Peter Karlskind (1835-1900)

Born in France during the reign of King Louis Philippe, Peter Karlskind arrived in America in 1863, fought with the Irish Brigade during the Civil War and died in Cumberland County on or about New Year’s Day 1900.

Peter Karleskind arrived in New York on June 1, 1863. Two months later, on August 15, 1863, he enlisted in Co. D. 69^th Regiment N.Y. Volunteers, known as the Irish Brigade. Peter was discharged about July 15, 1865, on special orders.¹ Peter had no relatives in the United States, so how he came to settle in Cumberland County after he was discharged is unknown.

In 1868, he applied to the court of Cumberland County to become a naturalized citizen. John Oiler and Samuel Christlieb, farmers who lived in Mifflin Township, attested that they knew Peter Karleskind, and that he had resided in Pennsylvania for one year preceding his intention to become a citizen. ²

Single and aged 35 in 1870, Peter was living in the household of blacksmith Alfred Carl as an apprentice blacksmith. Carl was the son-in-law of John Oiler and a neighbor of Samuel Christleib both of whom had attested to Peter’s character for his naturalization petition. ³

Sometime during the 1870s, Peter set out on his own as a blacksmith. The 1880 U. S. Census for Mifflin Township records his last name as Carlskint. It lists his occupation as a blacksmith. According to the 1890 Veterans Schedules U.S. Censuses, he lived in Mifflin Township Cumberland County, with his post office address as Greenspring.

On October 4, 1896, Charles Kind (alias) Peter Karlskind, Co. D 69 NY Infantry, Invalid, filed an application for a pension.⁴ He was living in a little cabin near Eckard’s (Eckert’s) Bridge at the time. Eckert’s Bridge was located over the Conodoguinet Creek on the line between North Newton Township and Upper Mifflin Township “at Eckerts ford.” ⁵

Peter died four years after applying for a pension. Two obituaries add additional information about his life. “Peter Carlskid, a Frenchman by birth, died yesterday morning at his home in a little cabin near Eckert’s mill, which is located near Newville. Deceased lived all alone, having no relatives in this country. He was a soldier in the civil war and drew a pension. For about fifteen years he conducted a blacksmith shop, being a skilled workman. His remains were interred in the Presbyterian graveyard at Newville yesterday afternoon.” ⁶

The Newville  Star and Enterprise ran the following item in its edition of January 3, 1900.

“Peter Karlskind, known as “Dutch Pete,” the noted blacksmith who resided near the Eckard bridge, was found dead at his home on Monday morning this week. We are without particulars as to the cause of his death. He has been in feeble health for some time. He was well known throughout the community.”