Jacob Schenkelberger Is Dead.
As Former Pension Agent and Popular Restauranteur. He
Was One of the City's Best Known Men - His
Heroism in the Civil War.
Brave & genial Jacob Schenkelberger, who was one of Buffalo's most heroic soldiers in the Civil War, and a highly popular citizen here ever since that struggle, died last night at 9 o'clock, the result of blood-poisoning, from which he had suffered about two weeks. His death will be genuinely mourned by a host of people of all degrees who knew and liked him well.
Born in Harxheim, Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany on May 7, 1835, he came to Buffalo more than half a century ago, and as a boy attended Schreck's private school and Public School No. 12. At the outbreak of the war, he went to the front as a lieutenant of Battery I, 1st New York Artillery, and served in every engagement in which his battery participated, up to and including the second Battle of Bull Run. His experience and heroism in that sanguinary struggle have been made a thrilling story which has been often told. Left with orders to hold an exposed position, and apparently forgotten, he held it with the greatest bravery until one of his legs was shattered. For twelve hours he lay on the battlefield and when finally found and taken to the surgeons, there was no thought that his recovery was possible, but he survived the amputation and eventually returned to his home. He received his discharge at Washington on November 17, 1862. From 1863 until 1868 he was in charge of the State arsenal on Broadway. Subsequently he engaged in the hotel and restaurant business, and "Schenkelberger's" in Main near Virginia Street, was long a most popular resort.
In 1888 President Cleveland appointed Mr. Schenkelberger United States Pension Agent at Buffalo, which office he held until January 3, 1893, in President Harrison's administration. After that time he passed to retired life. He leaves a wife and six children.
Mr. Schenkelberger was a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, and of Chapin Post No. 2, Grand Army of the Republic. The time of the funeral has not yet been determined.
Buffalo Courier, May 18, 1898, p. 5, col. 2
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