BIO:  W. D. HOLTZWORTH, Gettysburg, Adams County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/adams/
_______________________________________________ 

History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania
Chicago:  Warner, Beers & Co., 1886
_______________________________________________ 

Part III, History of Adams County, Page 356

W. D. HOLTZWORTH, Battlefield Guide, Gettysburg, is a native of that place, born 
January 2, 1843, a son of Adam and Mary (Culp) Holtzworth, whose ancestors were 
among the early German settlers of Pennsylvania.  Adam Holtzworth was a 
blacksmith by trade, which he carried on at Gettysburg for years.  Our subject, 
the second of three born to his parents, was reared at Gettysburg for years, and 
there attended the public schools.  On the breaking out of the war, in 1861, 
young Holtzworth left the trade he was learning, that of a granite cutter, and 
enlisted in the Second Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, for three 
months, serving as corporal.  After the expiration of his term of service he re-
enlisted, this time in the Eighty-seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer 
Infantry, for three years, and was wounded at the battle of Winchester, Va., 
June 15, 1863.  He was made a prisoner of war, was confined in Libby and Belle 
Isle, where he was “cooped up” for six weeks; then was exchanged.  In 1864 he 
veteranized or re-enlisted in the same regiment, and was duty sergeant.  He was 
wounded at the battle of the Weldon Railroad, having been shot through the left 
shoulder, which disabled him from active duty, but he remained with the 
regiment, and was given charge of the regiment letters.  He was present at the 
surrender of Gen. Lee, and was mustered out of service May 12, 1865.  In 1866 
Mr. Holtzworth was elected register and recorder of Adams County on the 
Democratic ticket, and administered in that office until 1869.  Since the latter 
year he has been employed as the guide to the battlefield of Gettysburg, and is, 
perhaps, as well posted concerning the great battle as any man now living.  Mr. 
Holtzworth possesses a half-interest in a livery stable at Gettysburg, and has 
driven most of the generals who took part in the battle over the field while 
visiting the same.  In 1885 and 1886 he traveled and delivered lectures in Ohio 
and Pennsylvania.  In 1867 he was married to Evaline Lindsay, of Franklin 
County, and of German descent.  Their four children now living are Charles, an 
assistant in the postoffice at Gettysburg; Mary; Harry and Alfred.  The parents 
attend the Lutheran Church.  Mr. Holtzworth is a member of the G. A. R., and has 
been commander of the post at Gettysburg.  He is a director of the Gettysburg 
Battlefield Association, and a member of the school board of Gettysburg.  He is 
both a Mason and an Odd Fellow.