1902 Jacob Smith Carper, Co. K, 57th IL GAR & Reunion Pinback Button

#688: Jacob Carper Genealogy

This is an early antique celluloid and antique tin reunion pinback button badge from the 1902 GAR Grand Army of the Republic Reunion of the 57th Illinois. It is round and measures 1.75 inches in diameter, with a vintage tin rim and tin pin back. 

Text on this antique pinback button front reads:  "Souvenir 15th Annual Reunion, 57th Ill Vol Vet Assn, Neponset, Ill, Sept 18 and 19, 1902, J.S. Carper Pres." The tin back is stamped "Pin Lock Pat'd May 31 '98"

Found in Public Genealogy Records:
Jacob Smith Carper 1834-1912, died on Christmas Day in 1912 at age 78.
His Father: John Carper 1807-1875, the son of Samuel Carper 1779-1861 and Christiana Meyer Carper 1784-1864, born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and died in Macon Township, Bureau County, Illinois.
His Mother: Catherine Smith Carper 1813-1857, the daughter of Jacob Smith 1783-1855 and Elizabeth Rhodes Smith 1790-1862, born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, and died in Buda, Bureau County, Illinois.
His Siblings:
Frederick Carper 1842–1897
John W Carper
Henry Carper
Elizabeth Carper
Christopher Carper
Christina Carper
Adam Carper

His 1st wife: Catherine Welthy Horton, the daughter of Allen Horton, she died in 1869.
His 2nd wife: Margret J Carper (Margaret Dietfenderfer Carper, born PA) or Margaret Jane Diefenderfer Carper, known as Jennie Diefenderfer or Jennie Carper.

1st Spouse & Children
Wife: Catherine Wealthy Horton 1843–1869
Child: William Smith Carper 1867–1955 married Emma Estella Kinnick Carper

2nd Spouse & Children
Wife: Margaret Jane Diefenderfer 1844–1937
Children:
1. George Augustus Carper 1872–1927 married Agnes McKie 1871–1951 (known as Nannie McKie or Nannie Carper)
2. Sarah Karr Carper Hanley 1878–1948, known as Sadie Hanley or Sadie Carper, married William Edson Hanley 1878–1970
3. Frank Garfield Carper 1880–1965
4. Olive Amelia Carper 1885–1972 known as Ollie Carper

Jacob S Carper in the US Civil War Soldier Records 1861-1865
Enlistment Date: 2 Oct 1862
Rank at enlistment: 2nd Lieutenant
State Served: Illinois
Service Record:
Commissioned officer in Co. K, Illinois 57th Infantry 16 Dec 1862
Death Date: 25 Dec 1912
Sources: Illinois: Roster of Officers and Enlisted Men GAR Illinois: Death Rolls

Jacob Carper in the 1900 US Federal Census
Age: 66
Birth Date: Apr 1834
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1900: Macon, Bureau County, Illinois
Spouse's Name: Margret J Carper
Marriage Year: 1868
Years Married: 32 years
Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Occupation: Farmer
Household Members Name Age:
Jacob S Carper, age 66
Margret J Carper, age 55
Sarah K Carper, age 22
Frank G Carper, age 19
Olive A Carper, age 14

1885 Bio: Source: History of Bureau County, IL by Henry C. Bradsby, Unigraphic, 1885: "JACOB S. CARPER, Macon, was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, April 12, 1834. He is the son of John and Catherine Carper. They came to Bureau County in 1854, and settled at Walnut Grove, and died there, he in April, 1875, she in October, 1857. They were born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, and had resided there till coming to this county. They had a family of six sons and two daughters, who survive them. In April, 1851, our subject came to Illinois, but lived in Fulton County until 1857, when he came to Bureau County, and bought his present farm, and began putting it under cultivation. His farm now contains 259 acres. In October, 1861, he entered the service of his country in Company K, Fifty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry. In October, 1862, he received a Lieutenant’s commission, which rank he held till receiving his discharge in April 1865. More of the history of this company and regiment will be found in the chapter devoted to the county’s current history of the late war. After returning from the army, Mr. Carper again began farming, and has continued in the same occupation since. He was married, in Bureau County, January 2, 1866, to Miss Catherine Horton (see sketch of Allen Horton). She died in June, 1869, leaving one son William S. Carper. In August, 1870, Mr. Carper was united in marriage to Miss Margaret J. Dietfenderfer, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of William and Sarah Diefienderfer, also natives of Pennsylvania. The father is now a resident of this county, but the mother is deceased. Mrs. Carper had one brother: A. Diefienderfer, of Osceola, Illinois. Mrs. Carper has three children living: George A. Carper, Sarah K. Carper and Frank G. Carper. Mr. Carper is a member of the GAR Post of Buda. He is Republican in All politics.

Jacob S Carper in US Civil War Pension Index 1861-1934
Place Filed: Illinois
Relation to Head: Soldier
Spouse: Margaret J Carper

Jacob S Carper in the Illinois Marriage Index 1860-1920
Name: Jacob S Carper
Marriage Date: 9 Aug 1870
Marriage Place: Stark County, Illinois
Spouse Name: Margaret J Diefenderfer

Alternative spellings we found of his second wife Margaret's German / Germany surname in US census records: Diffendorfer, Dietfenderfer, Diefienderfer, Diffenderfer

Note: Wiki: "Celluloid is considered the first thermoplastic, invented in the mid to late 19th century. It has the look of ivory, and became widely as a much cheaper and easier substitute for ivory, horn or other expensive animal products. "Ivorine" or "French Ivory" are other names. It was also used for dressing table sets, dolls, picture frames, charms, hat pins, buttons, buckles, stringed instrument parts, accordions, fountain pens, cutlery handles and kitchen items."

This beautiful old rare and original reunion pin was was found in Dewiit, Clinton County, Iowa. Can you picture a whole 57th Ilinois reunion, with all the old veterans wearing these amazing buttons? This is a great Carper and 57th Illinois family treasure! Original, clean, and a beautiful historical piece with a great center photo portrait of Jacob S. Carper in his older CW veteran years. He is buried at Bunker Hill Cemetery, Buda, Bureau County, Illinois

Size: Round, 1.75 inches in diameter
      Note: The original is sold, but you may still purchase large, detailed and intimate 300 dpi high resolution scans of front and back, sent immediately via email. Please check our site carefully, as many may be related to each other that we are unaware of. Click scan to place in your cart. Thank you, enjoy! ~debra (please also join me at Ancestorville Genealogy on facebook. contact info on top bar)