This coffee can belonged to Franklin Van Auken (Vanaken in New York State records) who used it during the Civil War. Van Auken enlisted on December 18, 1861 at the age of 21. He was mustered in as a private in Company K of the 26th Regiment of the New York Volunteer Infantry, but was transferred to Company C within the next few months. Van Auken saw action in the Battle of Antietam and the Battle of Fredericksburg. He was discharged for disability on February 25, 1863.
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