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Collner of Pennsylvania (PA) biography |
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History of Clarion County, Pennsylvania, 1887W. F. Collner BiographyW.F. Collner was born in Richland township, November 21, 1845. His early life was spent in the public schools of his native township, and at eleven years of age, along with his school duties he kept the books in his father's store. He remained his father's book-keeper until July, 1862, when he enlisted as a private soldier in Captain Charles Klotz's Company (G), One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. After entering active service he was appointed fifth sergeant of his company, and was promoted successively to orderly sergeant, second lieutenant and first lieutenant. The last named grade he held when he was discharged June 2, 1865. Mr. Collner commanded his company in several engagements, and participated with his regiment in the following pitched battles: Antietam, Fredericksburg, in which his brigade lost 1,760 out of 4,000; Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, where his division wrested Little Round Top from the enemy after a desperate struggle; Rappahannock Station, Mine Run, the Wilderness, on the fifth day of which battle he was wounded; Spottsylvania, Jericho Ford, Tolopotomy, Cold Harbor, Petersburg. In a single charge on the enemy's works the regiment lost, in the space of ten minutes, eighty-three men in killed and wounded. The regiment was engaged in numerous severe actions during the siege of Richmond and Petersburg, as Reams Station, Peeble's Farm, Hatcher's Run, Dabney's Mills, Deep Bottom, the Quaker Road, Gravelly Run, Five Forks, Sailor's Creek, and Appomattox Court-House, in the last of which the regiment was in the skirmish line, and was hotly engaged when the word was brought that Lee had surrendered, and all fighting ceased. The subject of our sketch passed through all these battles, receiving two wounds, which attest his gallant service for his country. He was discharged at the close of the war after serving within one month of three years, and on returning home he worked on his father's farm, and assisted in the store until the autumn of the same year, when he went to Forest county to engage in the lumbering business. November 14, 1866, he married Miss Celia F. Brandon, at Clarington, Forest county, Pa. In April, 1868, he went to Salem, Clarion county, and there engaged in the mercantile business in which he continued with success until January, 1880, when he removed to Clarion to assume the duties of sheriff of Clarion county, to which office he had been elected the preceding November. He held the office three years, and at the expiration of the term he returned to Salem and resumed business in his old store. In 1884 he was elected prothonotary of the county, which position he now holds. When he returned to Clarion to assume the duties of his new office, he erected a handsome residence on Wood street, and will probably make his home at the county seat for some time. Mr. Collner has always been a Democrat in politics, and is an influential member of his party in the county. He is a genial companion, a trusty friend, and possesses many elements that combine to make him popular. As a business man he is industrious and attentive, and as a public officer he has, proved himself courteous and efficient. Source: History of Clarion County; Davis, A. J.; Syracuse, NY; D. Mason and Co., 1887. |
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