Abraham Golder (1831 – 1912)

Abraham Golder was born on January 18, 1831, in Stillwater, Pennsylvania,1 and spent most of his life in Columbia County. He pursued various occupations including laborer, carpenter, and miller, reflecting the versatility required for survival in 19th-century rural America. Golder married Mary Brosius, and the couple had several children, contributing to the Golder family lineage in the region. In 1863, during the Civil War, Abraham registered for the draft, though there is no evidence of his active service.

Later in life, Abraham lived with his son Marvin’s family, indicating a close-knit family structure. He passed away on March 9, 1912. Abraham Golder’s life encapsulates the experience of many Americans of his era, navigating through various roles and responsibilities while maintaining strong family ties. He is buried in Stillwater, where he spent his entire life, marking a full circle from birth to death in his hometown.

The Trail of Tears and Westward Expansion

Abraham was born during the era of Andrew Jackson. During his early years, Jackson’s policies led to the Indian Removal Act and the Trail of Tears (1838-1839), forcing the relocation of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands in the Southeast to territories west of the Mississippi River. The country was growing, with new states being added to the Union, and the concept of Manifest Destiny was taking hold, promoting the idea that the U.S. was destined to expand across the North American continent.

1840 United States Census

In 1840, Abraham lived with his father, Peter Golder, his mother, 2 sisters, and two brothers in Stillwater, Pennsylvania. This information can be extrapolated by the information listed for Peter Golder in the 1840 census. Abraham was a boy between 5 and 10 years old. Also listed were one boy and one girl under 5, a girl between 5 and 10, a boy between 10 and 15, a woman between 20 and 30, and a man between 40 and 50.2

Stillwater, Pennsylvania

1850 United States Census

In 1850, Abraham, 20, lived with his parents, Peter, 42, and Martha Golder (spelled Goulder), 41, and his siblings: Elizabeth J., 18, Daniel, 14, Cordelia, 12, Mary E., 9, and Hiram, 2, in Fishing Creek, Columbia County, Pennsylvania. Abraham was a laborer and Peter was a farmer. Everyone was born in Pennsylvania. Abraham, Elizabeth, Daniel, and Cordelia had attended school in 1850, though Mary was probably the student and not Abraham. Martha was unable to read or write.3

Fishing Creek, Columbia County, Pennsylvania

1860 United States Census

In 1860, 29-year-old Abraham (listed Abm) lived with his wife, Mary A., 24, and three children: Daniel, 6, Flora A., 3, and Martha, 2. They lived in Fishing Creek, Columbia County, Pennsylvania, with Vancamp listed as the post office.4

Civil War and Reconstruction

The Civil War (1861-1865) was a defining conflict in American history, centered on the issue of slavery. Golder registered for the draft in the Union Army in 1863, reflecting the widespread mobilization of men, although there is no record of his active service. Following the war, the Reconstruction era (1865-1877) sought to rebuild the South and integrate formerly enslaved people into American society, although it faced significant resistance and challenges.

1863 Civil War Draft Registration

In July 1863, at 31, Abraham registered for the Civil War draft alongside his brothers, Daniel, 28, and Benjamin Golder, 34. All three lived in Fishing Creek, Pennsylvania, and Abraham was a carpenter, married, and born in Pennsylvania.5

1864 Drafted for Civil War

In the Bloomsburg newspaper, The Star of the North, a list of people drafted to the Civil War, including Abraham, on December 21, 1864, although there is no record that he served.6

1870 United States Census

In 1870, Abraham, 35, lived with his wife, Mary A., 30, and children: Daniel, 15, Flora A., 13, Martha, 10, and J. Agnes, 8 in Fishing Creek, Columbia County, Pennsylvania. All were born in Pennsylvania. Abraham was a miller, and all the children were in school. Abraham’s real estate was worth $400 and his personal estate, $300. Abraham’s parents, Peter and Martha Golder, were their neighbors, as indicated by their listing in the prior household in the census.7

1880 United States Census

In 1880, Abraham, 49, lived with his wife, Mary A., 40, and their children, Agnes, 15, Marvin, 9, and Ireanie, 7, in Briarcreek Township, Columbia County, Pennsylvania. Abraham was a miller, Mary kept house, and Agnes was “at home.” Only Marvin attended school, though he could not read. Everybody was born in Pennsylvania, as were their parents.8

1887 Columbia County, Pennsylvania, Biographies

In 1887, a biography for Benjamin Golder, Abraham’s eldest brother, was printed in The History of Columbia and Montour Counties, noting that Abraham was married to Mary Brosius and lived in Mordansville, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.9

Mordansville, Pennsylvania

1900 United States Census

In 1900, Abraham (spelled Abram) was 69, born in December 1930, and widowed. He lived with his son, Marvin, 29 (born February 1871), daughter-in-law, Carrie, 27 (born February 1873), and grandson Warren A. 9 (born July 1890). Warren owned a mortgaged house in Center Township, Columbia County, Pennsylvania, and he was a miller. Marvin had been married for 10 years. Warren had attended 6 months of school and everyone could read, write, and speak English.10

Center Township, Columbia County, Pennsylvania

1910 United States Census

In 1910, Abraham, at 79, still lived with his son Marvin W., 38, daughter-in-law Carrie, 36, and grandchildren, Warren A., 20, and Melva I., 9. The family owned a house on a farm in Center Township, Pennsylvania. Abraham was a miller at a grain mill, Marvin was a self-employed merchant at a general store, and Warren was a public school teacher, though he had been unemployed 22 weeks of the prior year. Both Warren and Melva attended school. Marvin and Carrie had been married for 21 years. Everybody in the household could read and write except for Melva.11

Death of Abraham Golder – March 9, 1912

Abraham died in Center Township, Columbia County, Pennsylvania, of paralysis due to old age on March 9, 1912, at 81 years, 10 months, and 9 days old. He was a widower and a miller. His parents were Atwood Golder and Martha McHenry, both native to Pennsylvania, and the informant on his death certificate was his son, M. W. Golder. He was buried in Stillwater.12

Abraham Golder’s life spanned many transformative periods, providing him a front-row seat to the dynamic and often turbulent changes in American society. His experiences reflect the broader national narratives of conflict, economic transformation, and social progress.

Sources

  1. Jim Andrews, The Stillwater Covered Bridge, “Visitors Bureau Releases New Covered Bridge Passport Program,” 1 October 2021, Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau (https://itourcolumbiamontour.com/visitors-bureau-releases-new-covered-bridge-passport-program/ : accessed 3 June 2024). ↩︎
  2. 1840 U.S. Census, Columbia County, Pennsylvania, Stillwater Township, population schedule, p. 286 (inferred); Peter Golder, image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 Jan 2021), NARA microfilm publication M704, roll 449, FHL film 0020540. ↩︎
  3. 1850 U.S. Census, Columbia County, Pennsylvania, population schedule, Fishing Creek Township, p. 199A (stamped), p. 106 (penned), dwelling 112, family 113, Abram Goulder, image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 January 2021), citing NARA microfilm publication M432, roll 769. ↩︎
  4. 1860 U.S. Census, Columbia County, Pennsylvania, population schedule, Fishing Creek, p. 751, Abm Golder, image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 January 2021), citing NARA microfilm publication M653, microfilm 805098. ↩︎
  5. “U.S., Civil War Draft Registrations Records, 1863-1865,” image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 January 2021), 13th Congressional District, Class 1, Abraham Golder, Pennsylvania, p. 153, Consolidated Enrollment Lists, 1863–1865 (Civil War Union Draft Records), Records of the Provost Marshal General’s Bureau (Civil War), Record Group 110, citing NARA, Nm-65, Entry 172. ↩︎
  6. “List of Drafted Men of Columbia County: Fishingcreek Township,” The Star of the North, Bloomsburg, PA, 21 December 1864, p. 2. col, 6, image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-star-of-the-north/67029449/ : accessed 18 January 2021), clip page by user genistory. ↩︎
  7. 1870 U.S. Census, Columbia County, Pennsylvania, population schedule, Fishing Creek Township, Fishing Creek Post Office, p. 188A (stamped), p. 13 (penned), dwelling 107, family 106, Abraham Golder, image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 January 2021), citing NARA microfilm publication M593, microfilm 552828. ↩︎
  8. 1880 U.S. Census, Columbia County, Pennsylvania, population schedule, Briar Creek Township, enumeration district (ED) 167, p. 90 (stamped), p. 5A (penned), dwelling 35, family 41, Abraham Goulder, image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 January 2021), citing NARA microfilm publication T9, roll 1118. ↩︎
  9. J. H. Battle, The History of Columbia and Montour Counties, “Fishingcreek Township,” transcription, Rootsweb.com (https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~jowest/books/Research/CCBios1.htm#B_Golder : accessed 18 January 2021), entry for B. Franklin Edgar. ↩︎
  10. 1900 U.S. Census, Columbia County, Pennsylvania, population schedule, Center Township, enumeration district (ED) 9, p. 184 (stamped), p. 4A (penned), dwelling 67, family 70, Abram Golder, image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 January 2021), citing NARA microfilm publication T623, roll 1241398. ↩︎
  11. 1910 U.S. Census, Columbia County, Pennsylvania, population schedule, Center Township, enumeration district (ED) 15, p. 260 (stamped), p. 4A (penned), dwelling 56, family 58, Abraham Golder, image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 January 2021), citing NARA microfilm publication T624, microfilm 1375347, roll 1334. ↩︎
  12. “Pennsylvania Death Certificates, 1906-1963” image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 January 2021), record for Abraham Golder, 11 March 1912. ↩︎

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