Aquilla Spencer Stover (1844 – 1912) – The son of John Phillip Stover and Sophia Shreffler, he was born on May 21, 1844. A civil war veteran, he served in the 39th Regiment, Company E – 10th Reserve, Pennsylvania for three years, mustering in on September 1, 1861, then transferring to the 190th Regiment on May 31, 1864. He fought in the battles of Mechanicsville, Charles City Crossroads, the second battle of Bull Run, Antietam, and Gettysburg. Aquilla married Catherine Delo, the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Delo, on November 3, 1881 and had seven children. His daughter, Grace Josephine Stover, married Ezra Wilson Bryner. According to census records Aquilla Stover was a teamster working in the lumber industry. Aquilla Stover died in his sleep on August 1, 1912. His Clarion Newspaper Obituary from August 1912 reads as follows:
Aquilla Spencer Stover – On Thursday morning of last week when Mrs. Stover called her husband to prepare for his day”s work, she found him just becoming cold in death. On the evening before he was as well as usual and enjoyed the company of some of his neighbors but the next morning his friends found him lifeless. He was one of the best known men in the community in which he lived and was a life-long resident of Shippenville and vicinity. He was born May 21st, 1844. He was a faithful defender of the Union during the Civil War, having served his country for almost three years, in the Tenth Pennsylvania Reserves and during the latter part of his service in the 190th Pennsylvania Regiment.
In 1881 he was married to Catherine E. Delo, by whom he is survived as also by six daughters as follows: Mrs. John Perret, Elk County; Mrs. E. W. Bryner and Mrs. Edward Swartz of Shippenville; and Margaret, Sarah and Emma at home.
The deceased is also survived by ten grandchildren and six sisters: Mrs. Shively, Shively, Pa.; Mrs. Beck, New Bethlehem, Mrs. Cook, Titusville; Mrs. McLaughlin and Mrs. Delo, Oil City.
Funeral services were held on Sunday afternoon in the Lutheran church, Rev. Chas. Lambert, the pastor of the family, officiating. The large church was none too large for the many friends who assembled to pay the last tribute of respect, and to express sympathy to the family, who have been so suddenly robbed of their support.
Currently a resident of Burke, Virginia - I'm originally from the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I have been a student of the Pennsylvania Reserves since 1997 and thoroughly enjoy telling their story. By trade I'm a former IT Professional but presently working as a Letter Carrier for the United States Postal Service.
