Contributed by rkohler3 on 2/10/13 - Image Year: 1900
OBITUARY for JOHN JEFFERSON WEIMER
PORT ROYAL'S LAST CIVIL WAR VETERAN DIES
Mr. John J. Weimer, Port Royal's last veteran of the Civil war, answered the last roll call at the Harrisburg hospital on Saturday, Nov. 7th [1936] after a lingering illness of diseases, incident to old age, he having attained the age of 92 years and 14 days.
Being too young to enlist at the outbreak of the Civil War, he waited until Feb. 16, 1864, when he enlisted at Harrisburg, Pa., and was assigned to Battery E, 3rd Regt. Penna. Vol Heavy Artillery. He was sent to Fortress Monroe, Va., where he remained until discharged.
His Company, with three others, was sent to the Bermuda Front, Aug. 22, 1864 and remained there until May 22, 1865. Battery E was assigned to Fort Converse, covering the Pontoon Bridge across the Appomattox River, and was the extreme left of the Army of the James, and the right of the Army of the Potomac. A part of the work was that of furnishing details for fatigue duty upon the fortifications and for duty in other branches of the service.
At the close of the war the Company returned to Fortress Monroe, where Jefferson Davis was for a time in durance, and under guard of this regiment. While at Fortress Monroe he frequently escorted Maj. General Mile's and Jefferson Davis in a stroll around the ramparts.
This regiment in which he was placed was organized for special duty at Fortress Monroe, but had a large share of field service to perform. It was remarkably well drilled in artillery infantry and naval duty. He was honorably discharged Nov. 9, 1865.
After the war he returned to private life and took up his trade as a carpenter and was employed as a P. R. R carpenter for many years until placed' on the retired list.
He was a faithful member of the Port Royal Lutheran church and Sunday School and for many years served as an official in the church and sang in the choir.
He also served in various official capacities in the Sunday School and taught a class. He was especially well versed in the Bible and on current topics of the day.
He is survived by his aged wife, one daughter, Mrs. Laura McLaughlin, at home and one son, George M. Weimer of Port Royal and three grandsons, Hubert McLaughlin of Morgantown W. Va.; Dr. Bernal Weimer of Bethany, W. Va., and Rev. G. C. Weimer of Harrisburg, and a host of friends.
Funeral services were held in the Port Royal Lutheran Church this (Tuesday) afternoon at 2 o'clock, conducted by his pastor, Rev H. W. Webner, after which interment was made in Church Hill cemetery.
