Bios of USCT Soldiers buried in Eastern Light Cemetery

Location of Eastern Light Cemetery 10th Street and 1st Avenue

Corporal William Nelson Molson

While few records exist that document his life, historians know that William Nelson Molson was born to William and Elizabeth Molson in Mexico, a small community in Juniata County, Pennsylvania. Molson worked as a boatman, barber, and elevator operator. In March 1864, Molson joined Company B of the 43rd United States Colored Troops Regiment. Within a month he received a promotion to corporal. According to his service records, Molson served as the color guard during an engagement at Hatchers Run, Virginia, on October 27, 1864. He served with his regiment until it was mustered out in October 1865. He married Sarah J. Parker, his second wife, and they had at least one daughter, Mary. Molson died less than three weeks after the end of World War I and was buried in Eastern Light Cemetery in Altoona, Pennsylvania. (By Don Sailer)

http://hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/node/32474

Private Stephen Hollinger

Stephen was mustered into service for the 43^rd USCT, Company A, before his 17^th birthday on February 27, 1864.  He was discharged by special order on February 7, 1865. He died Nov. 10, 1866 as a result of consumption at the age of 19.  The 43^rd USCT fought at Petersburg, VA, Hatcher’s Run Campaign, was present for the surrender of General Lee, and moved to Texas for duty on the Rio Grande.

http://www.pa-roots.com/pacw/usct/usctregs.html

Sergeant George W. Jackson

Born a slave in Virginia, George Jackson and his wife came to the Blair County area before the Civil War.  He was mustered into service for the 41^st USCT, Company G, on September 29, 1864 at approximately the age of 39.  He was discharged by Special Orders on January 17, 1866. George died on March 18, 1903 at the age of 78 of general debility.  He was married for 51 years. The 41^st USCT also participated in Hatcher’s Run campaign, the pursuit of General Lee, was present at Appomattox for the surrender of Lee and was moved to Brazos Santiago, Texas for duty.

http://www.pa-roots.com/pacw/usct/usctregs.html

Corporal Granville Hurley

Born in 1836, died 1922.  He was mustered into service for the 8 USCT, Company G, on October 31, 1863.  He mustered out with the company on Nov. 16, 1865. His regiment was involved in the occupation of Florida, the battle of Olustee, FL, Feb. 20, 1864, Deep Bottom, Virginia and New Market Heights, VA, August through September of 1864, also was present for at Appomattox for the surrender of General Lee.  The company was moved to the Rio Grande, Texas in May of 1865.

http://www.pa-roots.com/pacw/usct/usctregs.html

 Private John Love

John Love died in Altoona on December 18, 1907 at the age of 96 years. He was born in Virginia and was freed from slavery before the war broke out.  He lived in Bedford County from 1860 until about 1881. He was a member of Company. H, 41st Colored Infantry and was mustered into service September 21, 1864 at the age of 53. He was survived by his wife, Sarah, who resided in Bedford; two sons and a daughter of Altoona; three step-children, Charles Key and Mrs. Davis, of Bedford, and Mrs. Sanders of Altoona. A sister, Mrs. Chaney Tillman, who was said to be 100 years old, survived him, as did one brother, Robert of Woodbury.

http://www.bedfordpahistory.com/civilwar/love.html

http://www.pa-roots.com/pacw/usct/usctregs.html

Corporal or Private James W. Thomas

James was born in 1838, died in 1875.  Samuel Bates’ records has him listed with the 6^th USCT, Company E, troops, but Eastern Light Cemetery listing records him with the 5^th USCT troops.

There is a Corporal James W. Thomas in Company A of the 6^th USCT regiment.  If this is the same soldier, his 6^th USCT regiment also participated in the battles of Petersburg, New Market Heights in Virginia.  The 6^th regiment also captured Wilmington, NC and witnessed the surrender of General Johnston in North Carolina. The unit was mustered out of service in September of 1865.

http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/soldiers.cfm

Headstones of USCT soldiers buried in Eastern Light Cemetery.

Headstones of USCT soldiers buried in Eastern Light Cemetery