MENTZER-Samuel D. - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Samuel D. MENTZER, bridge-tender, Attica was born near Baltimore, in Frederick county, Maryland, February 22, 1816, and was the son of Samuel and Sarah (DERR) MENTZER. He was bound out by the orphans' court for three years to learn the carpenter's trade, but before his time had quite expired he left the man to whom he was indentured. This was in 1837. In the same year he departed from Boonesboro, where he had learned his trade, and went to Wheeling on foot; from there he went by steamboat to Louisville. After working three months at Jeffersonville he continued his travels down the river on a flat-boat, finally reaching Vicksburg. Here he worked some time, and in the meanwhile had the small-pox. He lived in the south two years, engaged at his trade in different places, and during the time made two trips to New Orleans. In 1839 he came north. A number of his friends from Boonesboro had now settled at Attica, and he was attracted to this place by their presence, where he has ever since made his home. He worked at his trade fifteen years from this time, erecting more than one hundred buildings in Attica, and then for a short period was in the grocery trade. After this he kept a livery stable seven or eight years, and was twice burned out while in the business. At the same time he began driving the 'bus and carrying the mail, and did this service fifteen years, attending all trains, day and night, and for twelve years making his couch on the counter of the Revere House. Being rendered unfit for this duty, he changed places with his son John, who was tending the Attica bridge, and for a few years has occupied this position. He was married here, in 1840, to Sarah DUTROW, of Boonesboro, Maryland, by whom he had six children: George W., Emma, Annie, Samuel C., John C. Fremont, and Birdie (deceased). His son Samuel C. enlisted in the early part of the war in Co. D, 20th reg. Ind. Vols., and fought in the second battle of Bull Run; at Fredericksburg, under Burnside; at Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, and all the great battles in Virginia under Grant to the close of the war.