Gettysburg 150th: Casper Glattfelder’s family and the Civil War
This the scene from Heimwald, overlooking the North Codorus Township countryside where family patriarch Casper Glattfelder first settled in the 1700s. A large gathering – the annual Glattfelder reunion – will meet in these updated picnic grounds this summer to talk about the Glattfelders and the Civil War. ‘As part of the annual reunion, we will recognize
Glattfelder descendants who served in the war and the battle. Although we know the names of several ancestors who served in the war, we are looking for additional names, along with any photos, documents, letters or artifacts from the Civil War era to display at the reunion,” reunion news release states. ‘If you have such information, please contact Jean Robinson at jrobinson2335@comcast.net or Philip Glatfelter at glatfelterph@aol.com as soon as possible. For more information on the reunion, check out the Casper Glattfelder Association of America family website. Also of interest: Charles H. Glatfelter, distinguished historian: He would sign his kind letters ‘Charlie’.
Phil Glatfelter, mentioned as one of the information sources on the Glatfelter reunion, is the son the late historian Charles H. Glatfelter.
His email recently brought us up to date with all kinds of things relating to his father and the Glatfelter family.
So here are excerpts from his email:
“Certainly, our Glattfelder family was dealt a large blow with the deaths of my father and Art – (see Art Glatfelter: Forever a hero and friend of York) – within just over a week. We also lost a past president when Rev. J. Richard Glatfelter, who I believe was born in York (or used to live here), in October.
“As a side note, J. Richard was planning to come to the area about the time he passed away and have a conversation with my father that we were going to record for our association records. It’s a shame it never happened.
“From your dealings with my father, you know how meticulous he was about recording and keeping information. The amount of notes he had about York and Adams counties, and the Glattfelder family is mind-boggling. I’m sad that I can’t continue his work, but I never developed that interest. I am at least involved in the association in several ways – I’m in charge of the brick patio and our merchandise.
“For one reason or another, I never developed a relationship with Art; our paths seldom crossed. My most telling memory of him was one day at the park as my father and I were working on something with the brick patio. Also there were Art and another board member, Jack (a former Gettysburg postmaster). They were nailing down the flooring used for a pavilion extension. Art’s support of the association was extensive, including hands-on work.
“My father … was immensely proud of the association, and will be greatly missed at this year’s reunion. I will have to sit down and figure it out, but it will probably be the first time in 70-some years that Charles H. Glatfelter will not be part – a big part – of the reunion.
“Over the years, one of the things Dad would often point out is that the reunion brings family members “home.” That’s very appropriate because, as you may now, Heimwald Park, where the reunion is held, means ‘Home Woods.'”
“Now my father is with my mother, so it can said that he is ‘home.’ ”
Also of interest
What family has at least 8 ways to spell its name?
*Photo courtesy CGAA 100th anniversary book
