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Newspaper Archive of
The Preston County Journal
Kingwood, West Virginia
November 23, 2011     The Preston County Journal
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November 23, 2011
 
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I i Reliving Lives: Prestonians 1 A • • • • • • and the 00iVll war by Dorothy B. Snyder FAMILY OF GEORGE PETER AND ANNA MARIA HECKERT JOHN G. HECKERT AND MARY BISHOFF, PARENTS OF DANIEL P. HECKERT COMPANY B 42ND OHIO AND COMPANY H 96TH OHIO INFANTRY (Continued from last week) On June 14, 1890'in her at- tempt to gain back pension money as the widow of Daniel Heckert, long since deceased, Elizabeth H. Laub widqw of Daniel P. Heckert, at that time a resident of Bruceton Mills in Preston County, stated she was the widow of Daniel P. Heckert who was a private in Company E commanded by Capt. E.B. Campbell in the 96th Regiment of Ohio Vols. She states her maiden name was Deets and she married Daniel P. Heckert on or about August 31, 1868 and she has no record of the marriage due to the fire at the Courthouse in Kingwood. She remained a widow until December 26, 1872 and appointed William P. Groves of Washington D.C. as her lawful attorney. The only child of the soldier, two year old Rachel died July 19, 1871. Eliz- abeth's post office was Bruce- ton Mills, Preston County, West Virginia. Elizabeth eventually aban- doned her efforts to receive any pension money from her soldier husband's death. Eliza- beth had married George Laub in 1873 and according to the census of 1900 she gave, birth to nine children and 6 were liv- ing. In 1900 the children living with her included Nina age 22, Charles E, 16 and Essie A Laub 15. Additional children on the 1880 census included Lydia, age 8, William 6, Persis age 4, Nancy age 2. Wit!,.guit'Sl and child, Rachel, long deceased, that accounts for eight children. I will now move to the Preston County family of another son of George Peter; Heckert; but this time the mother is Hannah. FAMILY OF GEORGE PETER AND ANNA MARIA HECKERT JOHN G. AND HANNAH J. HECKERT PARENTS OF HENRY W. HECKERT COMPANY I, 17TH WEST VIRGINIA INFANTRY Henry W. Heckert, son of John G. and Hannah J. Heckert was born about 1845. On the Cen- sus of 1860 he was age 15. His i- Buying Junk Cars L Buying junk cars & hauling away Call 892-4490 or 457-1806 698-8419 (Terra Alta area) NEW TOWNHOUSES REEDSVILLE • Stove • Refrigerator • Dishwasher • W/D hookup • Central Air • We pay water, sewage & garbage BREEZE VIEW 304-329-1213 304-864-4400 Equal Opportuni Housing mother, Hannah, had died and his older half-brother George W. Heckert had already moved to Ohio. Henry had a very short military career as he was mus- tered in on February 10 and died on March 8, 1865. He died in the hospital in Wheeling, West Virginia while serving in Captain Samuel Holt's Com- pany I, 17th West Virginia In- fantry. Henry's military records indicate that Henry W. Heckert, a private of Samuel Holts Com- pany I. of the 17th Regiment of West Virginia Infantry Volun- teers of the state of West Virgin- ia, was born in Preston County, state of West Virginia. When at age of 20 he enlisted he was, five feet six inches tall, had a fair complexion, blue eyes, dark hair and by occupation was a farmer. He was enrolled on the 8th day of February 1865, Graf- ton, West Virginia, by Captain James Evans for the period of one year and mustered into the service of the Unite States on 10th day of February 1865 at Grafton by Captain James Ev- ans and having served honestly and faithfully with his Com- pany to the present date is now entitled to a discharge by reason of Death at U.S. General Hospi- tal, Wheeling, WV of scarlet fe- ver. The said Private Henry W. Heckert was last paid by pay- master (blank). He has received from the United States clothing amount to nine dollars and 25 cents since the 14 day of Feb- ruary when his clothing account was last settled. He has received from the United States $33.30 advanced bounty. There is to be stopped from him for knapsack and haversack and canteen. Given in duplicate at Wheeling, WV this 8 day of March 1865. Signed by: Samuel Holt, Cap- tain, Company I, 17 West Vir- ginia Infant. In a letter To: Samuel Broelt, Assistant Adjutant, Washing- ton, DC. Enclosed please find final statement submitted by Captain Holt of inventoried effects and discipline lists of late Private Henry W. Heckert. Samuel Holt stated: "I certify on honor that Henry W. Heckert, a private of Captain Samuel Holt's Com- pany I of the 17th regiment WV Infantry Volunteers of the state of WVA born in Preston Coun- ty, State of West Virginia, aged 20 years, five feet 6 inches high, fair complexion, blue eyes, dark hair and by occupation a farm- er who joined for service and was enrolled on the 14th day of February 1865 at Grafton, WV (by Captain James Evans) for the period of one year and mustered into the service on the 15th day of February, 1865 at Grafton WV and having served honestly and faithfully with his Company to the present date is now entitled to a discharge by reason of Death at U.S. General Hospital, Wheeling of scarlet fever. He has received clothing from. the government and 100 dollars and for other stoppages vsis: knapsack, Haversack and canteen. Given at Wheeling WV this 8th day of March 1865. In another document dated Clarksburg, WV, April 1, 1865, ir reads: Enclosed please find final statements, Inventories of effects and disposition lists of Late Privates Henry W. Heckert and John M. Fawcett, Co. I, 17 Infantry. They died in U.S. Gen- eral Hospital, Wheeling, WV. No instructions have been re- ceived from Surgeon in charge and no effects were left in my hand. I have the honor to be Very Re- spectfully your obedient servant Samuel Holt, Capt. Command- ing Co I. 17 WV Infantry. It has been my observation that the 17th West Virginia suf- fered most of its casualties in 1865 from various camp ill- nesses. Howaver, I found a very • the ty Biographical dictionary in the summary of the life of Henry's brother, John William Heckert. Memoirs of Lenawee County, Biographical, Volume 2 pages 145 and 146: This sketch states WESTCO. buying gold, silver & platinum jewelry, coins, rings, necklaces, bracelets, sterling silverware, broken jewelry and foreign coins. 304-692-1291 Call for an appointment Thursday, November 24 & Friday, November 25 FREE LOADER" i Schrock Farm Equipment I Wednesday, November 23, 2011- Kingwood, WV-THE PRESTON COUNTY JOURNAL- 7 that Henry, while foraging was given a piece of pie which con- tained poison by Confederate sympathizers and he died before help could be summoned. This is in contrast to dying of scarlet fever. Will we ever know the truth? FAMILY OF GEORGE PETER AND ANNA MARIA HECKERT JOHN G. and Hannah J. HECKERT Parents of John William Heckert born 1846 C.ompany F 6th Regiment West Virginia Infantry Henry W. Heckert was the last of John G. Heckert's four sol- dier sons to enlist. His younger brother by two years, John W. had enlisted six months ear- lier. John W. Heckert was born in Preston County and the son of John G. and Hannah Juliana Wagner Heckert and age 18, when he volunteered August 22, 1864. He claimed his oc- cupation was that of a farmer. He was sworn in and signed at. Rowlesburg, on August 22, be- fore William Hall, Captain 6th Regiment West Virginia Vol- unteer Infantry on August 26, 1864. John W. Heckert was de- tached at Clarksburg, WV and stated again that he was born in Preston County, a farmer, with brown eyes, dark hair, fair complexion, five feet 8 inches tall and mustered in at Clarks- burg on August 22, 1864. He was credited to Preston County October 18, 1864 and was at Rowlesburg and on the muster out Roll and remark Recruit and no further details. His records show he was present at each muster from enlistment until discharge. John W. Heckert's pension file is in the hands of the Veterans Administration. I wrote them requesting access to it. They responded it was in the storage area at Suitland, Maryland and with current privacy rules only available to next of kin. I have been able to access such files in the past; but it takes about two years. Someday, and if ever I am able to access it, I will am- plify his story; however the Lenawee Biography has filled in more than I am likely to learn from the pension records. I will summarize his story based on information in Memoirs of Lenawee County, Biographical, and Volume 2: pages 145-146. According to the above re- source John W. Heckert was born in Preston County, July 1, 1846, the son of John G. and Hannah Julian Wagner Heckert. The biography calls his mother, Julia, however her death re- cords gave her name as Hannah Julian. His mother died when John W. was about eight years old. The memoirs indicate five children were born to Hannah, including: John W. and Israel L. Heckert both farmers residing in Ogden township. John W. Heckert enlisted on August 22, 1864 at age 18 as a private in Company F of the 6th West Virginia Infantry. On June 10, 1865 he was mustered out of service without participating in any large engagements. After discharge he worked at various times and for various periods as a cooper, miller and sawmill employee. Early in the 1880s he came to Lenawee County. In 1882 he purchased a farm of 50 acres and all of the improvements on it were from his efforts. He devoted most of his attention to dairying; selling the cream from his herd to the cheese factory at Ogden Center. (To be continued next week) Copyright: Dorothy B. Snyder 9 Douglas Court, Dover DE 19901 Email: DBonafield@aol.com Phone 302-697-3797 Program announced It is nearly time for the eighth annual Health Holidays! Maintain Don't Gain!! Program sponsored by the Preston County Health Department and Preston Memorial Hospital. The goal of this program is to maintain weight during the holiday season. Information, including healthy recipes, tips and tools for maintaining weight are available weekly. Participants who main- tain their weight are eligible for a variety of prizes. There is .no charge for participation. There are a number of sign up, weigh in sites throughout the county. The initial sign up period is Wednesday, November 23. The program ends on Monday, January 9. For more information contact the Health Department at 304-329- 0096. Festival of trees planned Put your holiday decorating skills to work for the Arthurdale Fes- tival of Trees on December 2-4. Anyone may decorate a tree or wreath which will be displayed in' the Arthurdale Forge. Businesses may place merchandise or gift certificates on their trees. Volunteers will be available to decorate trees if needed. A silent auction of the trees and wreaths will benefit Arthurdale Heritage. The Craft Shop's Open House, Letters to Santa, hot chocolate and carol singing, family holiday photos, and horse-drawn wagon rides around Eleanor's Little (Christmas) Village will also be a part of the festival. For more information, call 304-864-3959 or visit www.arthur- daleheritage.org. [ffeetiv00 Peoember 1, 201 I, Prexto. Publieafiom will be sponsoring a Entries must be photographs of 2011-2012 Preston County Winter Scenes. The contest will last 1 0 weeks, the entries must be submitted electronically. Only three entries per person per week. Individuals can win only once. A weekly winner will be selected and published in the Preston County News. Weekly prizes will be awarded. The 10 weekly winners will beeligible for a grand prize. All decisions are final. I IIIIII Submit your entry to ppiden nis @ atlanticbb, net Include your name and location of the photo with date the photo was taken. I