He was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania (10, 11). He was 21 years old when he was enlisted (10, 11 [16 in 1860]).
In 1860, he was living in Hilltown Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania (11). He was a farmhand, living (and presumably working) on John Fulmer's farm (11).
He was a mould[er] when he was enlisted (10).
He was 5 feet 8 inches tall, and had a light complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair (10).
He also served in company A of the 98th Pennsylvania Infantry (7, 14). He was a sergeant when he mustered out (7).
He was enlisted and mustered into service on 11 February 1864 (1, 10). He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Lieutenant Shipley (10). He was mustered in company H, by Lieutenant Boorke (1, 10).
He picked up the colors and waved "them defiantly in face of the enemy" on 18 June 1864 (1, 2, 3). Sellars said he deserved a medal of honor, which he did not receive (2). On 20 June 1864, he was promoted to sergeant (to be color sergeant) "for gallant and meritorious conduct in the Battle before Petersburg" (4, 9).
On 17 November 1864, he went on a furlough, which ended on 28 November 1864 (6).
On 7 January 1865, he was promoted to first sergeant, effective 5 January 1865 (5, 9).
He was commissioned, but not mustered in as, first lieutenant, on 28 April 1865 (1).
He was discharged on 24 June 1865 by general order (1, 13).
He married Mary E [unknown surname] (7).
In 1870, he was living in Rockhill Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania (12). He was living with his wife Mary, and children Lydia and Levi, along with Samuel Shearer and his family, and Mary Frederick (12). He was a stone mason, and owned $150 in personal property (12).
In 1880, he was living in Rock Hill, Bucks County, Pennsylvania (8). He was living with his wife Mary and children Lydia and Levi (8). He was a stonemason (8).
He applied successfully for a pension on 14 June 1886 (7, 14).
He died on 8 August 1893, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (14).
His widow applied successfully from Pennsylvania for a pension on 1 September 1890 [?] (7, 14).
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) (Franklin Wolfinger)
2 letter, Sellars, 25 December 1864
3 Advance the colors, p.314 ("Franklin C Wolfong")
4 special order 46, HQ 91st PA, 20 June 1864
5 special order 3, HQ 91st PA, 7 January 1865
6 enlisted men's furloughs (Franklin Wolfinger)
7 pension index by name (two cards) (thanks to Dennis Clowney for sending me this!) (Franklin Wolfinger)
8 1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Bucks County, West Rockhill, supervisor's district 4, enumeration district 162, microfilm series T9, film 1107, page 35 A = 17 handwritten (Franklin Wolfinger)
9 company H, list of non-commissioned officers (Franklin Wolfinger [2 entries])
10 company H, descriptive roll, #125 (Franklin Wolfinger)
11 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Bucks County, Hilltown Township, microfilm series M653, film 1084, page 400 = 226 handwritten (Franklin Wolfinger)
12 1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Bucks County, Rockhill Township, microfilm series M593, film 1314, page 604 = 32 handwritten (Frank Wolfinger)
13 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 2 July 1865 (Wolfinger)
14 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company H (Franklin Wolfinger)
[I did not find an entry for him in the index on <www.ancestry.com> to the 1890 veterans' census (searched February 2006)]
| line | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
| Dwelling number | 1717 | ||||||
| Family number | 1717 | ||||||
| Name | John Fulmer | Catharine " | Catharine " | Able " | Lewis " | Franklin Wolfinger | Catharine Kramer |
| Age | 56 | 50 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 83 |
| Sex | M | F | F | F | M | M | F |
| Color | |||||||
| Occupation | Farmer | Farmer | Farmhand | ||||
| Value of real estate owned | 7500 | ||||||
| Value of personal estate | 1800 | ||||||
| Place of birth | " [sc. Penna] | " | " | " | " | " | " |
| Married within year | |||||||
| Attended school within year | |||||||
| Cannot read & write | |||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
| Dwelling-house number | 201 | ||||||
| Family number | 244 | 245 | |||||
| Name | Shearer Samuel | - Lydia | Wolfinger Frank | - Mary | - Lydia Ann | - Levi | Frederick Mary |
| Age | 57 | 45 | 32 | 26 | 8 | 2 | 58 |
| Sex | " [sc. M] | F | M | F | " | M | F |
| Color | " [sc. W] | " | " | " | " | " | " |
| Occupation | Farmer | Keeping house | Stone mason | Keeping house | |||
| Real estate value | 2000 | ||||||
| Personal estate value | 300 | 150 | |||||
| Birthplace | " [sc. Pennsylvania] | " | " | " | " | " | " |
| Father foreign born | |||||||
| Mother foreign born | |||||||
| Birth month if born within year | |||||||
| Marriage month if married within year | |||||||
| Attended school past year | 1 | ||||||
| Can't read | 1 | ||||||
| Can't write | 1 | 1 | |||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. | |||||||
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old | 1 | 1 | |||||
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old who can't vote ... |
| line | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| street name | ||||
| house number | ||||
| dwelling visit # | 149 | |||
| family visit # | 181 | |||
| name | Wolfinger Franklin | - Mary | - Lidia A [?] | - Levi |
| color | W | W | W | W |
| sex | M | F | F | M |
| age | 41 | 36 | 19 | 12 |
| month born if born in year | ||||
| relationship | Wife | Daughter | Son | |
| single | 1 | 1 | ||
| married | 1 | 1 | ||
| widowed/divorced | ||||
| married during year | ||||
| occupation | Stone mason | Keeping house | ||
| months unemployed | ||||
| currently ill? | ||||
| blind | ||||
| deaf/dumb | ||||
| idiotic | ||||
| insane | ||||
| disabled | ||||
| school this year | 1 | |||
| can't read | ||||
| can't write | ||||
| birthplace | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa |
| father's birthplace | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa |
| mother's birthplace | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa |