Generation 12: My namesake

Edwin Argetsinger
Source: Private Collection

Edwin grew up in that farm house on Rumsey Hill Rd and then June 5, 1918 he was drafted into the US Army to serve for World War 1. This was the second draft of the war, Edwin had missed the first one in 1917 because he was not yet 21 years of age. He reported to Camp Jackson, SC in September of 1918 and was honorably discharged December 31, 1918, as the war was over.

Edwin Argetsinger Draft Registration Card
Source: Ancestry.com

Edwin Argetsinger Muster Roll Abstract
Source: Ancestry.com

A year later, on December 24, 1919, he married a lady by the name of Laura Elizabeth Snyder. He was 22 and she was 19 years old. I would later be named after her.

Laura Elizabeth Argetsinger
Source: Private Collection

Interestingly the couple pops up in Ithaca City Directories. The earliest I found was 1921.

Source: Ithaca City Directory 1921

Source: Ithaca City Directory 1925

 It appears Edwin's youngest brother Merton lives with the couple in 1927.

Source: Ithaca City Directory 1927

Ithaca City Directory 1932

Source: Ithaca City Directory 1942

It is interested to note that the "CU" abbreviation in the last directory entry stands for Cornell University. I know Edwin worked with the horses at Cornell. In the 1942 directory, he is listed as an engineer there, my grandfather remembers him working in the heating plant.

Edwin Argetsinger at Cornell University
Source: Private Collection

Laura's family lived in a farmhouse outside of Ithaca, it remains in the family to this day. I have many fond memories of going up there, exploring the woods and playing in the creek. There are actually two houses: the small farmhouse and the large one. Below is a picture of the small farmhouse. Edwin and Laura had two children: a daughter Barbara Lucille born November 14, 1920 and then a son Robert Leigh on August 5, 1923. My grandfather, Robert, was actually born in the front room.

Small Farmhouse, Ithaca, NY Today
Photo by: Laura Argetsinger

A cousin (in hat), Barbara, and Robert

Laura, Barbara, Robert and a cousin (child in hat)

Robert and Barbara 

Laura and Edwin separated after the birth of Robert, because of this Laura and the children spent a lot of time at her family's farmhouse. Sadly, Barbara was hit by a car while playing in front of the house and she died on August 25, 1927.

Barbara Gravestone
Source: ancestry.com

The death would temporarily reunite Edwin and Laura, however they would eventually divorce around 1933. After the separation, Laura went to work for IBM on the assembly line. There she met George Allen who was an accountant for IBM. They married around 1945-46.

Big Farmhouse
Photo by: Laura Argetsinger

George had relatives (his father) from Rochester, NY (about 3 hour car ride away today) who had always wanted to try their hand at farming, because of this George Allen bought the big farmhouse which sits across the street from the original farmhouse.

Barn at the Big Farmhouse
Photo by: Laura Argetsinger

Unfortunately, George's relatives never made the move down to Ithaca, so Laura and George lived on the property and farmed it themselves. They raised cows, pigs and chickens. Although today the pig pen and chicken coop have since been torn down, the house and barn still remain.






Beside the house is a pasture that backs up to a hill with a creek running down it. Still to this day I love hiking up that hill.

Creek behind Big Farmhouse
Photo by: Laura Argetsinger

Old Logging Road Beside Big Farmhouse
Photo by: Laura Argetsinger

Generation 11 cont: The turn of the century

 Once back in the Elmira area, Henry lived on Rumsey-Getman Road off Shoemaker Hill near Rutland Township, Pennsylvania. Henry marries his first wife, Annette E. Joslin, together they had 5 children (Mary J, Archie Melvin, Florence, Louisa).

1870 US Census
Source: ancestry.com

They are recorded in the 1870 census. It is interesting to note along with the family members a William Hill is written. He is described on the census as a farmhand. However William Melvin Hill is the son of Shoemaker Hill and Catherine Argetsinger (Henry's sister). Shoemaker Hill served with 141st NY Volunteer Infantry but died in battle from an accidental gunshot from 121st Kentucky Regiment.

Source: Muster Roll Abstract
Ancestry.com

Some sources say that Henry became William's legal guardian but I have not found proof of this, and find it doubtful as Catherine had another son with Shoemaker and went on to remarry Guy Maxwell Shappee around 1870.

Back to Henry, his first wife, Annette, dies prior to 1896, for that year Henry marries his second wife Francis C Goldsmith. Together they have 6 children:

• Edwin (b. 1/20/1897; d. 1/10/1972)
• Aura (b. 4/10/1898; d. 5/30/1992)
• Phillip (b. 5/24/1900; d. 10/27/1989)
• Mildred (b. 2/24/1903; d. July 1986)
• Henry (b. 1/3/1908; d. October 1982)
• Merton (b. 9/8/1907; d. 5/23/1973)

Francis holding Merton
Source: Private Collection

Edwin and Aura
Source: John F. Calkins

Edwin and Aura
Source: John F. Calkins

They are seen on the 1900 Census:

Source: Ancestry.com

Henry is thought to have died in 1912, however the story will continue with Edwin. 

A couple weekends ago I ventured up north to attend my Grandfather's 90th birthday party. While I was up in that neck of the woods, my dad and I drove out to Hicks cemetery to take pictures of the Argetsinger tombstones. 

Hicks Cemetery, Chemung County, New York
Photo by: Laura Argetsinger

Argetsinger Family Stone. Hard to read but it states "ARGETSINGER" at the top
and "In God We Trust" engraved below
Photo by: Laura Argetsinger

Henry Argetsinger Gravestone
Photo by: Laura Argetsinger

There are other Argetsingers buried in this cemetery but we have not gotten to them yet. Their stories are coming. 

Also interesting to note, not to far from this cemetery Henry lived in a farm house. I remember driving past when I was younger and the kid who lived there told my father he knew where another cemetery (Jenkins Cemetery off Rumsey Hill Road) was down and overgrown by the woods. My father believed Francis was buried there. Unfortunately at that time we were not in hiking clothes and I have never been back to check it out. Here is the farm house off Rumsey Hill Road in Chemung Co. New York. 

Henry's Farmhouse Today
Source: Google Maps

Henry Argetsinger Land Plot
Source: US Indexed County Land Ownership Map, Chemung, 1904

Intermission

Sorry for the lack of posting. I did not mean to leave you all in a dramatic cliff-hanger of a moment. Life has been busy, the good kind of busy. In July, I took the huge national exam to obtain my license as a physical therapist (and passed!). In August, I graduated with my doctorate in physical therapy and have for the past couple of months been searching for the next big step in my life, a first job.

With all these big life events behind me I am now back to finish out the story.  

My classmate on the left and me on the right

Generation 11: Prisoner of War; Civil War Part 2

As previously stated Phillip and Ann had 9 children, the oldest of which was Henry (born in 1840). Henry first enlisted May 6, 1861 at Elmira, New York to serve two years. He was mustered in a private, Company F, 23rd NY Volunteers (Infantry) on May 16, 1861.

With big families its easy to get lost in the grand timeline of things. Henry, born in 1840, was actually a year older than Moses (brother of Phillip who's story was in the previous post) and both Philip and Moses enlisted in 1864, which is 3 years after Henry first enlisted. Ok now that I've straightened that all out, let's continue with the story.

A listing of the company's events from: The Union army: a history of military affairs in the loyal states, 1861-65 -- records of the regiments in the Union army -- Encyclopedia of battles -- memoirs of commanders and soldiers. Madison, WI: Federal Pub. Co., 1908. volume II

"For two, weeks it was encamped at Meridian hill, but moved on July 23 to Fort Runyon and on Aug. 5, to Arlington heights, where it remained until Sept. 28. On Aug. 4, it was assigned to Hunter's brigade; on Oct. 15, to Wadsworth's brigade, McDowell's division, and in March, 1862, to the 2nd brigade, 3d division, 1st corps, Army of the Potomac. Its first encounters with the enemy were at Fall's Church, Ball's cross-roads, and Munson's hill, losing in these engagements 1 man killed and 7 wounded. On March 10, 1862, the regiment moved to Centerville, but returned after five days to Upton's hill, proceeded to Bristoe Station and Falmouth and undertook several expeditions with Falmouth as a base of operations. On June 26, 1862, the regiment was attached to the 3d brigade, 1st division, 3d corps, Army of Virginia, with which it shared in Gen. Pope's campaign, being in action at the Rappahannock, Sulphur Springs, Gainesville, and the second Bull Run. In September, the brigade and division became part of the 1st corps, Army of the Potomac, and fought at South mountain and Antietam, with a loss to the 23d; in the latter battle of 42 killed, wounded and missing. Until Oct. 20, the regiment encamped at Sharpsburg, Md., then moved toward Fredericksburg and was closely engaged in the battle there in December. Winter quarters were established at Belle Plain and on Jan. 9, the regiment was transferred to Patrick's provost guard brigade, with which it served until the expiration of its term, stationed at Acquia creek in April and May, 1863. On June 26 the command was mustered out at New York city, having lost 17 by death from wounds and 55 by death from all other causes."

23rd New York Infantry battles in Maryland
(circled in yellow) 

23rd New York Infantry battles in Virginia
(circled in yellow)

From Roster of the 23rd New York Infantry

If your civil war knowledge is a little dusty from school you can brush up on the specifics of each battle here. I will mention that Antietam was Lee's first invasion into the north, it is said that Corps 1 (of which Henry was fighting with) saw the bloodiest fighting of the war with an encouter through a corn field that was head high and thick to capture Dunker Church.  By the end of the battle the south had lost. There were 2,700 confederates dead, 9,024 wounded and 2,000 missing. The north had by no means been spared with 2,108 dead 9,549 wounded and 753 missing.  The entire battle occurred in a span of 12 hours. Historians declare there to have never been a bloodier day in American history.

As stated above Henry Argetsinger mustered out of the 23rd New York Infantry on May 22, 1863. He turned right around and re-enlisted, this time with Company A, Reg. 1st NY Veteran Cavalry. Interestingly 3 other men also served with Henry in the 23rd prior to re-enlisting with the 1st: James Dunn (musician, mustered out), Clarkson Reasor (mustered out), and George C Smith (deserted from hospital at Frederick, Md.).

Circled in red is the period of time Henry served with the company

This regiment  served in the above places, I have outlined the period he was with this company. Henry was appointed as a corporal on April 7, 1864. While in Piedmont, VA at the Battle of Piedmont, Henry was captured and taken as a prisoner of war June 5, 1864. He was sent to the prisoner of war camp at Andersonville, GA, also known as Camp Sumpter. This was one of the most notorious camps in the civil war for the terrible living conditions.

Andersonville Prison 

The daily ration for the prisoners was the same as for the guards: one and one-fourth pound of corn meal and either one pound of beef or 1/3 pound of bacon. This sparse diet was only occasionally supplemented with beans, peas, rice, or molasses. There were 25 soldiers from the Reg 1 New York Volunteer Cavalry that were captured as prisoners of war (3 from Company A), of those captured 22 died from disease, never leaving Andersonville prison. The prison was open from February 1864 til May 1865.

Not to get too down or gloomy on me for there will be a happy ending for Henry (after all or else I wouldn't be here). According to military records Henry was paroled in Vicksburg, MS on April 21, 1865. I don't know how he traveled from Andersonville, GA to Vicksburg, MS; nor do I have information on how he got back to NY from Mississippi. There are some theories: in the fall of 1865 after the capture of Atlanta, the confederates moved all the prisoners who were well enough. These prisoners were sent to either Camp Lawson (Milen, GA) or Florence Stockade Prison (Florence, SC). Another theory involves Cahaba Prison (Cahaba, AL) which operated from June 1863 to March 1865. Here, Lt. Samuel Jones negotiated an exchanged of Union prisoners for Confederate ones. Although the prison was evacuated in March of 1865, the exchange took place in Vicksburg on April 21, 1865 (Henry's parole date). Another interesting detail is that a boat, originally departing from New Orleans on April 21, 1865, stopped in Vicksburg for repairs on April 27th. Upon leaving Vicksburg, there were 2,000 people on board with records stating "many union soldiers from Ohio or from prison camps", even though the boats legal capacity was 376 people. The ship sunk around Memphis, TN with only 741 people surviving. While I don't know for a fact that Henry was aboard this ship, it does make an interesting twist to the story. However he makes it back, we do know that he does go back to New York as he is mustered out in Elmira in September 1865.

From the roster of the Reg 1 NY Veteran Cavalry 

Henry's Muster Roll Abstract

Above: Henry's Second Muster Roll Abstract
Below: Close up of the Remarks from the Abstract

Henry's Pension

Generation 9 & 10: The Civil War, Part 1

John Argotsinger born April 11, 1789 was the oldest child of Philip and Beta. John married Catherine Backer (b. Jan 21, 1796) September 13, 1812 in Gloversville, NY at the Kingsboro Presbyterian Church. They settled in Roseville, Pennsylvania with records showing that they owned a farm 1 mile southeast of the town near the Van Ness school-house, a Stewart Austin also resided on the farm. In 1829, John Argetsinger is listed as a taxable inhabitant of the township.

John Argetsinger's property outlined in blue
Source: U.S., Indexed County Land Ownership Maps, 1875

They had 12 children. I am directly related to the eldest, Philip born 1813. He was followed by Anna Marie, John, Margaret, Sarah Elizabeth, James, Peter, Louisa, Lydia, Moses and Eliza.

Philip grew and married Anne Esseltine on June 12 1836 in Elmira, NY. They had nine children: Catherine, Henry, Mary, Eliza, Joel, Amelia, James, Susan E., Margaret.

Around this time major turmoil is taking place in the United States in the form of the Civil War. Philip being the oldest of the family is naturally the first to enlist. Records show he mustered in as a private with Company A of the 161st Regt., NY volunteer infantry on January 5, 1864. According to the Bureau of War Records State of NY Division of Military and Naval Affairs, Phillip was a farmer, with blue eyes, brown hair, and a dark complexion standing 5' 4.5" high.

Philip Argetsinger, original military photo

Now not to be outdone by his older brother, Moses signs up a week later on January 12, 1864 to the same company as Philip. The Bureau of War Records states Moses had grey eyes, light hair, florid complexion standing 5'5" tall.

Moses Argetsinger, official military picture

Company A of the 161st NY Volunteer Infantry saw the following battles and casualties  I have highlighted the times that the boys served. 

Source: New York in the War of the Rebellion, 3rd ed. Frederick Phisterer. Albany: J. B. Lyon Company, 1912.

 The Argetsinger brother's died within 3 days of each other in Brashear City, LA from sickness. It is recorded that many men died from "chronic diarrhea", most likely Dysentery. Philip died at the Barracks Hospital in New Orleans on May 9th and he is buried in the Chalmette National Cemetery. Moses died 3 days later on May 12th and is also buried at Chalmette National Cemetery; however his grave is unmarked. 

Myself, my dad and brother visiting Philips grave in 2002

Source: Annual Report of the Adjutant-General of the
State of New York for the Year ... : Registers of the [units numbers].

Philip left behind his wife Ann and their nine children. Their oldest boy, Henry (who my story will continue through) also fought in the Civil War. His wife Ann was granted a widow's pension (WC 59046), which I have not been able to gain a copy of. 

Moses left behind his wife, Mary who was also granted a widow's pension (WC 71049).

Edited to add:
I finally got my hands on Philip Argetsinger's pension document

Philip Argetsinger Pension