He was 21 years old when he enlisted in 1864 (6). He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (6).
He was a shoemaker (6).
He was 5 feet 6 inches tall, and had a dark complexion, black eyes, and dark hair (6).
According to the pension index, he also served in the Navy (8, 10). He was transferred there by special order 31095 (10).
He also served in the 124th Pennsylvania Infantry (9, 10). He enlisted on 1 August 1862 (9). He was discharged on 16 May 1863 (9).
He enlisted and was mustered into service as a private in the 91st Pennsylvania on 27 January 1864 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1, 6, 7, 8, 9). He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Lieutenant Burk (6). He served in company A (1).
He reenlisted as a veteran volunteer (1).
On 22 February 1864, the superintendent of the volunteer recruiting service detached him for duty in the recruiting service, at Philadelphia (3, 4).
He was wounded on 8 May 1864, at Laurel Hill, Virginia (1; see 2 for background).
On 17 February 1865, he was promoted to corporal, effective 1 January 1865 (1, 5, 7).
He mustered out on 10 July 1865 with his company (1, 7, 8, 9)
In 1890, he was living at 124 South 14th Street, St Louis, Missouri (9).
On 9 October 1890, he applied unsuccessfully for a pension (8, 10).
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)
2 Thomas Walter. 'Personal recollections and experiences of an obscure soldier'. Grand Army Scout and Soldiers' Mail, volume 3, number 46 page 2.
3 letter, Sinex to Marvin, 7 March 1864
4 special order 8, HQ 91st PA, 22 February 1864
5 special order 9, HQ 91st PA, 17 February 1865 (John T Jester)
6 company A descriptive roll, entry 131 (John F Jester)
7 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 5 May 2004 (John F Jester)
8 pension index, by regiment (John F. Jester)
9 1890 US census, veterans' schedule, Missouri, St Louis city, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 174, page 2 (John F Jester)
10 pension index, by name (John F Jester)