The Gettysburg Times, Gettysburg, Pa., 10/10/1933

Harry W Hartzell, 89, Arendtsville Civil War Veteran, Dies On Monday

Infirmities Of Age Cause Breakdown In Health; Had Been Failing For Past Six Months; Heard Lincoln And Shook Hands With Martyred President.

One of Arendtsville's two surviving Civil war veterans.

Harry William Hartzell, 89, died at his home in Arendtsville. Monday evening at 7:30 o'clock of infirmities. He had been in failing health for six months, and was under the care of a physician for about a month.

He was a son of the late Henry and Catherine (Kahn) Hartzell. and was born in Biglerville, May 9, 1844. He always lived in Adams county, and for the past 26 years he was a resident of Arendtsville.

Mr. Hartzell answered the call to arms in Gettysburg on October 16, 1862 and served two enlistments. He was first a member of Co. I, 165th regiment, and was discharged from that outfit on July 8, 1863. He re-enlisted in the 103rd regiment in March, 1865, and was discharged at New Bern, North Carolina, June 25, 1865.

Heard Lincoln

During his service in the army Mr. Hartzell participated in engagements at Deserted House, January 20, 1863; skirmishes ,on the Jonestown road, April 13 and 14, 1863; White Horse. April 24, 1863; Beamer Dam, May 14, 1863, and Carlsville, May 16, 1863.

When President Lincoln delivered his address at the dedication of the national cemetery here, November 19. 1863. Mr. Hartzell stood within six feet of the martyred president, and shook Lincoln's hand when he finished speaking

Mr. Hartzell is survived by his widow, whose maiden name was Miss Sarah Ellen Coe. one daughter, Mrs. George Orner, Biglerville R. D., and one son by a former marriage, Phillip H. Hartzell, Biglerville R. D. Twelve grandchildren, 15 greatgrandchildren and two sisters. Mrs. Sarah Raffensperger. Biglerville, R. D., and Mrs. Albertz Baltzley, McKnightstown, also, survive.

Funeral Thursday He was a member of Zion Reformed church, Arendtsville, for 60 years. He was a member of Corporal Skelly post. No. 9, G. A. R., for many years, and always attended all G.A.R. services and meetings.

Funeral services from the Hartzell home in Arendtsville Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock, the Rev. E. W. Brindle officiating.

Interment at Greenmount cemetery, Arendtsville.

The Sons of Union Veterans will furnish a firing squad and bugler for the services.

The son John Henry & Catharine (Kann) Hartzel, in 1860 he was a farmer living in Butler Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania. He stood 5' 11" tall and had dark hair and gray eyes.

A Civil War veteran, he was drafted in Adams County October 16, 1862, mustered into federal service at Gettysburg November 8 as a private with Co. I, 165th Pennsylvania Infantry (aka "Drafted Militia"), and honorably discharged with his company July 28, 1863, in Gettysburg. He also enlisted in Middletown (Biglerville), Adams County, February 27, 1865, mustered into federal service at Harrisburg as a corporal with the 103rd Pennsylvania Infantry in the second organization of Co. A, and honorably discharged with his company June 25, 1865, at New Berne, North Carolina. Bates History of Pennsylvania Volunteers spells his name in the 103rd Pa as "Hurtsell." In between enlistments, he claimed, he "stood within six feet" of Abraham Lincoln during the Gettysburg Address and they shook hands afterward. (The statement is unverified.)

He married Harriet Beamer August 12, 1866 (December 22, 1870, also reported) and fathered Laura Ellen (b. 08/03/71 - married George G. Orner), Emma Kate (b. 03/05/73, d. 04/21/76), Lewis William (b. 02/03/75, d. 04/13/76), and Philip Henry (b. 08/24/82). Harriet died April 29, 1895, and he married Sarah Ellen Coe January 16, 1901, fathering Paul William (b. 02/21/04, d. 08/20/08). In 1890, he lived in Butler Township, Adams County, and was a member of Skelly Post No. 9, G.A.R. He died at home from "acute myocarditis" with "chronic myocardial failure and secondary anemia" contributing factors.