Respected By All: Funeral of an 1812 Soldier

In June 1880, Concordville hosted the most prominent funeral ever for a beloved citizen. Henry Boozer Sr., born in 1791 in Londenderry, Pennsylvania, was laid to rest in the Concord Friends graveyard.

The Jeffersonian covered his funeral on June 5, 1880:

"A correspondant sends us the following from Concordville: The funeral of Henry Boozer took place on Friday afternoon, and was the largest ever seen in Concordville, he being a veteran of the war of 1812. He resided in Concordville for 63 years, and was respected by all, and as a mark of respect the entire village closed its places of business and everything wore the aspect of a Sabbath day. The corpse was laid in a beatiful walnut coffin, Mr. Albert Quimby, of Media, being the undertaker. A very handsome bouquet of white roses lay on his breast, and a beautiful wreath, composed of white rose-buds and orange blossoms, lay at his feet. A beautiful tribute to the character of the deceased was given by the Rev. I.W. Coupland, of St. John's Episcopal church, after which the remains were taken to the Friends' burying-ground, Concordville, the pall-bearers being six of the oldest residents of Concordville."

Henry Boozer was born in Londenderry, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, in 1791 to Hans Heinrich Boozer and Anna Gross. He married Eliza Pierce Boozer, who passed away in 1843, after which Henry moved to Concord. Henry Boozer was recorded as living in Concordville in the 1850 census with his four children.

Henry Boozer; Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania Veterans Burial Cards, 1929-1990; Series Number: Series 1

He was a shoemaker by trade, even listed as a "master" shoemaker in the 1860 census. He was beloved in the village and noted for his cheerful disposition.

"An Active Old Man. -- Henry Boozer, of Concord, Delaware county, a constant patron of the Local News, is now 85 years of age, and may be found every day on his shoemaker's bench working diligently from morning until evening, and through his exertions earns from $12 to $15 per week. He has a son in this borough, also a shoemaker, who is now over sixty years. Our aged friend is cheerful and happy, and bids fair to yet live a long while in the sphere of his mechanical usefulness." -- Daily Local News, 5 June 1875

In the final years of his life, Henry Boozer moved in with his daughter and son-in-law, Jesse K. Jester, where he remained until his death.

Jesse K. Jester House in Concordville. Last home to Henry Boozer before his death.