Civil War General James A. Beaver Signed 1889 Pennsylvania Notary Commission
Impressive original 1889 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania notary-public commission, signed by Governor James Addams Beaver, distinguished Union Civil War general and namesake of Penn State’s Beaver Stadium.
The elaborately engraved document appoints George H. Neff of Northumberland County as a notary public for the Borough of Sunbury, Pennsylvania. Issued at Harrisburg on February 1, 1889, the commission states that the four-year appointment was to calculate from July 12, 1887.
The document bears the bold autograph signature “James A. Beaver” at lower right and is countersigned by Charles W. Stone, Pennsylvania’s Secretary of the Commonwealth. Stone previously served as lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania and subsequently represented the state in the United States House of Representatives from 1890 through 1899.
James A. Beaver entered the Union Army in 1861 and rose to command the 148th Pennsylvania Infantry. He participated in some of the war’s fiercest campaigns, was wounded four times, and lost his right leg at Ream’s Station in 1864. Brevetted brigadier general for his service, he later became governor of Pennsylvania, a Superior Court judge, and acting president of Pennsylvania State University.
The commission is headed “In the Name and by Authority of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania” and features the Pennsylvania coat of arms with horses, eagle and shield. Its large applied and embossed state seal remains present at lower left. The reverse carries the Northumberland County recording certification dated February 28, 1889.
Condition: Original folds with scattered toning, soiling, light staining and handling wear, particularly on the reverse. Several short fold weaknesses and small edge defects are present. The printed decoration, manuscript entries, signatures and large state seal remain clear and attractive. The seal shows expected oxidation, rubbing and minor losses along its serrated perimeter.
A handsome Pennsylvania executive document combining state, political and Civil War history, signed by one of Pennsylvania’s most respected soldier-governors.
Impressive original 1889 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania notary-public commission, signed by Governor James Addams Beaver, distinguished Union Civil War general and namesake of Penn State’s Beaver Stadium.
The elaborately engraved document appoints George H. Neff of Northumberland County as a notary public for the Borough of Sunbury, Pennsylvania. Issued at Harrisburg on February 1, 1889, the commission states that the four-year appointment was to calculate from July 12, 1887.
The document bears the bold autograph signature “James A. Beaver” at lower right and is countersigned by Charles W. Stone, Pennsylvania’s Secretary of the Commonwealth. Stone previously served as lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania and subsequently represented the state in the United States House of Representatives from 1890 through 1899.
James A. Beaver entered the Union Army in 1861 and rose to command the 148th Pennsylvania Infantry. He participated in some of the war’s fiercest campaigns, was wounded four times, and lost his right leg at Ream’s Station in 1864. Brevetted brigadier general for his service, he later became governor of Pennsylvania, a Superior Court judge, and acting president of Pennsylvania State University.
The commission is headed “In the Name and by Authority of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania” and features the Pennsylvania coat of arms with horses, eagle and shield. Its large applied and embossed state seal remains present at lower left. The reverse carries the Northumberland County recording certification dated February 28, 1889.
Condition: Original folds with scattered toning, soiling, light staining and handling wear, particularly on the reverse. Several short fold weaknesses and small edge defects are present. The printed decoration, manuscript entries, signatures and large state seal remain clear and attractive. The seal shows expected oxidation, rubbing and minor losses along its serrated perimeter.
A handsome Pennsylvania executive document combining state, political and Civil War history, signed by one of Pennsylvania’s most respected soldier-governors.
