William Henry Egle facts for kids

Quick facts for kids William Henry Egle, M.D.
Born	(1830-09-17)September 17, 1830 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Died	February 19, 1901(1901-02-19) (aged 70) Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Occupation	Pennsylvania State Librarian (1887–1889)
Spouse(s)	Eliza Beatty ​ (m. 1860)​
Parent(s)	John Egle and Elizabeth (Von Treupel) Egle
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William Henry Egle (1830–1901) was an important person from Pennsylvania. He was a doctor, a writer, and a historian. He also served as the State Librarian for Pennsylvania from 1887 to 1889.

During the American Civil War, he worked as a surgeon for the Union Army. He helped many soldiers, including those in the 116th Regiment Infantry U.S. Colored Troops, which was made up of African American soldiers.

After the war, William Egle became well-known for his writings about Pennsylvania's history. His work is still used today by historians and people who study family history. Many people were sad when he passed away in 1901.

Early Life and Education

William Henry Egle was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on September 17, 1830. His parents were John and Elizabeth Egle. When he was young, his father passed away. This meant William had to move in with his grandmother.

He went to public schools in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. Later, he spent two years at the Harrisburg Military Institute. When he was 20, he worked as a printer for a newspaper called the Pennsylvania Telegraph. He learned a lot there and even became a foreman, which is like a supervisor.

After working as a printer, William Egle decided to study medicine. He learned from a doctor in Harrisburg and also taught to earn money. In 1857, he went to the University of Pennsylvania to study medicine. He graduated in 1859 and then opened his own doctor's office in Harrisburg.

In 1860, he married Eliza Beatty. They had a son named Beverly Waugh Egle in 1861.

Serving in the Civil War

Union Army crossing the Rappahannock River before the Battle of Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862

William H. Egle joined the Union Army during the Civil War. He became an assistant surgeon on September 12, 1862. His first job was with the 96th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry regiment. He helped soldiers during battles, including the difficult Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862. He saw firsthand what it was like to be a doctor in wartime. He cared for many injured soldiers. He left this role in March 1863.

He then became a surgeon again on July 10, 1863. This time, he joined the 47th Pennsylvania Militia. A militia is a group of citizens who train to be soldiers but are usually called up only for emergencies. This group was formed to protect Pennsylvania from Confederate troops. He served for a short time until the threat was over in August 1863.

William Egle's Civil War Pension record

William Egle joined the army for a third time in July 1864. He became a surgeon with the 116th Regiment Infantry U.S. Colored Troops (USCT). These regiments were made up of African American soldiers. He was even promoted to the rank of major in August 1864. He served with different army groups, including the U.S. Army's X Corps and XXV Corps.

After the war ended, he left the 116th USCT in November 1865. He then worked as a medical officer for another army group, the XXIV Corps, in places like Petersburg and Appomattox. He continued to serve until December 1865, when he finally left the military.

Life After the War

After the Civil War, William Egle returned home to his family and his medical practice. He also started writing a lot about Pennsylvania's history. He became very good at it!

He and his wife had two daughters: Sarah Beatty (born 1866) and Catharine Irwin (born 1869). In 1870, a government worker noted that he was a doctor and had a good amount of property. By 1880, he was also described as a "druggist," meaning he worked with medicines.

The 1870s and 1880s were busy years for Egle. He became famous for his historical research. In 1878, Lafayette College gave him an honorary degree for his work in American history. Sadly, his only son, Beverly, passed away suddenly in 1882.

Besides his writing, William Egle also worked as the doctor for Dauphin County's prison. In 1887, he was chosen to be the State Librarian for Pennsylvania. He held this important job for twelve years. As State Librarian, he helped manage and grow the state's collection of books and historical documents.

In 1896, he gave a speech about the early Scottish-Irish settlements in Pennsylvania. Newspapers from far away, even in Hawaii, reported on his talk. He left his job as State Librarian in 1899.

Later Years and Legacy

In the winter of 1901, William Egle became sick with the flu, which then turned into pneumonia. He passed away in Harrisburg on February 19, 1901. His funeral was held at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church and many friends and colleagues attended. He was buried at the Harrisburg Cemetery. The lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania, John P. S. Gobin, was one of the people who carried his coffin.

William Egle was a member of several groups, including the Robert Burns Masonic Lodge and the Grand Army of the Republic, which was a group for Civil War veterans. He was also a past president of the YMCA.

After he died, The Harrisburg Patriot newspaper called him "a noted physician, historian and genealogist." They said he wrote many valuable books about local and national history. For years after his death, his name appeared in newspapers. People remembered him as an important historian.

Key Publications

William Henry Egle wrote many books and articles about Pennsylvania history. Here are some of his important works:

• Egle, William Henry. An Illustrated History of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Civil, Political and Military, From Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time. This book covers Pennsylvania's history from its beginning.
• Egle, William Henry. Andrew Gregg Curtin: his life and services. This book is about a former governor of Pennsylvania.
• Egle, William Henry. History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon: in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania; biographical and genealogical. This book focuses on the history of two counties in Pennsylvania.
• Egle, William Henry, ed. Names of Foreigners Who Took the Oath of Allegiance to the Province and State of Pennsylvania, 1727–1775, With the Foreign Arrivals, 1786–1808. This book lists names of early settlers in Pennsylvania.
• Egle, William Henry. Pennsylvania genealogies : chiefly Scotch-Irish and German. This book helps people research their family history in Pennsylvania.
• Egle, William Henry. Some Pennsylvania Women During the War of the Revolution. This book highlights the roles of women during the American Revolution.

See also

• List of Pennsylvania Civil War Units
• Pennsylvania in the American Civil War