Husband: Caleb PARFET (1), (3)thru(9), (11)thru(14), (16,17,18,21,22,24,25,26,31)
Birthdate: October 28, 1834
Birthplace: Wales
Death date: March 1, 1906
Place of death: Williamstown, Dauphin Co., PA
Burial: Odd Fellows Cemetery, Lykens, Dauphin Co., PA
Father: James PARFET (1)
Mother: Ann PARFET (D-Sept 25, 1870) (1)

Marriage date: December 12, 1863
Marriage place: Tremont Methodist Church, Tremont, Schuylkill Co., PA

Wife: Henrietta PINKERTON (1,2,5,7,9,10,11,14,15,25)
Birthdate: August 28, 1839
Birthplace: Wiconisco, Dauphin Co., PA
Death date: July 2, 1893
Place of death: Dauphin County Asylum
Burial: Odd Fellows Cemetery (IOOF) Lykens, Dauphin Co., PA
Father: George PINKERTON (1797-1875) (2,8,10)
Mother: Margaret WRIGHT (1803-1882) (2,10)

CHILDREN

Child No. 1: Charles Elmer (7,9,18,20,23,24)
Sex: M
Birthdate: September 1864
Birthplace: Lykens, Dauphin Co., PA
Death date: October 1902
Place of death: Dauphin County, PA
Burial: Calvary Methodist Cemetery, Wiconisco, Dauphin Co., PA
Marriage date: unknown
Marriage place: Lykens, Dauphin Co., PA
Spouses' names: Maggie Louise MUCHER (18,20,23)

Child No. 2: George W. (7,9,19,24,25,27,29)
Sex: M
Birthdate: May 1866
Birthplace: Dauphin Co., PA
Death date: 1935
Place of death: Lykens, Dauphin Co., PA
Burial: Calvary Methodist Cemetery, Wiconisco, Dauphin Co., PA
Marriage date: unknown
Marriage place: unknown
Spouses' names: Flora A. HAWK (1871-1947) (19,27)

Child No. 3: Cyrus F. (7,9)
Sex: M
Birthdate: January 1868
Birthplace: Wiconisco, Dauphin Co., PA
Death date: April 26, 1898
Place of death: Lykens, Dauphin Co., PA
Burial: Union Cemetery, Lykens, Dauphin Co., PA.
Marriage date: August 15, 1895
Marriage place: Wiconisco, Dauphin County, PA
Spouses' names: Mary Abby ARMSTRONG

Child No. 4: Emily "Emma" M. (1,7)
Sex: F
Birthdate: Febuary 24, 1870
Birthplace: Wiconisco, Dauphin Co., PA
Death date: March 22, 1871
Place of death: Wiconisco, Dauphin Co., PA
Burial: IOOF Cemetery, Lykens, Dauphin Co., PA
Marriage date:
Marriage place:
Spouses' names:

Child No. 5: Daisy M. (9,21,24,25)
Sex: F
Birthdate: 1873
Birthplace: Wiconisco, Dauphin Co., PA
Death date: unknown
Place of death: unknown
Burial:
Marriage date: August 26, 1894
Marriage place: Lykens, Dauphin Co., PA
Spouses' names: James M. WERT (24,25)

Child No. 6: Annie I. (1)
Sex: F
Birthdate: June 13, 1874
Birthplace: Wiconisco, Dauphin Co. PA
Death date: July 21, 1875
Place of death: Wiconisco, Dauphin Co., PA
Burial: IOOF Cemetery, Lykens, PA
Marriage date:
Marriage place:
Spouses' names:

Child No. 7: Minnie A. (9,18,24,25)
Sex: F
Birthdate: December 1876
Birthplace: Wiconisco, Dauphin Co., PA
Death date: unknown
Place of death: Williamstown, Dauphin Co., PA
Burial:
Marriage date: August 28, 1900
Marriage place: Williamstown, Dauphin Co., PA
Spouses' names: William H. LEBO (25)

Child No. 8: James Frank (1,9,18,25)
Sex: M
Birthdate: October 1878
Birthplace: Wiconisco, Dauphin Co., PA
Death date: unknown
Place of death: unknown
Burial:
Marriage date: unknown
Marriage place: unknown
Spouses' names: unknown

Child No. 9: Caleb Benjamin (a twin) (9)
Sex: M
Birthdate: March 1880
Birthplace: Wiconisco, Dauphin Co., PA
Death date: Before 1900
Place of death: Wiconisco, Dauphin Co., PA
Burial:
Marriage date: unknown
Marriage place: unknown
Spouses' names: unknown

Child No. 10: William L. (a twin) (1,18,22,24,25,28,30)
Sex: M
Birthdate: March 1880
Birthplace: Wiconisco, Dauphin Co., PA
Death date: After 1920
Place of death: unknown
Marriage date: unknown
Burial:
Marriage place: unknown
Spouses' names: unknown
 
 
Documentation:
  1. Tombstone Inscriptions: I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Lykens, Dauphin Co., PA. On-site visit, Sharon P. WAYLAND, Dorothy, Harold and Lee PINKERTON, September 1993: One Obelisk shaped stone 9 feet tall: Side 1 CALEB PARFET, Died March 1906 Age 71y 4mos 2days; Side 2 HENRIETTA, Wife of Caleb Died July 2, 1893 Age 53 y 10 mo 4 days; Side 3 Ann, wife of James PARFET Died Sept 25, 1870 Age 84 yrs 6 mo 5 days; Side 4 Emily M. D March 22, 1871 1 yr 18 days; Annie I. D July 21, 1875".
  2. 1850 Federal Census Tremont, Schuylkill County, PA: "George PINKERTON, 54, Carpenter, $800; Margaret, 50; Maria 24; Hiram, 21, Carpenter; Catharine 17; Joseph 15; Sarah 12; Henrietta 10; Emma 9; George 7; Sarah 4."
  3. American Civil War Soldiers Ancestry.com, database on-line: Caleb PARFET service record: Enlisted as Private on November 2, 1862, mustered out on August 18, 1863 in Harrisburg, PA, Side Served - Union, State Served - Pennsylvania."
  4. Pennsylvania State Archives, ARIAS, Civil War Card File 1861-1866: "Caleb PARFET, K - 173, 4 - 1211".
  5. Tremont Methodist Episcopal Church, Tremont, Schuylkill County, PA, Marriage Records: Henrietta PINKERTON married Caleb PARFET, December 12, 1863.
  6. Samuel P. BATES, "History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-5" prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, 1869: On Hundred and Seventy-third Regiment, Company K, recruited in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, p3 - "Caleb PARFET" named on roster list.
  7. 1870 Federal Census Berrysburg, Wiconisco Twp, Dauphin Co., PA: "Caleb PARFET, 30, Miner, Henrietta, 31, Charles E. 5, George W, 3, Cyrus F., 2, Emma M. 2/12 born - March 1870."
  8. 1875 Map of Tremont, PA with property owners shown, Schuylkill County Historical Society (Caleb PARFET shown as the owner of the property on W. Main Street adjoining the property of G. PINKERTON).
  9. 1880 Federal Census Wiconisco Twp, Dauphin Co., PA "Caleb PARFET, 46, Coal Miner, Henrietta, 38, Elmer 15, Laborer, George W., 14, Laborer, Cyrus F., 12,Laborer, Daisy, 7, Minnie, 3, Frank 2, Caleb Benjamin 3/12."
  10. Will of George PINKERTON, Schuylkill County Will Book 4, p216-217.
  11. Schuylkill County Orphan's Court Docket #20: p289, 290 "Henrietta intermarried with Caleb PARFET; p292 "Henrietta PARFET wife of Caleb PARFET of Wiconisco, Dauphin County; p.296 "Henrietta, wife of Caleb PARFET".
  12. 11th Federal Census (1890) - Special veterans Schedule - Surviving Soldiers, Sailors and Marines and Widows, etc., Wiconisco, Dauphin County, PA: "Caleb PARFET, Private Company K, 173 PA Inf., Date of Enlistment- October 16, 1862, Date of Discharge- August 17, 1863, Length of Service - 8 months, 10 days." (Not yet a pensioner)
  13. Federal Pension Application File: "PARFET, Caleb, Co. K., 173 PA Infantry, fill designation #SC 866-638. National Archives and Record Administration, Washington, DC.
  14. "The Bugle", Quarterly Journal of the Camp Curtin Historical Society and Civil War Round Table, Harrisburg, Dauphin County, PA, Vol. 95: "Not Due to Vicious Habits - - - Obtaining a Veteran's Pension", by George F. NAGLE: "Caleb PARFET was two weeks away from celebrating his 28th birthday when he was called to service with the 173rd Drafted Militia, Company K, from his home in Wiconisco in the upper reaches of Dauphin County. A coal miner by trade and heritage - as a child, PARFET had emigrated from Wales with his family who settled in the rich anthracite coal fields of Central Pennsylvania - he, like many of the tightly knit Welsh community, resisted voluntary involvement in the war, but served honorably with the regiment throughout its nine months existence when called to do so. His regiment saw little or no fighting, and spent most of the winter and spring in guard duty around Norfolk, Virginia. Following the battle of Gettysburg, the 173rd was assigned to the Eleventh Corps in the pursuit of Lee, but soon found itself again assigned to guard duty around the Orange and Alexandria Railroads. In August of 1863, the regiment returned to Harrisburg to be mustered out, and PARFET returned to his work as a coal miner. His status in the community, however, improved as a result of his veteran status. He soon caught the eye of a local girl, Henrietta PINKERTON and in December they were married in nearby Tremont. Over the course of the next seventeen years the couple raised nine children. Mining provided the daily meat and bread on the table for the large family, although by the time PARFET reached his late fifties, asthma, probably aggravated by the daily inhalation of coal dust and the many noxious fumes present in mines, was making the daily trip into the mines nearly intOlerable for the old soldier. In addition to breathing problems PARFET also suffered from heart problems and a partially disabled left hand resulting from a premature dynamite explosion in 1969 at Short Mountain Colliery. He decided to apply for an "Invalid Pension" in June, 1892, at age 57. The Pension Act of June 27, 1890 provided for between 6 and 12 dollars per month for an honorable discharged soldier who had served at least ninety days, and whose "permanent physical disability was not due to vicious habits." PARFET qualified under those conditions and filed the proper forms through Wiconisco Justice of the Peace, George A. PINKERTON (his brother-in-law) with the Washington D.C. law firm of William B. GREENE and Company, paying ten dollars to have that law firm handle his claim with the Committee on Invalid Pensions. In his initial application, PARFET claimed disability based upon "asthma, cardiac weakness and partially disable left hand. It took a month for the War Department to validate PARFET'S wartime service with the 173rd regiment, which was not an unreasonable length of time based upon the flood of applications that were pouring into the Commission's offices each day. Further proof of his disability was required, however and in September 1892, Justice of the Peace PINKERTON again filled out an affidavit verifying that PARFET'S barely functional left hand was not disabled due to vicious habits. This had to be subsequently bolstered by the testimony of John O'LEARY and John KEAN, two workmen who were with PARFET when the explosion crippled his hand. In an affidavit filed in April, 1893, O'Leary testified that he witnessed "the premature explosion which resulted in the laceration of PARFET'S entire left hand and causing the amputation of his left hand little finger." KEAN testified that he "saw his hand shortly after the accident, having set up with him all night." This testimony necessitated another check with the War Department, who in October, 1893 again verified PARFET'S wartime service. Mostly satisfied that the pension applicant did indeed suffer a disabled left hand, the Committee then challenged his disability due to asthma and heart problems. An affidavit filed in October from Wiconisco physician, Dr. Charles D. CHRISTMAN stated that PARFET was "disabled from manyal labor from asthmatic trouble to the extent of one half and injury of the left hand both troubles which are of a permanent character also not due to vicious habits." Dr. Christman added that he had been acquainted with PARFET for the last sixteen years and knew him to be a man of temperate habits. More affidavits were filed that same month, from James ...It cannot be claimed that the character of the individual was cause for suspicion in delaying claims. PARFET was well respected in his community, to the extent that his everyday activities were sometimes reported in the local newspaper, The "Lykens Register", as community news. One item noted "Caleb PARFET has weatherboarded in part and given one coat of paint to his property on the corner of Pottsville and Spring streets." Another item noted "Caleb PARFET was the only army man from this place, who left Monday for the G.A.R. encampment at Buffalo, N.Y." If character was the sole factor, men like PARFET should have been approved nearly immediately. But delays, sometimes of more than ten years, were commonplace. Quite a few applicants - veterans of Antietam, Shiloh, Gettysburg, Cold Harbor - survivors of years of bad food, disease, intolerable sanitary conditions, and harsh weather - died, impoverished, while waiting for the government to approve their application. Caleb PARFET applied for and received increases in his pension every few years, always with a battery of paperwork to back up his claim of failing health. He died 1in 1906 at the age of 72, his passing noted, appropriately enough with a standard form in his pension file, as follows: "Sir, I have the honor to report that the above named pensioner who was last paid at $12, to Feb. 4, 1906, has been dropped because of death."
  15. Dauphin Co. Deaths 1893-1906: 1893 "Henrietta PINKERTON PARFET, 53 years 10 months 4 days, died of Consumption in Asylum".
  16. Schuylkill County Deed Index, Grantor Index No 1, p34. Schuylkill County Courthouse, Pottsville, PA, (Caleb selling property): Caleb PARFET, grantor, Susan PINKERTON, grantee, Date of Deed 8-22-1894, Date of Record 9-3- 1894, Book 244, p2. Property - Lot 25, Tremont, Schuylkill County, PA.
  17. "Lykens Register", Lykens, PA August-September, 1897 (as cited by G.F.Nagel above) "Caleb PARFET has weatherboarded in part and given one coat of paint to his property on the corner of Pottsville and Spring streets." "Caleb PARFET was the only army man from this place, who left Monday for the G.A.R. encampment at Buffalo, N.Y.".
  18. 1900 Federal Census Wiconisco Twp., Dauphin Co., PA "Caleb PARFET, October 1834, 65,Immigration date 1848; Minnie, Dec 1876, 23, Frank, October 1878, Driver Coal Mines, William L. March 1880, 21 346 W. Main Street" "Charles E. PARFET, 36 Laborer; Maggie 33..."
  19. 1900 Federal Census Lykens Borough, Dauphin County, PA "George W. PARFET, May 1866, 34, Merchant; Flora A., Sept 1872, 27, married 8 years, four children/three living; Clarence, June 1893, 7, Mable J., April 1894, 6; Mary Dec 1899, 5/12."
  20. 1900 Federal Census Wiconisco Township, Dauphin County, PA: "Charles E. PARFET, 36, Laborer in Coal Mines; Maggie, 33, seven children/three living, ____, 8; Albert, 2; Estella 6/12."
  21. "Lykens Standard" Lykens, PA: February 8, 1901 Wiconisco Sunbeams - "Caleb PARFET left Tuesday for Harrisburg on a visit to his daughter, Mrs. James WERT".
  22. "Lykens Standard" Lykens, PA: May 3, 1901 Wiconisco Sunbeams - "William PARFET of Harrisburg spent Sunday with his father, Caleb on Pottsville Street."
  23. Death Notice - Charles Elmer PARFET, "Lykens Standard", Lykens, PA October 31, 1902 "C. Elmer PARFET, second victim to die of typhoid fever in this area. He is survived by his wife (Maggie MUCHER PARFET) and two sons. Five children preceded him in death."
  24. Will of Caleb PARFET, Dauphin Co. Will Book Vol. 1, Book Q, p427 "Property - Lot #57, two story dwelling, left to son, George W. PARFET. Lot of ground situated north side of Center Street, Town of Elm, Wiconisco Twp., Dauphin Co., PA. All other property turned into cash and divided into 5 equal shares: daughter, Daisy M. WERT; daughter, Minnie A. LEBO; James F. PARFET,; William L. PARFET, 1 share divided for grandsons (sons of deceased son, Charles Elmer PARFET): Cyrus F. PARFET and Albert PARFET."
  25. Obituary of Caleb PARFET, "Lykens Standard", Lykens, PA, Vol. 8, No 7, March 9, 1906: "Caleb PARFET Caleb PARFET, for many years a resident of Wiconisco, but who since Dec 6, 1906 made his home with his daughter at Williamstown, Mrs. W.H. LEBO, died at that place at 3 o'clock am Thursday, the first instance of paralysis, with Which he was stricken on the previous Monday. He was a native of South Wales and came to this country when 12 years of age. With the exception of a short residence at Treverton, Tremont and Centralia, his home has been at Wiconisco all these years. He followed the occupation of a miner up to about twenty years ago, having acquired sufficient means to keep him for his remaining days. His wife, Henrietta PINKERTON preceded him in death 20 years ago. He was aged 72 years. He was a veteran of the Civil War and a member of HEILNER Post, No 232, G.A.R. of this place and of Tremont Lodge, No 245 I.O.O.F. of Tremont. He is survived by the following children: Minnie, Mrs. W.H.LEBO of Williamstown; George W. of Lykens, Frank and Daisy, (Mrs. James WERT) of Harrisburg, and William of Reading. The funeral was held from the home of his daughter in williamstown at 2:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon, where services were held by Rev. WITWER of the M.E. Church, after which the remains were brought to this place on the 2:30 Trolley for burial. The funeral was in charge of Williamstown Lodge, I.O.O.F., Tremont Lodge being represented by the following delegation: Wm. ADAMS, John HAND, Jas. BERND; Lewis KOEHLER, and John SPTIZNER, editor of the Tremont Press. On the arrival of the funeral train at the corner of Main and Market Sts, this borough, it was met by HEILNER Post, G.A.R., and Wiconisco Lodge, I.O.O.F., when the cortege proceeded to Odd Fellows' cemetery, where the body was laid to rest by the side of his wife and several children. The funeral ceremonies of the G.A.R. and I.O.O.F. were performed at the grave.
  26. "Letters issued to George A. PINKERTON dated March 8, 1906 - Testament 112, Remarks 7, 136, Volume 1, Book Q, p427, Date of Death March 1, 1906 8:10am in Williamstown, PA, Executor, George A. PINKERTON".
  27. 1910 Federal Census W Ward Lykens, Dauphin Co., PA: "George PARFET, 42, Merchant, dry goods store; Flora, 38 311 Main Street, Lykens."
  28. 1910 Federal Census 13th Ward, Reading, Berks Co., PA: "William L. PARFET, 30 Forman, Dye Works"
  29. "The Farm Journal, Rural Directory of Dauphin County, PA", Wilmer Atkinson Company, 1915, The State Library of Pennsylvania Genealogy Collection, General Stores Listings by town: "Lykens - COBLE, R. & Sons; DELANEY, J.I.; MILLER, John C.; PARFET, G.W.; RUDISILL, A.A...".
  30. 1920 Federal Census 13th Ward, Reading, Berks Co., PA: "William L. PARFET, 39 Married, Machinist at Railroad Shop; son, George W. 4 10/12; son Ralph K. 3 9/12 (No wife listed)."
  31. "Lykens Standard" Vol. 27, Lykens, Dauphin County, PA, Friday, March 6, 1925: "Bronze Tablet as Civil War Veteran Memorial Ordered - "The aim of the Women's Relief Corps to place a suitable memorial in Lykens for veterans of the Civil War who enlisted in Lykens and vicinity .. for erection in the G.A.R. Hall yard, where it will stand as a sacred memory of the Boys in Blue ... will be dedicated on Memorial day ... A list of those whose names will appear on the memorial ... Henry A. MARTZ, Caleb PARFET, George A. PINKERTON.."

Notes:
*   Harold L. PINKERTON Genealogy Source Notebook "PARFET/PINKERTON". Harold is the great- great-grandson of George PINKERTON.
*   The inspiration for PINKERTON Genealogy by Harold L. PINKERTON and his daughter, Sharon P. WAYLAND came from communication with Paul W. PINKERTON (1915-1990) a distant cousin, and his daughter Helen P. RYDELL, who in 1984- 1990 worked on mapping the various branches of PINKERTON cousins descended from Hugh PINKERTON (1767-1852). Paul W. PINKERTON, Jr. was the great grandson of Joseph PINKERTON.
*   The Federal Census data reported in this Family Group Sheet was culled from the Heritage Quest On-Line Database.