Richard M. Gustin

Raised and educated in New Jersey and New York, he moved with his family to Bradford County, PA in 1844. He worked in his uncle's store and later learned photography. He went to Topeka, KS, invested in real estate, and was Captain of a "Free-State" militia company. He returned to Pennsylvania in 1858.

By 1860 he was a "Daguerrean Artist" (photographer) in Troy, raised a Company there, and mustered into service as Captain, Company C, 12th Pennsylvania Reserves on 11 June 1861 at about 34 years of age.

He took command of the Regiment after Colonel Hardin was wounded at 2nd Manassas in August 1862.

He commanded the regiment in Maryland as senior officer present.

He was still in command of the Regiment at Fredericksburg on 13 December 1862. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel on 6 April 1863, and mustered out with the Regiment 11 June 1864. He was honored by brevet to Colonel of Volunteers on 13 March 1865.

He was a farmer near Millerton, Bradford County, and was killed in an accident with an Erie freight train. He was driving a wagon in Elmira, NY when the team bolted toward the tracks - the wagon went over and he was thrown under the train. He was severely crushed and died very shortly afterward. He was not yet 50 years old.

His service from Bates.1 Details from the US Census of 1860 and a bio sketch in Hardin,2 source also of his picture. His death from the Harrisburg Daily Telegraph of 17 April 1877. His gravesite is on Findagrave.

He married Emily Stull (1830-1858) in 1858, but she only lived 6 months. He married a second time, Maria H. White (1839-1922) in 1864 and they had 4 children.

See an image of his file card at the Pennsylvania State Archives.

07/05/1827; Frankford, Sussex County, NJ

04/12/1877; Elmira, NY; burial in Glenwood Cemetery, Troy, PA