James Henry Blasser

August 8, 1831 to June 7, 1915

Captain Co D 87th PA Volunteers.  James Henry Blasser was born August 9, 1861, the son of 87th Pa comrade George Washington Blasser and Elizabeth Klinefelter Blasser. He married Lucinda Louise Conway March 5, 1857, in Shrewsbury, York County. In 1860, he was a resident of Shrewsbury Borough and held a variety of occupations throughout his life including painter, teacher, bookkeeper, and justice of the peace. He was 5′ 9″ tall and had brown hair and blue eyes. He died June 7, 1915.  A Civil War veteran, he enlisted in York September 19, 1861, and elected sergeant. Promoted to 2nd lieutenant May 12, 1862, to 1st lieutenant October 25, 1862, and to captain May 10, 1863. He had some medical training and acted as assistant surgeon whenever needed. Dishonorably dismissed May 14, 1864, per Special Order #177 effective March 30, 1864, for going absent without leave to care for his sick wife and refusing to return to duty. The War Department reversed the charge in 1869 and granted him an honorable discharge.