Henry S. Huidekoper facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henry S. Huidekoper
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Henry Shippen Huidekoper
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| Birth name | Henry Shippen Huidekoper |
| Born | July 17, 1839 Meadville, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | November 9, 1918 (aged 79) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Place of burial |
Greendale Cemetery, Meadville, Pennsylvania, U.S.
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| Allegiance |  United States of AmericaUnion |
| Service/ |
Union Army Pennsylvania National Guard |
| Years of service | 1862–1864 (Army) 1870–1880 (National Guard) |
| Rank |  Lieutenant Colonel (Army) Major General (National Guard) |
| Unit | 150th Pennsylvania Infantry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War Battle of Gettysburg |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
| Other work | author, postmaster, and businessman |
Henry Shippen Huidekoper (July 17, 1839 – November 9, 1918) was a brave soldier from Pennsylvania. He served as a lieutenant colonel in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor, which is the highest award for bravery in the U.S. military. He earned this award for his actions at the famous Battle of Gettysburg.
After finishing college at Harvard, he became an officer in the Union Army. During the Battle of Gettysburg, he was hurt twice. He even lost his arm because of his injuries. For his courage in that battle, he was given the Medal of Honor. He tried to go back to the army, but his injuries made him unable to continue. Later, in 1870, he became a major general in the Pennsylvania National Guard.
In 1877, Huidekoper helped stop a big railroad strike in Pennsylvania. He also worked as the postmaster of Philadelphia. After that, he worked in the telephone business for several years. He also helped oversee Harvard College. Henry Huidekoper passed away in 1918 and is buried in Meadville, Pennsylvania.
Early Life and Family
Henry Shippen Huidekoper was born on July 17, 1839, in Meadville, Pennsylvania. His parents were Edgar and Frances Huidekoper. His grandfather, Harm Jan Huidekoper, was important in founding the Meadville Theological School.
Henry went to Harvard College, where he earned his first degree in 1862. He later received another degree from Harvard in 1872. In 1864, Henry married his cousin, Emma Gertrude Evans. They had a daughter named Gertrude in 1865 and a son named Thomas in 1870. His great-great-granddaughter is Meg Whitman, who was once the CEO of eBay.
Serving in the Civil War
After graduating from Harvard, Henry Huidekoper joined the American Civil War. He served as a captain, then a lieutenant colonel, and finally a colonel. He was part of the 150th Pennsylvania Infantry regiment.
On July 1, 1863, during the Battle of Gettysburg, he was leading his regiment. He was shot twice and lost his right arm because of his injuries. Even though he was badly hurt, he stayed with his soldiers. He continued to command them during the battle.
For his amazing bravery that day, he was given the Medal of Honor. The award recognized that he "received a severe wound of the right arm, but instead of retiring remained at the front in command of the regiment."
Huidekoper tried to return to duty in September 1863. However, his wounds were too severe, and he had to leave the army in 1864.
Life After the War
Even after leaving the Union Army, Henry Huidekoper continued to serve his state. In 1870, Governor John W. Geary made him a major general in the Pennsylvania National Guard.
In 1877, he helped calm a big railroad strike. He was praised for handling the situation with skill and strength. This made him trusted by the governor and the people.
Later, when the National Guard was reorganized, Huidekoper became the senior brigadier general. In 1879, he wrote a book called Manual of Service. This book became an important guide for military matters.
From 1880 to 1886, he worked as the postmaster of Philadelphia. He helped change the postal system so that letters were weighed by the ounce instead of half-ounce. After that, he worked for telephone companies, including the Metropolitan Telephone and Telegraph Company and the Bell Telephone Company, until 1913.
From 1898 to 1910, he was one of the overseers of Harvard College. He also wrote a short story in 1896 about his meetings with President Abraham Lincoln.
Henry Shippen Huidekoper passed away on November 9, 1918, in a hospital in Philadelphia. He was buried at Greendale Cemetery in Meadville, Pennsylvania.
