He was 43 years old when he was enlisted (3, 7 [49 in 1860]). He was born in Pennsylvania (7).
In 1860, he was living in the 24th ward of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (7). He was living with his wife Anna, and with Henry, Israel, Anna, Agnes, and Anna (presumably their children and a grandchild?) (7). He was a stockbroker (7).
He was enlisted and mustered into service on 8 October 1861 (1, 3 [8 Nov]). He was enlisted at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (3). He was mustered in as a private, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (3). He initially served as a private in company F (1).
He was transferred on 4 December 1861 to company D (1, 3, 4).
He was killed on 13 December 1862 at Fredericksburg, Virginia (1, 3 [missing and supposed killed]).
Nevertheless, on 7 May 1863, he seems to have been reported missing in action (2). I do not know which report is correct.
On 27 January 1865, his widow, Ann Steel, applied successfully for a pension (5, 6).
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) (Samuel Steel)
2 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 7 May 1863
(Steele)
[I can't identify anyone else this could be, but the report is obviously inconsistent with Bates.]
3 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 10 August 2004 (Samuel Steel)
4 company F, register of men transferred (Samuel Steel)
5 pension index, by name (Samuel Steel)
6 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company D (Samuel Steel)
7 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 24, microfilm series M653, film 1175, page 982 = 68 handwritten (Saml Steel)
| line | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 |
| Dwelling number | 421 | ||||||
| Family number | 465 | ||||||
| Name | Saml Steel | Anna " | Henry " | Isreal [sic] " | Anna " | Agnes " | Anna " |
| Age | 49 | 48 | 25 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 3/12 |
| Sex | m | f | m | m | f | f | f |
| Color | |||||||
| Occupation | Stock Broker | ||||||
| Value of real estate owned | |||||||
| Value of personal estate | |||||||
| Place of birth | " [sc. Penna] | " | Maryland | Penna | " | " | Ireland |
| Married within year | |||||||
| Attended school within year | |||||||
| Cannot read & write | |||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |