Husband Dr. Benjamin F. Wagenseller 1
Born: 17 Feb 1838 - Selinsgrove, Snyder Co, PA 2
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Father: Jacob Wagenseller, M.D. (1801-1847) 3
Mother: Mary Richter ( -1863) 4
Marriage: 1861 5
Wife Maria A. Schoch 6
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Father: Jacob Schoch (1801-1853) 7
Mother: Catherine Miller (1805-1879) 8
Children
1 F Mattie J. Wagenseller 5
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Spouse: Martin L. Snyder ( - ) 5
General Notes: Husband - Dr. Benjamin F. Wagenseller
In 1851, he became a student in the preparatory department of Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, and still later he was a student at the University at Lewisburg. Coming from a family distinguished for its medical ability, he at an early age turned his attention to this profession, and in 1856 began reading with Dr. Samuel Wagenseller, at Pekin, Illinois. During 1858 and 1859 he read with his brother, Dr. P. R. Wagenseller, at Selins Grove; and then he became a student in the medical department of Pennsylvania College, Philadelphia, from which he was graduated in 1860. In 1861 he opened an office in Beavertown, Snyder County, Pennsylvania, and in August, 1862, he was commissioned, by Gov. Curtin, as assistant surgeon of the 139th P. V. I. Dr. Wagenseller served in this capacity until January 31, 1863, and was then commissioned surgeon with the rank of major and served under Brig.-Gen. D. B. McKibbin (of the regular army) in the 158th P. V. I. In September, 1863, he was mustered out with the regiment. When the 201st Pennsylvania Regiment was ordered out Dr. Wagenseller was commissioned surgeon with the rank of major, and so served until the close of the war. He saw much of severe service in different portions of the South, and, at the close of the war, he participated in the Grand Review at Washington. Among the difficult duties performed was the burial early in September, 1862, by the 139th Regiment, of the Union soldiers who had fallen at the battle of Bull Run about a week before, and still lay on the field exposed to the hot summer sun. Most of the Confederate dead had already been interred, and the soldiers of the 139th, under a flag of truce, performed the last rites over the neglected bodies of their own fallen heroes, burying fifteen hundred in three days.
After the close of the war Dr. Wagenseller was in active practice at Selins Grove. He was a member of the Snyder County Medical Society, of the Medical Society of the State of Pennsylvania, and of the American Medical Association. In the Snyder County Society he served as president. He also belonged to the Northumberland County Medical Society, and served as president of that body.
For twenty-five years Dr. Wagenseller was surgeon for the Pennsylvania railroad, and he was a member of the National Association of Railway Surgeons. At one time he filled the chair of physiology at Susquehanna University, Selins Grove.
At all times a Republican, he for many years was identified with the organization of his party, and attended a number of State Conventions, and three National Conventions. In 1868 he was an elector and cast his vote for Grant and Colfax. In 1869 he was commissioned, by President Grant, as revenue assessor of the Fourteenth District, comprising the counties of Dauphin, Juniata, Northumberland, Snyder and Union, and served in that capacity until 1872. In the following year he was a candidate for the State Senate, and during the same year was appointed examining surgeon of the United States board of pension examiners. In 1880 he was a delegate to the National Republican Convention at Chicago, and in 1884 and 1892 was again a delegate. During 1882 he received the Republican nomination for Congress.
In local affairs Dr. Wagenseller was extremely active, and officiated as a member of the borough council. Repeatedly he was called upon to fill the position of chief burgess. He also served as president of the board of health of the borough. He was also identified with the business interests to some extent, and was a director of the Snyder County Bank.
In religious faith he was a Lutheran; beginning in early manhood was a member of the church, and for many years he served as elder. Socially he was connected with the Masonic fraternity as a member of Lafayette Lodge.