John Philip Dauth, father of William L., was born Oct. 29, 1840, at Philadelphia Pa. He was educated in the public schools of Reading, to which city he was brought when three years of age. He was reared in the family of the late John Mellert from the age of nine years, and when ten years old began to learn the tinsmith, plumbing and gas fitting trades with his father. He was one of the first of the young men to show a willingness to offer his life and services to his county in the Civil war. His services merit an extended account and hereby is attached as nearly a complete army record as it has been possible to secure.
John P. Dauth was enrolled at Reading, April 7, 1861, and was mustered into the State service at Camp Easton on the seventh of the following June. He was in Company F, 3d P. R. V. C., as musician, and this regiment served in the First Brigade, McCall’s Division, Army of the Potomac. They were there drilled until June 27, when they were sent on to Washington, D. C., to protect the capital of the country. On July 27, 1861, there were mustered into the United States service, and a division was formed in Tennallytown, where they laid several months. From there they came to Camp Pierpont where they were quartered for the winter. The first fight was at Tennallytown, where a decisive victory was won. The other engagements were as follows: reconnoitred to Drainsville Oct. 19, 21, 1861; skirmish near Drainsville. Dec. 20th; advanced on Manassas, March 10, 14, 1862; to the Peninsula, June 8-11; Seven Days battle, June 26 to July 1; battle of Mechanicsville (Beaver Dam Station); battle of Gaines’ Mill, June 27; Charles City Cross Roads (White Oak Swamp), June 30; Malvern Hill, July 1; movement to reenforce Pope, Aug. 14-23; Northern Virginia campaign, Aug. 24 to Sept. 2; battle of Gainesville, Aug. 28; Groveton, Aug. 29; Bull Run, Aug. 30-31; Chantilly, Sept. 1; Maryland campaign, Sept. 6-20; South Mountain, Sept. 14; Antietam, Sept. 16-17; moved to near Warrenton, Oct. 26 to Nov. 6; Fredericksburg, Dec. 12-15; Hamilton’s Crossing, Dec. 13; Burnside’s second campaign, Jan. 20-24, 1863; duty in defense of Washington, February, 1863, to January 1864; moved to Martinsburg, W. Va., Jan. 5-7, 1864; expedition from New Creek to Moorefield, Jan. 31 to Feb. 6; raid on Virginia Central R. R., April 30 to May 19; marched over Cotton and Great Flat Top Mountains, May 2-5; forced march to Cloyd Mountain, May 7-8; action on Bush Mountain, May 9; New River Bridge, May 10; pursuit to Salt Pond Mountain, May 12; veterans and recruits formed into a battalion and served in Gen. Crook’s campaign from Meadow Bluff to Gaston, May 31 to June 5; skirmish through Pond Gas, June 6-8; Hunter’s Lynchburg raid, June 9-18; skirmish near Brownsburg, June 10; capture of Lexington, June 11; destruction of the Military Institute at Lexington, June 12, 1864; action near Liberty, June 16; before Lynchburg, June 17-18; Diamond Hill, June 17; retreat to Meadow Bluff, June 18-25, 1864. Mr. Dauth entered the service as a musician, was wounded in the second battle of Bull Run, Va., Aug. 31, 1862 (gunshot in left leg); also in battle of Antietam, Md., Sept. 17, 1862 (gunshot in left arm), and was mustered out June 30, 1864.
After the close of his military service, Mr. Dauth engaged in business for himself at No. 754 Penn street, Reading, where he continued until 1902, since which time his sons have continued the business at No. 18 South Eighth street. He retains his building on Penn street. He is the owner and proprietor of the Reading Granite Quarry, located at Mohnton, Pa., where he has given as many as thirty-five men employed at one time.
On April 23, 1865, John P. Dauth was married to Amanda Graul, a daughter of Samuel B. Graul, whose history appears in this volume. They had four children, namely: Adalaid M.; William L; John S., born Aug. 22, 1875, died March 31, 1876; and Luther G., born at Reading, Sept. 13, 1877. Mr. Dauth and family are members of Old Trinity Lutheran Church of Reading, in which he has been very active and was connected with the Sunday-school for many years after he returned from the army. Fraternally he is a member of Chandler Lodge, No. 227 F. & A. M.; Excelsior Chapter, No. 237; Reading Commandery, No. 42, and a charter member of Rajah Temple. Formerly he belonged to Lu Lu Temple of Philadelphia. He organized Washington Camp., No. 61, P. O. S. of A., at Reading, in 1860, passed all the chairs and is still a member. He belongs also to Oley Lodge of I. O. O. F., is the father of that order at Reading, and is a past grand, having served five times. In politics he is an independent Democrat, and served as a member of the Reading common council in 1879-80-81 and 1882.
To the large business built up by John P. Dauth the sons William L. and Luther G. have still further added and now control a large part of the city trade in their line.
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.
