Confessions of a Wannabe Writer: 2021

09 December 2021

James Fielding: The Grand Army of the Republic and the 1890s

This is the fifth blog post in a series on James Fielding, one of my more fascinating ancestors. After his early life, his stint in the Civil War, having to change his profession, and his police officer days, he changed careers yet again, this time becoming a chiropodist. During this time period, he was also heavily involved in the Grand Army of the Republic.

First, let's dig a little into the history of the Grand Army of the Republic, because it was a fascinating secret society in its heyday.

The Grand Army of the Republic was organized and chartered first in Illinois in 1866. It was the brainchild of a enlisted Army surgeon by the name of Benjamin Franklin Stephenson. By 1890, it had reached its peak with over half a million members in over 8,000 posts, including five presidents.

Three objectives were the basis for organization; fraternity, charity and loyalty . They had local meetings and "camp-fires" that were actually pretty popular. There were annual state and national meetings, called encampments in which railroads had special trains and discounts and tents were set up so that veterans could relieve their war days. There was a special fund for needy veterans, widows and orphans. Through the GAR, soldier's homes were set up. The Civil War was significant in reuniting a divided nation and the GAR helped raise funds for memorials and memories to remind people of this.

To become a member of the GAR, one had to have been honorably discharged from one of the branches of the US military between April of 1861 and December of 1865. He could not have been part of the Confederacy and he had to apply to his local post, where the post decided his membership by vote. The posts were organized similar to Masonic lodges, with similar rituals.

Members wore a double breasted coat that was dark blue with bronze buttons and had gold cord. They also wore a bronze star badge on their lapels so that they could be easily identified as a member of the GAR. They referred to their brothers as "comrades" and held votes for post positions.

James Fielding was a member of GAR Post #3, also known as the Gen Alex. Hays Post. Alexander Hays was a general who started out in the Civil War as the colonel of the 63rd Pennsylvania Regiment and was promoted a few times through the course of the war before his death on 5 May 1864 in the Battle of the Wilderness. (The 63rd Pennsylvania Regiment was the regiment John D. Wood served in that I wrote a history of long ago. His son Charles married Birdie Fielding, James' youngest daughter.)

Photograph of Brig. Gen. Alexander Hays that was taken sometime between 1860 and 1864. Photograph source: Library of Congress

As the GAR grew, so did its focus from being just a fraternal organization to a political one. As the GAR grew, so did the idea that the organization could present demands upon legislators. Pension bills became a point in which the GAR lobbied hard. In fact, because President Grover Cleveland vetoed a comprehensive pension bill that Congress enacted in 1887, he lost the 1888 election because G.A.R. members pushed the pension rhetoric into the polls, helping to elect Benjamin Harrison as president instead.

It is not known when James first joined Post #3 of the Grand Army of the Republic, but on 9 January 1888, he was elected as inside guard in the post. He may have joined the GAR because of the pension issue, as several claims he made to increase his pension were rejected before he was elected an officer in the post.

James Fielding was working as a chiropodist at the time he was elected officer. Chiropodists worked on feet, removing ingrown toenails, calluses, and corns. Sometimes they plied their wares as street traders, but by the time of James Fielding's tenure as a chiropodist, many had established offices. In 1888, James had an office at 543 Wood and in 1889, he had an office at 811 Penn Avenue, which appears to have been an office building of sorts in Pittsburgh, per searches of the newspapers of the day. He appeared to have this job off and on until 1898, per city directories. Interestingly enough, he took out an advertisement right under his listing in the 1891 Pittsburgh area directories that read:

On 21 April 1888, James filed a Re-Rating Arrears and Increase of Pension claim stating he needed his pension corrected because his rate of pension of $4 a month was "unjustly low and disproportionate to the degree of his disability." John Burke and Samuel Moore, both of Pittsburgh, were his witnesses, and P. J. Lockwood was his attorney. A notation on the front of the claim stated "Claimant objects to being sent to the board before which he was last examined." On 3 April 1889 the pension was increased to $12 per month, as this was the first successful claim.

This coincided with the Grand Army of the Republic's biggest victory in politics, as President Harrison signed into law the Pension Act of 1890, which allowed any and all persons who had served ninety days in service in one of the branches of the United States military during the Civil War, were honorably discharged, never part of the Confederacy, and who were suffering from some sort of disability that incapacitated them from manual labor to receive funds from the United States. The pension was to be at least six dollars a month, but not exceeding twelve dollars a month. It was also the first time in the history of United States pension acts that the soldier or sailor's rank was not considered.

On 1 Dec 1890, James was elected as officer of the guard to Post #3. Though the post was in the city of Pittsburgh at the time, James was still living in Allegheny City, where he resided at 7 Jackson Street. This was the address listed on his daughter Emma's marriage license application in December 1890 when she married William McKim.

In December 1894, the GAR ran this about him in The Pittsburgh Press "Comrade James Fielding, Post 3's old warhorse, had returned from Williamsport and will reside permanently in this city. As usual, he will have charge of the annual distribution of Christmas turkeys to the widows of the Post."

The reason for his relocation to Williamsport lies in his Appeal for Reconsideration that was received 8 August 1892 which states: "...he believes injustice has been done him. He feels that the Allegheny Board must be prejudiced against him. He respectfully requests that he may be ordered to Washington D.C. for reexamination at the time of the GAR Encampment, or the Williamsport, Pa." On 15 February 1893, James was examined again by doctors, this time in Williamsport. The physicians felt he was entitled to a pension increase for both his dislocated shoulder and for his bayonet wound. But he never received those pension increases due to the Pension Act of 1890.

For whatever reason, James returned to Allegheny City and took up his duties as a comrade of Post 3 again. He resided on Leland Avenue, where wife Sarah was charged $21.11 cents for sewer repairs in December of 1898. It is very likely that while James moved to Williamsport for a period of about a year, his family stayed in Allegheny City.

In September of 1895, Louisville in Kentucky became the first city south of the Mason-Dixon line to host the annual Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic. It was the largest convention ever in the city.

James Fielding was part of the advance guard of the Pittsburgh posts, which left, probably by train, on 5 September 1895. He was instructed with procuring headquarters for the Pittsburgh contingent, which he found in room 17 at the Law Temple on Green and Fifth streets. The encampment was a success, though several were killed due to a cannon explosion the morning of the parade and a grandstand collapsed at the fireworks display. It was reported later in September that "Comrades H. A. Moore and James Fielding came in for a great deal of praise for the manner in which they performed their duties at Louisville."

Not much else is known about James' work with the Grand Army of the republic after the Louisville Encampment. He was mentioned in a May 1892 article as one of the members of Post 3 who was visiting schools for Decoration day. This was the biggest legacy left by the GAR. The celebration of what was then Decoration Day became the national holiday of Memorial Day. Though it was a Southern tradition started in Virginia, it eventually was pushed to become the celebration it now is by the Grand Army of the Republic.

The Grand Army of the Republic dwindled because Union veterans began to die off, with the last remaining member, Comrade Albert Woolson, dying in 1956.

James' story continued though, as he owned a house in Allegheny City for many, many years. But that's a story for another post.

Sources:

Ancestry.com, "1890 Veterans Schedules," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 28 July 2016), Entry for James Fielding, Year: 1890, Census Place: Allegheny Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: 88, Page: 1, and Enumeration District: 174.

Appeal for Reconsideration Filed for James Fielding, received 8 August 1892; Scanned copy provided in the pension file for James Fielding from NARA sent to Kelley Wood-Davis 29 Jan 2020 by Deidre Erin Denton, genealogist; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); Records Relating to Pension and Bounty-Land Claims 1773-1942, Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, RG 15; 2,807 rolls, National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Celebration Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine, "The Evolution of Podiatry: Historical Insights You Should Know," Celebration Orthopaedic, Celebration Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Institute, 17 May 2021 (https://celebrationorthopaedics.com/podiatry-in-celebration/ : accessed 21 October 2021).

General Affidavit, case of James Fielding, late of Co. E, 155th Regt. Penna Vols filed by Dr. J. H. Wright, 2 Dec 1886; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

"The Grand Army of the Republic and Kindred Societies," article, Library of Congress Researcher and References Service Division (https://www.loc.gov/rr/main/gar/garintro.html : accessed 19 November 2021), Information on the Grand Army of the Republic.

Invalid Claim for Increase for James Fielding, co E, 155 Pennsylvania, no 11390, filed 30 Jan 1890; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

Invalid Increase for James Fielding, Co. E, 155th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, number 11390, filed 4 June 1889; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

Invalid Pension Reissue to Allow Additional Disability for James Fielding, cn 11390, Co E, 155 Pa Vol Inf (Present claim filed 18 June 1889); citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

Invalid, Re-Rating & Increase for James Fielding, Co. E, 155th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, number 11390, filed 21 April 1888; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1888/1889 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1888), 343, "Fielding Jas, chiropodist, 543 Wood, h 7 Jackson, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 28 July 2016).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1889/1890 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1889), 356, "Fielding Jas, chiropodist, 811 Penn av, h 7 Jackson av A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pennsylvania, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 28 July 2016).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1890/1891 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher & Thurston, 1890), 287, "Fielding J. chiropodist, 7 Jackson av, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 28 July 2016).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1891/1892 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher & Thurston, 1891), 318, "Fielding Jas, chiropodist, 7 Jackson, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (http://historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 28 July 2016).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1892/1893 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher & Thurston, 1892), 320, "Fielding Jas, chiropodist, 7 Jackson, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (http://historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 28 July 2016).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1893/1894 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher & Thurston, 1893), 326, "Fielding Jas, chiropodist, 7 Jackson, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 28 July 2016).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1894/1895 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher & Thurston, 1894), 317, "Fielding Jas, Leland av, n Charles, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 28 July 2016).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1895/1896 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher & Thurston, 1895), 331, "Fielding J, Physician, Leland av, n Charles, A(llegheny), h same"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 28 July 2016).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1896/1897 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1896), 348, "Fielding Jas, chiropodist, Leland av, n Charles, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 28 July 2016).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1897/1898 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1897), 352, "Fielding Jas, chiropodist, Leland av, n. Hawkins av, A(llegheny)"; digital image, Unversity of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 28 July 2016).

"Lodge Room Gossip," The Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 14 February 1892, page 14; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 9 December 2021).

Medical Evidence Affidavit of Dr. M. J. Koenig, in the Claim of James Fielding, pvt, Co E, 155th Pa Vols, number 11390 for Increase, filed 2 August 1892; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

Medical Evidence Affidavit of J. Stickel, M.D., in the Claim of James Fielding, pvt, Co E, 155th Pa Vols, number 11390 for Increase, filed 4 August 1892; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

"Officers of the G.A.R. elected," The Pittsburgh Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 2 December 1890, page 4; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 25 February 2020).

Pearson, John. "A Brief History of Chiropody and Podiatry," Carole Adrienne, Civil War Rx, no date, (http://civilwarrx.blogspot.com/2016/06/a-brief-history-of-chiropody-and.html : accessed 21 October 2021).

"Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 29 June 2020), Entry for William McKisn and Emma Fielding, 16 Dec 1890, FHL microfilm # 878584; citing various county courthouses, Pennsylvania.

"Post 3's Installation," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 10 January 1888, page 3; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 21 October 2021).

Prechtel-Kluskens, Claire. "A Reasonable Degree of Promptitude": Civil War Pension Application Processing, 1861–1885," Prologue, Spring 2010, Vol 42. No. 1; online, The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, National Archives (https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2010/spring/civilwarpension.html : accessed 4 March 2021).

Rothbard, Murray N. "Beginning the Welfare State: Civil War Veteran's Pensions," The Quarterly Journal of Austrian Economics, 22:1 (Spring 2019): 68-81.

"Secret Societies: Grand Army of the Republic," The Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 8 September 1895, page 11; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 9 December 2021).

"Secret Societies: The Grand Army," The Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 23 December 1894, page 14; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 21 October 2021).

"Secret Society: Grand Army of the Republic," The Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 29 September 1895, page 15; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 9 December 2021).

Surgeon's Certificate in case of James Fielding, co E, 155th Pa. Vols, Applicant for Increase, claim number 11390 filed 3 April 1889; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

Surgeon's Certificate for in the case of James Fielding Co E, 155 Reg't Pa Inf, Applicant for Increase pension number 11390, filed 4 June 1890; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

U. S. Congress, The Statutes at Large, Treaties and Proclmations of the United States of America, vols. 19-125 (United States Government Publishing Office: Washington, D.C., 1876–2011), 26: 182-183, 27 June 1890, "An act granting to soldiers and sailors who are incapacitated for the performance of manual labor and providing for pensions to widows, minor children, and dependent parents," 634

Veach, Michael. "Grand Army of the Republic at The Filson," Filson Historical Society, The Filson Newsmagazine, n.d. (https://filsonhistorical.org/archive/news_v2n3_gar.html : accessed 9 December 2021).

"The Veterans' Advance Guard," Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 6 September 1895, page 2; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 8 September 2021).

"Viewers' Reports," official notice, Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 23 October 1898, Page 7; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 31 July 2016).

Waskie, Anthony. "The Grand Army of the Republic," article, Essential Civil War Curriculum (https://www.essentialcivilwarcurriculum.com/the-grand-army-of-the-republic.html : accessed 19 November 2021).

14 October 2021

James Fielding: Police Officer

This is the third blog post in a series on James Fielding, one of my more fascinating ancestors. After his early life, his stint in the Civil War, and having to change his profession, he also was, later in life, a police officer for the Allegheny City police force. This is that story.

On 28 April 1881, the Allegheny City Police Committee held a special meeting. The mayor of the city at the time was Lewis Peterson Jr, who was the cousin of James' mother-in-law Emeline Peterson McDonald McLaughlin and nephew to the first of three Henry Petersons. Lewis Peterson submitted a list of appointments he had made for confirmation. On that list was the name of James Fielding, his cousin's son-in-law, who badly needed a job. Although he was impaired form his Civil War injuries, he still was able to become an officer, for the list, save for two men, were confirmed by the police committee.

Some of his actions as a police officer were recorded in the local newspapers. It is not 100% certain that these are all James Fielding, as he was merely listed as "Officer Fielding," but the timeline appears to match up correctly, so they will all be reported. In genealogy, especially when it comes to newspaper accounts, not everything is 100% certain.

One of his first acts as a police officer was to spoil the fun of some boys playing ball in the Eighth Ward by arresting them and taking them to the Mayor's office on 8 May 1881.

On 25 August 1881, this was reported in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

"A one legged crazy man was picked up on Ohio street yesterday afternoon by Officer Fielding, and place in the lockup. He could not give his name or residence. He is crazy on religious subjects."

Officer Fielding procured a wagon for a man by the name of Mr. Reed on 12 September 1881 when he was thrown from his own wagon when he collided with a gad lamp and was seriously injured. James escorted the man home to his house on the corner of 36th and Penn in Pittsburgh.

On 29 November 1881, he made two arrests that made the newspapers. He arrested Henry Helewig for domestic abuse after Helewig's child was gravely injured. He also arrested one intoxicated woman by the name of Mary Greenewalt after she impeded a train by falling drunkenly across the tracks and had to be rescued.

In February 1882, he testified in a trial against Health Officer Christ Hoch after charges were brought against the man that he was publicly intoxicated at the polls. James had seen Hoch the day in question and testified he did not think Hoch was drunk. Hoch was neither exonerated nor censured in the meeting.

On 2 April 1882, he rescued an elderly man from Sharpsville, Pennsylvania by the name of Andrew nelson. According to the Pittsburgh Daily Post, Nelson was an itinerant who was quite ill on the bank of the river. He was sent to lock-up first and then to the city home.

On 30 May 1882, he had to euthanize a ferocious dog owned by Jacob Snyder after the dog bit a young boy by the name of Harry Baker twice.

Sometime in early August of 1882, he fell while walking on a boardwalk in the Troy Hill neighborhood and dislocated his arm. One must wonder if it was the same arm he injured in the Civil War. On 2 December 1882, he received $46 for lost time, presumably for this injury.

On 2 Jan 1883, the Pittsburgh Daily Post reported this

"Officer Fielding was yesterday made the victim of a practical joke. Upon entering the Allegheny Engine House on Troy Hill, he was presented by the members of the company with a handsome pipe filled with what he supposed was tobacco. He immediately lit it and after smoking for a few moments was startled by a loud report, the bowl that had been partially filled with powder, having exploded. Mr. Fielding, after recovering from his astonishment, left the house without thanking the donors for the gift."

His bad luck continued to plague him, for on 28 January 1883, he was attacked on Lowry Street in the Troy Hill neighborhood. A gang of roughs fought with him and he was severely beaten, though no arrests were made.

No other accounts were made in 1883 about Officer Fielding until August of 1883, when he was listed as an ex-police officer in another public drunkenness trial. This time, the charges were made against Lieutenant McCormick, who had been suspended for his charges by Mayor Peterson but was brought up before the Allegheny Police Commission. The communication from James was placed in the lieutenant's file, as Mayor Peterson suggested that "he alone had the authority to investigate charges against his officers."

For a period in 1883-1884, he went back to being an agent, according to the 1884 city directory for Pittsburgh and Allegheny City, though it is not known if he went back to the publication company or not. But his stint as a police officer was not yet over, for on 1 May 1884 he was nominated again as a police officer by Mayor James G. Wyman and sworn in again by the Police Committee on the same day.

On 15 August 1884, James arrested 18-year-old James Montgomery from Cleveland because the youth was throwing stones at a Blaine and Logan Marching club.

On 18 February 1885, a broom peddler by the name of John Steinmetz was arrested for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. He tried to stab James with a knife.

The February article is the last mention of James as a police officer that can be found in the newspapers. The Pittsburgh area city directory for 1886/1887 still lists him as a police officer, living at 160 James in Allegheny City, but there are no mentions of him making arrests in 1886, so one cannot be sure.

It was this address that clinched that he was a police officer, for it was at this address that James filed an Invalid Claim for Increase on 7 Sept 1885. John Wells and Frank Wadlow were the witnesses on this affidavit. This was also the address daughter Jennie gave on her marriage license application to Joseph Titus. The couple was married 3 December 1885. James filed an increase again on 16 August 1886 and claimed the same address. The witnesses on that affidavit were R. B. Robinson and James A. Green or Greer.

What is also known is that he went on to become a maker of lightning rods, per the 1887/1888 city directory for Pittsburgh and Allegheny City.

While his adventures as a police officer were over and done with, there was still more to his story, especially his involvement with the Grand Army of the Republic. But that is better left for another blog post.

Sources Used:

"Allegheny Briefs," Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 19 February 1885, page 4; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 24 September 2021).

"Allegheny Committee Work: Business Before the Police and Health Committees," Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 2 August 1883, page 4; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 23 September 2021).

"The Allegheny Investigation," Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 28 February 1882, page 4; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 24 September 2021).

"Allegheny News," Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 11 August 1882, page 4; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 24 September 2021).

"Allegheny News," Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 29 January 1883, page 4; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 23 September 2021).

"Allegheny Police Department," Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 2 December 1882, page 4; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 24 September 2021).

"Allegheny Police Force," Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 29 April 1881, page 4; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 23 September 2021).

"An Allegheny Policeman Surprised," Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 2 January 1883, page 4; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 23 September 2021).

Invalid Claim for Increase for James Fielding, co E, 155th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, claim number 11390, filed 7 Sept 1885; Scanned copy provided in the pension file for James Fielding from NARA sent to Kelley Wood-Davis 29 Jan 2020 by Deidre Erin Denton, genealogist; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); Records Relating to Pension and Bounty-Land Claims 1773-1942, Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, RG 15; 2,807 rolls, National Archives, Washington, D.C.

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1882/1883 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1882), 273, "Fielding, James, police, 209 Washington av, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 29 July 2016).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1884/1885 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1884), 315, "Fielding Jas, agt, 135 James A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 29 July 2016).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1885/1886 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1885), 312, "Fielding Jas, Police, 56 Hemlock, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 29 July 2016).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1886/1887 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher & Thurston, 1886), 325, "Fielding, Jas, police, 160 James, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 29 July 2016).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1887/1888 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1887), 328, "Fielding Jas, lightning rods, 160 James, A(llegheny"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 28 July 2016).

"Local Briefs," Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 3 April 1882, page 4; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 24 September 2021).

"Local Briefs," Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 30 May 1882, page 4; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 23 September 2021).

"The News from Allegheny," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 9 May 1881, page 4; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 23 September 2021).

"The News from Allegheny," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 25 August 1881, page 4; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 23 September 2021).

"The News from Allegheny," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 13 September 1881, page 4; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 23 September 2021).

"The News from Allegheny," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 30 November 1881, page 4; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 23 September 2021).

"Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 22 February 2020), Entry for Joseph Titus and Jennie Fielding, 3 Dec 1885, cn 568, referencing Allegheny County (Pennsylvania), Clerk of the Orphans' Court, Marriages, volume 1, page 190, FHL microfilm number 878577; citing various county courthouses, Pennsylvania.

"Stoning a Marching Club," The Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 16 August 1884, page 4; online images, Google News (https://news.google.com/newspapers : accessed 24 September 2021).

Surgeon's Certificate in Case of James Fielding, Application for Increase dated 25 November 1885; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

"Wyman's Brigade: New Police Force of Allegheny on Duty," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 2 May 1884, page 4; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 23 September 2021).

15 September 2021

James Fielding: Man of Many Hats

**Blogger's note here - apologies for the small break in my blogging. I have been working on my fiction writing as well lately and that has taken a great deal of my "free time" lately, as I do this in addition to a full time job and normal day-to-day activities**

This is the third blog post in a series on James Fielding, one of my more fascinating ancestors. After his early life and his stint in the Civil War, he found himself injured and having to change the course of his life. This is that story.

Because he had injured his shoulder and his foot during his brief stint in the War of Rebellion, James Fielding found himself having a hard time doing manual labor. While he resided with his mother-in-law Emeline McDonald in the Second Ward of Allegheny City directly after being discharged per his entry in the Civil War Draft of 1862, by the end of 1863 he was living in Richland Township, at the northern end of Allegheny County. According to medical affidavits filed later in his life, he lived here for three years. Daughter Emma's death certificate stated she was born in Richland Township in 1866, which helps lend credence to this as their location at the time.

From 1867 until early 1869, James also owned land in McClure Township, a lot he bought for $250. The lot was a plot in a development divided by Frederick Eschelman and John S. Ashworth. It was described as "having a front of twenty feet on a street, thirty feet wide and extending back on the south side ninety eight feet more or less and on the north side sixty seven feet more or less to edge of stone quarry rock, also the right to a spring for family use situate on the north east corner of said street."

I should note here that there is a bit of confusion as to where he lived and worked, as several different documents give different accounts. What I do know is he did a number of manual labor jobs that required sitting, for his foot did still pain him.

Per an affidavit filed by James Godfrey on 29 Jan 1891, James Fielding rented bench room in Godfrey's blacksmith shop to work as a locksmith and a bell hanger from 1866 to 1867. H. J. Westerman claimed in an affidavit filed on 2 Jan 1891 that he had known James Fielding for 25 years and that around the years of 1866 and 1867, James worked in the same shop as Westerman (probably James Godfrey's shop) and that Westerman helped to fix James' arm when it became dislocated.

James was listed as living at 7 Ohio Street in Allegheny City in the 1868 city directory, working as the locksmith and bell hanger, but that stint appeared to be short lived. By late 1868, he was working in a sewing factory, probably in Allegheny City. Per the Medical Evidence Affidavit of Dr. M. J. Koenig filed 2 August 1892 found in James' pension file, the following was recorded:

"His right eye is blind in consequence of a cataract, during the year of 1868 found Jas. Fielding light employment in a sewing factory where he had to chisel with a light hammer at a piece of steel, when his shoulder caused him to make a mis-shift, starting a fine steel chip to cut through the cornea of the right eye. He has consulted opticians of high standing, who adviced him not to have it operated on, as it might endanger the left eye."

The 1870 census has always confused me for the Fielding family. James was listed as living as a boarder in the Sherman House Hotel in Ward 10 of St. Louis, Missouri and working as a printer, but it appears he was just passing through the city. There is evidence he was working as a traveling printer and salesman.

His wife Sarah and their children were enumerated in the fifth district of New Orleans, Louisiana. While Sarah was not listed in the 1870 New Orleans City Directory, her neighbor on the census, Nathan Johnson, engineer, was living on Seguin, between Delaronde and Villere according to the directories. what is interesting is that their living children, James, Fanny and Emma, were all listed with the surname of Andrew instead of Fielding. Sarah's mother, Emeline, was living in New Orleans with her second husband Elmon McLaughlin, so it is likely that Sarah and the children traveled down the rivers to live near Emeline while James was traveling.

From 1872 to 1873, he lived at 186 Rebecca Street in Allegheny City, working as a machinist and then as an agent. While further research did not reveal what kind of an agent, it is surmised he was a book agent of sorts. It is likely this was the house that daughter Nellie was born in, as she was born 2 August 1872.

At the biennial review for his pension payment in 1873, the pension was reduced to $4 per month. Apparently, the Medical Board thought his disability didn't warrant the pension he was receiving and the degree of his disability was likely reduced.

By 1874, James Fielding had moved to Cleveland, Ohio. At first, it appears he moved there himself without taking his family, as he was listed in the 1874 Cleveland area directory as a boarder living at Saint Charles hotel, where he was listed as a book agent. He likely sold subscriptions for Appleton Publications, who created such works as Picturesque America. Appleton's was located at 90, 92, and 94 Grand Street in New York City, according to an advertisement in the Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette in 1870. They sold subscriptions to their essays for $4.50 a year. By 1874, they were located at 549 and 550 Broadway Avenue in New York City and had completed the essays that were become Picturesque America, which was listed as James' employer in the 1875 Cleveland Directory.

By December 1875, he was working for the newspaper The Christian at Work, and an advertisement they ran in the Daily Cleveland Herald made mention of him:

"Mr. James Fielding, who is widely and favorably known, has been engaged to travel in this section and appoint local agents throughout the country." (18 Dec 1875, page 8).

It is not known where his family lived from 1874 to 1875, but by 1876, the family was living with him in Cleveland, as son Edward was born at 566 Hamilton on 20 April 1876. However, just a year later, they were living once again in Allegheny City, as James was listed again as in the Pittsburgh area city directories, living at 77 Bidwell. He worked as a printer and then a watchman. Son Marcus was likely born in this house, as he was born 2 December 1878.

The 1880 census listed him living in Allegheny City, probably still at the Bidwell address. He was listed as a locksmith by occupation, with wife Sarah, sons James, Edward and Marcus, and daughters Jennie, Emma and Nellie. It was at the Bidwell address that James filed another declaration for increase on 13 March 1880, claiming his wound had become much worse, rendering him incapable of following his usual occupation (though which "usual occupation" is not listed). James J. Brown and Daniel J. Boden were the witnesses on this affidavit. He stated he was only making $4 a month as a pension. This was rejected on 13 May 1880.

While his life continued on and he had a stint as a police officer, that will be listed in a future blog post.

Sources Used:

"1870 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 30 July 2016), Entry for James Fielding; Year: 1870, Census Place: St Louis Ward 10 St Louis, Missouri, Roll: M593_820, Page: 26B, Image: 93043, and Family History Library Film: 552319.

"1870 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 28 July 2016), Entry for Sarah V Fielding and household; Year: 1870, Census Place: New Orleans Ward 14 Orleans, Louisiana, Roll: M593_525, Page: 789A, Image: 271699, and Family History Library Film: 552024.

Act of July 14, 1862 Pension Card for James Fielding, volume 3, page 144, Co. E, 155 Pennsylvania Infantry; Scanned copy provided in the pension file for James Fielding from NARA sent to Kelley Wood-Davis 29 Jan 2020 by Deidre Erin Denton, genealogist; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); Records Relating to Pension and Bounty-Land Claims 1773-1942, Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, RG 15; 2,807 rolls, National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Deed book 223: 621-623, Frederick D. and Eliza Ann Eshelman, and John S. and Ellen Ashworth, to James Fielding, recorded 17 Oct 1867; FHL microfilm 1509528 and 1509529.

Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Deed book 249: 607-608, James and Sarah V. Fielding to David Wright, recorded 18 February 1870; FHL microfilm 1509761.

Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "1880 United States Federal Census," database online with images, Ancestry.com Operation, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 July 2016), Entry for james Fielding and family; Year: 1880, Census Place: Allegheny Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: 1086, Family History Film: 1255086, Page: 132B, Enumeration District: 006, and Image: 0269.

"Appleton's Journal," advertisement, Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 22 November 1870, page 1; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 20 July 2020).

Atlas of the cities of Pittsburgh, Allegheny, and the Adjoining Boroughs (Philadlephia, Pennsylvania: G.M. Hopkins, 1876); digital images, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 5 February 2021), Plate 10-11> viewed Rebecca Street in the 5th Ward of Allegheny City.

Beers, F. W., and S. N. Beers, Map of Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania : from actual surveys (Philadelphia: Smith, Gallupp and Hewitt, 1862); digital image, Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division (https://www.loc.gov/item/2012592151/ : accessed 7 July 2021), viewed part of Richland township.

Brief in the Case of James Fielding, Private, Company E, 155th Regiment of Pa. Vol.: Claim for Invalid Pension Proof Exhibited, dated 29 April 1863; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

Certificate of Disability for Discharge for James Fielding, Private, Co. E, 155th PA, filed 11 Jan 1863; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

The Cleveland Directory 1874/1875 (Cleveland, Ohio: W. S. Robison, 1874), 209, "Fielding James, bk agt, bds St. Charles Hotel"; digital images, HathiTrust (https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/100677838 : accessed 20 July 2020).

The Cleveland Directory 1875/1876 (Cleveland, Ohio: Robison, Savage and Co., 1875), 212, "Fielding James, agt. Appleton's Picturesque America, 20 ws. Pub Sqr. r. 1 Buckeye"; digital images, HathiTrust (https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/100677838 : accessed 20 July 2020).

The Cleveland Directory 1876/1877 (Cleveland, Ohio: Robison, Savage and Co., 1876), 204, "Fielding James, agt. r. 570 Hamilton"; digital images, HathiTrust (https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/100677838 : accessed 20 July 2020).

"The Christian at Work," advertisement, Daily Cleveland Herald (Cleveland, Ohio), 18 December 1875, page 8; online images, GenealogyBank (www.genealogybank.com : accessed 20 July 2020).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1863-1864 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1863), 100, "Fielding James, machinist, 56 Fourth"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 July 2016).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1868/1869 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1868), 168, "Fielding James, locksmithing and bell hanging, 7 Ohio, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 28 July 2016).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1872-1873 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G.H. Thurston, 1872), 169, "Fielding James, machinist, 186 Rebecca, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 29 July 2016).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1873/1874 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G.H. Thurston, 1873), 192, "Fielding James, agt, 186 Rebecca, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 29 July 2016).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1874/1875 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1874), 209, "Fielding James, agt, n Perry av, 2d ward, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 29 July 2016).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1877-1878 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1877), 203, "Fielding Jas, printer, 77 Bidwell, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 29 July 2016).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1878/1879 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G.H. Thurston, 1878), 221, "Fielding Jas, printer, 77 Bidwell, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 29 July 2016).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1879-1880 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G.H. Thurston, 1879), 229, "Fielding Jas, watchman, 77 Bidwell, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 29 July 2016).

General Affidavit of Henry Barr, filed 3 Feb 1891, Pension file of James Fielding; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

General Affidavit of H. J. Westerman in the claim of James Fielding, co E, 155 Regiment, Pa Volunteers, no 11930, filed 2 Jan 1891; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

Invalid Claim for Increase for James Fielding, filed 13 March 1880; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

Invalid Pension Claim Declaration for James Fielding, filed 8 Jan 1863; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

National Archives and Records Administration, "U.S., Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934," database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 July 2016), Entry for James Fielding, born about 1837 from 2nd Ward Allegheny City, Pennsylvania; citing "General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934". Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. T288, 546 rolls.

"Ohio, County Births, 1841-2003," database online with images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 25 February 2020), Entry for male Child Fielding, born 20 April 1876 at 556 Hamilton, Cleveland; Cuyahoga > Birth registers with index 1872-1876 > image 204 of 288; FHL Microfilm number 1986157; citing County courthouses, Ohio.

"Publishers' Notice to Picturesque America Suscribers," advertisement, The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), 28 October 1874, page 5; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 20 July 2020).

Reimbursement Card, Certificate number 11390, for invalid pensioner James Fielding; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

Surgeon's Certificate of Biennial, Annual, or Semi-Annual Examination, on which the Pensioner Draws his Pension for James Fielding, filed in Pittsburgh, 13 Sept 1873; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

"U.S., Civil War Draft Registrations Records, 1863-1865," database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 July 2021), Entry for James Fielding, birth year about 1837, residence Second Ward (Allegheny City),; citing "Consolidated Lists of Civil War Draft Registrations, 1863-1865". NM-65, entry 172, 620 volumes. NAI: 4213514. Records of the Provost Marshal General’s Bureau (Civil War), Record Group 110. National Archives at Washington D.C.

02 July 2021

James Fielding: Civil War

This is the second in a series of posts about my ancestor, James Fielding, an illustrious man. To read the first post about his early life, click here.

Like most of the men in his generation, James Fielding was part of the great conflict known as the Civil War.

James volunteered for service at Pittsburgh on 21 August 1862 for a three-year term. He had been married to his wife, Sarah McDonald, for nine months, and their first child, a boy they named James Henderson, was just nine days old when James signed up. Information seems to suggest that the couple was living with Sarah's mother, Emeline, at 56 Fourth Street in Allegheny at the time, though they could have also been staying at John Fielding's home on Ohio Street as well.

He was twenty-four years of age.

James was assigned to Company E of the 155th Pennsylvania Volunteers, under the command of Captain Joseph B. Sackett.

The regiment was organized at Camp Copeland, three miles outside Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania, and moved by cattle cars on a train first to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to collect the last two companies of the regiment. It then moved on 4 September 1862 to Washington, D.C., where it was attached to the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 5th Army Corps, Army Potomac.

This regiment was also the one that a man named William Woods was assigned, though he was assigned to Company B. William Woods' nephew, Charles Wesley Chapman Wood later married James' youngest daughter, Birdie.

James' stay was extremely brief.

According to pension records he filed in later years, James was assigned to assist the quartermaster in moving supplies. Some time on either the 8th or 10th of September, 1862, just a few days after establishing camp in Alexandria, Virginia, he incorrectly lifted a barrel off the wagon. In doing so, he apparently injured his right shoulder, dislocating it, but he merely got some liniment from the medical supplies and applied it to the hurt shoulder. He assumed it would heal soon, so he refused to seek correct medical treatment.

On 11 September 1862, James was assigned the duty of waking the officers for the day. He rose before four in the morning and began his trek to the officers' tents. However, because it was still fairly dark that time of the morning, he could not see well. In the darkness, he tripped over a bayonet left out of a recruit's tent. The bayonet impaled the upper part of his foot, disabling him.

The incident was memorialized in the regiment's history, Under the Maltese Cross, which had this to say about it:

"This claim of first blood, however, was later seriously disputed on behalf of Private James Fielding, of Company E. Fielding insists that a jab from a protruding bayonet, which a recruit carelessly left sticking out of a tent at night, drew blood from his big toe. From this wound Fielding was forever afterward rendered hors du combat." (Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, 155th (1862-1865), Under the Maltese Cross, Antietam to Appomattox, (Pittsburgh: 1910) 55)

He was taken to the field hospital, where he was treated for his wound. The injury had to have been serious because he was never given active duty again but was released from the Union Army on 4 Jan 1863 with a certificate of disability.

James never saw combat, but because he was injured in the line of duty, he did receive a pension for his injuries. His commander, Captain Sackett, wrote an affidavit for him.

Undated Affidavit of Capt. Joseph B. Sackett in Brief in the Case of James Fielding, Private, Company E, 155th Regiment of Pa. Vol.: Claim for Invalid Pension Proof Exhibited, dated 29 April 1863, from James Fielding's civil War Pension File, copy provided to Kelley Wood-Davis by Deidre Erin Denton, genealogist

James was eligible to apply for the pension due to the Act to Grant Pensions that was passed by Congress on 14 July 1862 (37th Congress. Sess. II. Ch. 166. 1862), as he had been partially "disabled by reason of any wound received.... while in the service of the United States." Being as how the ratio of men wounded in the war to the general population was nearly 14 per one thousand per Rothbard's "Beginning the Welfare State: Civil War Veteran's Pensions" (70), James was one of many who applied.

Witnesses for the original affidavit for pension file claim (filed 8 Jan 1863) were Alexander McCracken, aged 40, and John Flinn, aged 43, both residents of Pittsburgh. The affidavit was signed by W. A. Herron, clerk of the orphan's court. The surgeon's certificate attached to this claim was not filled out.

Fielding was entitled to a pension beginning 4 January 1863 of $5.33 a month on account of the bayonet wound. One inflation calculator equates that to $113.75 per month in 2020 money. Incidentally, one of the physicians who examined him in August of 1863 stated that the disability was "probably temporary."

James returned to his previous life before the military, having served in active duty less than a month. He moved in with his mother-in-law at 172 Robinson, and it is that address from whence he applied for his first military pension. Both his shoulder and the wound from the bayonet plagued him for the rest of his life, according to documents he filed.

Interestingly enough, because he was back amongst civilians in late spring and early summer of 1863, he was recorded in the Civil War Registrations done in Pennsylvania at that time. He was recorded as living in the Second Ward of Allegheny City and had no occupation at the time of the registration. No mention of his service was given in the column listed "Former Military Service." Because of his disability, he of course was not drafted back into the war.

**Note here: I had done a bit of digging on the other men mentioned above, as I am a firm believer in the FAN method, as I have stated in other blog posts. **

Joseph B. Sackett, the captain of James' company, met with a sad fate a year after James had been discharged. While returning from a picket near Warrenton, Virginia on 24 January 1864, he attempted to cross Kettle Run, fording the river on horseback. He drowned in the process.

William Wood, who is also related to me as a second-great-granduncle, did survive the Civil War and probably saw many battles with his unit. He eventually was promoted to Corporal on 14 March 1865 and mustered out with his company on 2 June 1865. (Side note here: he died in 1885 unmarried and childless, long before his nephew married his comrade's daughter.)

Both John Flinn and Alexander McCracken were shoemakers in the area and were probably men James knew from working with his father.

James' stint in the Civil War was a chapter that closed, but a new chapter was just beginning. But that's a story for the next post.

Sources used:

Brief in the Case of James Fielding, Private, Company E, 155th Regiment of Pa. Vol.: Claim for Invalid Pension Proof Exhibited, dated 29 April 1863; Scanned copy provided in the pension file for James Fielding from NARA sent to Kelley Wood-Davis 29 Jan 2020 by Deidre Erin Denton, genealogist; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); Records Relating to Pension and Bounty-Land Claims 1773-1942, Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, RG 15; 2,807 rolls, National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1861-1862 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1861), 218, "McDonald Emily, widow Henderson, dressmaker, Robinson n Darragh, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (http://historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 31 July 2016).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1862-1863 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G.H. Thurston, 1862), 216, "McDonald Emeline, widow Henderson, 172 Robinson, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 31 July 2016).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1863-1864, 236, "McDonald Emeline, wid Henderson, 46 Fourth".

Evans, Samuel M. Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, in the war for suppression of the rebellion, 1861-1865: roll of honor, defenders of the flag, attack on Fort Sumter, S.C., April 12, 1861, surrender at Appomattox, Va., April 9, 1865 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: s.n, 1924), 152.

Examining Surgeon's Certificate for the case of James Fielding, private, Company E, 155th Pennsylvania Volunteers, 7 Aug 1863; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

Hawks, Steve. The Civil War in the East (https://civilwarintheeast.com/ : accessed 11 March 2021), United States Regiments & Batteries > Pennsylvania > Infantry> 155th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

Hospital Statement for J Fielding, Co. E, 155 Regiment of Pa Volunteers, no. 11390, dated 13 July 1889; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

Invalid Pension Claim Declaration for James Fielding filed 8 Jan 1863; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

National Archives and Records Administration, "U.S., Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934," database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 July 2016), Entry for James Fielding, roll number T288_151, Application number 7786, Certificate number 11390.; Applied 10 January 1863 for pension; citing "General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934". Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. T288, 546 rolls.

Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, 155th (1862-1865), Under the Maltese Cross, Antietam to Appomattox: the Loyal Uprising in Western Pennsylvania, 1861-1865; Campaigns 155th Pennsylvania Regiment (Pittsburg, Pennsylvania: 155th Regimental Association, 1910).

Rothbard, Murray N."Beginning the Welfare State: Civil War Veteran's Pensions," The Quarterly Journal of Austrian Economics, 22:1 (Spring 2019): 68-81.

Undated Affidavit of Capt. Joseph B. Sackett inBrief in the Case of James Fielding, Private, Company E, 155th Regiment of Pa. Vol.: Claim for Invalid Pension Proof Exhibited, dated 29 April 1863; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

"U.S., Civil War Draft Registrations Records, 1863-1865," database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 July 2016), Entry for James Fielding, born about 1837 from 2nd Ward Allegheny City, Pennsylvania; citing "Consolidated Lists of Civil War Draft Registrations, 1863-1865". NM-65, entry 172, 620 volumes. NAI: 4213514. Records of the Provost Marshal General’s Bureau (Civil War), Record Group 110. National Archives at Washington D.C; listed as married in 1863.

U. S. Congress, The Statutes at Large, Treaties and Proclmations of the United States of America, vols. 1-18 (Little, Brown and Company: Boston, 1789–1875), 12: 566-569, 14 July 1862, "An Act to grant Pensions," 165

Voucher circular questions for James Fielding, certificate number 11390, dated 5 July 1898; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

26 June 2021

James Fielding : Early Years

I have been spending some of my personal genealogy research time focusing on my Fielding family, because, well, they fascinate me so. I don't know if it is because they are the quintessential blue-collar family, or just because I did not know much about them when I was growing up. Anyway, here is another blog on my Fielding family.

My pap's maternal grandfather was a man named James Fielding, who had lived a very full life, according to multiple documents. I wanted to find out more about him, as the Fielding family once was one of the biggest brick walls in my tree, and certain records I stumbled upon led me to find a landmine of information. After spending a great deal of time processing his Civil War Pension file, I knew I wanted to write about him as well. But I had too much information to write just one blog post on him, so bear with me as I tell the tale of this wonderful man in a series of them.

James was the son of the shoemaker John Fielding, who already has a post written about him, as he is one of my elusive family members.

James Fielding was born in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania on 14 September 1837 as the third son and one of several children of the aforementioned James Fielding and his wife Martha. His father at least was English, having been born in Manchester.

John, I have discovered since I wrote his blog post, likely came over as a "servant" aboard the packet ship Columbia, which arrived on 21 January 1828 in New York City.

James' mother's parentage remains a mystery, as does her correct surname, but I will keep checking for cracks in that brick wall.

While James is not listed by name on the 1840 census, he is enumerated as one of two free white male children under the age of five in his father’s household in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, where John was listed as "Jno. Fealding". Brother Joseph was enumerated as the other son. James was listed as living with his parents and family on the 1850 census where the family was enumerated in Allegheny City's Fourth Ward. He was marked as having attended school that year, and both of his parents could read and write since neither was marked as illiterate on the census.

By 1860, James had been trained as a machinist and was living on Ohio Street in the Fourth Ward of Allegheny City with his parents, though the census enumerator for that district simply listed each member of the family by their first initial and misspelled their surname, putting Fielden instead of Fielding.

Machinists in the period before the Civil War saw a great deal of change in the way they worked, as many different machines were being invented to make machining more precise and uniform. After all, it appears that precision machining got its biggest push from the event known as the Mexican-American War, when the U.S. Government requested bids for rifles with interchangeable parts. Tools, such as planers, presses, and various machines, were invented that allowed machinists to make higher quality and more uniform parts faster. Apparently, there was still a great deal of hand shaping needed for parts cast by machines, and James was likely trained in this kind of work, as later pension documents suggest.

While no documents state where he was employed, James first appears as a machinist in city directories in the 1861 Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny Cities, residing at 104 Ohio. Thie address was his father John's and brother Cooper's address of residence as well. As his father was listed as living on Ohio Street in city directories as early as 1850, it could be assumed that James lived there for a period of years with the family. Ohio Street was the borderline for the Third and Fourth Wards of Allegheny City according to the 1855 map, The Cities of Pittsburgh and Allegheny With Parts of Adjacent Boroughs, Pennsylvania, and since the family lived on the Fourth Ward side in the 1860 census, they had to have lived on the south side of the street.

On 27 November 1861, James married a young woman by the name of Sarah Virginia McDonald (also spelled MacDonald).

Sarah was the daughter of Henderson McDonald and Emeline Peterson and the stepdaughter of Elmon McLaughlin. She was born 1 September 1839 somewhere in Allegheny County as Henderson and Emeline's eldest daughter. Through her mother, she was descended from Anthony Morris, one of the English Quaker founders of the city of Philadelphia, and of whom I am still doing research.

Unlike James' family, the McDonald family appears to have moved around a bit. In 1840, Sarah was listed as the one free white female under the age of five in the household of Henderson McDonald in Pittsburgh's South Ward on that census, and in 1850 was living probably on Federal Street in Allegheny City's Third Ward, as that census and the 1850 city directory state. In 1860, she was living with her widowed mother and sister in Allegheny City's First Ward in the household of one Ann Aiken.

The couple was married on 27 November 1861, just as the Civil War was taking place.

Where the couple was married is a bit of a mystery. It was somewhere in Allegheny County, that much is known, but conflict exists in just where in Allegheny County. When sent a form asking personal questions in regards to his pension in 1898, James Fielding answered that he and Sarah had been married in Sharpsburg, which was upriver and up the railroad tracks from Allegheny City. However, a small blurb in the Pittsburgh Presbyterian Banner in March of 1862 gave the following:

"On the 27th of November, at the residence of the bride's mother, by Rev. John Williams, Mr. JAMES FIELDING to Muss SARAH V. McDONALD, all of Allegheny City." ~
"Married," Pittsburgh Presbyterian Banner (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 22 March 1862, page 3

Since the marriage was listed in a Presbyterian paper, it can be assumed that Rev. John Williams was a Presbyterian minister. However, further research on the man did not yield any information, leaving it a bit difficult at present to locate a church with which the marriage might be registered.

The city directory for the 1861-1862 period for Sarah's mother lists Emeline as living on Robinson in Allegheny City. It is possible she resided briefly in Sharpsburg in November of 1861, but it is more likely that James' recollection of where he was wed by 1898 was a bit fuzzy.

The marriage had but a brief interlude, for James, like most of the young men of his generation, went off to the war. But that's a story for the next post.

22 May 2021

Elmon Edward McLaughlin: A Tale of the Steamboat Steward

In January of this year, I wrote a blog post on my ancestor Henderson McDonald and his wife, Emeline Peterson. They were a part of my "Chasing the Elusive" series. While Henderson McDonald is still a brick wall despite searching, I broke through the wall that was Emeline Peterson in a major way, including tracing her lineage back several generations, as The Tale of Three Henry Petersons explains a bit.

In finding research on Emeline Peterson and her family, I also stumbled onto information about her second husband that fascinated me.

After Henderson passed away sometime around 1856 (although evidence/lack thereof of evidence suggests he may have also possibly abandoned the family as well, but this is just another suggestion at present time), Emma became a dressmaker. With her sister, Sarah, she DID buy property - in my previous blog post I erroneously stated she did not have a property in her name, as I had overlooked a deed made out to EMMA McDonald. On 28 February 1864, Emeline and Sarah purchased a parcel of land 26 feet by 85 feet along Fourth, Ferry, and Third Streets in the first ward of Pittsburgh for $3250 from one Caleb Russell. This property appears to be the very same property in which Emma did her dressmaking, and was rented first by Alice Mowry and then Mrs. M.H. Wrighter. The sisters sold the land for a whopping $9000 to James Sterrett on 17 Sept 1867.

Sometimes after that property was sold, but before 1 July 1870, when she was enumerated in the 1870 Federal Census, Emeline remarried. I have yet to find a marriage registration or certificate for her to cement a marriage date, but she married a steamboat steward by the name of Elmon Edward McLaughlin.

Elmon Edward McLaughlin, known mainly as Ed, was born probably in Rome, Lawrence County, Ohio on 29 November 1835 as one of the younger children born to David McLaughlin and Pheobe "Pheba" Gillett. According to his father's will from 1855, Ed was estranged from his family and thus was to receive only a few dollars. Why he was estranged is still a mystery, but it may have had something to do with the fact that the lad was likely working as a riverman along the Mississippi River Valley.

Because of his unusual first name and the fact that he often went by his middle name, finding records for him is sometimes a challenge. He was listed as Alvin, Almon, and even Edmund on census records, and as Elmer in directory listings.

It is unknown how he got his start in the rivers, but during the Civil War, he is noted as having been a steward in the United States Navy, working aboard riverboats assigned to the Army of the Mississippi. His duty included time aboard the ironclad gunboat USS Indianola as well as the tinclad river steamboat USS Forest Rose. Not much is known as of yet about his service on either of these boats, as records seem to indicate he served just a year in the Navy, but his service later earned him a pension from the United States.

Tracking Ed is difficult, as his occupation made him itinerant. What is known from city directories is that he had residences in Cincinnati, New Orleans, and Pittsburgh, and it is very likely he met Emeline while either living in Pittsburgh or traveling through on one of his boats.

It is also highly likely he was married once before he met Emeline, though I can find no record of any marriage for him. A later census gives that he had been married three times.

What is known is that the couple first appeared together in the 1870 Federal Census, where they were living in the 14th Ward of New Orleans with a 29-year-old woman named Jenny and Emeline's daughter Emma, both of whom were listed with the surname of McLaughlin. Subsequent city directories from New Orleans list him at three different addresses, suggesting that, probably because of his peripatetic job, he rented instead of purchasing property for his family.

Newspaper accounts give some indication of how good he was at his job. Given that stewards on the river steamboats were responsible for managing the cabin workers, ordering food, and were social networkers on the river systems, having been mentioned often in newspapers likely meant he was very good at the job indeed. In November of 1868, he was steward of the Era No. 9, and it was noted in The New Orleans Crescent that he "will see to the wants of passengers, and he knows how to do it." He also was mentioned as the steward of the Colonel A. P. Kouns in 1874/1875 and as the steward of The Silver City in 1878. In 1879, he had completed a season of steward of the Charles Morgan and went on to work on the Ashland.

A "Notice to Heirs and Devisees Residing Out of the County of Allegheny" was published on 20 Nov 1879 stating that Hugh Stanton had been issued a judgment in the Court of Common Pleas against the estate of Mariah Peterson, who was Emeline's aunt. Both Emeline and Ed, as Edward Mclaughlin, were listed as heirs notified by this decision. Further research still needs to be done on this judgement.

The couple appeared to have resided in New Orleans until 1883 when they moved back to Allegheny City Pennsylvania. However, by 1887, it appears Ed and Emeline had moved to Cincinnati, where again they lived in a series of residences. In 1890, Ed was enumerated on the veterans' schedule of the 1890 Federal Census in Allegheny City, but also had a residence in Cincinnati that same year, so he was likely passing through the Pittsburgh area when the census takers visited.

While residing in Cincinnati, Ed was noted mostly for his tenure as the steward of the Scotia, a position he held for several years. This was stated about him in the newspaper Wheeling Register (Wheeling, West Virginia) on 23 Nov 1889:

"Mr. Ed McLaughlin, the popular steward of the steamer Scotia, is the right man in the right place, and his kindness is appreciated by the number of passengers who traveled on the Scotia." ("Items of Interest Picked up About Boats and Boatmen," Wheeling Register (Wheeling, West Virginia), 23 November 1889, page 4, found on GenealogyBank)

On 29 November 1889, in the same paper, it was reported that "Col. Ed. McLaughlin, the popular steward, made all feel at home" aboard the Scotia during a party given for leading shipping merchants in Pittsburgh. The next day, Ed created a Thanksgiving feast as a farewell dinner for Captain Rowley aboard the Scotia, as he resigned as captain. In December of 1889, another account stated he was witness to an excited John McDonald receiving news he was the father of a ten-pound baby boy. In March of 1891, it was noted he was organizing an orchestra for the Scotia. He was listed as the steward of the Scotia again in April 1891. By October of that year, he was aboard a new boat, the Hudson.

On 9 October 1891, Emeline Peterson McDonald McLaughlin died from meningitis at the apartment she shared with her husband Ed McLaughlin in the Loring House, at Pearl and Broadway in Cincinnati. The address was given as 85 Broadway on her death register. She was noted in a local newspaper merely as "the wife of Ed McLaughlin." Emeline was buried at Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati two days later.

Ed continued his job as steward through the last decade of the 19th century, working on the steam The Grand Era and also on the Adam Jacobs.

As of this blog post writing, however, he remains elusive in enumerations for the 1900 Federal Census, but by 1903, he was residing in Allegheny City for what seemed permanent, even though he continued his occupation. On a 1903 marriage license registration, he lived at 2713 Virginia Avenue in Allegheny City, and on 12 August 1903, he married Sarah A. Armstrong, a forty-three-year-old spinster from Wheeling, West Virginia. The couple resided at this address with some of Sarah's siblings until Elmon's death.

In May 1913, he was listed as steward on the packet steamship Ohio, and was involved in relief efforts during the Floods of March 1913. This appears to be his last position, as he was quite elderly. In November 1915, he was stricken with broncho-pneumonia, and as he was quite advanced in years at the age of 79 and debilitated, he soon was stricken with inanition. He succumbed on 27 November 1915 at his home at 2713 Veterans Street in Pittsburgh.

**The couple never moved from their home. When Allegheny City was consolidated into Pittsburgh in 1909, some street names in the former city were changed to avoid overlap with those street names already in Pittsburgh, and Virginia became Veterans.**

Elmon Edward McLaughlin was buried 30 November 1915 in Union Dale Cemetery in Pittsburgh. His obituary merely mentioned he was the husband of Sarah Armstrong, quietly omitting the illustrious long life he had as a steamboat steward and river traveler.

Sources:

"1870 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 25 March 2021), Entry for Edmund McLaughlin and household, Year: 1870, Census Place: New Orleans Ward 14 Orleans, Louisiana, Roll: M593_525, Page: 796A, and Family History Library Film: 552024; citing 1870 U.S. census, population schedules. NARA microfilm publication M593, 1,761 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.

"1910 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 15 May 2021), Entry for Elmon E Mclaughlin and household, Year: 1910, Census Place: Pittsburgh Ward 26 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: T624_1308, Page: 9B, Enumeration District: 0634, and FHL microfilm: 1375321; citing Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910 (NARA microfilm publication T624, 1,178 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book 168: 496-498, Caleb Russell to Emma McDonald and Sarah Ann Peterson, recorded 3 March 1864; FHL microfilm 1498034 and 1498035.

Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Deed book 223: 531-533, Sarah Ann Peterson and Emma McDonald to James Sterrett, record 28 Sept 1867; FHL microfilm 1509528 and 1509529.

"Along the River," Wheeling Register (Wheeling, West Virginia), 5 December 1889, page 4; online images, GenealogyBank (www.genealogybank.com : accessed 20 May 2021).

Ancestry.com, "1850 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 21 May 2021), Entry for Alvin McLaughlin in the household of David McLaughlin, Year: 1850, Census Place: Rome Lawrence, Ohio, Roll: 701, and Page: 409a; citing Seventh Census of the United States, 1850; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, 1009 rolls); Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29; National Archives, Washington, D.C..

Ancestry.com, "1890 Veterans Schedules," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 16 May 2021), Entry for Elmon McLaughlin residing in Allegheny, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, USA; citing Special Schedules of the Eleventh Census (1890) Enumerating Union Veterans and Widows of Union Veterans of the Civil War; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M123, 118 rolls); Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "1880 United States Federal Census," database online with images, Ancestry.com Operation, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 25 March 2021), Entry for Almon McLaughlin and family, Year: 1880, Census Place: New Orleans Orleans, Louisiana, Roll: 463, Page: 37B, and Enumeration District: 076; citing Tenth Census of the United States, 1880. (NARA microfilm publication T9, 1,454 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

"A Voyage Up 'La Belle Riviere'," Cincinnati Commercial Gazette (Cincinnati, Ohio), 31 March 1892, page 9; online images, NewspaperArchive (www.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 21 May 2021). article on the steamboat Hudson.

Coles, Sasha. "Work, Slavery, and Freedom on the Steamboat," article, The Enchanted Archives (https://enchantedarchives.com/ : accessed 22 May 2021).

"The Crew of a Western Steamboat," article, Oklahoma Historical Society : Steamboat Heroine (https://www.okhistory.org/learn/steamboat : accessed 22 May 2021), information on the occupation of a steward on a steamboat.

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1868/1869 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1868), 299, "McLaughlin Edward, riverman, Gravt av n Beech, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 28 March 2021).

"Down Along the River," Cincinnati Commercial Tribune (Cincinnati, Ohio), 28 May 1913, page 8; online images, NewspaperArchive (www.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 21 May 2021).

Find A Grave, database with images (www.findagrave.com : accessed 25 March 2021), memorial page for Elmon E McLaughlin, Find A Grave Memorial # 107403134, citing Union Dale Cemetery (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), memorial created by Ed Fincke, maintained by genieresearcher, photograph by genieresearcher, also by Connecting Ancestors.

"Items of Interest Picked up About Boats and Boatmen," Wheeling Register (Wheeling, West Virginia), 23 November 1889, page 4; online images, GenealogyBank (www.genealogybank.com : accessed 20 May 2021).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1886/1887 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher & Thurston, 1886), 692, "McLaughlin Elmon E, steward, 15 E Jefferson, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 20 May 2021).

"The March Flood of 1913", David Tschiggfrie, editor, S & D Reflector, Vol. 7, No. 1 (Marietta, Ohio: Sons and Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen, March 1970), 17; online images, Sons and Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen (http://www.riverhistory.org/reflector.html : accessed 21 May 2021)

"McLaughlin," Pittsburgh Dispatch (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 1 November 1891, page 5; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 19 March 2021).

"McLaughlin," death notice, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 29 November 1915, page 3; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 25 March 2021).

"Miscellaneous," Cincinnati Commercial (Cincinnati, Ohio), 29 July 1879, page 13; online images, NewspaperArchive (www.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 21 May 2021).

"Miscellaneous," Cincinnati Commercial Gazette (Cincinnati, Ohio), 10 October 1891, page 7; online images, NewspaperArchive (www.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 19 March 2021).

National Archives and Records Administration, "U.S., Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934," database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 16 May 2021), Entry for Elmon Mclaughlin, filing date 24 Oct 1891, roll 305; citing "General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934". Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. T288, 546 rolls.

National Archives and Records Administration, "Navy Widows' Originals (Disapproved)," database online with images, Fold3 (www.fold3.com : accessed 21 May 2021), Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, List of officers and comrades for the U.S.S. Forest Rose, entry for Elmon McLaughlin, found in the pension file of Clarissa Tate, widow of William Tate, application number 24830, page 24, filed 13 Oct 1909.; Citing NARA M1274. Disapproved pension applications of widows and other dependents of U.S. Navy veterans who served between 1861 and 1910.

Naval Historical Center, United States Navy, Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs.html : accessed 21 May 2021), information on the Forest Rose.

"Notes on Navigation," Wheeling Daily Intelligencer (Wheeling, West Virginia), 30 March 1891, page 5; online images, GenealogyBank (www.genealogybank.com : accessed 20 May 2021).

"Notice to Heirs and Devisees Residing Out of the County of Allegheny," legal notice, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 20 November 1879, page 1; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 25 March 2021).

"Ohio, County Death Records, 1840-2001," online database with images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 19 March 2021), Entry for Emaline Mclaughlin, 09 Oct 1891, FHL microfilm 355,117.

"Ohio, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1786-1998," database online with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 21 May 2021), Entry for David McLaughlin, probate date 25 Jun 1855; Wills; Probate Place: Lawrence, Ohio; citing Ohio County, District and Probate Courts.

"Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 22 May 2021), Entry for Elmon E. McLaughlin and Sarah A. Armstrong, 12 Aug 1903, Allegheny County, v 64 p 333, FHL microfilm number 878606; citing various county courthouses, Pennsylvania.

"Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963," database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 25 March 2021), Entry for Elmon E. McLaughlin, died 27 November 1915, cn 110100; citing Pennsylvania (State). Death certificates, 1906–1963. Series 11.90 (1,905 cartons). Records of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Record Group 11. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

"Pennsylvania, Veterans Burial Cards, 1777-2012," database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 15 May 2021), Entry for Elmon E McLaughlin, buried Union Dale Cemetery, veteran of the Civil War, Series 1; citing Pennsylvania Veterans Burial Cards, 1777–2012. Digital Images, 3–5. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Bureau of Archives and History. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

"Queen Mab," The Times (Shreveport, Louisiana), 6 April 1875, page 2; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 20 May 2021).

"The River," The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, Louisiana), 18 March 1894, page 20; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 25 March 2021).

"River Intelligence," The New Orleans Crescent (New Orleans, Lousiana), 4 November 1868, page 8; online images, NewsaperArchive (www.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 28 March 2021).

"River News," The New Orleans Daily Democrat (New Orleans, Louisiana), 4 August 1878, page 11; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 20 May 2021).

"Stage of the Rivers," The New Orleans Daily Democrat (New Orleans, Louisiana), 14 May 1879, page 7; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 25 March 2021).

Suhr, Robert Collins. "USS Indianola: Union Ironclad in the American Civil War," article, Historynet LLC, HistoryNet.com (https://www.historynet.com/: accessed 21 May 2021), information on the ship and its battles.

"United States Veterans Administration Pension Payment Cards, 1907-1933," database online with images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 28 March 2021), Entry for Elmon McLaughlin, cn 36086, FHL microfilm 1,635,493; citing NARA microfilm publication M850 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.

"U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995," database online with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 15 May 2021) citing a collection of directories for U.S. cities and counties in various years. **Please contact me for the list if you are interested, as there are SEVERAL entries**

"The Weather and Rivers: Festivity Aboard the Scotia," Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 30 November 1889, page 6; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 25 March 2021).

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