OBIT: William Harrison SANNER, Captain, 1931, native of Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

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WILLIAM H. SANNER

Captain Sanner Mustered Out

Another of Somerset County's Civil War Veterans Answers Last Roll Call

  Captain William H. Sanner, one of Somerset County's last few surviving members 
of the Grand Army of the Republic and, in more ways than one, one of the 
county's grandest old men, has answered the last roll-call and joined the bivoac 
of the dead.
  Captain Sanner was "mustered out" at 7 o'clock last Saturday morning, at the 
home of his only daughter, Mrs. Robert M. Harley, in Westmont, Johnstown, in his 
92nd year.
  He had been a resident of Somerset Borough since 1865, locating there after 
the close of the Civil War, in which he served with distinction.
  Last July Capt. and Mrs. Sanner closed their residence on East Patriot Street 
and spent the winter with their son-in-law and daughter in Westmont.
  The remarkable physical and mental strength of the veteran soldier continued 
almost to the end.  Two or three weeks ago he was partly overcome by the 
infirmities of age, but he was able to be up and about until a day or two before 
his death.  His intellectual faculties remained clear and strong until the last.
 
Distinguished Soldier

  William Harrison Sanner was born January 24, 1840, in Lower Turkeyfoot 
Township, a son of Lewis and Sarah Rush King Sanner.  He was a great-grandson of 
Jacob Rush, who served in the Revolutionary War.  When the Civil War came on, 
William H. Sanner and his brother, the late Ross Rush Sanner, volunteered their 
services in defense of the Union.  Ross Rush Sanner became Captain of Company H, 
85th Regiment, P.V.I., and William H. Sanner rose to the rank of Captain in the 
54th Regiment, commanded by Gen. Jacob M. Campbell, of Johnstown.  He enlisted 
in Somerset in September, 1861, in Co. C, 54th P.V.I., under Captain Enoch D. 
Yutzy, later advanced to the post of Colonel in the 54th, and advanced rapidly 
until he himself attained the rank of Captain.  He was severely wounded at the 
battle of Kerntown, Va., July 24, 1864, but remained with his command until 
mustered out July 15, 1865.

Successful Educator

  Soon after peace was declared, Captain Sanner returned to Somerset and resumed 
teaching.  He was principal of the Somerset Borough schools for a number of 
terms before being chosen County Superintendent of Schools.
  Captain Sanner was a charter member of R. P. Cummins Post, G.A.R., and filled 
the office of Commander, and served in other official capacities.  He was also a 
prominent member of the Somerset County Veterans' Association. 
  He was an aggressive member of the Republican party from the time he reached 
voting age.  He served one term as Prothonotary, two terms as a member of the 
Legislature, and a number of years as Sealer of Weights and Measures.  He was 
Chairman of the Republican County Committee several terms.
  Capt. Sanner served as station agent for the Somerset & Mineral Point Railroad 
and as passenger conductor in the seventies, retiring to engage in the lumber 
business which he successfully followed for many years.  Later he acted as agent 
for several large coal companies in the securing of options.
  He was one of the oldest members of the Masonic Order in Pennsylvania and held 
the honor of being the first Worshipful Master of Somerset Lodge, which he 
helped to institute in 1863.  He was also a member of the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows.

Surviving Relatives

  Captain Sanner and Miss Lydia Catherine Huston, a teacher in the Somerset 
schools, were married Dec. 29, 1870.  Mrs. Sanner, affectionately termed "Aunt 
Lydia," by her former pupils and neighbors, survives along with these children: 
Mrs. Robert M. Harley, Ross R. Sanner, Recorder of Deeds of Cambria County; 
William H. Sanner and Omar Sanner, all of Johnstown, and Archie Sanner, B. & O. 
passenger conductor of Pittsburgh.  Their eldest son, Frank K. Sanner, passed 
away last May.  He was treasurer of the Somerset Trust Company at the time of 
his death.  Their second son, George, died before attaining his majority.
  He is survived also by ten grandchildren, a great-grandson, a great-
granddaughter and a brother, Cyrus Sanner, of Confluence.
  Mrs. Kate (Sanner) Hyatt, a sister of Captain Sanner, died at Confluence the 
11th inst.  His brother, Ross R. Sanner, who was also a distinguished soldier 
and educator, died in Confluence about ten years ago.  Mrs. Jennie Grimes, a 
sister, also died about 1921, and John Sanner, another brother, about 1927.
  Many years ago Captain Sanner was a member of the Baptist Church at 
Confluence.  At the time of his demise he was affiliated with the Christian 
Church, Somerset, where he was numbered among the oldest communicants.
  The funeral was held on Monday afternoon and was in charge of the officers of 
Somerset Lodge, F. & A. M.  Short services were held at the Harley home at 1:30 
o'clock, after which the cortege motored to the chapel at Husband Cemetery, 
Somerset, where Rev. J. J. Messenger, pastor of the Somerset Christian Church, 
was in charge of the funeral services, followed by the Masonic funeral rites.

Meyersdale Republican, May 28, 1931