James Calvin Roller was born around 1847 in Pennsylvania to Philip and Eleanor Roller. His father was a farmer who owned $6,075 of real estate in 1850. The family lived in Huston, Pennsylvania. His father died around 1855, and the family moved to Williamsburg, Pennsylvania, soon afterward. He attended school until the Civil War began. As he recalled in May 1864, his “Mother pleaded for me not to go and my sisters caressed me and insisted on me to stay but amid all their entreaties I would join the ranks of the brave. As yet I have not regreted the step and hope I never will.”

 

He enlisted in the Union army on April 20, 1861, and he mustered in as a musician in Company C of the 3^rd Pennsylvania Infantry later that day. He apparently lied about his age, claiming that he was born in 1843. He mustered out on July 29, 1861.

 

Roller returned to the Union army soon afterward, mustering in as a private in the 84^th Pennsylvania Infantry on October 24, 1861. The regiment took part in the Second Battle of Bull Run, the Battle of Fredericksburg, the Battle of Chancellorsville, the Overland Campaign, and the siege of Petersburg. On January 13, 1865, the regiment was consolidated with the 57^th Pennsylvania Infantry. The regiment took part in the Appomattox campaign, and the men mustered out on June 29, 1865.

 

Roller settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, after the war, and he earned a living as a wholesale druggist. He got married, and the couple had at least four children: Lillie, born around 1870; Gertrude, born around 1872; Mary, born around 1874; and Fanny, born around 1876. His wife apparently died in the 1870s, and he married Harriet Jane McCord around 1877. Their son James was born around 1881. He applied for a federal pension in January 1891 and eventually secured one. He died in Philadelphia on January 6, 1902.

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