American History: Premier Auction

Heart-shaped charm, white metal, .875 x 1.125 in., obverse identified to "A.G. Meisner / 28 / I / USA," with crossed rifles at center; reverse with "Glen Ellyn / Ill."

Research indicates that this charm may have been made for George H. Meisner (ca 1843-1926), who served with Company G of the 28th Illinois Infantry, by his son Albert George Meisner (1879-1932), as an affectionate token commemorating his father's military service and celebrating the people and places he held most dear. The elder Meisner was born in the Netherlands and immigrated to the United States with his parents as a child, and census records indicate that the Meisners had settled in Saratoga, IL by 1860. During the next few years, George worked as a farmer before enlisting as a private on January 4, 1864. He initially served with Co. D, 91st Illinois Infantry and was transferred to Co. G, 28th Illinois Infantry on July 4, 1865. His regiment participated in important battles in the Western Theatre, such as Spanish Fort and Fort Blakeley, and later assignments included the occupation of Brazos Santiago, Clarksville, and Brownsville, TX. After the war, George settled in Glen Ellyn, IL, where he worked as a machinist. His first child, Albert George, was born in 1879 and also worked as a machinist prior to his service in the First World War. The tag's heart shape and personal inscriptions, which capture George's battle unit, firstborn son's initials, and post-war residence, suggest that it may have been designed by Albert as a composite memento for his father.