Historical society program will explore Latrobe’s legacy of military service
The generations of Latrobe area residents who have provided military service to their country will be highlighted May 17 and 18 when the Latrobe Area Historical presents the program “Honoring Our Veterans.”
The presentation is set for 9:30 a.m. each day at the society headquarters and museum, 416 Weldon St., Latrobe. Visitors also may view the society’s collection of uniforms, photos and memorabilia documenting local involvement in multiple eras of armed conflict.
“There were a number of people who served in multiple wars and a number of families who had members who served in multiple wars,” said society president Mary Lou Townsend.
Before the formation of the United States and the later incorporation of Latrobe as a municipality, Townsend noted, Benjamin Beatty served with the York County militia in the Revolutionary War.
“Then he came here and established his homestead in Unity Township, and his son, Hamilton Beatty, later served in the War of 1812,” she said. The family name remains prominent in Unity, in the name of Beatty County Road, with its original homestead located along adjoining Auction Barn Road.
Latrobe’s Anderson family, which operated a lumber business, was represented in several wars. Col George C. Anderson was wounded twice while serving in the Civil War in Greensburg-based Company K — including an initial three-month tour of duty with the 11th Pennsylvania Volunteers, followed by reenlistment for three years with the 53rd Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers.
His son, Thomas B. Anderson, for whom Latrobe’s American Legion post was named, served two years in the Philippines during the Spanish-American War. He also helped to form a new National Guard unit, Co. M, in Latrobe, and commanded troops in World War I.
“Colonel Anderson was killed in World War I when he single-handedly wiped out a nest of Germans soldiers, thus saving his battalion,” according to documents archived by the historical society.
Doors will open at 9 a.m. both days for the veterans’ program.
Refreshments will be served. Admission is free.
Jeff Himler is a TribLive reporter covering Greater Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Mt. Pleasant Area and Derry Area school districts and their communities. He also reports on transportation issues. A journalist for more than three decades, he enjoys delving into local history. He can be reached at jhimler@triblive.com.
Remove the ads from your TribLIVE reading experience but still support the journalists who create the content with TribLIVE Ad-Free.