Civil War Veterans Buried In Washington State - Daniel Nelson

Daniel Nelson

Representing: Union


G.A.R Post

  • Oliver Morton Post #10 Snohomish, Snohomish Co. WA

Unit History

  • 199th Pennsylvania Infantry I

See full unit history

Daniel Nelson
Full Unit History

199th PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
Organized: 11/1/64 Philadelphia, PA
Mustered Out: 6/28/65 Richmond, VA

Regimental History

REGIMENTAL HISTORY:

   The 199th, a one year regiment, joined the Army of the James at Deep Bottom Landing, VA in October of 1864.  Its well- fortified position was on the New Market Road on the extreme right of the Union lines around Petersburg.  The winter was spent drilling and on fatigue and picket duty. 

   The unit participated in the April 2, 1865 final assault on the works of Petersburg which captured Forts Greg and Alexander.  Regimental losses in this action were 18 killed and 81 wounded. 

   After the fall of Petersburg the 199th followed Confederate Gen. R.E. Lee’s retreating army to Burkesville and thence to Appomattox.  Final combat losses included 2 killed and one wounded in the skirmish at Rice’s Station and 2 killed and one wounded near Appomattox Court House on April 9.

   After Lee’s surrender the regiment was transferred to Richmond where it received final muster.  At that time some recruits were transferred to the 188th Pennsylvania infantry and performed provost (military police) duty in Virginia until finally being mustered out on December 14, 1865.

Soldier History

SOLDIER:
Residence: Colesburg, PA   Age: 31.1 yrs.
Enlisted/Enrolled: 9/2/64 Scranton, PA   Rank: Pvt.
Mustered In: 9/9/61 Williamsport, PA
Mustered Out: 6/28/65 Richmond, VA
Highest Rank: Pvt.

Family History

PERSONAL/FAMILY HISTORY:

NOTE:
The original birth – to – death biographical profile of Daniel Nelson was created during the early years of the Civil War Veterans Buried In Washington State project. As a result it was limited both size and available research resources.
 

The biography which follows was written in May, 2019. While it contains many more details than its predecessor, it still lacks the depth of more recent additions to this website which draw heavily upon veteran-related military, pension and other documents housed in the National Archives located in Washington, D.C.
 

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  Daniel C. Nelson was born 8/17/33 in Potter County located in north central Pennsylvania. His parents were Henry (b. 1808 Washington Co., NY) and Samantha J “Speedy” (nee Clark b. 10/1/11 CT.) Nelson. The Nelson family was a farm family that, at the time of the 1850 U.S. Census was residing in or near the community of Allegany Potter Co., PA.


Based on available census data and family input, Daniel was the second of eight Nelson children. Older than he was a sister named Samantha (b. 1832). His younger siblings were: Amelia (b. 1836), Festus (b. 1838), Sabrina (b. 1841), Fordyce (b. 1843), Oscar (b. 1845) and Charles Henry (b. 5/11/56). All of the Nelson children were born in Pennsylvania and, likely in Potter County.
 

On 11/7/58 Daniel married Minerva Diana Hazelton (b. 7/9/38 NY).  After marriage they settled and took up farming in Daniel’s home community of Allegany Potter Co., PA.
 

The union of Daniel and Minerva produced six children: Clara S. (11/25/60 PA), Alton (b. 4/6/63 PA), Berton A. (b. 8/5/66 PA), Hattie A. (b. 11/14/73 PA), Minnie E. (b. 4/26/77 PA) and Jessie (10/3/81 PA).
 

  When 5’10”, blue- eyed farmer, Daniel, entered the U.S. Army in 1864 he was slightly above the average age (26.7 yrs.) of a Civil War Soldier.  The only occurrence of note during his military tenure was the contraction of rheumatism in his feet, legs, hip and body while on duty at Camp Briscoe (named for the regimental colonel), VA around 3/8/65.  For this he was treated in the camp field hospital and the convalescent battalion hospital.  In later years the ailment would result in Daniel receiving a government disability pension which amounted to the princely sum of $72 per month at the time of his death.
 

  Following release from the service Daniel returned to Pennsylvania and took up the occupation of mechanic.  In 1870 he and his family were residing in the Cameron Co. community of Emporium. Daniel’s occupation was, in 1880, listed as “selling fruit trees.

The Nelsons lived in Emporium for 14 years before removing to Brockway (Mayville) in Jefferson Co. PA. They remained at this location for three years. During this period the final Nelson child, Jessie, was born.
 

  In 1884 Daniel reportedly moved to Pe Ell, Lewis Co. WA WT. Available documents are silent as to the circumstance under which the move was made.  They also do not speak to whether Daniel made this move with or without Minerva.

Most of the U.S. Census for 1890 was destroyed by fire, so we have no insights from that sector regarding who moved to Pe Ell. However, a decade later, in 1900 the census takers found “house carpenter” Daniel living in that community as a boarder in the home of one Hugh Whitesides and his wife. Also under the Whitesides roof were Daniel’s sons Burton and Jessie.


In 1910 Daniel was still in Pe Ell, but then listed as  residing on his own and having his own income. Although Daniel listed his marital status as “married,” Minerva was not in the home.

In 1915 Daniel was residing with daughter Hattie in Pe Ell. His wife was with son Burton in Snohomish, Snohomish Co., WA. Daniel took the time to documentally note that this arrangement was not a separation. Perhaps it was a medical necessity for both?

 Minerva Nelson died on 8/17/21 and was buried in the Grand Army Of The Republic (G.A.R.) Cemetery located in Snohomish, Snohomish Co.,

.Former Civil War soldier Daniel Nelson died in Pe Ell on 10/5/22.  His remains were then transported to Snohomish for burial next to Minerva in the G.A.R. Cemetery.

Cemetery

Buried at Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery Snohomish
Row: 21
Site: 1

Adopt-a-Vet Sponsor

Molly Shoffner
Mt Lake Terrace, WA


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