Biography of Benjamin B. Welser
Benjamin B. Welser was born in Philadelphia 1813, son of Lorenzo Welser. Lorenzo Welser was born in Philadelphia and was a Ward Master at the Philadelphia hospital in the War of 1812 and later a doctor on Dock Street in Philadelphia.
In 1840 Benjamin Welser was living in Southwark Ward 4 Philadelphia, in 1850 in New Castle, Delaware. He married in 1835 Elizabeth Chase, who was born in 1817 in Massachusetts. They had four children: George born 1836, Benjamin B born 1842, Ebenezer born 1845, and Frances born 1847. Benjamin Welser was a shoemaker. His daughter Frances married in 1864 William Bruce Waite who had served in the 8th Illinois Cavalry – see below.
Benjamin B. Welser was 51 when he enlisted February 27, 1864 in Company B, 2nd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, 112th Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiment.
Regimental and Battle Flags 112th Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiments and 2nd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery.
The 2nd Pennsylvania was at one time the largest regiment in the Union Army. It manned the defenses of Washington until May, 1864 when it was reviewed by President Lincoln as it marched past the White House on the way to Virginia.
Typical Heavy Unions Civil War Artillery Company
In June, 1864 it fought in the Battle of Cold Harbor and then joined the Siege of Petersburg where it fought in the Battle of the Crater. In a night march July 29-30 Benjamin Welser fell and was trampled. The regiment was reassigned to the Bermuda Hundred area in August, 1864 where Welser was eventually discharged on Surgeon’s certificate January 2, 1865 as a Private.
He returned to Chester where he served as an Alderman of the city. His service resulted in permanent injury and in his later years he lived at the Veterans home at Fortress Monroe, Virginia. He died April 8, 1887 in Chester and is buried in the Chester Rural Cemetery in the Soldiers’ Circle Row 1 Grave 17.
William Bruce Waite was born in 1839 in Monroe County, New York, son of Major Waite 1804-1860, and Orilla Harrington 1806-1880. His parents were born in Vermont and eventually moved to Boston, Erie County, New York. William was a carpenter and moved to northern Illinois where he enlisted September 15, 1861 in Company M of the 8th Illinois Cavalry.
8th Illinois Cavalry Flag
William Bruce Waite fought at the Battle of Antietam.
Battle of Antietam
He contracted typhoid fever and was eventually sent to McClellan Army Hospital in Philadelphia where he was discharged October 14, 1864. His discharge certificate, which I have, describes him as 5’6” tall, blue eyes, light hair, and a carpenter. He married Frances Welser of Chester, Pennsylvania, and settled there as a ship-builder. They had six children: Elizabeth born 1865, Clara B. born 1867, William Nelson born 1871, Helen B. born 1874, Florence born 1877, and Frances born 1880. He died April 25, 1894 and is buried in Chester Rural Cemetery.
Helen B. Waite 1874-1945 married in 1891
Another Rightmyer ancestor - a collateral, but one who fought at Bentonville.
Aaron Rightmyer was born in Reading, Pennsylvania, March 17, 1815, son of George Adam Rightmyer 1768-1834 and Elizabeth Levan 1774-1848. His younger brother William 1822-1875 is my father’s father’s father. Aaron married September 22, 1839 Catharine Berlet 1814-1905. They had three sons, William A. 1841-1918, John, born 1843 died before 1905, and Lewis B. 1847-1903. Aaron enlisted February 28, 1864 in Company E, 46th Pennsylvania Volunteers.
Regimental Flag
The 46th Regiment fought with Sherman through Georgia and at the Battle of Bentonville, North Carolina.
Battle of Bentonville, NC
The regiment marched in the Grand Parade and was mustered out July 16, 1865. He died April 10, 1874 and is buried in Charles Evans Cemetery, Reading, PA, Grave A-1 Lot 1.
Compiled and Submitted By: Thomas Nelson Rightmyer
Member - Sons of Veterans of the Civil War
Major General Thomas H. Ruger Camp #1
