My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE W. FOGELSANGER, a retired farmer and an ex-soldier of the Civil war, who lives in comfortable retirement at Shippensburg, Pa., was born July 14, 1834, on a farm some two miles northwest of that city, a son of Dr. Wendell and Betsy (Deihl) Fogelsanger.

Dr. Wendell Fogelsanger was born in Pennsylvania and belonged to one of the old and prominent families of this section, being a son of David Fogelsanger, who was born in Germany. The latter emigrated to America prior to the Revolutionary war, in which he took part, serving in the patriot army with the rank of a major-general. The mother of our subject was born in Cumberland county, near the old Deihl homestead, a daughter of Peter and Esther (Rotz) Deihl, also old residents of this county. She died in 1869. The children of Dr. Fogelsanger and his wife were: Barbara, deceased; Elizabeth, deceased; David, of Newburg; Jacob, deceased; John, a farmer in Lurgan township, Franklin county; Wendell, a farmer in Southampton township, Franklin county, and George W., whose name introduces this sketch.

George W. Fogelsanger was reared on the farm and his education was obtained in the district schools, the sessions being held in the primitive log houses of the time. He remained on the farm until August, 1862, when he enlisted in the service of his country, entering Company D, 130th P. V. I., with Col. Zinn commanding, and before he again saw his peaceful home he had participated in some of the most decisive battles of the war, had suffered many of its misfortunes and had won the commendation of his comrades for his gallantry and valor. With his regiment, in the Army of the Potomac, he took part in the battle of Antietam, and those of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, at Chancellorsville being severely wounded through the body by a gunshot wound and also in the arm. He was honorably discharged after almost four years of service. Mr. Fogelsanger returned home, but it was a long time before he had recovered sufficiently from his wounds and exposure to be able to resume work of any kind.

On Dec. 10, 1857, Mr. Fogelsanger married Lydia C. Black, of Shippensburg, daughter of John and Margaret (Deardorf) Black, the former of whom was a soldier of the War of 1812. To this union the following children were born: Ida M., wife of John Deihl; John T., deceased; Anna May, wife of George W. Noftsker, the large carriage manufacturer; Mary Jane, wife of Samuel Freet, a prominent contractor of Shippensburg; and Minnie G., wife of Robert Reed, an employe of the Cumberland Valley Railroad Company.

Mr. Fogelsanger affiliates with the Republican party. He and wife are leading members of the U. B. Church, in which he has served as deacon, clerk and class-leader. Surrounded by his numerous family, which includes twenty-two grandchildren, this brave soldier and estimable citizen is passing the evening of life in the enjoyment of the respect and esteem of all who know him.