A son of Benjamin and Sarah (Chilcote) Cornelius. He was united in marriage with Mary A. Mullen.

Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865
Name: Peter L Cornelius
Enlistment Date: 25 Feb 1864
Rank at enlistment: Private
State Served: Pennsylvania
Survived the War?: Yes
Service Record:
Enlisted in Company K, Pennsylvania 22nd Cavalry Regiment on 25 Feb 1864.
Mustered out on 24 Jun 1865 at Cumberland, MD.
Transferred to Company K, Pennsylvania 3rd Cavalry Regiment on 24 Jun 1865.
Mustered out on 31 Oct 1865 at Cumberland, MD.
Sources: History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-1865

1910 United States Federal Census
Name: Peter L Cornelus
Age in 1910: 65
Birth Year: abt 1845
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1910: Belle Vernon, Fayette, Pa
Street: Wood Street
Relation to Head of House: Father
Marital Status: Widowed
Occupation: Watchman
Industry: Wire Mill
Name Age
William H Cornelius 40
Sarah Cornelius 33
Peral Cornelius 14
Wilbert Cornelius 9
Edith Cornelius 6
Ruth Cornelius 4
Paul Cornelius 1 [1 3/12]
Peter L Cornelus 65 ***
Roy Cornelius 18

1900 United States Federal Census
Name: Peter Cornelius
Age: 52
Birth Date: Jul 1847
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1900: Stoners, Westmoreland, Pa
Relation to Head of House: Father
Marital Status: Widowed
Name Age
Benjamin Cornelius 26
Minnie Cornelius 20
Herman Cornelius 2
Cornelius 3/12
Peter Cornelius 52 ***
Roy Cornelius 9

1880 United States Federal Census
Name: Peter L. Cornelius
Age: 35
Birth Year: abt 1845
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1880: West Providence, Bedford, Pa
Spouse's Name: Mary A. Cornelius
Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Name Age
Peter L. Cornelius 35 ***
Mary A. Cornelius 30
William H. Cornelius 10
Benjamin S. Cornelius 8
Lillie E. Cornelius 4
Ambrose A. Cornelius 8m

1870 United States Federal Census
Name: Peter L Cornelius
Age in 1870: 25
Birth Year: abt 1845
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1870: West Providence, Bedford, Pa
Post Office: Bloody Run
Name Age
Peter L Cornelius 25
Mary A Cornelius 21
William Cornelius 4/12

1860 United States Federal Census
Name: Peter Cornelius
Age: 15
Birth Year: abt 1845
Birth Place: Pennsylvania
Home in 1860: Springfield, Huntingdon, Pa
Post Office: Shirleysburg
Name Age
Benjamin Cornelius 56
Sarah C Cornelius 53
Alva C Cornelius 17
Peter Cornelius 15 ***
Eleanor Cornelius 11

1850 United States Federal Census
Name: Peter Cornelius
Age: 5
Birth Year: abt 1845
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1850: Cromwell, Huntingdon, Pa
Name Age
Benjamin Cornelius 44
Sarah Cornelius 44
Sarah A Cornelius 16
William Cornelius 14
Pruebun Cornelius 12
Alvah Cornelius 8
Peter Cornelius 5 ***
Eleanor Cornelius 2
Eleanor Downes 40
Alfred Burket 0
David N Cornelius 10