Trivia 8-29-18 What's my name

[Trivia Master]

I was born in Pennsylvania in 1834 but eventually moved to Minnesota. In 1861, I was mustered into Company D of the 1st Minnesota Infantry. I received a minor wound at Gettysburg in 1863 and ultimately rose to the rank of captain before being discharged when my three year enlistment ended in 1864. I rejoined the service in 1865 after being tendered a commission as major in the 1st Minnesota Heavy Artillery and was discharged again in October of that year. I then returned to Minnesota and started a family. My oldest son is considered to have been the first athlete to play professionally in what is now a major American sport.
What was my name?

credit: @hoosier

Edit - I will be traveling from Thursday through Sunday, so the scoring of this question will be delayed until after I return. However, players should still expect that the question thread will be closed on Friday as usual, so make sure to get your answers in before it closes.

hoosier

 

[SWMODave]

My name is Christopher Heffelfinger

Source

Interesting question!

 

[Copperhead-mi]

Christopher B. Heffelfinger. His son Charles, was a football player.

Edit - Actually, the first pro football player was William, not Charles, but you got the correct answer to the question.

hoosier

 

[captaindrew]

Christopher B Heffelfinger

 

[Belle Montgomery]

I was born in Pennsylvania in 1834 but eventually moved to Minnesota. In 1861, I was mustered into Company D of the 1st Minnesota Infantry. I received a minor wound at Gettysburg in 1863 and ultimately rose to the rank of captain before being discharged when my three year enlistment ended in 1864. I rejoined the service in 1865 after being tendered a commission as major in the 1st Minnesota Heavy Artillery and was discharged again in October of that year. I then returned to Minnesota and started a family. My oldest son is considered to have been the first athlete to play professionally in what is now a major American sport.
What was my name?

credit: @hoosier

Capt Christopher B. Heffelfinger

 

[BlueNGrey]

Christopher B. Heffelfinger

 

[kholland]

Christopher Heffelfinger

 

[FarawayFriend]

Your name was Christopher B. Heffelfinger

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15589900/christopher-b.-heffelfinger

 

[Stony]

Chris B. Heffelfinger
source-https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15589900/christopher-b.-heffelfinger

 

[GS]

Major Christopher B. Heffelfinger, whose son William Walter "Pudge" Heffelfinger, was considered the first professional football player

 

[luinrina]

You are Christopher B. Heffelfinger (died 7 Nov 1915, aged 81).

Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15589900/christopher-b.-heffelfinger

 

[lelliott19]

Christopher B. Heffelfinger (13 Jan 1834 - 7 Nov 1915) https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15589900/christopher-b.-heffelfinger
He was the father of William Walter "Pudge" Heffelfinger, the first paid football player. wiki/William_Heffelfinger

 

[Jimklag]

Your name was Christopher Beistel Heffelfinger - Link - and your son was William Heffelfinger - Link

 

[Zella]

The man in question is Christopher B. Heffelfinger. His son who was the football player is William Heffelfinger.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15589900/christopher-b.-heffelfinger

 

[ErnieMac]

You are Christian Heffelfinger (also spelled Hefflefinger).

 

[roberts]

Christopher B. Heffelfinger

 

[hughes]

Christopher Heffelfinger

 

[Brenal]

William Heffelfinger father of "Pudge" Heffelfinger, American footballer.

Edit - William and "Pudge" were the same person.

hoosier

 

[Schwallanscher]

My oldest son is considered to have been the first athlete to play professionally in what is now a major American sport.[/USER]

i first read that as 'any of the now major american sports' but as none of the cicinnati red stockings fitted the bill it needed to be football. ice hockey wasn't that big in the late 19th century for obvious reasons and basketball was not invented early enough to have a pro leaguie in the time frame needed.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15589900/christopher-b.-heffelfinger
christopher b heffelfinger - the name most likely means he stems from a family of bakers (hefe = yeast)

 

[JOHN42768]

Major Christopher B. Heffelfinger and his son was
William Walter "Pudge" Heffelfinger (December 20, 1867 – April 2, 1954) was an American football player and coach. He is considered the first athlete to play football professionally, having been paid to play in 1892.[1]
source: