USA > Pennsylvania > A history of the Juniata Valley and its people, Volume I > Part 40
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He married Annie Bean, of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, her family being one of the old and prominent families of that county. Chil- dren: 1. Jacob, a sheet-iron worker ; veteran of Company K, Ninety- fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry; died in Philadelphia. 2. Andrew, a carpenter, died in Peoria, Illinois. 3. William B., a grocer ; veteran of Company A, Forty-sixth Regiment Volunteer Infantry ; died in Lewistown, Pennsylvania. 4. David B., a railroad man; veteran of Company K, Thirty-first Regiment Volunteer Infantry ; died in Lewis- town. 5. John H., a groceryman ; veteran of Company A, Twelfth Reg- iment Pennsylvania Reserves; died in Lewistown. 6. Sylvester B., of whom further. 7. Rebecca, died in Philadelphia, aged about 12 years. 8. Annie, married H. P. Leaf and resides in Pottstown, Pennsylvania.
(II) Sylvester B., sixth child of William H. and Annie ( Bean) Weber, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 1, 1845. He began his education in the public school of his native city, but in 1856 his parents moved to Lewistown, where he completed his studies. He began business life in his father's grocery store, and continued until 1871, when he established his present business at No. 19 East Market street, Lewistown. From boyhood until the present time (1913), he has been actively engaged in business, and has been uniformly successful in all his many undertakings. His start was humble, but prosperity has fol- lowed in his wake until he has a large well-stocked establishment. He has been interested in many of Lewistown's enterprises, and has con- tributed his full share to the upbuilding of his town. For ten years he was president of the Mifflin County National Bank, filling that high posi- tion with ability and honor. He is treasurer of the Mann Edge Tool Company, and vice-president of the Lewistown Ice and Cold Storage
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Company. He is a Democrat in politics, but has never accepted public office, although a patriotic, interested citizen and well informed on all questions of the day. Both he and his wife are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church.
The military record of Mr. Weber and his brothers is of especial in- terest. Out of six brothers, five served in the Union army during the civil war. All served in the Army of the Potomac; all were engaged in the battle of Antietam, four were at Gettysburg, none were killed and not one was wounded; all under fire in many of the deadliest battles of the war. John was captured and held a prisoner in a southern prison eight months; Sylvester spent one year in Richmond, Andersonville and Savannah, a prisoner, but with these exceptions they served terms of three and four years. Sylvester B. Weber enlisted August 21, 1861, and served in Company E, Forty-ninth Regiment Volunteer Infantry, three years and five months, one year of this being passed in southern prisons. He served under two enlistments, his second being in the Third Regiment United States Veteran Corps, for a term of one year. He was engaged at Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Second Bull Run, Seven Days battle before Richmond, Gettysburg, Brandy Station, and other battles. He was captured at Brandy Station and sent to Libby Prison, later to the awful Andersonville pen, thence to Savannah until his exchange. His military life, like his business record, is without blemish, and he can review a long life of activity and not be ashamed. He married, about 1872, Annie Berlew, who was born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania.
Children : I. Harry, associated in business with his father; married Mary Hummell. 2. Annie, died in infancy. 3. Bessie, married Harry Laird, and died, aged thirty years. 4. Mary, married C. H. Nie- myer, and resides in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania. 5. Marian, married S. G. Hendren, and resides in Decatur, Pennsylvania. 6. John, died in in- fancy. 7. George, married Betty Mckinney. 8, Sylvester, died in in- fancy. 9. Joseph, married Olive Linn, and resides in Lewistown. 10. Jean, married T. W. Haverstick, and lives in Tyrone, Pennsylvania. II. William, residing at home.
The earliest record found of the Shunkwiler fam- SHUNKWILER ily is of Solomon Shunkwiler, who lived in Le- high county, later moved to Northumberland county, where he engaged in farming and followed his trade of black-
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smith. He married, reared a family and is buried at Christ Church, near Lick Kill, in the Mochatunga Valley.
(II) Daniel, son of Solomon Shunkwiler, was born in Northumber- land county, Pennsylvania, in 1822. He learned his father's trade of blacksmith, and followed that trade in his native county until 1842, when he located in Reedsville, Mifflin county. There he secured employment in the axe factory, and prior to his marriage, boarded with the great-grand- father of the present manager of that factory. After his marriage he again followed his trade, having a shop at Reedsville, but later again worked at the axe factory, and still later moved and made his per- manent residence in Lewistown. He died July 1, 1901, having retired from active business twelve years prior to his death. He married Rachel Romick, born 1838, daughter of Charles and Mary ( Hoffnagle) Ro- mick, of Snyder county. Her parents moved from Snyder to Juniata county, later to Mifflin county, where he worked for a time for old Gen- eral Taylor. Later Charles Romick bought a farm four miles from Lewistown, which he cultivated until his death. He was a Democrat, and served as tax collector. His widow, Mary Hoffnagle, died in Reeds- ville at the home of her youngest son. Children of Charles and Mary (Hoffnagle) Romick: Henry, now a retired land owner of Kansas; Robert, a notary public of St. Paul, Minnesota; Christopher, killed in the civil war at the battle of Brandywine Station; Rachel, married Daniel Shunkwiler; Elizabeth, married James McAuley and lives in Nebraska ; Charles, now living in Center county, retired; William, killed by light- ning on his farm in Iowa; Catherine, married William Worrell, whom she survives, a resident of Sunbury, Pennsylvania; Samuel, killed by an accident in the ore bank at Vira, Pennsylvania; Landis, now a resident of Niles, Ohio. Children of Daniel and Rachel (Romick) Shunkwiler : Charles A. (q. v.); Susanna, died unmarried in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania ; Rebecca, died in infancy ; Ella, married R. K. McDonald, and resides in Reedsville, Pennsylvania; S. Will, of whom further.
(III) S. Will, youngest son of Daniel and Rachel (Romick) Shunk- wiler, was born in Reedsville, Pennsylvania, December 2, 1864. He was educated in the public schools, and at the age of seventeen years, began working in an axe factory, remaining four years. He then entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, at Altoona, working for two years in the Fourth street shops. He then returned to Reedsville
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and re-entered the axe factory, remaining about two years, until 1896, when he entered the employ of the Whitman-Schwartz Company as traveling salesman, covering Central Pennsylvania territory, continuing nine years. He then became manager of a wholesale confectionery at Lewistown, remaining as manager thirteen months, until January I, 1907, when he purchased the business and operated it as S. Will Shunk- wiler & Company, until June, 1912. He then bought his partners' inter- ests and became sole owner, trading under the firm name, S. Will Shunk- wiler. The business is a prosperous one and increasing in volume. Mr. Shunkwiler is a Democrat in politics, and always interested in public affairs. In 1911 he was the candidate of his party for treasurer of Mifflin county, was elected and is now serving. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. He is a member of the Masonic order; Knights of the Golden Eagle; Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal Arcanum, taking active part in the work of these fraternities. He married, October, 1892, Matilda C. Reed, born in Reedsville, Perry county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Robert and Mar- garet Reed, of an old Pennsylvania family, her father a merchant. Children : Robert Daniel, died aged thirteen months; Margaret Reed, born May II, 1895, now receiving a musical education; Susanna Clare, born January 6, 1900.
SHUNKWILER (III) Charles Andrew, son of Daniel (q. v.) and Rachel (Romick) Shunkwiler, was born at Reedsville, Pennsylvania, October 4, 1859. He was educated in the public school and learned the axe making trade with his father, later working with him in the axe factory at Reedsville. In 1890 he entered the employ of Janney & Andrews, a Philadelphia whole- sale grocery house, as traveling salesman, continuing with them three years. He then was with Halpman, Greene & Company, of Philadelphia, in a similar capacity, until August 1, 1895, when he became manager of a branch store of Whitman-Schwartz Company, wholesale grocers, the branch store being located at Lewistown. He has made a very success- ful manager, and is still at the head of this very important branch of Whitman-Schwartz Company, which maintains a selling force of nine men.
In 1908 Mr. Shunkwiler was elected a director of the company,
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which is a prosperous corporation, with headquarters at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The Lewistown branch covers Central Pennsylvania ter- ritory only. He is also a director of the Lewistown Trust Company and holds a prominent place in Lewistown business circles. He is a Demo- crat in politics, and in 1905 was elected treasurer of Mifflin county, serv- ing three years. He is a member of Lodge No. 203, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons ; Chapter and Commandery of the Masonic order, also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of the Golden Eagle and the Knights of the Maccabees. Both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church.
He married, February II, 1892, Maude F., born in Reedsville, Penn- sylvania, daughter of John A. and Margaretta (Teveling) Bower. Chil- dren : 1. Edward Maurice, born July 11, 1895. 2. Charles Witman, May 12, 1898. 3. Madalene, September 13, 1904.
SELHEIMER The Selheimers, of Lewistown, Pennsylvania, de- scend from Nicholas Selheimer, born in Hesse-Cas- sel, Germany, who came to Pennsylvania, settling in Franklin county, about 1765. He founded a strong, virile race, and one ever ready to take up arms in defence of its country, as did the old emi- grant himself. The family records teem with the warlike deeds of men of the race in every war, while their records as men in the peaceful pur- suits of agriculture and merchandising are equally honorable. Nicholas Selheimer purchased land in Franklin county and erected a home, but when the revolutionary wave reached his province, he joined the army and fought until peace was declared and independence won. His wife, Mary Miller, was his brave helpmeet, and bore her full share of the pioneer's burden. Children: William, of whom further; Conrad ; George: John, served under Commodore Perry, and was killed on board the "Niagara" during the battle on Lake Erie; Jacob, who also served in the war of 1812; Susan. A precious heirloom of the family is a large silver medal, one of a number awarded by the state to her distinguished sons of the war of 1812, bearing this inscription : "To John Selheimer in testimony of his patriotism and bravery in the naval action on Lake Erie, September the 10th, 1813."
(II) William, eldest son of Nicholas and Mary (Miller) Selheimer, was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in 1776, died in what is now
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Juniata county, in 1826. He was a manufacturer of paper, building and operating a mill in Chester county, Pennsylvania, until 1815, when he moved to Mifflin county (in the part now included in Juniata county), and carried on the same business there until his death. His mill stood in the midst of a large tract of land which he owned in Juniata county, where he also erected several dwellings. He married Elizabeth Houl- try, of Hagerstown, Maryland. Children: Absalom B., of whom fur- ther; William; John; Patterson; Elizabeth, marrried Thomas Kerr; Catherine, married William Kirk; Mary, married William Robinson; Sarah, married John McKennan; Jane, married John P. Law; Maria, married David Doughman.
(III) Absalom B., eldest son of William and Elizabeth (Houltry) Selheimer, was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in 1798, died in Rochester, New York, in 1852. He became familiar with the paper manufacturing processes employed by his father, and was associated with him in the operation of both the Chester and Juniata county mills. He married (first) in 1821, Eleanor, daughter of Judge William Beale, of Beale township, Juniata county. He married (second) in 1833, Louisa A., daughter of Dr. William Crawford. Children by first mar- riage : William B .; Napoleon B., served in the Mexican war, in the cav- alry; John B., of whom further; Hannibal S. Children of second mar- riage : Robert S., David Crawford, a lieutenant in the civil war; Absa- lom B., a captain in the civil war; Jane A., married E. W. Eisenbise; Oliver P., who enlisted when fifteen years of age and served nine months during the civil war.
(IV) Colonel John Beale Selheimer, third son of Absalom B. Sel- heimer and his first wife, Eleanor (Beale) Selheimer, was born in Mil- ford township, Juniata county, Pennsylvania, died in Lewistown, Penn- sylvania, December 17, 1893. He attended the district schools and worked on the farm until he was sixteen years of age, then determining not to be a farmer, left home and came to Lewistown, where he appren- ticed himself to a tinsmith. Later he finished his trade in Philadelphia, becoming an expert tin and metal worker. He formed a partnership with James Bell and started a tinsmithing business in Lewistown. No- vember 25, 1848, he bought his partner's interest for two hundred and fifty dollars. The original note given for that amount in payment is preserved by his son. From this small beginning grew the prosperous
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hardware business, which at the time of Colonel Selheimer's death, was conducted in a large store, containing a stock costing $25,000. He con- tinued in the tin and sheet metal business until 1862, at No. 22 East Market street, then increased his stock and made hardware his specialty. In 1871 he moved his store to No. 13 East Market street, on the north- east corner of the Public Square, where he continued in business until his death, one of the best known and prosperous merchants of the county. The business is still conducted for the estate.
He had been interested in military matters since 1858, when he was chosen captain of the Logan Guards, then newly organized. In April, 1861, the "Guards" volunteered for service, and immediately after the fall of Fort Sumter their services were accepted, and on the evening of April 16, 1861, the company, one hundred strong, entrained for Harris- burg (the telegram of acceptance having arrived in the morning of the same day). The "Guards" were the first company to arrive in Harris- burg, and one of the first five companies mustered into the United States service from Pennsylvania. On April 18 they left with four other Penn- sylvania companies for Washington, passed through Baltimore one day earlier than the Sixth Massachusetts, but escaped the fury of the mob that attacked that regiment. They handed in the first report of the day at Washington, on the 19th, and were soon ordered on duty at Fort Washington, remaining there until their three months' term of service expired. The Logan Guards later became a part of the Twenty-fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Captain Selheimer being elected lieutenant colonel, and the "Guards" becoming the color company.
Colonel Selheimer was a Democrat in politics and a leader of the party in Mifflin county. He served the borough of Lewistown as school director, town commissioner and chief burgess, and was elected, in 1859, treasurer of Mifflin county, serving two years. In 1884 he was elected state senator from the Thirty-first senatorial district for four years, with honor, and served on the following committees: Constitutional re- form; canals and navigation; military affairs; banks; federal relations; pensions and gratuities. He was a member of Lewistown Lodge, No. 203, Free and Accepted Masons; Lewistown Chapter, No. 186, Royal Arch Masons; Lewistown Commandery, No. 26, Knights Templar, and was interested in all that pertained to the advancement and prosperity of Lewistown.
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He married, March 23, 1850, Eliza J. Matthews, daughter of Joseph Matthews, of Lewistown; she was born in Lewistown, in 1832, and sur- vives him, a resident of Lewistown, aged eighty years, tenderly cared for by her two daughters and son, Joseph M. She is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. Children: 1. Joseph Matthews, of whom fur- ther. 2. Eleanor B., unmarried. 3. William L., resides in Lewistown, a hardware merchant; married Fredericka Bossinger. 4. Elizabeth L., married D. L. Beckwith and resides in Albion, New York. 5. Henry C., an attorney-at-law, practicing in Birmingham, Alabama, unmarried. 6. Mary L., resides in Lewistown.
(V) Joseph Matthews, eldest son of Colonel John B. and Eliza J. ( Matthews) Selheimer, was born in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, January 31, 1851. He was educated in the public school, Lewistown Academy and Crittenden Commercial College, beginning business life at the age of seventeen years as clerk in his father's hardware store. He became familiar with every detail of the business and for ten years prior to the death of the founder, was the capable manager. He literally grew up with the business, and kept pace with its wonderful growth and develop- ment. He was appointed administrator of his father's estate, and has ably conducted the large interests committed to him. He is a director of the Mann Edge Tool Company, and was one of the organizers; was the first vice-president, and for the past three years, has been president of the Lewistown Trust Company ; was a director of the Lewistown Gas and Electric Company, and one of the organizers and a director of the Lewistown Ice and Storage Company. In all public affairs he is liberal and public spirited, devoted to the interests of Lewistown. He is a Dem- ocrat in political faith, but has never sought political preferment, al- though he has filled local offices when the public good demanded. He has always been a friend of the fire department, and for several years was an active member in the volunteer service. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, but extends his liberality to the support of all churches. He is a prominent member of the Masonic order, belong- ing to Lewistown Lodge, No. 203, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is past master; past high priest of Lewistown Chapter, No. 186, Royal Arch Masons; past commander of Lewistown Commandery, No. 26, Knights Templar, and is a Shriner of Lulu Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Philadelphia. In Scottish Rite Masonry he has at-
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tained the thirty-second degree, belonging to Harrisburg Consistory. Mr. Selheimer is a member of the Lewistown Board of Trade, and has been its treasurer since its organization.
This branch of the Baker family is found in Lehigh county,
BAKER Pennsylvania, at an early day, and there Walter Scott Baker, grandfather of Dr. William M. Baker, of Lewis- town, Pennsylvania, was an early resident. Later he moved to Snyder county, Pennsylvania, and there engaged in farming until late in life, when he moved to Missouri, and there died. He married and left issue, including a son, Walter.
(II) Walter, son of Walter Scott Baker, was born in Snyder county, Pennsylvania, September 17, 1839. He was educated in the public school, and learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until he en- tered the army. He enlisted September 7, 1864, in Company M, 184th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war under the command of Captain L. C. Edmunds. He was in the battles fought by the Army of the Potomac during the last year of the war, and witnessed the surrender of Lee at Appomattox. He was honorably discharged and mustered out June 2, 1865. After the war he returned to Snyder county and resumed his trade of carpenter and cab- inet maker. In the spring of 1872 he moved to Mifflin county, locating in Decatur township, where he bought a farm, and also continued work- ing at his trade. About the year 1900 he moved to Lewistown, where he yet follows his trade, although in the seventy-fourth year of his age. He is an expert wood worker, and turns out the finest of cabinet work. He is a Republican in politics, a member of the Grand Army of the Re- public, and of the Lutheran church, as was his wife. He married Salome McClain, born in Center county, Pennsylvania, in 1843, died in Lewis- town, June 18, 1906, only child of John and Sophia ( Treaster) McClain, of Snyder county. Children : 1. James M., born November 30, 1861 ; grad- uate of Northwestern Ohio University ; read law with Andrew Reed, of Lewistown, was admitted to the bar and practiced for one year in Lewis- town, then moved to Snyder county, where he is now engaged in the practice of his profession; he married Mary Yeager. 2. William McClain, of whom further. 3. Mary, born April 8, 1866, died De- cember 16, 1867. 4. Ada C., born April 11, 1870; married Edward S.
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Aurand, and resides in Lewistown. 5. Ira R., born June 11, 1873 ; grad- uate of Northwestern Ohio University; now a teacher in Iowa. 6. Eliz- abeth M., born July 8, 1875; married James Aurand, and resides at Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. 7. Samuel S., born May 28, 1878; graduate of Case School of Applied Science, Cleveland, Ohio; now employed in man- ufacture of steel with Jones-Loughlin & Company, Pittsburgh; unmar- ried. 8. Elsie V., born November 12, 1880; now a teacher in Lewistown public schools. 9. Kirby, born April 23, 1882 ; married Annie Peters, and resides at Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.
(III) William McClain, son of Walter and Salome (McClain) Baker, was born June 24, 1863. He was educated in the public schools. and at the age of seventeen years began teaching. His first position was at Center school, in Decatur township, where he taught one year. He then entered the preparatory department of Northwestern Ohio Uni- versity. After leaving the university he taught two terms at Lilyville, Decatur township; then in October, 1886, entered Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati, remaining one year. He then matriculated at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, whence he was graduated M. D., April 4, 1888. He spent a few months at his home after graduation, then began the practice of his profession at Beavertown, Snyder county, Pennsylvania, where he built up a good practice and remained until Oc- tober 15, 1895. He then disposed of his practice there and located in Lewistown, where he is now well established in general medical and surgical practice. He holds high rank in his profession, and is the present chief of medical staff of Lewistown Hospital; he was for thir- teen years physician to Mifflin county jail, nine years physician to the county almshouse, served three years on the borough board of health, and is a member of Mifflin County Medical Society. He is a Republican in politics, and is now serving his first term as commissioner of Mifflin county.
He holds high degree in the Masonic order, belonging to Lewis- town Lodge, No. 203, Free and Accepted Masons; Lewistown Chapter, No. 186, Royal Arch Masons; Lewistown Commandery, No. 26. Knights Templar; is a thirty-second degree Mason of Harrisburg Con- sistory, Ancient Accepted Scottishi Rite, and a noble of Jaffa Temple, Al- toona, A. A. O. N. M. S. He also is a member of Juniata Eyrie, No. 419, Fraternal Order of Eagles, and of the Temple Club.
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Dr. Baker married, September 1, 1887, Mary Willa Ingram, born in Decatur township, Mifflin county, daughter of Augustus M. and Eliza- beth (Sigler) Ingram. Children: I. Lloyd, born 1888, died July 14, 1909, while a student at Case School of Applied Science, Cleveland. 2. Merle, born 1890; a graduate of Lewistown Preparatory school. 3. Charles Vernon, born 1891, died in infancy. 4. Russell, born 1892, now a student in chemistry in Lehigh University. 5. Rex M., born 1894, graduate of Lewistown high school.
Mrs. Mary W. (Ingram) Baker is a granddaughter of James and Martha (Cottle) Ingram-he was a lifelong resident and farmer of Mifflin county ; she was born in that county, but after her husband's death went to Missouri, where she died. Both were members of the Presbyterian church. Children: Mary, married a Mr. Potter, and moved to Illinois, where she died; Isabel, twin of Mary, married John Milligan, who died in Center county, and she died in Missouri; Augustus M., eldest child and only son of James and Martha Ingram, was born in Mifflin county, in 1828, died December 1, 1882. He was educated in Academia Academy, intending to prepare for the profession of law ; his father, however, was determined he should become a minister of the Presbyterian church. During the controversy the young man married, and all idea of a profession was abandoned. He became a farmer, own- ing a good farm of one hundred and seventy-five acres in Decatur town- ship. He was justice of the peace many years, and both he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church. He married Elizabeth Sig- ler, who died November 19, 1905. Children: Elizabeth, born 1848; Adeline, 1850; William, 1852, died young; Sarah, 1854; Robert, 1856; Mary Willa, wife of Dr. Baker; James, born 1861, killed accidentally November 3, 1903; Howard, born 1863; Anna, 1865; Ella, 1869. Eight of these children are now living.
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