USA > Maryland > Washington County > Leitersburg > History of Leitersburg District, Washington County, Md.: Including Its Original Land Tenure. > Part 22
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DANIEL M. STRITE was born in' Leitersburg District, March 12, 1873, the son of John S. and Catharine (Lesher) Strite. His education was obtained at New Harmony school. He began farming in 1894 and has since operated his father's farm. In
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1893 he married Annie G., daughter of John E. and Annie M. (Good) Horst, and they are the parents of one child, Amos W. Mr. Strite is a member of the Mennonite Church and a Republican in politics.
D. FRANKLIN STRITE was born in Antrim Township, Franklin County, Pa., October 16, 1871, the son of John A. and Catharine (Maun) Strite. He obtained his education at the schools of his native township and at Rock Hill in Leitersburg District. In 1895 he entered the employ of Henry F. Lehman, by whom he has since been employed in the milling business.
JACOB MILLER was born on the 11th of February, 1763. There is positive evidence that he resided in Lampeter Township, Lan- caster County, Pa., from 1782 to 1788, and in Manor Township in that county in 1791. In 1797 he purchased the farm in Lei- tersburg District on Antietam creek now owned by Samuel Hartle, and here he resided until his death, January 13, 1822. Within the next three months three of his children also died, viz., Anna, on the 6th of February at the age of twenty-seven; Tobias, on the 23d of March at the age of thirty-one, and John, on the 29th of March at the age of twenty-one. The surviving children were Mary, who married Jacob Barr; Jacob, and Susan, who married Henry Funk. Jacob Miller was a member of the Mennonite Church.
JACOB MILLER was born in Leitersburg District, July 17, 1797, the son of Jacob and Susan Miller. He was reared in Leitersburg District, of which he became one of the wealthiest and most influ- ential citizens. During the greater part of his active business life he resided near Miller's church at the farm now owned by William H. Kreps; this was his property, in addition to which he also owned the adjacent farms of Noah E. Shank, John O. Wol- finger, Mrs. Mary A. Hykes, and W. Harvey Hykes, aggregating 525 acres; the farm of 275 acres in Washington Township now owned by Aaron Shank, and other valuable property. In 1864-67 he was president of the Hagerstown and Waynesboro Turnpike Company. He was a member of the Mennonite Church and gave the ground upon which the church building that bears his name is located. In 1820 he married Nancy, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Eshleman) Strite, and their children were Elizabeth. - who married David Summer; Jacob; John; Nancy, who married
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Solomon Stouffer; Joseph, and Susanna. Their mother died in 1832, and as his second wife he married Fanny, daughter of John and Anna (Hege) Snively; their children were Henry, a farmer near Hagerstown; Benjamin, a farmer near Waynesboro, Pa .; Lewis, a farmer in Leitersburg District; Mary, who married John B. Martin; David; Andrew, a farmer near Hagerstown; Martin, a physician at Mannington, W. Va .; Fanny, who married Henry Martin; Catharine; Jacob S., a farmer near Smithsburg; Chris- tian, a teacher at Council Bluffs, Iowa; Tobias; Daniel; Samuel; Martha, deceased wife of Franklin M. Strite, and Maria, who mar- ried Albert Snyder. Jacob Miller died on the 7th of September, 1868.
JOHN MILLER was born in Leitersburg District on the 12th of June, 1825, the son of Jacob and Nancy (Strite) Miller. He ob- tained his education principally at a school house that stood near the present site of Miller's church. In 1850 he began farming on the farm now owned by W. Harvey Hykes, which afterward became his property, and here he resided during his active busi- ness life. In 1889 he removed to Hagerstown, and there he died in 1893. In 1850 he married Maria, daughter of John and Lydia (Myers) Shank, and their children were Jacob H. and Joseph C., who died in childhood; John C .; Lydia A., wife of Abraham Mar- tin; Isaiah, and Susan R., who died in infancy. Mr. Miller was a member of Miller's Mennonite Church, in which he held the office of trustee. In politics he was a Republican.
LEWIS MILLER was born in Leitersburg District, March 23, 1841, the son of Jacob and Fanny (Snively) Miller. His educa- tion was obtained at Rock Hill and New Harmony schools. He purchased and improved the property of John O. Wolfinger near Miller's church, and afterward operated the farm of Henry Funk at Wingerton, Pa., two years and the Avondale farm of Israel Reiff at Clearspring one year. In 1887 he purchased twelve acres of land in Leitersburg District and erected the present improve- ments thereon, and here he has since resided. In 1868 he mar- ried Sarah, daughter of Henry and Catharine (Schindel) Remley, and their children are Jacob H .; Fanny A. C .; John C. and Myrtle S., both deceased: Cora M .; David E .: Laura E., and Noah F. Mr. Miller is a member of the Mennonite Church and a Re- publican in politics.
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HISTORY OF LEITERSBURG DISTRICT.
JOHN C. MILLER was born in Leitersburg District on the 17th of July, 1856, the son of John and Maria (Shank) Miller. He obtained his education at Rock Hill school. In 1881 he rented his father's farm in Leitersburg District and engaged in farming. In 1889 he removed to the farm of John F. Strite, which he oper- ated two years. In 1891, having purchased the property for- merly owned by Matthias Kayhoe, he located thereon, and here he resided until 1897, when he leased the farm of Mrs. Henry Funk near Waynesboro, Pa., which he has since operated. In 1878 he married Margaret, daughter of George and Fanny (Stouffer) Keener, and their children are Fanny M .; Christie V .; John A .; Amos E .; Ira S .; Clarence L., and Annie M. Mr. Miller is a member of Miller's Mennonite Church, in which he was elected to the office of minister, November 21, 1892. He was also superintendent of the Sunday school three years. In politics he is a Republican.
JOHN NEWCOMER removed from Millersville, Lancaster County, Pa., in 1797, and purchased from the Webb estate the land in Leitersburg and Cavetown Districts now owned by his descend- ants, John B. and Samuel Newcomer and Mrs. Theodore Neff. Here he resided until his death. John and Frany Newcomer were the parents of the following children: Christian; Nancy, who married Christian Hoffman; Elizabeth, who married Abra- ham Stouffer; Mary, who married Abraham Welty; Frany, who married Isaac Stoner; Peter; Jacob, and Andrew. The first John Newcomer was a Mennonite in faith.
JOHN NEWCOMER was born in Lancaster County. Pa., January 1, 1792, the son of John and Frany Newcomer. He was brought to Washington County by his parents in early childhood. In 1822 he married Catharine, daughter of David and (Petrie) Nave, who inherited from her father the farm in Ring- gold District whereon their son, John N. Newcomer, now resides. They located on this farm in 1822 and resided here until death. He died on the 14th of April, 1859, and she on the 11th of De- cember, 1863. Both were members of the German Baptist Church and in politics he was a Whig. Their children were Fanny, widow of Jacob Friedly: David, deceased: Nancy, de- ceased wife of Daniel Geiser. deceased: Catharine, deceased wife of Christian Mentzer; Susan, deceased; John N .: Solomon, Sarah,
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and Benjamin, all deceased; Elizabeth, wife of Daniel Hoover; Christian; Mary Ann and Barbara, both deceased.
JACOB NEWCOMER was born in Cavetown District, September 2, 1798, the son of John and Frany Newcomer. After his father's death he succeeded to the home farm in partnership with his brother Andrew, whose interest he eventually secured, and here he resided until the close of his life, dying on the 26th of April, 1855. He was a member of the Mennonite Church. He mar- ried Leah, daughter of George and Magdalena (Motz) Beard, and their children were Anna, who died in childhood; John B .; David; Fanny; Jacob; Magdalene, widow of Theodore Neff, and Samuel.
JOHN N. NEWCOMER was born in Ringgold District, September 14, 1831, the son of John and Catharine (Nave) Newcomer. He was reared on his father's farm and obtained his education at the local schools. He engaged in farming in 1858 as tenant on the farm of John Mentzer in Leitersburg District. From 1862 to 1873 he operated a farm in Ringgold District owned by his father. In 1873 he purchased the farm whereon his father and maternal grandfather lived and died, and here he has since resided, although in 1889 he retired from farming. In 1854 he married Ann Catharine, daughter of John and Catharine (Beaver) Mentzer, and their children are Mary A .; Joseph M .; Aaron; Daniel and Emma, deceased. Mr. Newcomer is a member of the German Baptist Church and in politics a Republican.
BENJAMIN NEWCOMER was born in Ringgold District, January 20, 1839, the son of John and Catharine (Nave) Newcomer. His education was obtained at the local schools. He first engaged in farming in his native District at the home farm of his father, after which he bought a farm near Ringgold; this he sold in 1878, and in 1882 he purchased the farm in Leitersburg District for- merly owned by Benjamin Garver; here he resided until his death, January 7, 1892. In 1867 he married Mary M., daughter of Ben- jamin and Barbara (Berger) Garver, and their children were Emma B .; Charles G .; Nettie; Cyrus; Fannie; Benjamin F .; J. Elmer, and Zella M. Mr. Newcomer was a Republican in politics.
JOHN B. NEWCOMER was born in Cavetown District, September 14, 1833, the son of Jacob and Leah (Beard) Newcomer. He has resided all his life on the farm upon which he was born, part of which he owns, and here he is engaged in the business of wagon-
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making and repairing. In 1857 he married Nancy, daughter of John and Susan (Welty) Barkdoll, and their children are Eliza- beth, deceased; Ida, wife of Isaac Stouffer; Walter B .; Silas; Fan- nie, deceased, and Gertrude. Mr. Newcomer is a member of the Lutheran Church and a Republican in politics.
SAMUEL NEWCOMER was born in Cavetown District, February 6, 1845, the son of Jacob and Leah (Beard) Newcomer. From 1868 to 1876 he was employed by the Geiser Manufacturing Com- pany of Waynesboro, Pa., as general traveling salesman, and per- formed efficient service in the introduction of their machinery in the middle western and southern States. In 1876 he purchased part of the farm previously owned by his father and grandfather and here he has since been engaged in farming. He married in 1876 Sallie S., daughter of Daniel G. and Lydia (Kessinger) Beard, and their children are Keller J .; L. Blanche; Ruth M .; Carlton, deceased; Luther B .; Grace E., deceased; May O .; Nellie M .; S. Herbert, and Alice K. Mr. Newcomer is a member of the Lutheran Church and independent in politics.
JOSEPH M. NEWCOMER was born in Leitersburg District, Janu- ary 5, 1860, the son of John N. and Catharine (Mentzer) New- comer. He was reared in Ringgold District and obtained a com- mon school education. In 1883 he married Susanna, daughter of George K. and Anna (Newcomer) Bayers, and they are the parents of the following children: Maude E .; Cora E .; Mary G., and John. In 1884 he lived in his father's tenement house. In 1885 he engaged in farming as tenant on the farm of William Newcomer in Beaver Creek District, which he operated until 1897; he then located upon the farm of his father in Ringgold District where he now resides. Mr. Newcomer is a member of the Christian Church and a Republican in politics.
WALTER B. NEWCOMER was born in Cavetown District. Febru- ary 16. 1862, the son of .John B. and Nancy (Barkdoll) Newcomer. He received a common school education and after reaching man- hood was employed for several years at wagon making and market gardening. In 1888 he engaged in farming in Franklin County, Pa., near Jacobs church, where he resided three years. He has since been a resident of Leitersburg District, and has operated the farm of Daniel Hoover near Jacobs church since 1895. In 1881 he married Alice May, daughter of Samuel and Letha A.
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(Snyder) Martin, and they are the parents of one child, Arthur M. Mr. Newcomer is a Republican in politics and a member of the Lutheran Church.
REV. JOHN RUTHRAUFF was born on the 14th of January, 1764, in Northampton County, Pa., whence his parents removed to York County, where he was reared. In 1790 he began the study of theology under Rev. Jacob Goering, pastor of the Lutheran Church at York and an able and learned man. He preached for the first time on the 14th of July, 1793, and shortly afterward entered the ministry as pastor of several churches in York Coun- ty, after which he also had charge of the Lutheran Church at Carlisle. In 1795 he was assigned by the Ministerium of Penn- sylvania to a charge composed of the churches at Greencastle, Mercersburg, Jacobs, Beard's, and Mayfield(?). Here he found his life-work. Regarding the magnitude of his labors his biogra- pher thus speaks in Sprague's Annals of the American Pulpit: "His charge embraced McConnellsburg, Loudoun, Mercersburg, Waynesboro, Quincy, Smoketown, Jacobs church, and several in Washington County, Md. He also preached in the neighborhood of Emmittsburg and for a time at Chambersburg, and continued to supply the congregation at Carlisle and another about twelve miles from Harrisburg. This was distant from his home about fifty miles and he performed the journey once every month. Sev- eral of his congregations were fifteen or twenty miles apart, and a high mountain lay between two churches that he had to serve on the same Sabbath. But, as soon as he left the pulpit he mounted his horse with his dinner in his hand, that he might be able to meet his second appointment for the day. He had a vigorous constitution and great power of endurance, and was thereby well fitted to the work of a missionary pioneer. Some twelve or fif- teen ministers are now cultivating the field which Mr. Ruthrauff then occupied alone."
Mr. Ruthrauff also owned a farm of two hundred acres about a mile west of Greencastle; here he built a mill, which was de- stroyed by fire in 1827. The fire occurred on Sunday and a mes- senger was hastily sent to inform him. It was the day of his ap- pointment at Jacobs church and he was about to enter the pulpit when the intelligence reached him. He merely observed that it was too late for him to reach home in time to be of any service and proceeded with the sermon with his usual composure.
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In 1784 Mr. Ruthrauff married Anna Maria Hamme, a native of York County, and they were the parents of nine children, one daughter and eight sons. Two of the sons entered the Lutheran ministry, Revs. Jonathan and Frederick Ruthrauff; one grand- son, Rev. William P. Ruthrauff; and two great-grandsons, Revs. J. M. Ruthrauff, D. D., and G. A. Bierdeman.
Mr. Rauthrauff resided at Grencastle until his death, December 18, 1837. He preached in Leitersburg District nearly forty years, and dedicated the Leitersburg Lutheran church.
BISHOP PETER ESHLEMAN was born in Warwick Township, Lancaster County, Pa., near the town of Lititz, November 8, 1798, the son of Abraham and Susanna Eshleman and grandson of Ulrich Eshleman, a native of Switzerland, who emigrated about the year 1750 and located in Lancaster County between Manheim and Lititz. Here Abraham Eshleman was born on the 19th of June, 1765, and died on the 7th of April, 1838. He reared a large family and has numerous descendants. Peter Eshle- man removed from Lancaster County in 1831 and located near Reid postoffice on the Marsh turnpike, where he owned a large tract of land, the ownership of which is still retained by his de- scendants. Ile married Mary Reiff of Earl Township, Lancaster County, and they reared eight sons and three daughters. Bishop Eshleman came to the ministry about the year 1834 and was or- dained as bishop in the autumn of 1838. For nearly forty years he officiated in this capacity at Miller's church in Leiters- burg District, and here he is buried. IIis death occurred on the 12th of May, 1876.
REV. J. W. SANTEE, I. D., was born and reared near Bethle- hem, Pa., and received his early education in the common schools and at an academy at Bethlehem. In 1843 he entered the pre- paratory department of Marshall College, Mercersburg, Pa., grad- uating in 1848. He then entered the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church at Mercersburg, then presided over by two world-renowned theologians, Rev. J. W. Nevin, D. D., and Rev. Philip Schaff, D. D. In the fall of 1850 he received and accepted a call to the Cavetown charge, locating at Cavetown in the spring of 1851. and here his pastorate continued forty-one years and a half. This was Dr. Santee's first and only charge. The Re- formed church at Leitersburg was erected largely through his
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efforts and affords tangible evidence of his fidelity and success as pastor and preacher. He was succeeded in this pastorate by his son, the Rev. Charles A. Santee, now pastor of the Reformed Church at Mercersburg, Pa., where the Doctor also resides.
REV. JOHN HECK was born near Chambersburg, Pa., December 11, 1809, the son of Ludwig and Catharine Heck. The former was born on the 19th of December, 1770, and died May 4, 1837; his ancestors were of German origin and were among the first settlers in the neighborhood of Grindstone Hill. The subject of this sketch attended school in Chambersburg and obtained his collegiate education at Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, Pa., graduating in 1839. He then entered the Theological Seminary at that place, where he graduated two years later. In 1841 he was examined for licensure before the Maryland Synod at Hagers- town. Concerning this he writes: "The Synod of Maryland cus- tomarily examines all applicants for licensure before the whole Synod and hence the nerve of the examinees is put to a severe test. I and my companions were before the body about five hours." Prior to this he had received a call to the Newville charge in Cum- berland County, Pa .; this he accepted, entering upon his duties the same year (1841). In December, 1844, he became pastor of the Waynesboro charge, which included Jacobs church in Leiters- burg District, and there he preached for twelve years. In 1857 he assumed charge of the Smithsburg pastorate in Washington County, Md. This was his last charge; he died on the 11th of March, 1861, and is buried at the Lutheran church in Leiters- burg. He had been in the ministry twenty years, and preached in Leitersburg District sixteen years. In 1847 he married Anna, daughter of Frederick and Rose Ann (Lantz) Ziegler, who sur- vives him and resides at Greencastle. They were the parents of the following children: Frederick Z .; Lewis L .; John M .; George S .; and David J., who died in childhood.
BISHOP MICHAEL HORST was born in Lancaster County, Pa., September 2, 1824, the son of John and Elizabeth (Eshleman) Horst. John Horst removed from Lancaster County in 1838 and located in the vicinity of Maugansville, Washington County, Md .; where the subject of this sketch has since resided. He was or- dained as a minister in January, 1859, and as bishop in Novem- ber, 1868. His jurisdiction includes all the Mennonite churches in Washington County.
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REV. VICTOR MILLER, A. M., was born in Wilson's District. Washington County, Md., October 24, 1834, the son of Samuel and Mary (Fiery) Miller and grandson of Captain John Miller, a soldier of the Revolution, who owned a farm on the Western turnpike nearly opposite Spickler postoffice. Here he died on the 24th of April, 1804, in his forty-eighth year. He married Julia Ann Stein and they were the parents of eight children. Samuel Miller was born on the 17th of December, 1783; he suc- ceeded to the paternal estate and resided thereon until his death, June 3, 1849. He served in the War of 1812 with the rank of captain. The subject of this sketch obtained his early education at the school at St. Paul's church. In 1848 he entered the store of Wilson & Ely, general merchants, at Conococheague, in whose employ he continued for five years. In 1853-54 he attended Mc- Carthy's Academy at Williamsport, Md .; here he prepared for Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg, which he entered as Fresh- man in 1854, graduating in 1858 as valedictorian of his Class. In 1859-61 he was a student at the Theological Seminary at Gettys- burg, at Union Theological Seminary, New York, in 1861, and again at the Seminary at Gettysburg, where he graduated in 1861. In the spring of 1862 he became pastor of the Fayetteville charge in Lawrence County, Pa .; here he served three congregations and remained until 1821, and during this period a parsonage was erected for the charge. Having relinquished preaching on ac- count of throat trouble he returned to his native county and en- gaged in teaching. In 1881 he was called to his present charge, composed of the Leitersburg and Beard's Lutheran Churches. During his incumbency both church buildings have been exten- sively remodelled and the parsonage at Leitersburg has been erected. In addition to local pastoral work Mr. Miller has been secretary of the Maryland Synod by successive reelections since 1880, and in 1885 he was a delegate from the Maryland Synod to the General Synod of the Lutheran Church. In 1865 he married Mary C., daughter of David and Matilda (Ankeney) Spickler, and their children were Mary E .; Matilda K., and Luther F., a grad- uate of Pennsylvania College and a student at the Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. Mrs. Miller died on the 10th of August. 1823, and in 1882 he married Josephine, daughter of .Joshua and Mary (Ankeney) Newcomer. In politics Mr. Miller is a Prohi- bitionist.
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ELDER JOHN ROWLAND was born near Chewsville, Md., July 9, 1852, the son of David B. and Catharine (Coup) Rowland and grandson of John Rowland, who lived near the Marsh church and St. James College. David B. Rowland was a farmer by occupa- tion and died at Welsh Run, Pa., in 1871 at the age of forty-nine. John Rowland was reared in Washington County and at the Little Cove and Welsh Run in Franklin County, and obtained a com- mon school education. In 1875 he engaged in farming near Welsh Run, where he continued two years. He was then located successively on the John Shank farm near Greencastle four years, at Long's Station six years, and at the Hade farm in Antrim Township one year. In 1888 he rented the farm of Isaac Shank in Leitersburg District, which he has since operated. In 1881 he entered into partnership with Jacob Shank in the purchase and operation of a steam threshing outfit; he has since been engaged in this business, individually or in partnership with others, with the exception of two years, and is now the owner of one complete rig and a half-interest in another. In 1874 he married Susan, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Braut) Miller, and their children are Albert M .; William D .; John E .; Katie M .; Charles L .; Annie E .; Gertie F .; and Dollie, who died in infancy.
Elder Rowland was elected deacon in the Back Creek German Baptist Church in Antrim Township in 1883. On the 19th of May, 1888, he was elected to the ministry by the Beaver Creek Congregation of Washington County, and is now the only resident minister within the Longmeadows District. In 1893-94 he was superintendent of the Longmeadows Sunday school.
GEORGE ZIEGLER was the first of the Ziegler family to emigrate from Lancaster County, Pa., to Leitersburg District. He first lo- cated a short distance west of Leitersburg on the turnpike; in 1806 he purchased from Felix Beck, his brother-in-law, thirty- five acres of land on the opposite side of the Greencastle road from Strite's mill and now embraced in the farm owned by the heirs of the late David Strite. Here the house in which he lived still stands. He was a carpenter and cabinet maker by trade and was regarded as a master of his craft. He married Barbara, daughter of George Beck, of Manor Township, Lancaster County, and they were the parents of eight children: George; Jacob; David; Samuel; Catharine, who married George Poe; Elizabeth,
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who married John Allwood; Ann, who married Joseph Leiter, and Barbara. George Ziegler died on the 14th of December, 1812. His widow, who was born on the 12th of October, 1775, died on the 13th of April, 1853. This family adhered to the Reformed Church.
GEORGE ZIEGLER was born in 1793, the son of George and Bar- bara (Beck) Ziegler. He was a carpenter by occupation and a resident of the District until his death, September 15, 1862. His first wife was Nancy Seiler and their children were Maria, who married Adam Nail; Barbara, who married Samuel Burger; Cath- arine, who married Immanuel Rohrer; Jacob; George, and David. His second wife was Ellen Bigler, and their children were Sam- uel; Milton, and Joseph. Mr. Ziegler was a member of the Re- formed Church and a Whig in politics.
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