In 1860, he was a farmer presumably living in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, although he is not found with any certainty in that census. He stood 6' 0" tall.

A Civil War veteran, he was drafted at the stated age of forty in Carlisle October 16, 1862, and mustered into federal service at Chambersburg November 1 as a private with Co. F, 158th Pennsylvania Infantry (aka "Drafted Militia"). Promoted to corporal, he honorably discharged with his company August 12, 1863, in Chambersburg.

He married widow Mary Jane Christlieb, née Lindsey (Snyder has been reported as well), December 29, 1870, in Mifflin Township, Cumberland County, and fathered Homer (b. 01/??/72) and Lee Walter (b. 09/26/73, d. 05/24/88).

Patriot newspaper, Harrisburg, PA, Cumberland Valley Notes column, Tuesday, October 29, 1895:

Major [false] Isaac Wagner, a prominent resident of Newton township, Cumberland county, was found lying dead by the roadside a mile and a half west of Newville yesterday morning. He left Newville with a load of coal in his wagon to drive to his home and sometime afterward his lifeless body was found on the roadside. He had fallen from the wagon and his neck was broken. The deceased was well known throughout the Newton township and the upper end of the county. He was a farmer by occupation, yet for many years took an active part in local politics and township affairs. He leaves a wife and two sons. [This story is verified in Isaac Wagner's pension file.]

NOTE: Wagner's title of "Major" was undoubtedly honorary, a nickname, or possibly from service with the post-war militia, although there is no evidence of the latter. The practice of "promoting" veterans was commonplace among men who rose to local prominence after the war. The fact is that Wagner left the army at the rank of corporal.