JOHN C. HEBEL, Liverpool, Perry county, Pa., was born December 13, 1838, in Halifax township, Dauphin county, Pa. He is a son of George and Rosanna (Matchett) Hebel. His grandfather, Henry Hebel, came from Germany some time after the Revolution and settled near Sunbury, Pa. His wife and son, George accompanied him. Early in the war of 1812, they were attacked in their country home by British soldiers, driven out and forced to hide themselves in a cornfield. After that occurance, Henry Hebel enlisted and lost his life on the battlefield. His widow removed to Millersburg, Pa. where she resided for the rest of her life. Besides their son, George, they had one daughter, Rebecca, who married Henry Rutter and went to reside in Ohio, where both died. George Hebel, who was a child at the time of their crossing the ocean, learned his trade, that of a millwright, with Stephen McCauley, in Lancaster or Berks county. Settling afterwards in Millersburg, he pursued his vocation in Dauphin and the adjacent counties. He built many of the mills now standing in Perry county. His wife, Rosanna Matchett, was born in 1811, and brought up near Halifax; after their marriage they resided for some time in Dauphin county, and about 1840, removed to Perry county where Mr. Hebel bought a farm of 64 acres in Buffalo township. He did not, however, relinquish his former calling, but cultivated his farm in addition to it; he also made patterns for foundry work. He was ingenious as well as industrious and seemed at home in any kind of work. He was active in politics, voting and working with the Republican party. The children of Mr. and Mrs. George Hebel are: David [Hebel], was in Co. B, Seventh Pennsylvania Reserves and served from 1863 to the end of the war of the Rebellion, married Miss Thompson and settled in Grand Rapids, Mich., where both died; William, died unmarried; Alfred, was also in the war and a prisoner in Libby Prison and at Andersonville, married Miss Buchanan, and now resides in Arkansas; James, enlisted in the Union army, was captured and taken to Libby Prison, has married and resides in Clearfield county, Pa.; Annie (Mrs. Shoop), lives in Ohio; Franklin S., is married and resides in Ohio; and seven children who died very young. Mrs. George Hebel died in 1877; Mr. Hebel died in Buffalo township, February 1884. His life was one of activity and usefulness. He was a member of the Lutheran church and in his later years he took an active part in its work. At the time of the removal of the family to Buffalo township John C. Hebel was two years old. He attended school in that township during the winter terms of three months. As soon as he was able to work, he was expected to give his help on the farm. At the age of eighteen, he learned stone-cutting with Joseph Eberly, at Millersburg, Pa., serving an apprenticeship of 2 years, and afterwards continuing for some time in Mr. Eberly’s employ as journeyman. In 1861, he enlisted at Liverpool in Co. B, Seventh Pennsylvania Reserves. The regiment being made up, was ordered to West Chester, Pa., and from that point in about 2 months to Washington, D.C., where it was encamped for a short time. They were next moved to winter quarters where they were engaged in drilling and doing guard duty. In the spring, they were ordered to Manassas Junction, where the rebels had erected fortifications. They took part in the battle at Mechanicsville, in which engagement Co. B had a few men wounded. After this, they performed guard duty for a time at Alexandria, Va. and were then ordered to White House Landing on the James river and became a part of the Army of the Potomac, under General McClellan. They next marched to Dranesville and fought through the first of the famous Seven Days; the next day they fought at Malvern Hill, which was followed by Gaines Mills, June 27, 1862; Charles City Cross Roads, June 30; Malvern Hill, July 1; Bull Run, August 28, 29, 30; South Mountain, September 14; Antietam, September 16, 17 and Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862. Mr. Hebel took part in eighteen battles, among them the great engagement at Gettysburg. He was discharged in Virginia, June 1, 1864 and came first to Philadelphia and then to his home. He has ever since followed his early calling through the summer months. John C. Hebel was married, February 28, 1865, to Hannah Resinger, a native of Buffalo township. Their children are: William Henry, married Miss Cauffman and resides in Buffalo township; Milton R., married Miss Buchanan, resides in Liverpool township; John V. married Flora Grubb, lives in Howe township; Ida May and Charles R. Mrs. Hebel died in August, 1895, aged about 42 years. Mr. Hebel is a deacon in the Lutheran church. In politics he is independent.
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.
