David ZENTMYER

Isabella married David KINCH 3 Jul 1855, Pennsylvania. David (son of David KINCH and Mary Magdalena DAVIS) was born 22 Oct 1833, Neffs Mills, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania; died 30 Mar 1915, Altoona, Blair, Pennsylvania; was buried Oak Ridge Cemetery, Altoona, Blair, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

David Zentmyer was born at Springfield Furnace, Huntingdon county. He was the son of Major John Zentmyer and Margaret (Gates) Zentmyer. His parents moved to a farm near Spruce Creek, in Huntingdon county, where he worked with his father, who was a jobber in lumbering. In May, 1861, he enlisted in Company I, Fifth Pennsylvania Reserves. This company, known as the Scott Infantry, was one of the old militia companies, organized before the war. They were mustered into service at Harrisburg and sent to the front in July, 1861. He enlisted as orderly sergeant, became second, then first lieutenant, and on the promotion of Captain Dare to colonel of the regiment, commanded the company for some time. At the time of his death he was adjutant of the regiment, with the rank of first lieutenant. He was in active service for eighteen months and took part in many battles. He was killed in the battle of Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862, and buried in the field.

According to the National Park Service, these field burials were mass graves, long trenches with hundreds of soldiers in each trench. After the war, Congress established the Fredericksburg National Cemetery, and approximately 15,000 Union soldiers we re-interred there, most anonymously. The official I spoke with could not find a record of David's re-internment, but virtually guaranteed that this is his final resting place.

David married Susanna KINCH 1860, Franklin, Huntingdon, Pennsylvana. Susanna (daughter of David KINCH and Mary Magdalena DAVIS) was born 5 Jan 1835, Neffs Mills, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania; died 5 Jul 1917, Tyrone, Blair, Pennsylvania; was buried Grandview Cemetery, Tyrone, Blair, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

DIED - Maj. Frank Zentmyer, of Huntingdon, wounded and taken prisoner
by the rebels at the battle of Fredericksburg, died of his injuries, at
Richmond, on the 31st. ult.

Democratic Standard, Hollidaysburg, Pa., Wednesday, January 28, 1863

1860 Franklin Township, Huntingdon County census -
John Zentmyer, 52
Margret Zentmyer, 50
David Zentmyer, 25
Franklin Zentmyer, 24
Priscilla Zentmyer, 22
Porter Zentmyer, 20
Miles Zentmyer, 18
Margret R. Zentmyer, 15
John Zentmyer, 12
Benjamine Zentmyer, 10
George Zentmyer, 8
William McDint, 21

Zentmyer, Frank, Company I, 5th Regiment, Pennsylvania Reserve Infantry
(34th Volunteers); rank in, Captain; rank out, Major
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Soldiers Monument

In the old Methodist Cemetery, (also known as Burket Cemetery) near the village of Warrior's Mark, is a fine monument of bronze, which was dedicated on the Fourth of July 1878, "Sacred to the memory of our deceased comrades, by the returned soldiers of Warrior's Mark and Franklin Townships." Active in securing the requisite funds (about eight hundred dollars) were B. S. Haughawout, J. E. Hyskell, Capt. O. S. Rumberger, George Weston and George Wills. The monument which is about twelve feet high, rests on a base of stone several feet in thickness, and is surmounted by a figure of the Angel of Mercy. On the front of the upper die of the monument is a figure of Abraham Lincoln, which was modeled after one of the last photographs taken of him. Underneath are inscribed his immortal words, "With malice towards none, with charity for all." On the other side of the die are profiles of Union soldiers and a stack of arms. A metallic sub-base contains, besides the inscription of dedication, representation of the national colors and a mounted soldier. The lower die contains the names of the following:
Lt. David Zentmyer, Maj. Frank Zentmyer, among many other names.

Warrior's Mark Cemetery
Source: History of Huntingdon and Blair Counties Pennsylvania, 1883
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5th Pennsylvania Reserves/34th Pennsylvania Volunteers

Charles City Cross Roads
Retiring a short distance, the men slept on their arms for a few hours, when they where aroused and taken across the Chickahominy. Here the regiment lay under arms until the evening of the 28th of June, when it marched via Savage Station, and crossing the White Oak Swamp, arrived on the evening of the 29th at Charles City Cross Roads. The Fifth and a battalion of the Bucktails were thrown forward close up to the enemy's line. Lest in the darkness friend should be mistaken for foe, the men were directed to bare the right arm to the shoulder. The pass word was "Bucktail" and the answer "five.

On the following morning, the brigade was withdrawn, and dispositions were made for repelling an attack from the direction of Richmond, and to protect the junction of the New Market and the Quaker or Turkey Bridge road. By half-past three in the afternoon the battle had fairly began, the rebels attacking with great fury. Soon after the contest opened, the enemy moved a heavy column to the right and came down with great impetuosity upon Seymour's brigade. Colonel Simmons was immediately ordered to move with the Fifth and the Eighth regiments to its support, the Fifth gallantly led by Lieutenant Colonel Fisher. This order was promptly obeyed, the men moving forward at a double quick and charge bayonet, but not a moment too soon for a furious attack with infantry and artillery was met just in time to stay and repel it.

In this charge the Seventh and Seventeenth Virginia regiments were nearly annihilated, the greater portion being either killed wounded or taken prisoners. Shortly afterwards the enemy issued from the woods in front in great force, and for nearly two hours the battle raged fiercely, the enemy making desperate efforts to break our lines and gain the road, on which were passing the immense supply trains of our army; but without success.

In the heat of the struggle, Colonel Simmons, leading his men with determined bravery and unequalled skill, fell mortally wounded and died in the hands of the enemy. A soldier by profession and a man of the strictest honor, a patriot from principle and brave to a fault, the Reserve Corps lost no more trusted leader, nor loved companion in arms. Here fell, too, Captain Taggart, of Company B, an excellent soldier, whose loss was severely felt. In the three battles, at Mechanicsville on the 26th, Gaines' Mill on the 27th, and Charles City Cross Roads on the 30th of June, the regiment lost eighteen killed, one hundred and fifteen wounded, and one hundred and three taken prisoners.

Resting upon the field until two A. M. of the 1st of July, the regiment proceeded to Malvern Hill, where was fought the last grand battle before Richmond, in the Peninsula campaign. The Fifth was under fire, but not actively engaged, and on the morning of July 2d, moved with the army to Harrison's Landing, where it went into camp. The vacancy occasioned by the death of Colonel Simmons, was filled by the promotion of Lieutenant Colonel Fishery Major George Dare was appointed Lieutenant Colonel, and Captain Frank Zentmyer, Major.

Second Battle of Bull Run
General M'Clellan's Peninsula campaign was now at an end, and General Pope, in command of the Army of Northern Virginia, was beginning to feel the weight of the enemy's force concentrating on his fronts The troops under M'Clellan were accordingly ordered forward to his support. Pope finding the line of the Rapidan untenable with his meagre force, withdrew to the Rappahannock, where, upon his arrival, he was joined by Reynolds with the Reserve Corps. Finding Jackson in his rear, Pope hastened with his little army to meet, and if possible overpower him before he could be reinforced. The Reserves moved via Warrenton and Gainesville to the First Bull Run battleground, arriving on Thursday, the 28th.

On the following day, the Fifth was deployed as skirmishers and was under a heavy fire of artillery during the entire day. On Saturday, August 30th, it engaged the enemy at four o'clock P. M., and the fight was maintained until six with unabated fury, when it was relieved.

In this engagement the regiment, being reduced by excessive fatigue and heavy details, numbered but two hundred men. The loss was one killed and twelve wounded. During this campaign it was under the command of Major Zentmyer, Colonel Fisher being absent in consequence of a severe injury occasioned by the fall of his horse.

Battle of Antietam
On the night of the 14th, the men slept on their arms, on the rugged mountain crest. At early dawn of the 15th, finding that the enemy had fled, the regiment moved down the mountain, and passing Boonsboro, bivouacked for the night at Keedysville.

On the 16th, it crossed Antietam Creek, and moving to the right, engaged the enemy at four P. M., and was engaged at intervals during the night. The battle was renewed at daylight on the following morning, and raged with unabated fury on that part of the line where the Reserves were posted during the early part of the day, the Fifth not being relieved until one P. M.

Finding his army badly crippled and unable longer to offer successful resistance, Lee withdrew across the Potomac, and on the 19th, the Fifth marched to the river, near Sharpsburg, where it encamped. The loss of the Fifth in this battle was two killed and eight wounded.

After considerable delay, the army again advanced into Virginia, and by command of the President, General McClellan was relieved and General Burnside ordered to succeed him. The latter determined to move upon Richmond by way of Fredericksburg. On the 11th of December, General Franklin, who commanded the left grand division, to which the Reserves were attached, crossed the Rappahannock some distance below Fredericksburg and formed in line of battle facing the enemy's entrenched camp.

A few weeks previous, the Fifth Regiment had been transferred from the First to the Third Brigade, which now consisted of the Fifth, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth regiments. The Reserves, commanded by General Meade, early on the morning of the 13th, moved forward and occupied the first line of battle, with Doubleday's Division upon the left flank and Gibbon's upon the right, as supports. The Third Brigade occupied the left of the line, with the Ninth Regiment deployed as skirmishers. The dispositions had scarcely been made, when the enemy opened from a battery posted on the Bowling Green road, to the left and rear of the line. The Third Brigade was immediately faced to the left, forming with the First nearly a right angle. Simpson's, Cooper's and Ransom's Batteries were soon brought into position, which together with the batteries of Doubleday silenced and compelled the withdrawal of the enemy's guns. During the progress of this artillery duel, a body of rebel sharp shooters advanced along the Bowling Green road, but were soon dispersed by the marksmen of the Third Brigade, sent to meet them. The line now advanced, the Fifth Regiment occupying a position upon the left, nearest to the enemy's breast works. The struggle became desperate, but the Reserves, unaided, advanced with determined bravery, sweeping everything before them until they had penetrated and completely broken his lines. In this advance, the Third Brigade encountered a destructive fire from a battery posted on the heights on its left. In the face of this deadly fire the troops boldly crossed the railroad and ascended the acclivity; but so terrible was the storm of battle from both infantry and artillery that they were compelled to withdraw.

Here General Jackson, who commanded the brigade, was killed, and was succeeded by Colonel Fisher, of the Fifth, Lieutenant Colonel Dare assuming command of the regiment. The loss of the Fifth in this engagement was twenty killed, eighty-eight wounded and sixty-one taken prisoners. Major Zentmyer and his brother, acting Adjutant, were among the killed, and Lieutenant Colonel Dare among the wounded.

Source: Bates, Samuel P. History of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-65, Harrisburg, 1868-1871.
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While Frank died at the notorious Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia, it is not known where his remains are buried. A Memorial Stone sits in the Zentmyer family plot in the Alexandria Presbyterian Cemetery, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, and lists his date of death as 27 December.

"Maj. Frank Zentmyer, of Huntingdon, wounded and taken prisoner by the rebels at the battle of Fredericksburg, died of his injuries, at Richmond, on the 31st."

Democratic Standard, Hollidaysburg, Pa., Wednesday, January 28, 1863

"Maj. Frank Zentmyer.- The father of Major Zentmyer has received a letter from Richmond informing him of the death of his brave son. The Major lost a leg at Fredericksburg, was taken prisoner and sent to Richmond where he died on the 31st."

The Huntingdon Globe, January 21, 1863.

Priscilla married Emanuel C. KINCH 8 Apr 1862, Birmingham, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. Emanuel (son of Joseph KINCH and Susanah BEHM) was born 25 Jul 1836, Lancaster, Lancaster, Pennsylvania; died 9 Aug 1908, Juniata, Blair, Pennsylvania; was buried Rohrerstown Lutheran Church, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Superintendent of the Clearfield Creek Coal Company, Madera, Pennsylvania.

Porter married Margaret V WHITTAKER 14 Mar 1872. Margaret was born 1856, Pennsylvania; died 1917, Clearfield, Pennsylvania; was buried Hillcrest Cemetery, Clearfield, Clearfield, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

"MILES ZENTMYER, attorney and counselor at law. He does a large collection business for Eastern parties, and deals in real estate. He is also one of the proprietors of the Schuyler Herald, owned by Zentmyer & Holcomb. Mr. Zentmyer first located in Schuyler in January, 1873, emigrating from Huntingdon, Pa., where he was born June 25, 1842. He enlisted, August, 1862, in Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-Fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers Infantry, in the nine months' service. He began the study of his profession in October, 1863, in the law office of Scott, Brown & Bailey, in his native town, where he remained; and also taught school several terms, etc., until February 25, 1865, when he again enlisted as a private; and March 1, 1865, he was appointed First Lieutenant of Company F., Seventy-seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers Infantry. In his nine months' service he participated in battles of Antietam and Chancellorsville. He was discharged December 6, 1865, in Victoria, Texas, and was mustered out in Philadelphia, Pa., January 16, 1866. Eighteen months after being mustered out he entered the former law office and resumed his studies, and was admitted to the bar August, 1869, and began the practice of law in his native place, where he remained until he moved to Nebraska. Was married in Huntingdon, Pa., May 26, 1874, to Miss Jennie M. Crewitt, also a native of the latter place. They have one son, George Aubrey, born May 2, 1881. (three siblings who preceded George did not survive, but two sisters who were born after this was written did survive -Ed) Mr. Z. is a member of Acacia Masonic Lodge, No. 34; also I. O. O. F., Schuyler Lodge, No. 38. Was elected County Judge in fall 1881. He ran for Lieutenant-Governor of Nebraska on the State Democratic ticket in 1876. He and Mrs. Zentmyer are members of the Presbyterian Church of Schuyler." - Andreas' History of the State of Nebraska, 1882



"Served as Judge for the years 1882 - 1884." Judy Brezina, Curator, Schuyler Historical Society Museum



Schuyler Colfax, for whom the town Schuyler and the county of Colfax were named, served as the 17th Vice President of the United States under Ulysses S. Grant from 1869 to 1873, and prior to that as the 25th speaker of the House of Representatives from 1863 to 1869.



The Miles Zentmyer family was listed on Vine St. in multiple US Census records, and a published account located the house at the southwest corner of Vine and Oregon Streets. But Schuyler renamed their streets, so Miles' house was located at the corner of present-day 11th and C Streets, and was demolished and replaced by a gas station operated by the Vondracek brothers.

Miles married Jane McNamara CREWITT 26 May 1874, Huntingdon, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, at the Huntington Presbyterian Church, Rev. Samuel Moon presiding.. Jane (daughter of Alfred Berryhill CREWITT and Jane DORLAND) was born 14 Nov 1849, Pennsylvania Furnace, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania; died 20 Jun 1935, Omaha, Douglas, Nebraska; was buried Schuyler Cemetery, Schuyler, Colfax, Nebraska. [Group Sheet]

Margaret — David C. STINE. David was born 29 Jan 1836, North Cornwall, Lebanon, Pennsylvania; died 22 Dec 1910, Tipton, Blair, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

1880 Census in Snyder, Blair, Pennsylvania with his sister Priscilla and her husband Emanuel Kinch
1900 Census in Porter, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania on parents' farm
1932 Death Notice Lewistown, Mifflin, Pennsylvania
Never married

Notes:

Benjamin Zentmyer aged 75, died at his home Monday evening after an illness of nine weeks from heart trouble. He was the s/o Major John and Margaret Zentmyer and was born Pennsylvania Furnace Sept 8, 1850. His first fifteen years of his life was spent at the place of his birth after which the family moved to Hartslog valley where he received his education. At 25 he took up the agency of the Geyser Machinery company, representing it first in the east and then throughout the west making his headquarters in Schuyler, Neb. In this position he introduced and demonstrated the first threshing and harvesting machine known in the agricultural sections of the United States. Later he went into partnership with his brother Porter Zentmyer, and together they managed the Knight Coal company of Philadelphia. Dec 17, 1891 he was united in marriage to Miss Ada Bookwalter who survives with two sons, Donald B. Zentmyer, a civil engineer, Pittsburgh and Paul, D. Zentmyer, attorney, Philadelphia, also by one sister, Mrs. Margaret Stine and one brother, John Zentmyer, both of Huntingdon.

Altoona Mirror, July 1, 1925

Benjamin married Adda Florence BOOKWALTER 17 Dec 1891. Adda was born 31 Jan 1865, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania; died 23 Dec 1945, Haverford, Delaware, Pennsylvania; was buried 27 Dec 1945, Riverview Cemetery, Huntingdon, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

In 1893 he patented a steam boiler.

"A son of the late David Kinch, former mayor of Altoona, died at 12:40 o'clock Monday noon at his home in Bellevue. Mr. Kinch formerly resided in Altoona. His wife, who was Miss Bertha L. Cramer, is also deceased, and he is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Thomas M. Crooks of Pittsburgh, and three Sisters, Misses Annie, Alma and Belle Kinch. all of 1114 Fifth avenue, Altoona. Mr. Kinch was a member of Avalon lodge, No. 652, Free and Accepted Masons. The body will be brought to Altoona tomorrow morning and taken directly to Fairview cemetery, where interment will be made at 11.30 o'clock, with Rev. E. Lansing Bennett officiating. He is also survived by one brother in Pittsburg" Altoona Mirror September 3, 1930

John married Bertha L. CRAMER 1893, Pennsylvania. Bertha was born 31 May 1870, Pennsylvania; died 31 May 1922, West View, Allegheny, Pennsylvania; was buried Fairview Cemetery, Altoona, Blair, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet]

Steward married Voilet SHERWOOD 28 Jun 1899. Voilet was born 30 Sep 1872, Altoona, Blair, Pennsylvania; died 17 Mar 1946, Altoona, Blair, Pennsylvania; was buried Grandview Cemetery, Altoona, Blair, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet]

Myra married Samuel McClelland IRWIN 1895. Samuel was born Oct 1872, Pennsylvania; died 19 Dec 1934; was buried Oak Ridge Cemetery Altoona, Blair County, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet]

Grace married Joseph W. HAFFLEY [Group Sheet]

David married Mary MARCHAND 25 Jan 1896. Mary was born 8 Nov 1873, Irwin, Westmoreland, Pennsylvania; died 23 Feb 1920, Altoona, Blair, Pennsylvania; was buried Union Cemetery, Irwin, Westmoreland, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet]

Elizabeth married Herman Clement NAGLE 22 Apr 1897, Altoona, Blair, Pennsylvania. Herman was born 7 Mar 1874, Saint Augustine, Cambria, Pennsylvania; died 31 Mar 1955, Altoona, Blair, Pennsylvania; was buried Calvary Cemetery, Altoona, Blair, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers. Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, pages 118-119.
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ROBERT A. ZENTMYER, Spruce Creek, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born at Huntingdon Furnace, April 24, 1861. He is the son of David and Susan (Kinch) Zentmyer. (David Zentmyer was killed at the Battle of Fredericksburg when Robert was 20 months old -Ed) Robert A. Zentmyer was an only child. His boyhood was spent on the farm; he attended the public school, and when he was eighteen entered Juniata College; graduating in the teacher's and business course in 1882. For five years he was principal of the public schools of Curwensville and New Washington. In 1887 he became assistant superintendent of the Britton Coal and Coke Company of Philadelphia, in West Virginia, which position he held for a year and a half. Returning to Clearfield county, he located at Madera, and for four years was employed in surveying, mining engineering, and as a coal contractor. In 1893 he went to Huntingdon Furnace, as book-keeper and assistant manager of the Huntingdon Furnace estate. This position he held for a year and then took charge of a grist mill belonging to the estate. Mr. Zentmyer's politics are Republican. For thirteen years he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and takes a prominent part in all church work.

Robert married Edna Myrtle TAYLOR 22 Apr 1903, Tyrone, Blair, Pennsylvania. Edna was born 26 Jan 1877, Tyrone, Blair, Pennsylvania; died Dec 1979, Lancaster, Lancaster, Co., Pennsylvania; was buried Grandview Cemetery, Tyrone, Blair, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet]

Donald married Ethel Jean NAIL 17 Apr 1918, Altoona, Blair, Pennsylvania. Ethel was born 30 Oct 1889, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania; died 6 Oct 1976, Canadensis, Monroe, Pennsylvania; was buried Riverview Cemetery, Huntingdon, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Occupation: Attorney

Paul married Anna Martha ABHAU 25 Dec 1925. Anna was born 1 Oct 1893, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; died 22 Jun 1979, Lansdowne, Delaware, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet]