York County PA Archives Biographies.....Hanigan, David F. February 17, 1851 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Rosalie Sommer sommer@suscom.net October 23, 2005, 9:53 pm Author: Prowell History of York County Pennsylvania; Biographical; Volume II Chicago J. H. Beers & Co. 1907 DAVID F. HANIGAN was born in Hopewell township, York county, Feb. 17. 1851, and is a member of one of the pioneer families of that section of the Keystone State. Ramsey Hanigan, his father, was likewise born in Hopewell township, and was there reared to maturity. He principally followed charcoal burning up to the time of the Civil war. In September, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, 87th P. V. I., with which as first sergeant he proceeded to the front, continuing in service until the close of the war, and being second lieutenant of his company at the time of his discharge. He was wounded in the groin at the battle of Cold Harbor, and among the other important engagements in which he participated were the battles of the Wilderness, Cedar Creek, Chancellorsville and Petersburg, besides many others of minor importance. After the close of the war he returned to York county and engaged in farming in Hopewell township, where he passed the remainder of his life, his death occurring in 1870 when he was about fifty years of age. The wound which he received in battle, as noted above, never healed and finally caused a dropsical condition which resulted in his death. He was a Republican in his political adherency and during the administration of President Johnson served as mercantile appraiser and gauger. He was a consistent member of the Lutheran Church, as was also his wife, whose maiden name was Susan Hildebrand; she was born in Springfield township, York county, in 1821, and her death occurred in 1892, in Hopewell township. She was a daughter of John and Catherine (Raymer) Hildebrand, who were sterling pioneers of that county. Ramsey and Susan Hanigan became the parents of six children, namely: John, who married Amanda Ream, and is a resident of Hopewell township; David F.; Jane, wife of Joseph Rickard, of Hopewell township; Elizabeth, wife of John Ream, of Upper Chanceford township; Agnes, wife of Christian Newkirk, of Philadelphia; and Ramsey 0., residing in Upper Windsor township. William Flanigan, the paternal grandfather of David F., was born and reared in Ireland, whence he emigrated to America when a young man, landing in Baltimore and finally taking up his residence in York county, Pa., where he followed various vocations as a day laborer. He married Miss Fistle, of Hopewell township, and there they continued to reside until death. The Hanigans have been men of fine physique and mulch strength, save when impaired by disease. Of the children of William Hanigan the following record is made: Jacob died at the same time as his father, both having been taken ill after returning from a fishing trip; John, who died in Stewartstown, was a soldier in the Civil war and severely wounded at Petersburg: Oliver, who was likewise a valiant Union soldier, died in Hopewell township: Jeremiah died soon after the close of the war, at Glen Rock, York county, as a result of disease contracted while serving as a Union soldier; William, who likewise was a soldier in a Pennsylvania regiment, died in Hopewell township; Barbara, who became the wife of Henry Mitzel, died in the same township; Malvina, the wife of John Standiford, died in Baltimore county, Md.; Ramsey, father of David F., was the second in order of birth. David F. Hanigan obtained his early educational training in the common schools of York county, attending the Mt. Zion school, at Springfield, for several winters, and being engaged in school work at the time when his father went forth to do battle in defense of the Union. When the latter came home, to recuperate from his wound David besought his permission to enlist, but owing to his immaturity the request was refused. The boy, however, was determined on his course, although he was at the time little more than fourteen years of age. He surreptitiously left home and went to York to see Capt. Murray Cross, who failed to have him passed by the examiners, though he was of fine physical development and looked older than his years. The zealous young patriot then pushed on to Harrisburg, where he was refused the privilege of enlisting; but he determined to try once more. He proceeded to the barracks at Carlisle, where he succeeded in passing, much to his joy and satisfaction, and he was duly enlisted March 4, 1865, when he became a member of Company C, 102d P. V. I., under Captain Matthews. He joined his regiment in front of Petersburg and thereafter proceeded with his command through North Carolina, where he was taken severely ill, being sent to the hospital at City Point. Three weeks later he was sent to McKinn's hospital, in the city of Baltimore, and thence to Pittsburg, where he received his honorable discharge on Aug. 18, 1865. He took part in the engagement before Petersburg, where he received his "baptism of fire," and was one of the youngest soldiers in the Civil war. After Lee's surrender his command lay at Berksville Station, and to his bunkmate he said, "My father is in this corps: let's hunt his regiment." This they did, and the meeting of the boy and his father may he imagined as a joyful one. After his return home Mr. Hanigan was disqualified for active labor of any sort for a year, owing to the effects of his illness, which had been caused by drinking polluted water. After sufficiently recuperating his health, Mr. Hanigan removed to Missouri, and secured work in a steam sawmill, twenty miles from Hannibal. At the end of six months he was again taken ill, being incapacitated for the following half year, at the expiration of which he was able to return to his home. After his recovery he secured employment as a clay laborer, and after his marriage turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, beginning operations in Hopewell township, where he remained until 1880, when he came to Lower Windsor township. There he had charge of the cultivation of the Detwiler farm, which he operated on shares during the ensuing thirteen years. He then purchased his present place which comprises fifteen acres, while he also purchased sixty-two acres of woodland in Lower Windsor township, which he is reclaiming to cultivation. He remodeled the house and made other excellent improvements on his place. Mr. Hanigan is a prominent and popular member and has been commander of Lieut. R. W. Smith Post, No. 270, G. A. R., at Wrightsville. In politics he accords a stanch allegiance to the Republican party and he was reared in the faith of the Lutheran Church, though not now formally identified with any religious body. He served one term as school director the borough of Winterstown and also for one term as supervisor of Lower Windsor township. On Sept. 15, 1869, Mr. Hanigan was united in marriage to Anna R. Snyder, who was born in Hopewell township. York county, daughter of Jacob and Sarah Snyder, both of whom are now deceased: her father was a farmer by vocation. Children as follows have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hanigan; Barbara Alverda is the wife of John Kline, of Lower Windsor township; Odessa Blanche is the wife of Burman Fife, of East Prospect: Rutherford Burchard, who married Miss Elizabeth Dritt, is a resident of the city of Lancaster: Chester Garfield is in the first class in the United States navy, stationed at Norfolk, Va.: Carrie, Myrtle and Roscoe S. are at home; Matthew Stanley Quay died in infancy. This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/pafiles/ File size: 8.1 Kb