Location: [unknown]
List of Members
The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS, "Loyal Legion") was founded in 1865. Membership was restricted to officers, their direct male descendents, and a small number of civilian males. It grew significantly in the 1880's and 1890's (after the death of its first recorder, Samuel Mitchell, whose recordkeeping was imperfect), and had about eight thousand members in 1900. It stressed patriotism, and apparently began the practice of standing when the National Anthem was played.
At least these members of the 91st Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteer Infantry were members of MOLLUS:
name | insignia number | commandery | date | "original member" | comment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Keyser, Peter | 2 | Pennsylvania | 1865 April 15 | yes | founding member |
Gilbert, Franklin B | 3 | Pennsylvania | ? | yes | dropped by 1882 |
Houghton, Charles Woodman | 2435 | Pennsylvania | 1882 May 3 | ||
Weeks, John Huey | 2445 | Pennsylvania | 1882 May 3 | yes | |
Donnelly, James Joseph | 5491 | Pennsylvania | 1887 May 4 | ||
Gilbert, Joseph | 5494 | Pennsylvania | 1887 May 4 | yes | |
Shipley, Howard Wheatley | 5996 | Pennsylvania | 1888 Feb 1 | yes | |
Closson, James Harwood | 6758 | Pennsylvania | 1889 Feb 6 | son (father died 1864) | |
Hall, Matthew | 6767 | Pennsylvania | 1889 Feb 6 | yes | |
Matlack, Lewis Taws | 7648 | Pennsylvania | 1890 Feb 5 | yes | |
LeTourneau, William | 11020 | Pennsylvania | 1895 May 1 | yes | |
Lentz, David H | ? | California | ? | ||
Bowman, Alpheus | ? | Washington DC | ? | ||
Diehl, James B | ? | ? | ? | yes |
Sources
Pennsylvania Commandery Register 1865-1882
Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, Register of the Commandery of the State of Pennsylvania. From April 15, 1865, to July 1, 1882 (Philadelphia, 1882); image copy, Hathi Trust (https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=wu.89077202174&seq=9 https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=wu.89077202174&seq=9] : accessed 18 September 2023).
- [page 118]
'DROPPED FROM THE ROLL
'IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONSTITUTION, ART. XXVIII., SEC. 3.
'"Having neglected or refused after due notice to pay their arrears."
'4. Captain Franklin B. Gilbert, 91st Penna. Infantry.
'Insignia 4, not returned (void).
- [page 113]
'1002. CHARLES WOODMAN HOUGHTON.
'First Lieutenant and Asst. Surgeon 91st Penna. Infantry Nov. 4, 1861; honorably discharged Sept. 11, 1862.
'Major and Surgeon 124th Penna. Infantry Sept. 12, 1862; mustered out May 17, 1863.
'Major and Surgeon 214th Penna. Infantry March 21, 1865; mustered out March 21, 1866.
'Elected May 3, 1882. Class 1. Insignia 2435.'
- [page 114]
'1012. JOHN HUEY WEEKS.
'Private 91st Penna. Infantry August 22, 1861; First Lieutenant Nov. 14, 1861; Captain Aug. 5, 1862; resigned April 26, 1863.
'First Lieutenant Veteran Reserve Corps July 16, 1863; Captain Dec. 10, 1863; resigned June 5, 1865.
'Elected May 3, 1882. Class 1. Insignia 2445.'
Pennsylvania Commandery register 1865-1887
Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, Register of the Commandery of the State of Pennsylvania from April 15 1865 to May 5 1887 (Philadelphia, 1887); image copy, HathiTrust (https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/011211227 : accessed 8 October 2023).
- [page 3]
'3. PETER DIRCK KEYSER .
'Captain 91st Penna. Infantry Sept. 21, 1861; resigned and honorably discharged for disability Aug. 15, 1862.
'Act. Asst.-Surgeon U.S. Army, June 18, 1864; resigned March 9, 1865.
'One of the founders of the Order, April 15, 1865. Class 1. Insignia 3.
'Chancellor of the Commandery 1865-66.
'Treasurer of the Commandery 1869-1873.
'Junior Vice-Commander of the Commandery Feb. 5, 1883-1885.
'Representative from the Commandery to the Fifth Quadrennial Congress of the Order.'
- [page 123]
'1002. CHARLES WOODMAN HOUGHTON.
'First Lieutenant and Asst.-Surgeon 91st Penna. Infantry Nov. 4, 1861; discharged for promotion Sept. 11, 1862.
'Major and Surgeon 124th Penna. Infantry Sept. 12, 1862; honorably mustered out May 17, 1863.
'Major and Surgeon 214th Penna. Infantry March 21, 1865; honorably mustered out March 21, 1866.
'Elected May 3, 1882. Class 1. Insignia 2435.'
- [page 124]
'1012. JOHN HUEY WEEKS.
'Private 91st Penna. Infantry Aug. 22, 1861; discharged for promotion Nov. 14, 1861.
'First Lieutenant 91st Penna. Infantry Nov. 14, 1861; Captain Aug. 5, 1862; resigned and honorably discharged for disability April 26, 1863.
'First Lieutenant Veteran Reserve Corps July 16, 1863; Captain Dec. 10, 1863; resigned and honorably discharged June 5, 1865.
'Elected May 3, 1882. Class 1. Insignia 2445.'
- [page 168]
'1298. JAMES JOSEPH DONNELLY.
'Private 118th Penna. Infantry Aug. 7, 1862; Sergeant Jan. 19, 1864; discharged for promotion May 1, 1865.
'First Lieutenant 118th Penna. Infantry May 1, 1865; transferred to 91st Penna. Infantry June 1, 1865; honorably mustered out July 10, 1865.
'Elected May 4, 1887. Class 1. Insignia 5491.'
- [page 168]
'1301. JOSEPH GILBERT.
'Private 91st Penna. Infantry Aug. 20, 1861; Corporal Sept. 20, 1861; Sergeant Dec. 22, 1862; First Sergeant June 30, 1864; discharged for promotion Feb. 23, 1865.
'Captain 91st Penna. Infantry Feb. 24, 1865; honorably mustered out July 10, 1865.
'Elected May 4, 1887. Class 1. Insignia 5494.'
- [page 1869]
'3. PETER DIRCK KEYSER .
'Captain 91st Penna. Infantry Sept. 21, 1861; resigned Aug. 15, 1862.
'Act. Asst. Surgeon U.S. Army, June 18, 1864; resigned March 9, 1865.
'One of the founders of the Order, April 15, 1865. Class 1. Insignia 3.
'Chancellor of the Commandery 1865-66; Treasurer 1869 to 1873.'
Pennsylvania Commandery Register 1865-1902
Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, Register of the Commandery of the State of Pennsylvania April 15, 1865--September 1, 1902 (Philadelphia, 1902.); image copy, Hathi Trust (https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/011211256 : accessed 8 October 2023).
- [page 3]
'3. PETER DIRCK KEYSER
'Captain 91st Penna. Infantry Sept. 21, 1861; resigned and honorably discharged for disability Aug. 15, 1862.
'Act. Asst. Surgeon U.S. Army June 18, 1864; resigned March 9, 1865.
'One of the founders of the Order, April 15, 1865. Class 1. Insignia 3.
'Chancellor of the Commandery 1865-1866.
'Treasurer of the Commandery May 5, 1869-1873.
'Junior Vice-Commander of the Commandery Feb. 5, 1883-1885.
'Representative from the Commandery to the Fifth Quadrennial Congress of the Order
'Born Feb. 8, 1835, at Philadelphia, Pa.
'Died March 9, 1897, at Philadelphia, Pa.'
- [page 131]
'1002. CHARLES WOODMAN HOUGHTON
'First Lieutenant and Asst. Surgeon 91st Penna. Infantry Nov. 4, 1861; discharged for promotion Sept. 11, 1862.
'Major and Surgeon 124th Penna. Infantry Sept. 12, 1862; honorably mustered out May 17, 1863.
'Major and Surgeon 214th Penna. Infantry March 21, 1865; honorably mustered out March 21, 1866.
'Elected May 3, 1882. Class 1. Insignia 2435.'
- [page 132]
'1012. JOHN HUEY WEEKS.
'Private 91st Penna. Infantry Aug. 22, 1861; discharged for promotion Nov. 14, 1861.
'First Lieutenant 91st Penna. Infantry Nov. 14, 1861; Captain Aug. 5, 1862; resigned and honorably discharged for disability April 26, 1863.
'First Lieutenant Veteran Reserve Corps July 16, 1863; Captain Dec. 10, 1863; resigned and honorably discharged June 5, 1865.
'Elected May 3, 1882. Class 1. Insignia 2445.'
- [page 185]
'1375. HOWARD WHEATLEY SHIPLEY
'Private 20th Penna. Infantry April 26, 1861; mustered out Aug. 6, 1861.
'Second Lieutenant 91st Penna. Infantry Dec. 2, 1861; First Lieutenant May 12, 1863; honorably mustered out Dec. 2, 1864.
'Captain 91st Penna. Infantry July 12, 1864; declined Oct. 14, 1864.
'Elected Feb. 1, 1888. Class 1. Insignia 5996.
'Born Aug. 12, 1844, at Philadelphia Pa.
'Died Oct. 11, 1895, at Philadelphia, Pa..'
- [page 194]
'1446. JAMES HARWOOD CLOSSON
'Elected Feb. 6, 1889. Class 1 by Inheritance. Insignia 6758.
'Eligibility of membership derived from
'James Harwood Closson, First Lieutenant 91st Penna. Infantry Nov. 19, 1861; Captain March 1, 1864.
'Died Nov. 22, 1864, of wounds received at Hatcher's Run, Va.'
- [page 195]
'1455. MATTHEW HALL
'First Lieutenant 91st Penna. Infantry Sept. 9, 1861; Captain Dec. 20, 1862; honorably mustered out Sept. 28, 1864.
'Elected Feb. 6, 1889. Class 1. Insignia 6767.'
- [page 210]
'1576. LEWIS TAWS MATLACK
'Sergeant 18th Penna. Infantry April 24, 1861; honorably discharged Aug. 7, 1861.
'First Lieutenant 91st Penna. Infantry Sept. 25, 1861; resigned and honorably discharged for disability Jan. 17, 1863.
'Elected Feb. 5, 1890. Class 1. Insignia 7648.'
- [page 272]
'2100. WILLIAM LE TOURNEAU
'Private 91st Penna. Infantry Sept. 11, 1861; Corporal Dec. 26, 1863; Sergeant Nov. 1, 1864; First Sergeant Jan. 1, 1865; discharged to accept promotion Feb. 16, 1865.
'First Lieutenant 91st Penna. Infantry Feb. 17, 1865; honorably mustered out July 10, 1865.
'Elected May 1, 1895. Class 1. Insignia 11020.'
- [page 175]
'1298. JAMES JOSEPH DONNELLY
'Private 118th Penna. Infantry Aug. 7, 1862; Sergeant Jan. 19, 1864; discharged for promotion May 1, 1865.
'First Lieutenant 118th Penna. Infantry May 1, 1865; transferred to 91st Penna. Infantry June 1, 1865; honorably mustered out July 10, 1865.
'Elected May 4, 1887. Class 1. Insignia 5491.'
Pennsylvania Commandery Register 1906
Register of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. Compiled from the Registers and Circulars of the Various Commanderies by J. Harris Aubin (Boston: Published under the Auspices of the Commandery of the State of Massachusetts, 1 January 1906).
- [page 37]
'BOWMAN, ALPHEUS H.
'Brig. Gen., retired, U.S.A.
'D.C.'
- [page 56]
'CLOSSON, JAMES H. clo
'By inh. fr. Capt. James H.
'Pa.'
- [page 74]
'DONNELLY, JAMES J.
'1st Lieut., 118th Pa. Inf.
'Pa.'
- [page 94]
'GILBERT, JOSEPH
'Capt., 91st Pa. Inf.
'Pa.'
'[page 102]
'HALL, MATTHEW
'Capt., 91st Pa. Inf.
'Pa.'
- [page 117]
'HOUGHTON, CHARLES W.
'Surgeon, 214th Pa. Inf.
'Pa.'
- [page 131]
'KEYSER, PETER D.
'Capt., 91st Pa. Inf.
'Pa.'
- [page 138]
'LENTZ, DAVID H.
'Capt., A.Q.M., U.S.V.
'Cal.'
- [page 138]
'LE TOURNEAU, WILLIAM
'1st Lieut., 91st Pa. Inf.
'Pa.
- [page 149]
'MATLACK, LEWIS T.
'1st Lieut., 91st Pa. Inf.
'Pa.
- [page 206]
'SHIPLEY, HOWARD W.
'1st Lieut., 91st Pa. Inf.
'Pa.'
- [page 239]
'WEEKS, JOHN H.
'Capt., 91st Pa. Inf.
'Pa.'
memorial circular for Howard Wheatley Shipley
'In memoriam: Howard Wheatley Shipley', circular 2, series of 1896, whole no. 305, in Memorial circulars, Commandery of Pennsylvania 1880-1899; further details about the source not recorded.
'Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.
'COMMANDERY OF THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA.
'In Memoriam
'HOWARD WHEATLEY SHIPLEY
'First Lieutenant 91st Penna. Infantry
'DIED AT PHILADELPHIA PA. OCTOBER 11 1895
'Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.
'HEADQUARTESR COMMANDERY OF THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA
'CIRCULAR NO. 2. Series of 1896. Whole No. 305.
'Philadelphia, January 16, 1896.
'HOWARD WHEATLEY SHIPLEY.
'Private 20th Penna. Infantry April 26, 1861; mustered out August 6, 1861.
'Second Lieutenant 91st Penna. Infantry December 2, 1861; First Lieutenant May 12, 1863; honorably mustered out December 2, 1864.
'Captain 91st Penna. Infantry July 12, 1864; declined October 14, 1864.
'Elected February 1, 1888. Class 1. Insignia 5996.
'Died at Philadelphia, Pa., October 11, 1895.
' Companion Shipley, like many of those who composed the loyal soldiery of the North in the war for the Union, was descended from Quaker stock; his grandfather, Thomas Shipley, being conspicuous by his bold and advanced advocacy of human freedom without distinction of race or color.
'After graduating from the Normal Academy of Chester, Delaware Co., Companion Shipley entered the employ of his father, Augustus B. Shipley, where he remained actively engaged in business until the firing upon Fort Sumter. The spirit of bravery and self-devotion that prompted him as a youth of seventeen to enlist a few days thereafter as a private in the 20th Regiment Penna. Infantry was characteristic of that displayed by other members of this family, as illustrated in the heroism shown by his elder brother, when a youth, in rescuing from a watery grave the subject of this sketch, to lose his own life a few moments afterwards in the effort to rescue a second companion.
'Companion Shipley remained on duty during the three months of his first enlistment, serving in the 3d brigade 1st division of Gen. Patterson's army in its operations in Virginia until mustered out August 6, 1861.
'On December 2, 1861, he re-entered the service as Second Lieutenant Co. G., 91st Regiment Penna. Infantry, and with the command was assigned to duty in the defences of Washington until April 27, 1862, from which time this regiment was actively engaged in all the campaigns of the Army of the Potomac.
'On May 12, 1863, he was promoted to First Lieutenant, and on the same day of the following year was disabled at Spottsylvania Court House, Va., by a gunshot wound in the left arm. Upon returning to duty he was detailed as Adjutant of the regiment for several months, being finally mustered out of service December 2, 1864.
'After leaving the army he again identified himself with mercantile pursuits in the stores of his father, remaining there until his decease.
'His connection with the various organizations of veterans of the late war has been a notable one. Of a quiet and unassuming nature, he won the love and esteem of his associates by his warm heart and beneficent impulses. His ready and cheerful responses to the appeals of distress, and his voluntary offerings in alleviating the wants of the deserving needy greatly endeared him to all with whom he was brought in contact.
'That his services as a soldier were well performed is exemplified by his devotion and energetic attention to the duties that marked his occupancy of the positions he was selected to fill after the close of the rebellion,--notably that of Sergeant-Major Post No. 2 of Philadelphia G.A.R., Dept. of Penna., which office he most efficiently filled from June 1, 1886, until his death.
'He was affectionate, earnest, faithful and competent; more cannot be said.
'LOUIS R. FORTESCUE, Captain 29th Penna. Infantry.
'THOMAS E. MERCHANT, Brevet Captain U.S. Vols.
'CHARLES M. BETTS, Lieut.-Colonel 15th Penna. Cavalry.
' Committee.
'By command of Brevet Major-General D. McM. GREGG, U.S.V., Commander.
JOHN P. NICHOLSON, Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel U.S.V., Recorder .
' Official .
'Recorder .'
memorial circular for Peter Dirck Keyser
['In memoriam: Peter Dirck Keyser', circular 15, series of 1897, whole no. 340, in Memorial circulars, Commandery of Pennsylvania 1880-1899; further details about the source not recorded.]
'Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States
'COMMANDERY OF THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA.
'In Memoriam
'PETER DIRCK KEYSER
'Captain 91st Penna. Infantry
'DIED AT PHILADELPHIA, PA., MARCH 9, 1897.
'Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States
'HEADQUARTERS COMMANDERY OF THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA
'CIRCULAR NO. 15, Series of 1897. Whole No. 340.
'Philadelphia, June 1, 1897.
'PETER DIRCK KEYSER.
'Captain 91st Pennsylvania Infantry September 21, 1861; resigned August 15, 1862.
'Acting Assistant Surgeon U.S. Army June 18, 1864; resigned March 9, 1865.
'One of the founders of the Order, April 15, 1865. Class 1. Insignia 3.
'Chancellor of Commandery, 1865-1866.
'Treasurer of Commandery, 1869 1873 [ sic ].
'Junior Vice-Commander of Commandery February 5, 1883-1885.
'Representative from the Commandery to the Fifth Quadrennial Congress of the Order.
'Born February 8, 1835, at Philadelphia.
'Died March 9, 1897, at Philadelphia.
'In the death of Companion Peter D. Keyser, the Loyal Legion has lost one of its most devoted and genial members; none took more interest in the Order. It is now thirty-two years in April, that Companion Keyser assisted by other interested friends, met and organized the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. The Order had its beginning on or about the day of the assassination of the martyred President Lincoln. A tribute to one who thus aided in founding and shaping the course of the organization, now counting over ten thousand commissioned officers who served in the Rebellion, is eminently appropriate, and that especial mention should be made of this beginning of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, and of Companion Keyser's connection with it.
'At the time of his death, Companion Keyser was Chancellor-in-Chief, having also served as Junior Vice-Commander of the Pennsylvania Commandery from 1883 to 1885, and as Treasurer from 1869 to 1873.
'Of the social characteristics of Companion Keyser, may be mentioned a disposition the most cheerful, cordial in manner, bright in intellect, an ornament to society, a loving husband and father and beloved by his friends. In his profession he ranked high. Among the earliest to bring especial training to especial treatment, he brought with him from abroad, acquired by his studies in the University of Berlin, Munich and Jena, graduating at the latter, a knowledge as oculist which eminently fitted him for his subsequent position in the Wills Eye Hospital of Philadelphia, and other similar institutions, for treatment especially of the eye. For ten years he was connected with the Medico-Chirurgical College as Professor of Ophthalmology, and the Dead of the Faculty for nine years. He was also member of varioius medical, surgical, literary and historical societies here and abroad. Also member of the Sons of the Revolution, being a descendant of Colonel John Eyre, who commanded the Philadelphia Artillery in the Revolutionary War, and at one time President of the Netherlands Society of Philadelphia; also member of the Union League and the United Service Clubs.
'Companion Keyser was honorably mustered out of service August 15, 1862, on physician's certificate, having received injuries while serving in the Army of the Potomac on General Henry M. Naglee's Staff in the Chickahominy campaign.
'Dr. Keyser was born in Philadelphia, February 8, 1835, son of Peter A. Keyser, a man wll and favorably known to the elder Philadelphians as a cordial friend and upright man. Dr. Keyser's forefather, Dirck Keyser, emigrated from Amsterdam, Holland, in 1688, and settled in Germantown. His family were religious refugees from Germany, where one of his ancestors suffered death because of his religious belief.
'Dr. Keyser's illness was brief; taken on Friday with a cold, which settled on his lungs, he died on the following Tuesday, March 9th, fully conscious of his approaching end. He was laid to rest in the old Dunkard burying-ground, beside his ancestors, March 12, 1897. He leaves a widow and a daughter. Can we end this said tribute better than in quoting the words of the text, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."
'T. ELWOOD ZELL, Lt. Colonel 3d Battalion Penna. Infantry.
'PAUL A. OLIVER, Brevet Brig.-General U.S. Vols.
'CHARLES M. BURNS, Acting Asst.-Paymaster U.S. Navy.
'AUGUSTINE T. LYNCH, Lt.-Colonel 183d Penna. Infantry.
'GEO. C. HARLAN, Major and Surgeon 12th Penna. Cavalry.
'JOSEPH GILBERT, Captain 91st Pennna. Infantry.
' Committee
'By Command of Major General D. McM. GREGG, U.S.V., Commander
'JOHN P. NICHOLSON, Recorder .
' Official .
' Recorder .'
memorial circular for John Huey Weeks
['In memoriam. John Huey Weeks', Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, Pennsylvania Commandery, circular 2, series of 1909, whole no 642, in Memorial circulars: Commendery of Pennsylvania 1907-1911 ]
'Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States
'COMMANDERY OF THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA
'In Memoriam
'JOHN HUEY WEEKS
'Captain Veteran Reserve Corps
'DIED AT WATERBURY CONN. JUNE 13 1908
'Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States
'HEADQUARTERS COMMANDERY OF THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA
'CIRCULAR NO. 2. Series of 1909. Whole No. 642.
'Philadelphia, January 6, 1909.
'JOHN HUEY WEEKS
'Private 91st Pennsylvania Infantry August 22, 1861; discharged for promotion November 14 1861
'First Lieutenant 91st Pennsylvania Infantry November 14, 1861; Captain August 5, 1862; resigned and honorably discharged for disability April 26, 1863.
'First Lieutenant Veteran Reserve Corps July 16, 1863; Captain December 10, 1863; resigned and honorably discharged June 5, 1865.
'Elected May 3, 1882. Class I. Insignia 2445.
'Born January 19, 1842, at East Marlboro, Pa.
'Died June 13, 1908, at Waterbury, Conn.
'Companion John H. Weeks was the son of Alfred and Mary (Huey) Weeks. He was born at East Marlboro, Chester Co., Penna., where his childhood was spent, his father later removing to Philadelphia. Young Weeks was educated at the Friends' School, Cherry near Fifth St. He enlisted in the 33rd Penna. Infantry in August, 1861, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in his Regiment, which was designated the 91st Penna. Infantry, October 10th, 1861.
'In June, 1862, Lieutenant Weeks was detailed to take charge of the erection of a military telegraph line between Alexandria and Fredericksburg, Va., which work he accomplished in twenty-five days.
'Lieutenant Weeks was actively engaged at the Battle of Groveton, Va., July, 1862, and was commissioned Captain the following month. He was also actively engaged at the Battles of Antietam and Shepardstown. Exposure, incident to the campaign, brought on an attack of typhoid fever, which confined Captain Weeks to the hospital until December 1862, when hearing that his command was ordered into action, he rejoined the regiment, and took part in the action at Fredericksburg. His company formed the extreme right of the line in the assualt [ sic ] upon Marye's Heights. Though twice wounded and still suffering from the effects of his recent illness, Captain Weeks commanded the rear guard in the retreat across the Rappahannoc, and also took part in the second advance against Fredericksburg. He was again sent to the hospital by a return of the illness from which he had not entirely recovered.
'In July, 1863, Captain Weeks was detailed to command four companies of infantry, reporting to General Dix, to assist in quelling the Draft Riots in New York City. This duty was performed so well that he was sent to Hartford, Conn., on a similar errand.
'At the request of Provost Marshal General Perkins, he was assigned to duty at the draft rendezvous at New Haven, Conn., where he remained until February, 1864, when he was ordered to Annapolis, Md., and assigned as an Acting Assistant Adjutant General. In this capacity he received, mustered, fed, clothed, paid and furloughed 28,000 exchanged prisoners of war, and through his efficient re-organization of the department saved to the Government over $95,000 in food and condemned clothing, which had formerly been wasted.
'Captain Weeks was offered by Governor Curtin the appointment of Colonel in a Regiment being organized in February, 1864, but declined, and in May tendered his resignation, which was accepted June 5, 1865.
'On his return to Philadelphia, Captain Weeks engaged in business as manager of a Chemical Company, but his health compelled his retirement from that work, and in 1874 he entered the service of the Empire Transportation Co., and in 1876 the Canada Southern Line in the control of the Penna. R. R. Co.; in 1885 he was appointed General Freight Agent of the Baltimore and Ohio R. R. at Phila., and remained interested in railway traffic business until 1892. During that year he suffered a stroke of paralysis which terminated his active business career.
'His military experience was of value at the time of the great labor riots of 1877, when he commanded the Volunteer Police Force organized in Buffalo, N.Y., where he then lived. The regular police were entirely inadequate to protect property and only the prompt and energetic action of the volunteers, commanded by Captain Weeks, prevented the situation at Buffalo becoming as serious as that at Pittsburgh.
'Captain Weeks married Laura Piers in October, 1865, and has three children, of whom two survive him.
'JOHN O. POERING, Brevet Captain U.S. Volunteers
'GEORGE A. BERNARD, Brevet Lieut.-Colonel U.S. Volunteers
'E. W. COFFIN, Brevet Major U.S. Volunteers.
'Committee.
'By command of Rear Admiral GEORGE W. MELVILLE, U.S.N. Commander
'JOHN P. NICHOLSON Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel U.S.V. Recorder
'Official
'Recorder '
memorial circular for Joseph Gilbert
['In memoriam: Joseph Gilbert', circular 25, series of 1910, whole no. 691, in Memorial circulars, Commandery of Pennsylvania 1907-1911; further details about the source not recorded.]
'Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States
'COMMANDERY OF THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA
'In Memoriam
'JOSEPH GILBERT
'Captain 91st Pennsylvania Infantry
'DIED AT JENKINTOWN PA. JANUARY 25 1910
'Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States
'HEADQUARTERS COMMANDERY OF THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA
'CIRCULAR NO. 25. Series of 1910. Whole No. 691.
'Philadelphia, June 10, 1910.
'JOSEPH GILBERT.
'Private 91st Pennsylvania Infantry August 20, 1861; Corporal September 20, 1861; Sergeant December 22, 1862; First Sergeant June 30, 1864; discharged for promotion February 23, 1865.
'Captain 91st Pennsylvania Infantry February 24, 1865; honorably mustered out July 10, 1865.
'Elected May 4, 1887. Class 1. Insignia 5494.
'Born March 28, 1842, at Philadelphia, Pa.
'Died January 25, 1910, at Jenkintown, Pa.
'Companion Joseph Gilbert was born in the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His father was Joseph Gilbert and his mother Christianna Kauffman, both residents of Philadelphia. Captain Gilbert was educated in the public schools of Philadelphia, after which he served an apprenticeship at the trade of book binding. On the 20th day of August, 1861, he severed his apprenticeship, and enlisted as a private soldier in the 91st Pennsylvania Infantry. He was appointed corporal September 20, 1861, sergeant December 2, 1862, commissioned captain February 24, 1865.
'During the War he participated in the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Rappahannock Station, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Bethesda Church, Petersburg, and several other engagements. He was wounded three times.
'During his leave of absence after being wounded at Chancellorsville, he was married in Philadelphia to Sylvania Penn Lee, returning soon after to the field, serving until the close of the War, and was mustered out July 10th, 1865. Soon after being mustered out, he returned to Philadelphia and established a successful business of manufacturing, which he actively continued until 1908, when he retired.
'In business life he maintained high ideals, and established a reputation for strict business integrity. He was a clean man, thinking good thoughts and doing good deeds. Many unfortunates have had cause to bless his kindly and charitable heart. Many who knew this modest, unassuming gentleman loved and honored him for the real worth within him, which was manifested quietly many times in acts of goodness to the widow and fatherless.
'Companion Gilbert fought for his country because he loved his country, because he loved personal liberty and human freedom, because he loved his fellow man. He left surviving him a widow, two daughters and one son, Companion Leon H. Gilbert
'MOSES VEALE, Major 109th Penna. Infanty
'JOSEPH E. GOODMAN, Lieutenant Veteran Reserve Corps.
'HENRY A. WIDDIFIELD, First Lieut. and Adjt. 104th Penna. Infantry
' Committee
'By command of Brevet Lieut.-Colonel EDWIN A. LANDELL, U.S.V. Commander
'JOHN P. NICHOLSON Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel U.S.V. Recorder
' Official
' Recorder '
memorial circular for James Joseph Donnelly
['In memoriam: James Joseph Donnelly', circular 31, series of 1911, whole no. 730, in Memorial circulars, Commandery of Pennsylvania 1907-1911; further details about the source not recorded.]
'Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States
'COMMANDERY OF THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA
'In Memoriam
'JAMES JOSEPH DONNELLY
'First Lieutenant 118th Pennsylvania Infantry
'DIED AT ATLANTA GA. JUNE 23 1911
'Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States
'HEADQUARTERS COMMANDERY OF THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA
'CIRCULAR No. 31. Series of 1911. Whole No. 730.
'Philadelphia, November 15, 1911.
'JAMES JOSEPH DONNELLY.
'Private 118th Pennsylvania Infantry August 7, 1862; Sergeant January 19, 1864; discharged for promotion May 1, 1865.
'First Lieutenant 118th Pennsylvania Infantry May 1, 1865; transferred to 91st Pennsylvania Infantry June 1, 1865; honorably mustered out July 10, 1865.
'Elected May 4, 1887. Class 1. Insignia 5491.
'Born February 14, 1844, at Belfast, Ireland.
'Died June 23, 1911, at Atlanta, Ga.
'Companion James J. Donnelly was a native of Ireland. He was born in Belfast, and received his education in that city. He came to this country with his parents about 1858, and at the outbreak of the War of the Rebellion enlisted as a private in the 118th Pennsylvania Infantry, with which he served throughout the Army of the Potomac from the muster in of the regiment in August, 1862. He was promoted Sergeant January 19, 1864; First Lieutenant May 1, 1865; transferred to the 91st Pennsylvania Infantry June 1, 1865, and mustered out July 10, 1865.
'He was an industrious, conscientious soldier, whose honest and kindly nature made no enemies, and the splendid courage displayed on so many fields challenged admiration and respect. He was a member of the G.A.R.
'For more than forty years he was connected with the houses of Atmore & Company and Thomas W. Sparks, this city, making his residence in Atlanta, Georgia.
'Few traveling men were more widely known than he and there were none among his long list of acquaintances who did not love and respect him for his many excellent qualities.
'From Atlanta he traveled to the far West and was known by successful men in every walk of life in the many cities he visited.
'He is survived by his wife, who was Miss Julia Fisher, of Portsmouth, England, and six sons and three daughters.
'FRANCIS A. DONALDSON, Captain 118th Penna. Infantry.
'HENRY E. KELLY, Captain 118th Penna. Infantry.
'JOSEPH ASHBROOK, Brevet Major U.S. Volunteers.
' Committee.
'By command of Brevet Major WILLIAM H. LAMBERT, U.S.V. Commander
'JOHN P. NICHOLSON Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel U.S.V. Recorder
'Official
'Recorder '
- Login to edit this profile and add images.
- Private Messages: Send a private message to the Profile Manager. (Best when privacy is an issue.)
- Public Comments: Login to post. (Best for messages specifically directed to those editing this profile. Limit 20 per day.)