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John Brocus

Before the war

He was born in October 1846 (6). He was born in Pennsylvania (2, 6, 7, 8, 9). He was 19 years old when he was enlisted (2, 4 [68 in 1918], 6 [53 in 1900], 7 [63 in 1910], 8 [73 in 1920], 9 [83 in 1930]).

He was a laborer when he was enlisted (2).

Description

He was 5 feet 2-1/2 inches tall, and had a fair complexion, blue eyes, and light hair (2).

During the war

He was a substitute (1, 2). He was enlisted and mustered into service on 27 March 1865 (1, 2, 4, 5). He was enlisted for one year, at Pottsville, Pennsylvania, by Captain Bowen (2). He was mustered in as a private in company H (1).

He mustered out with his company on 10 July 1865 (1, 4, 5).

After the war

In 1868/70, he married Annie [unknown surname] (6, 7, 9 [at 25 (?) years old]). In 1900, she had had eight children, all of whom were alive (6). In 1910, she had had eight children, but only five were alive (7).

On 11 November 1891, he applied successfully from Pennsylvania for a pension (3, 5). He was initially pensioned under the act of 17 June 1890, for rheumatism, at a rate of $6 per month (4).

In 1900, he was living in Ringtown, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania (6). He was living with his wife Annie, and children Henry, Lillian, Victor, and George (6). He was a sawmill laborer (6).

On 24 November 1908, he again applied for a pension (5).

In 1910, he was living in Union Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania (7). He was living with his wife Anetta, son Samuel, and a granddaughter (7). He was a sawyer, at a sawmill (7).

In 1918, he was receiving a pension of $18 per month, under the act of 11 May 1912 (4). He was living in Ringtown, Pennsylvania (4). He was unable to support himself, because of rheumatism, hydrocele, disease of urinary organs, and loss of left thumb (4). He owned a house worth $1,000, which had a mortgage of $500, and had no other property or income (4). The House and Senate committees recommended that his pension be increased to $25 per month (4).

In 1920, he was living on Main Street, in Ringtown Borough, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania (8). He was living with his wife Anetta, and daughter Elizabeth (8). He was not working (8).

In 1930, he was living on West Main Street, Ringtown Boro, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania (9). He was living with his wife Annetta (9). He owned his house, which was worth $2,000 (9). He was not working (9).

Sources

1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster) (John Brocus)

2 company H, descriptive roll, #165 (John Brocus)

3 pension index, by name (John Brocious [?])

4 'Pensions and increase of pensions for certain soldiers and sailors of the Civil War, etc. May 8, 1918.' Senate Report 430. Page 63. Serial Set volume 7306, 65th Congress, 2nd Session, session volume B. [repeats Serial Set volume 7310. 65th Congress, 2nd Session. Session volume B. 'Pensions and increase of pensions for certain soldiers and sailors of the Civil War. April 10, 1918.' House Report 481. Pp.63-64] (John Brocious)

5 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company H (John Brocious)

6 1900 US census, Pennsylvania, Schuylkill County, Union Township, Ringtown Village, supervisor's district 7, enumeration district 210, microfilm series T623, film 1486, page 27 A = 6 handwritten (John C Brocious)

7 1910 US census, Pennsylvania, Schuylkill County, Union Township, supervisor's district 8, enumeration district 105, microfilm series T624, film 1419, page 149 B = 14 handwritten (John Brocious)

8 1920 US census, Pennsylvania, Schuylkill County, Ringtown Borough, supervisor's district 6, enumeration district 105, microfilm series T625, film 1651, page 172 B = 1 handwritten (John Brocious)

9 1930 US census, Pennsylvania, Schuylkill County, Ringtown Boro, supervisor's district 54-101, enumeration district 20, microfilm series T626, film 2147, page 48 = 2 A handwritten (John Broscious)

[I did not find an entry for him in Ancestry's index to the 1890 veterans' census (searched March 2007)]

1900 census

[1900 US census, Pennsylvania, Schuylkill County, Union Township, Ringtown Village, supervisor's district 7, enumeration district 210, microfilm series T623, film 1486, page 27 A = 6 handwritten]
line8910111213
street      
house number      
dwelling number122     
family number122     
nameBrocious John C- Annie- Henry- Lilian [sic]- Victor E- George W
relationshipHeadWifeSonDaughterSonSon
colorWWWWWW
sexMFMFMM
birth dateOct 1846Oct 1852July 1879July 1885Jan 1887Feb 1892
age53472014138
married?MMSSSS
# years married3131    
mother of how many children? 8    
# of children living 8    
birthplacePennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaPennsylvania
['Pennsylvania' is written across three columns on each line]
father's birthplace[see the previous line]
mother's birthplace[see two lines above]
immigration year      
# years in USA      
naturalized citizen?      
occupationSawmill laborer R R track repair Day laborer 
# months not employed  6   
# months in school   773
can readyesyesyesyesyes 
can writeyesyesyesyesyes 
speaks Englishyesyesyesyesyes 
owned/rentedR     
free or mortgaged      
farm/houseH     
# of farm schedule      

1910 census

[1910 US census, Pennsylvania, Schuylkill County, Union Township, supervisor's district 8, enumeration district 105, microfilm series T624, film 1419, page 149 B = 14 handwritten]
line59606162
street    
house nr    
dwelling nr110   
family nr114   
nameBrocious John- Anetta- SamuelShietle [?] Elizabeth
relationshipHeadWifeSonGranddaughter
sexMFMF
colorWWWW
age6357404
marital statusM1M1Wd3
#years present marriage4040  
mother of # children 8  
mother of # living children 5  
birthplacePennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaPennsylvania
father's birthplacePennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaPennsylvania
mother's birthplacePennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaPennsylvania
immigrated    
naturalized/alien    
speaks EnglishEnglishEnglishEnglish 
occupationSawyerGeneral Housework [?]LaborerNone
nature of industry etc.Saw MillWorking OutOdd Jobs 
employer etc.WWW 
out of work 15 Apr 1910?NoNoNo 
# weeks out of work 190902620 
can readNoNoYes 
can writeNoNoYes 
school since 1 Sep 09    
owned/rentedR   
owned free or mortagaged    
farm/houseH   
nr on farm schedule    
civil war vetUA   
blind    
deaf & dumb    

1920 census

[1920 US census, Pennsylvania, Schuylkill County, Ringtown Borough, supervisor's district 6, enumeration district 105, microfilm series T625, film 1651, page 172 B = 1 handwritten]
line666768
streetMain Street
house numberX  
dwelling visit number18  
family visit number0  
nameBrocious John- Annetta- Elizabeth
relationshipHeadWifeDaughter
own/rentO  
free/mortgaged (if owned)M  
sexMFF
raceWWW
age at last birthday736714
marital statusMMS
year of immigration   
naturalized/alien   
year of naturalization   
attended school since Sept 1919  Yes
can readNoNoYes
can writeNoNoYes
birthplacePennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaPennsylvania
native language   
father's birthplacePennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaPennsylvania
father's native language   
mother's birthplacePennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaPennsylvania
mother's native language   
can speak EnglishYesYesYes
occupationNoneNoneNone
industry, business   
employment status   
number of farm schedule   

1930 census

[1930 US census, Pennsylvania, Schuylkill County, Ringtown Boro, supervisor's district 54-101, enumeration district 20, microfilm series T626, film 2147, page 48 = 2 A handwritten]
line67
streetWest Main Street
house number  
dwelling visit #23 
family visit #27 
nameBroscious John- Annetta
relationHeadWife-H
owned/rentedO 
value or rent$2000 
radio  
farmNo 
sexMF
colorWW
age8376
married?MM
age 1st marriage2516
['25' might be '23']
school/college since 9/29NoNo
can read & writeYesNo
birthplacePennsylvaniaPennsylvania
father's birthplacePennsylvaniaPennsylvania
mother's birthplacePennsylvaniaPennsylvania
native language  
immigration year  
naturalization  
can speak Englishyesyes
occupationnonenone
industry  
worker class  
at work yesterday  
unemployment schedule #  
veteran?Yes 
warCiv 
farm schedule #  

Pension increase

'Pensions and increase of pensions for certain soldiers and sailors of the Civil War, etc. May 8, 1918.' Senate Report 430. Page 63. Serial Set volume 7306, 65th Congress, 2nd Session, session volume B. [repeats Serial Set volume 7310. 65th Congress, 2nd Session. Session volume B. 'Pensions and increase of pensions for certain soldiers and sailors of the Civil War. April 10, 1918.' House Report 481. Pp.63-64]

H. R. 11063. John Brocious, aged 68 years, late a private, Company H, Ninety-first Regiment Pennsylvania Infantry, from March 27 to July 10, 1865 (length of service, 3 months 14 days), and is now pensioned under certificate No. 1109608 at the rate of $18 per month.

Post office, Ringtown, Pa.

[page 64]

He was formerly pensioned at $6 per month under act of June 17, 1890, for rheumatism, and is now pensioned for age and length of service under act of May 11, 1912.

Medical testimony submitted to this committee indicates the claimant is unfitted for self-support by reason of rheumatism, hydrocele, disease of urinary organs, and loss of left thumb; further evidence is to the effect that he owns a home valued at $1,000 which is encumbered by mortgage to the amount of $500, but has no other means, property, or income except his pension, which it is recommended be increased to $25 per month.


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revised 7 Dec 09
Contact Harry Ide at hide1@unl.edu with comments or questions.