BIO: Elias G. Eyster, Cumberland County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter

Copyright 2011.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/
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History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania.
Containing History of the Counties, Their Townships, Towns, Villages, 
Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and 
Prominent Men; Biographies; History of Pennsylvania; Statistical and 
Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc.  Illustrated.  Chicago: Warner, Beers 
& Co., 1886.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/beers/beers.htm
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                                PART II.

             HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

                               CHAPTER LV.

                              PENN TOWNSHIP.

528  BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

  ELIAS G. EYSTER, farmer, P. O. Walnut Bottom, was born March 27, 
1840, at Oyster Point, this county (near Harrisburg).  He was brought 
to Penn Township, this county, with his father's family when he was two 
years of age, and has resided here since.  His school course was 
interrupted in May, 1861, by his offering his services in defense of 
the Government, in response to President Lincoln's first call for 
troops.  His company was not accepted at that time, but was afterward, 
at the first call for three years' troops, in August of the same year.  
Mr. Eyster was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and took part in 
the historic campaigns in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania.  He was 
present at the active engagements of Williamsburg, Malvern Hill, 
Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Mine Run, and the various battles 
of the wilderness, up to Petersburg, besides a large number of severe 
skirmishes.  He received a gunshot wound through the neck in a skirmish 
at Hartford Church February, 1863, which laid him up for six months and 
caused his absence from the battle of Chancellorsville.  He was taken 
prisoner on the last day of the battle of Gettysburg, and was confined 
for one month in Libby Prison and Belle Isle.  He received an honorable 
discharge from the army August 6, 1864, leaving a fine record as a 
brave and faithful soldier.