After 1877 railroad riots, the Pennsylvania National Guard went through an extensive reformation that resulted in greater organization, material resources, quality of personnel, and morale.1
It was not until the Great Johnstown Flood of 1889, that the PA National Guard would have its first real test. Dispatched to Johnstown was Adjutant General Daniel Hastings who was the first state official on scene. Within 24 hours, he had his first regiment of infantry on the streets to maintain order.
Unknowlingly at the time, the PA National Guard would not only provide security details, but would become involved in the largest disaster relief effort in the United States at that time. The Guard served food to the hungry, provided tents for the homeless, dispered relief funds, and oversaw santiation to help curb the spread of disease.
One of the companies dispatched to the scene was Company H, Fifth Regiment. Company H was recruited from Cambria County. The Captain of Company H was a Cambria Iron millhand named, George S. Wonders.
George was born as Stephen George on March 16, 1859, in New Paris, Bedford County to John Wonders and Elizabeth Pringle. He was one of 12 children the Wonders would have.
At the age of 23, George enlisted with the PA National Guard as a Private on June 6, 1882. Over the next several years he was promoted to Corporal on Feb. 1, 1884, Sergeant on April 1, 1887, First Lieutenant on February 28, 1888 and finally to Captain on May 21, 1889, just 10 days before the Great Flood.
The exact duties of Company H are not known. However, on July 4, 1889, the members of Company H presented Capt. George Wonders with a ceremonial sword for his service during the disaster relief.
On June 6, 1890, George is discharged from the PA National Guard citing ill health as the reason for his resignation. Sometime between 1893 and 1894, George marries Lucretta Belle Colbert. Lucretta was born on July 4, 1868 to Robert James Colbert and Catherine Peer. On December 30, 1895, they would welcome their only daughter, Lillian.
On June 11, 1901 at the age of 42, George became a member of the Cambria Lodge No. 278, Free and Accepted Masons, in Johnstown.
According to his obituary, George also worked at Penn Traffic and was a well-known electrician. He died on February 12, 1910 from stomach and liver cancer. He is interred in Grandview Cemetery with his wife, his only daughter and her husband.
Sources:
1 Schroeder, Steven Patrick (2006). The elementary school of the army: The Pennsylvania National Guard, 1877-1917. Doctoral dissertation. University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa.
https://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/8650/