Musician, 11th Pennsylvania Infantry, GAR
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Genealogical and Family History of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume 1:
JUSTUS ALTMILLER, ex-mayor of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, and one of its prominent and influential citizens, for many years the proprietor of a prosperous business which was conducted under the style of... Justus Altmiller was born in Lautenhausen, Hessen. Germany, July 14, 1840, son of Johannes and Susanna (Reinmiller) Altmiller both natives of Lautenhausen, Germany.

Justus Altmiller received a practical education in the public schools of Germany, and in early life, when about fifteen years of age, having decided to test for himself the business opportunities of the United States, emigrated thither and at once settled in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, where he gained his first practical experience by working in the mines, continuing the same for a period of four years. The following three years he was engaged in various capacities on the railroad, after which he became engineer for the firm of A. Pardee & Company at their flour mills, remaining in that capacity two years. On November 12, 1861, he enlisted as a musician, in the Union army at Philadelphia, and went with General Sickle and the Army of the Potomac in the Eleventh Pennsylvania Infantry, under Colonel Colter. By an act of Congress, passed in 1862 all regimental bands were disbanded, and the members of this particular band were discharged in Philadelphia. Mr. Altmiller then returned to Hazleton and once more resumed his position as engineer for A. Pardee & Company, remaining for a period of two years. In September, 1864, he again enlisted in Philadelphia, this time as a private in the One Hundred and Ninety-eighth Regiment. Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and went with the Army of the Potomac to Washington, Bermuda, and Petersburg, and participated in the battles of Rhappahannock, Cedar Mountain, Second Bull Run and several others remaining in the service until discharged on June 13, 1865, in Philadelphia.

Upon his return to Hazleton at the close of the war, Mr. Altmiller engaged in the grocery business on his own account, continuing the same until 1870, in which year he added a full line of dry goods to his stock in trade, and removed his business to Broad street, Hazleton, where he conducted a prosperous business for three years, at the expiration of which time he removed to more commodious quarters on Cedar street and there continued operations until 1900, under the style of Justus Altmiller, at which time his son, William Carl, assumed charge of the business and is conducting the same at the present time (1906). Mr. Altmiller conducts his business on a thoroughly honorable and straightforward basis, won the confidence and esteem of his many patrons, and also gained an enviable reputation in commercial circles where his name was a synonym for honor and integrity. For a period of almost ten years Mr. Altmiller served as a director in the Hazleton Building & Loan Association. On the Republican ticket he was elected to the council and served from 1883 to 1892, and served in the capacity of mayor of Hazleton from 1895 to 1898, his incumbency of both offices being noted for efficiency and capability. He is a member of Lessing Lodge, No. 862, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Hazleton; Uhland Lodge, No. 79, Knights of Pythias; Robertson Post, No. 20 Grand Army of the Republic, of Hazleton, in which he was post commander during the year 1892, and a member of Hazleton Band, of which he was leader for 30 years, 1860 to 1890.

Mr. Altmiller married, December 25, 1860, Ann Elizabeth Reinhardt, of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, daughter of Martin and Anna Catharina (Degenhardt) Reinhardt, of Germany. Their children were: Justus, born January 4, 1862, died January 5, 1862; Catherine Elizabeth, born August 29, married Henry Stilgebauer, of New York city, and they have a son, Harry. Catherine, born Decembre 6, 1866, died July 18, 1867; Anna Barbara, born April 1, 1871, died July 12, 1871; Justus Rudolph, born August 3, 1872, died August 12, 1874; George Martin, born April 26, 1874, married Margaret Norton, and they have one son, Justus. They reside in Hazleton. William Carl, born May 10, 1875, married Lillie Stager, resides in Hazleton; Lizetta, born August 5, 1877, died July 18, 1878; Fred Rudolph, born July 18, 1881, resides in Hazleton; Justus Vitus, born July 10, 1883, died November 17, 1883; Heinrich Ario, born March 14, 1885, died July 20, 1885. All of the above named deceased children were buried in the Vine Street cemetery, Hazleton, Pennsylvania.
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Hazleton Standard Speaker, Thursday, June 9, 1983:
‘Liberty Band concert dedicated to Altmiller'
The second concert of the 1983 series which will be presented Sunday by the Hazleton Liberty Band will be dedicated to the memory of Justus C. Altmiller who was one of its founders and its leader for about 25 years. Justus C. Altmiller was born in Lautenhausen, Germany in 1840 and came to America at the age of fifteen. He worked in the mines, on the railroad, and as an engineer for A. Pardee & Co. at their flour mill.
In 1859 he, along with six other musician, organized "Gleim's Band" which met and rehearsed in the old Odd Fellows Hall on East Broad St. near Cedar. Together with the other members of this band he enlisted as a musician in the Union army in 1861.

When the regimental bands were disbanded by an act of Congress in 1862, he returned to Hazleton and resumed his position with A. Pardee & Co. He reenlisted with other band members again in 1864 and served in the band of the First Brigade, First Division, Fifth Army Corps until his discharge on June 13, 1865. He was with the band when Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court on April 9, 1865.

After the war when John Gleim I retired as leader of the band, Justus was chosen as leader and served in that capacity until 1892 when he surrendered the baton to his nephew, Justus E. Altmiller.

Some of the high-lights during his tenure of leadership included participation of the band in: State Firemen's Parade in Philadelphia in 1866 winning first prize, the Centennial Celebration in Philadelphia in 1876, leading the parade for the State Convention of the Independent Order of Redmen in 1884, The State Convention Parade of the Grand Army of the Republic in 1885, and James G. Blaine's Reception in Hazleton in 1886.

Upon Mr. Altmiller's return from the War he entered the grocery business and in 1870 added a full line of dry goods. He was not only a respected and straightforward businessman, he was a public servant as well. He was elected to council on the Republican ticket and served from 1883 to 1892. He was elected Mayor of Hazleton from 1895 to 1898. His incumbency in both offices was noted for efficiency and capability. He also served as director of the Hazleton Building and Loan Association.

At his passing in September 1910, the entire band participated in the funeral rites in full uniform with draped instruments.

The concert will be presented at the Hazleton Senior High School and the public is invited to attend free of charge.
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PA Death Certificate:
son of John Altmiller and Susan Reinmiller, both born in Germany. He was a retired merchant.