Henry Breslin – Another Victim of Lykens Valley Bigotry?

Henry Breslin was born on 6 April 1846 in Gratz, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, the son of James Breslin Sr. (1821-1909), an immigrant from Donegal, Ireland, and a Roman Catholic, and his wife, Elizabeth [Hoffa] Breslin (1824-1901), of Gratz.  According to information in a Gratz history, the father was a cattle drover and hotel operator in Gratz.  But early in Henry’s life, the family moved to the area of Branch Township and Reilly Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania where the coal mines were in full operation and there was money to be made in the hotel and related businesses.  James Breslin operated a hotel known as the “Llewellyn Headquarters” and then entered politics where he was known as “The Democrat War Horse of Schuylkill County.”

Research is ongoing into the life of Henry Breslin to determine whether he was a victim of anti-Catholic bigotry.  Although he was a native of Gratz his name does not appear in any list of veterans from that place.  And, in his later association with Wiconisco and burial in a Lykens cemetery, he is not named on the Lykens G.A.R. Monument.  It was a well-known fact that that anti-Catholic sentiment was rampant in the Lykens Valley area in the post-Civil War period, especially during the 1920s when the Ku Klux Klan was at a peak during the middle of that decade.  While no specific incidents have been found to show that Henry Breslin was himself a victim, the fact that he is not recognized as a Civil War veteran by his birthplace and the place where he is buried is suspicious.

At the time of the Civil War, 19 February 1964, Henry Breslin enrolled in the 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry at Pottsville, and was mustered into service on the same date and at the same place as a Private.  He gave his age as 17 and indicated he was a laborer who was born in Schuylkill County and in 1864 was residing at Pottsville.  Other records dispute the place of birth and confirm that he was born in Gratz, Dauphin County.  His physical description was recorded as brown hair, a light complexion, grey eyes, and a height of 5 foot 6 inches.

During Henry’s service in the 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry, he was promoted to the rank of Corporal, 21 February 1865.  On 23 August 1865 he was mustered out with his company.

After the war, Henry returned to Branch Township, but by 1900, still working in the mines, he had re-located to Wiconisco, Dauphin County.  About 1870, he married Mary A. Daniel, and with her had at least eight known children.

The Pension Index Card, above from Fold3, indicates that Henry Breslin applied for a benefits on 11 October 1877, which he was awarded and collected to his death.

Henry lived a long life and died in Pottsville on 25 May 1932.  His obituary appeared in several local area newspapers.

From the Pottsville Republican, 26 May 1932:

Henry Breslin

Henry Breslin, aged 86, of Tower City, died at the home of his sister, Mrs. F. B. Parton, of Pottsville, on Wednesday evening.

He was a Civil War veteran and will be accorded military honors at his funeral which will take place on Saturday morning with interment to be made in Lykens.

He is survived by four sons:  William Breslin, Edward Breslin, Joseph Breslin, of Pottsville; Frank Breslin of Philadelphia; and two sisters, Mrs. F. B. Parton, of Pottsville, and Mrs. Sue Fessler, of Philadelphia.

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From the West Schuylkill Herald, 27 May 1932:

HENRY BRESLIN FUNERAL SATURDAY

Henry Breslin, 86 years, died at the home of his sister, Mrs. B. F. Patton, at Pottsville, on Wednesday evening, at 11 o’clock.  He was a Civil War veteran, having been a member of Company F, 7th Regiment, Pennsylvania Cavalry, and saw active service during the war.  Mr. Breslin formerly resided at Williamstown, and had been a resident of Tower City for several years.  He was an uncle of the late Mrs. J. F. Dreisigacker of Tower City.

The body was brought from Pottsville to the home of funeral director J. F. Dreisigacker on Thursday morning at 8 o’clock.  A requiem mass will be held in St. Mary’s Catholic Church, at Lykens at 9 o’clock, and burial will be made in the Catholic cemetery at that place.

To survive he leaves four sons, William Breslin, Edward Breslin, Joseph Breslin, and Frank Breslin, and two sisters, Mrs. B. F. Parton, of Pottsville, and Mrs. Susan Fessler of Philadelphia.

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Finally, from the Lykens Standard of 27 May 1932:

Henry Breslin

Henry Breslin, 86, a resident of Wiconisco until two years ago, died at the home of his sister, Mrs. B. F. Parton, Pottsville, Wednesday evening at 11 o’clock.

Mr. Breslin was born at Gratz, 9 April 1846.  He leaves to survive him four sons:  William Breslin, Edward Breslin, Joseph Breslin, and Frank Breslin.  Two sisters, Mrs. B. F. Parton of Pottsville, and Mrs. Susan Fessler of Philadelphia.  He was a Civil War veteran member of Company F., 7th Regiment Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Funeral services in charge of the Tower City American Legion will be held tomorrow morning at 9 o’clock in St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Lykens.  Rev. Father D. P. Reardon, will officiate.  Burial will be made in a local cemetery.

This post is a continuation of the reporting on hate groups that were active in the Lykens Valley area.  It was a widely known fact that the Ku Klux Klan had a significant presence in the Lykens Valley and adjacent valleys during the early years of the 20th Century.  This iteration of the Klan was strongly white supremacist and was opposed to equal rights for African Americans, Catholics, Jews, and immigrants.

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News clippings from Newspapers.com.

This post was first published on The Civil War Blog on 18 August 2018.

Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.