't vote ...       

1880 census

[1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Bucks County, West Rockhill, supervisor's district 4, enumeration district 162, microfilm series T9, film 1107, page 35 A = 17 handwritten]
line4567
street name    
house number    
dwelling visit #149   
family visit #181   
nameWolfinger Franklin- Mary- Lidia A [?]- Levi
colorWWWW
sexMFFM
age41361912
month born if born in year    
relationship WifeDaughterSon
single  11
married11  
widowed/divorced    
married during year    
occupationStone masonKeeping house  
months unemployed    
currently ill?    
blind    
deaf/dumb    
idiotic    
insane    
disabled    
school this year   1
can't read    
can't write    
birthplacePaPaPaPa
father's birthplacePaPaPaPa
mother's birthplacePaPaPaPa

index to compiled service records

[index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania]
[transcribed 9 May 2015, from Fold3]


Wolfinger, Franklin
Co. H, 91 Pennsylvania Inf.
Pvt. | Sergt.
See also [blank]

GENERAL INDEX CARD.

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revised 9 May 15
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