ILGenWeb Logo

usgenweb

Illinois Civil War Project

Lt. Allen Litsinberger (aka Litsenberger)
Adjutant Staff Officer, First Lieutennt
115th Illinois Volunteer Infantry
graphic
bunting graphic

     Adutant Staff Officer First Lieutenant Allen Litsinberger

Lt. Litsenberger was the second to occupy the office of adjutant. He was born in Hancock County, Ohio, July 6, 1840, and came with his parents to Illinois in 1846, locating in Clinton. In 1859 he went to Decatur, which has since been his home. He enlisted in Captain Hays' company in 1862, but was one of those loaned to fill up Company H, and was mustered in with that company. He was soon after promoted to commissary sergeant, in which capacity he served most efficiently until April, 1863. On the resignation of Adjutant Woods, he was promoted to that position, which he filled in an able manner until after the battle of Chickamauga. On account of failing health he then resigned and returned to Decatur. Since the war he has been engaged in the book business in Decatur.

Orig Bio and Photo Submitted by William L. Baran

Allen Litsinberger was born on 6 Jul 1840 in Hancock, Ohio, United States, the son of Henry Litsinberger and Margaret Bell. Lieutenant (Adjutant) Allen Litsinberger joined the Union Army as a Private in 1862 for three years and resigned his Commission on 26 Oct 1863. After resigning, he travelled back to Decatur, Macon County, Illinois, United States, and was employed in the Book and Stationery business. Lieutenant Allen Litsinger died on 4 Feb 1920 in Decatur, Illinois.

The Early Years

In 1850, Allen Litsinberger (aka Litzenbarger), age nine, resided with his father, Henry who was the head of household and a Farmer, in Amanda Township, Hancock County, Ohio, United States. His mother Margaret maintained the household, and also raised William, John E., Emily J. and Milton A.  By 1860, the Litsinberger family relocated from Ohio to Illinois. Allen Litsinberger (aka Allin Litzinberge), age nineteen, resided with his father, Henry who was the head of household and a Farmer, in Clinton, DeWitt County, Illinois, United States. His mother Margaret maintained the household, and raised John E., Emily J. (aka Ema J.), Milton A, and George (aka Geo).

The Civil War

Allen Litsinberger (aka Litsenberger), from Decatur, Macon County, Illinois at the age of twenty-two, enlisted in the Union Army for three years as a Private on 6 Jul 1862. He was described as 5'8" tall, light hair, blue eyes and fair complexion. He was assigned to Captain Hays' company, Company H, 115th Regiment, Illinois Infantry.

Private Litsinberger received a promotion to Commissary Sergeant and held that position until he received his Commissin on 10 Apr 1863 and was assigned to Field & Staff as Adjutant on 14 May 1863.

It's not clear if Lieutenant Litsinberger was wounded at or ill health due to the conditions at the Battle of Chickamauga, but he resigned his Commission as First Lieutenant on 26 Oct 1863.

After Lieutenant Litsinberger resigned his Commision, he went back to Decatur, Illinois where he was employed in the book business and was a school teacher. He died on 4 Feb 1920 and is interred in Greenwood Cemetery, Decatur, Macon County, Illinois.

Civil War Engagements with the 115th, Organized: Camp Butler, Springfield, Illinois, Illinois on 13 Sep 1863, Mustered out: 11 Jun 1865, Camp Butler: Civil War Data - Regiment; Detailed List of Services, Battles, Engagements

  • Tullahoma, (aka Middle Tennessee campaign), 24 Jun-3 Jul 1863, Tennessee, United States, Union victory
  • Chickamauga, 18-20 Sep1863, Catoosa and Walker counties, Georgia, United States, Confederate victory

Postbellum

Allen Litzinberger, the son of George Litzinberger and Margaret Bell, married Leah Lichtenberger, the daughter of George Lichtenberger and Mary Ann Loucks on 31 May 1866 in Illinois. Before her death in 1908, they had been married for 42 years, 4 months, and 14 days. They had the following known children: Annie L. Litsinberger Johnston (21 Mar 1867-13 Apr 1926), Ella M. Litsinberger Leming (Aug 1868-1952),George Litsinberger, details unknown, died around the age of six

By 1870, Allen Litsinberger (aka Allin Litzinberge), age twenty-nine, was the head of household, a Book Store Proprietor, and resided with his wife of four years in Decatur, Macon, Illinois, United States. The real estate value was $6500 and the personal estate value was $3250. His wife Leah maintained the household, and raised Anna L. and Elly M.   Allen Litsinberger (aka Litzenberger), age thirty-nine, was the head of household, a Book Store Proprietor, and resided with his wife of fourteen years on 97 North Main Street in Decatur, Macon, Illinois, United States as of 1880. His wife Leah maintained the household, and raised Anna L. and Elly M.

Allen was in a pension record on 11 Mar 1897 in Illinois, United States.   As of 1900, Allen Litsinberger (aka Litainberger), age fifty-nine, was the head of household, a School Teacher, and resided with his wife of thirty-four years on 959 North Main(e) Street in Decatur, Macon, Illinois, United States. His wife Leah maintained the household and his adult daughters Ella M. (aka Ella W.), Anna L. Litsinberger Johnston and his son-in-law John H. Johnston were also residents in the household. The census indicates that they have been married since 1866 and Leah has given birth to three children, two are still living in 1900.   Allen's wife of 42 years, 4 months, and 14 days, Leah Lichtenberger, the daughter of George Lichtenberger and Mary Ann Loucks died on Tuesday, 15 Dec 1908 in Decatur, Macon County, Illinois at the age of 70 years, 0 months, 8 days and is interred in Greenwood Cemetery, Decatur, Macon County, Illinois, United States (plot: Division 2, Lot 71).  In 1910, Allen Litsinberger, age sixty-nine, was a widow, and resided with his son-in-law, Walter B. Leming, the head of household, and a Farmer, along with his daughter Ella M. Litsinberger Leming in Tunbridge, DeWitt, Illinois, United States. His daughter Ella maintained the household and raised his grandchildren, Veta Lorene and William A.   Allen was in a pension record in 1907-1933 in United States. Allen died on 4 Feb 1920.

Death & Burial

Allen Litsinberger, son of Henry Litsinberger and Margaret Bell, died on Wednesday, 4 Feb 1920 at the age of 79 years, 6 months, and 29 days at St. Marys Hospital, Decatur as a result of injuries sustained at Christmas when he fell on the ice.

Allen was born in Ohio on 6 Jul 1840 and relocated to DeWitt County, Illinois at the start of the Civil War, where he was employed in C.C. Burroughs book store. Allen enlisted as a Private in the Union Army for three years (1862) in the 115th Regiment, Illinois Infantry but was discharged about a year later due to ill health. He was an active member of the GAR, Dunham Post. Prior to his discharge, Allen was promoted several times to Commissary Sergeant and then received his Commission and was discharged a First Lieutenant (Adjutant). After his discharge, he relocated to Decatur, Macon County, Illinois and started a book business. Allen was a Methodist and attended services since 1858. On 31 May 1866, he married Leah Lichtenberger in Mt. Wolf, Pennsylvania and they had three children, Anna Litsinberger Johnston, Ella M. Litsinberger Leming and a son George who died at the age of six.

Those left to mourn the loss of Allen were two children, Mrs. Anna Litsinberger Johnston, Decatur and Mrs. Ella Litsinberger Leming (aka Fleming), Village of Kenney, Illinois, his cousin Mrs. Charles Gideon (Mary Caroline Bell, daughter of John William Bell and Sarah Williams (his wifes brother), DeWitt County; one brother, John E. Litsinberger (aka Litsenberger), Pasadena, California, and a sister, Mrs. D. H. Hickman (Emily Jane Litsinberger.

Funeral services were held in Decatur and Lieutenant Allen Litsinberger, is commemorated and interred in Greenwood Cemetery, Decatur, Macon County, Illinois, United States, (plot: Division 2, Lot 71).

Lieutenant Allen Litsinberger Headstone1

 Lieutennt Allen Litsinberger Headstone2

Genealogical Research Illinois State Archives Illinois State Archives
42nd National Monument


Recent Bio written and submitted by Kimberly Morgan
Orig Bio and Photo submitted by William L. Baran
Headstone2 submitted by Deekay, findagrave #84740848
Headstone1 submitted by My Many Branches, findagrave #84740848

***Return to our Civil War Photo Album   ***Return to Alphabetical Index to Civil War Photos

For corrections or additions, please contact Special Project Coordinator: Kimberly Morgan

Last Edited: 22 Apr 2025

Designed by Templates in Time