Looking for info on Civil War veteran Benjamin J. Rahter, who served with Company I of the
87th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. The regiment mustered in York in September 1861. Rahter
(b. either Aug 31, 1844 or Sept 1, 1843; d. Dec 7, 1931) was a carriage painter and salesman
from Littlestown, Adams County, Pennsylvania, but lived in Chicago for thirty years until 1914
when he returned to Gettysburg. He was the son of German-born parents Christian Charlotte
Waymines Rahter and their first child born in America. Benjamin married Henrietta Taylor who
died May 29, 1891; children: Edith R. (b. 04/05/71 - married a Hersh); remarried Nellie Lyons
in 1893 in Benton Harbor, Michigan; had a brother David (b. 1854). An Adolphus C. Rahter also
served in Company I of the 87th and was probably a relative, if not a brother.