USA > Pennsylvania > A history of the Juniata Valley and its people, Volume I > Part 43
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Augustine Passmore, of Cecil county, Maryland, was born July 27, 1714. died May 25, 1782. He married (second) January 28, 1754, Hannah Howard, born February 15, 1729, died March 2, 1774. Han- nah Howard was a daughter of Henry Howard, who was "christened" December 22, 1689, son of Richard Howard of Lower Dawven, Lan- cashire, England. He died in Edgmont township, Chester county (now Delaware), Pennsylvania, October 12, 1760. He married, 6 mo. II. 1720, at Chester Meeting, Hannah Sharpless, born at Ridley, Pennsyl- vania, 8 mo. 5, 1697, died 10 mo. 17, 1780. They were the parents of nine children, of whom Hannah was the fifth. Hannah (Sharpless) Howard was the daughter of John (2) Sharpless, born at Blakenhall, Cheshire, England, II mo. 16, 1666, died near Chester, Pennsylvania, 7 mo. 9. 1747. He married, 9 mo. 23, 1692, at a Meeting held at Jolin Bowaters' house in Middletown township, now Delaware, then Chester county, Hannah Pennell, born 7 mo. 23, 1673, died 10 mo. 31, 1721. John (2) Sharpless was a son of John ( 1) Sharpless, baptized at Wy- bunburg, Cheshire, England, August 15, 1624, died near Chester, Penn- sylvania, 4 mo. II, 1685 ; married, April 27, 1672, Jane Moor, born 1638, died 9 mo. 1, 1722. John (1) Sharpless came to Pennsylvania in 1682, and is the ancestor of the Sharpless family of Philadelphia, with many
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main and collateral branches in many states, including the branch of the Swigart family.
(V) Dr. Samuel Wakefield Swigart, son of Abram Rothrock and Jane (Rupert) Swigart, was born near McVeytown, Oliver township, Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, September 7, 1877. He was educated in the district schools and Cumberland Valley State Normal School, whence he was graduated with the class of 1899. During and after his years of preparation he taught school, his services in that profession being six years. Deciding upon the profession of medicine, he entered Illinois Medical College at Chicago, whence he was graduated M. D., class of 1906. Dr. Swigart began practise in Lewistown at once, continuing there until 1911, when he moved to Wattsburg, Erie county, where he remained eighteen months, then returned to Lewistown, where he is now (1913) located. He is highly regarded as both physician and citi- zen, while his practise is growing in importance daily. While in Erie county he was county physician to the poor. He is a member of the American Medical Association, Pennsylvania State Medical and Mifflin County Medical societies, taking a deep interest in all these and keeping abreast of all medical thought and discovery that will increase his use- fulness. He is a member of the Church of The Brethren, and in politi- cal faith a Democrat. Through his Swigart, Wakefield, Passmore, Rupert and Sharpless ancestors he is connected with the best early Quaker, German and English families of Pennsylvania and Maryland, while his own personality and professional ability have won for him a high standing in the community in which his lot is cast. He married, June 11, 1913, Maude Mabel Mitchell, a native of Wattsburg, Erie county, and member of an old and prominent family.
VAN VALZAH Inseparably connected with the medical history of the Buffalo Valley, Union county, Pennsylvania, is the name Van Valzah, where the pioneer, Dr. Robert (2) Van Valzah, lived and died, being followed in the same pro- fession by sons, grandsons and great-grandsons.
(II) Dr. Robert (2) Van Valzah was born in New York state, at his father's home on the Croton river, April 17, 1764, died at Buffalo Cross Roads, Union county Pennsylvania, April 18, 1850. He was the only son of Robert (born 1733) and Mary (born 1739) Van Valzah, both
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born in Holland, and with others of their race came to New York, set- tling along the Hudson river, where they lived and died. Robert en- tered the revolutionary army when he was sixteen years of age, serving in two campaigns. After the war he studied medicine and in 1786 came to Pennsylvania and the Buffalo Valley. He arrived at Sunbury with- out sufficient funds to pay his ferriage across the river, but one of the Beattys gave him a shilling to pay his way across, and in doing so made the best investment in his life. The young doctor never forgot the favor and afterward cared for one of the Beatty family, during his life, and by his will provided for her maintenance on his farm at Buffalo Cross Roads, where she had a comfortable home until her death, which occurred in 1875.
After getting safely across the Susquehanna he continued westward, settling first at Penn's Creek, where he married and remained two years helping his father-in-law in the meantime to build a mill. In 1796 he settled at Buffalo Cross Roads where he purchased a farm and prac- tised his profession until late in life. He was well known all through the Valley, and had a large practise in Union and adjoining counties. He was a Democrat and both he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church. He married, at Penn's Creek, Elizabeth Suther- land, who died in 1840. Two of his sons, Robert and Thomas, became eminent as physicians. Children: 1. Robert, studied medicine with his father, settled in Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania, where he died March 14, 1851, aged sixty-two years. He married and had seven sons, five of whom were physicians, as follows: i. Robert F., practised at Spring Mills, Center county, where he died, leaving four sons, two of whom, Frank and Henry, became physicians. ii. Thomas, practised at Boals- burg, Center county. iii. Montgomery, lived in Nebraska, where he was killed by Indians in 1870. iv. Samuel H., practised in Lewisburg and Mif- flinburg, Pennsylvania, later in Durand, Illinois. v. Stephen H., prac- tised in Watsontown, Pennsylvania, where he was succeeded by his son, Dr. Grier Van Valzah. 2. Thomas, of whom further. 3. John A., born October 27, 1800, died August 26, 1854. He married October 9, 1844, Sarah Boude Barber, born March 6, 1815, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Clingan) Barber. Their daughter, Jane Roan Van Valzah, married Dr. Franklin H. Van Valzah, born in Center county, Pennsyl- vania, a physician at Spring Mills. John A. settled on the old homestead
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farm at Buffalo Cross Roads and also operated a grist mill. 4. William, settled with his brother on the homestead farm, married and had four sons, two of whom were physicians: Robert T., practising at Ashland, Schuylkill county; the other, William, practising in Philadelphia. 5. Elizabeth, married Peter Wilson and settled at Spring Mills, Center county ; one of her sons, Robert, became a physician, settling in Clear- field county. 6. Jane, married William Foster, a farmer of Mifflinburg. 7. Margaret, married John Foster and lived at Mifflinburg. 8. Mary (Polly), born January 22, 1791, died March 24, 1846; married, February 14, 18II, Colonel Samuel Barber, born in Buffalo Valley, June 21, 1787, died March 2, 1846. Colonel Barber was colonel of the Forty-third Regiment Pennsylvania Militia, in 1825; was a splendid horseman and swordsman, very popular with the soldiers. He was an ardent Demo- crat and a member of the first general assembly held west of the Alle- gheny mountains. Their son, Robert B., was a lawyer, appointed deputy attorney general in 1839 by Governor Porter, again appointed in 1846 by Governor Strunk and, in 1852, aide with the rank of colonel by Governor Bigler.
(III) Dr. Thomas Van Valzah, son of Dr. Robert (2) and Eliza- beth (Sutherland) Van Valzah, was born at Buffalo Cross Roads, Union county, Pennsylvania, December 23, 1793. He obtained his classical education under the instruction of Rev. Thomas Hood, and read medicine with his father. During the war of 1812, although but twenty years of age, he enlisted and served as surgeon. Later he entered the University of Pennsylvania, whence he was graduated, class of 1818. He began the practise of his profession at Lewisburg and steadily advanced to a successful practise. In 1837 he moved to Free- port, Illinois, but in 1842 returned to Pennsylvania, locating at Lewis- town, where he was in active practise until his death April 6, 1870, hav- ing been an active and successful practising physician fifty-eight years.
Dr. Van Valzah was by nature and education well fitted for his pro- fession. He possessed a charm and kindliness of manner that inspired his patient with confidence, and his warm sympathy was of itself a medicine and a restorative. He always heeded the call of the poor, be- stowing his skill upon all alike, regardless of fee. Aside from his local practise, he was often called away for consultation in both medical and
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surgical cases, being a skillful surgeon and an unquestioned authority in both branches of his profession. He kept always abreast of his times and availed himself of all progress made in medical science. He was a rapid and skillful surgical operator, and in 1827, in connection with Dr. Dougal, performed the first Cæsarian operation ever performed in this country. The operation was performed in Northumberland county, and is reported in the "American Journal of Medical Science," 1835, page 343. The first high operation for lithotomy in America was performed by Dr. Gibson of Philadelphia ; the second by Dr. Carpenter, of Philadelphia, and the third by Dr. Thomas Van Valzah of Lewisburg, see Gibson's "Surgery," vol ii, page 244, edition of 1849, which refers to the successful operations of these eminent surgeons. The second successful high operation in America for lithotomy was performed by Dr. Van Valzah. The doctor delighted to dispense hospitality, and at his home his friends loved to congregate to receive a welcome and gen- erous entertainment. He was kind, dignified, and considerate of the rights and feelings of others. His long white beard, bright eyes and cheerful countenance, gave him an attractive and patriarchal appearance. He died May 6, 1870, in his seventy-seventh year of pleuro-pneumonia, contracted during a visit to Washington. His death was much lamented and during the hours of his funeral all business places in Lewistown were closed as a public testimonial of respect to the memory of one who was a valued citizen, an eminent physician, a kind neighbor and a true friend.
Dr. Van Valzah married, February 3, 1820, Harriet, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Harris) Howard (from whose family our state capital was named), of Union county, Pennsylvania ; he was a large land owner, prosperous farmer and influential member of the Presby- terian church. Children of Dr. Thomas Van Valzah: I. Thomas How- ard, became a physician, practising in Lewistown, where he died. 2. Robert Harris, died in Freeport, Illinois, a practising physician. 3. Laird, died in 1843. 4. Mary Elizabeth, deceased; married Andrew P. Jacobs. 5. John, died in the Union army, while serving as surgeon of an Illinois regiment. 6. Jane Howard, married Ezra D. Parker and lived in Lewistown; she is now deceased. 7. Harriet Rebecca, died in infancy. 8. David D., of whom further.
(IV) Colonel David Dougall Van Valzah, youngest son of Dr.
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Thomas and Harriet (Howard) Van Valzah, was born near Freeport, Illinois, January 5, 1840. He was educated in the public school and Lewistown Academy, entering business life as clerk in a drug store, continuing about four years.
On May 14, 1861, he was commissioned first lieutenant of the Twelfth Regiment of United States Infantry. He served with his regi- ment in the Army of the Potomac during the entire period of the civil war, and was engaged at Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, first and second battles of the Wilderness, Cedar Mountain, and many other bat- tles. At the second battle of the Wilderness he was captured, and from May until November was held a prisoner in the southern prisons at Lynchburg, Macon, Charleston and Columbia. On August 1, 1864. he was brevetted captain for gallant service in the battle of the Wilder- ness, during the campaign before Richmond, Virginia; was commis- sioned captain of Twelfth Infantry, August 10, 1864, and September 21, 1866, was transferred to the Thirtieth Infantry. After the civil war he was on reconstruction duty in Spottsylvania, Caroline and King George counties, in the south, until 1869, then saw hard service on the frontier in Texas, Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, South Dakota, Ari- zona, and New Mexico.
In January, 1871, he was assigned to the Twenty-fifth Infantry, and October 19, 1886, was commissioned major and assigned to the Twen- tieth Infantry. On October 14, 1891, he was commissioned lieutenant- colonel of the Twenty-fourth Infantry, and May 23, 1896, colonel of the Eighteenth Infantry. He served in the Philippines during the Spanish- American war, his being one of the first regiments to land, July 31, 1898, and taking part in the battle of Manila, later was engaged at Illio. Col- onel Van Valzah was retired June 20, 1899, after over thirty years in his country's service. He was reported as dead at the time of his cap- ture and imprisonment in the south, obituary notices were printed, and his friends all mourned him as one forever gone. He passed through all the perils of war unscathed, save for a slight wound in the thumb, re- ceived at Gettysburg.
Colonel Van Valzah was married, January 7, 1874, to Ellen J. Murphy, born in Texas, daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Henfey) Mur- phy. The family residence is at Third and Brown streets, Lewistown, Pennsylvania.
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The Nolte family of Lewistown descends from John Miller
NOLTE and Mary Christine (Weiderecht) Nolte, both born in Germany, he in 1835, she in 1846. John Miller Nolte came to the United States when a lad of thirteen years and located in Cincin- nati, Olio, where he learned the shoemaker's trade. After the civil war, and his marriage, he located in Lewistown, where he engaged in manufacturing shoes, and also maintained a store for the retail market- ing of his own product. After several years in the shoe business he disposed of his interests and opened a restaurant at No. 32 North Mar- ket street on the site of the present Crystal Café. He continued in successful business until his death in 1892. He was a Democrat in politics, and held in such high regard by his community that he was elected to important public offices. He was treasurer of Mifflin county, chief burgess of Lewistown, member of the borough council and school director, and filled each office with honor, never betraying the interests of those who trusted him with the conduct of public affairs. He was a member of the Logan Guards, and during the civil war enlisted and was captain of Company A, Forty-sixth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, serving until the close of the war, participating with his regi- ment in forty-nine battles, but escaped serious injury. He was an active member of the Lutheran church and a teacher in the Sunday school, love of children being one of his ruling traits. He was a member of the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of the Golden Eagle, the Grand Army of the Republic, and the Union Veteran Legion. After his death the name of his Post was changed to the Captain Nolte Commandery. He was active in all these orders and societies, and held in highest esteem everywhere.
Captain Nolte married, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Mary Christine Weide- recht, who was born in Germany in 1846 and brought to the United States when a child of two years, her parents settling in Cincinnati. After her marriage she came to Lewistown, where she now resides. Children: I. Annie Mary Elizabeth, resides in Lewistown, unmarried. 2. George Edward Elias, resides in Lewistown, unmarried. 3. Harry Sebastian, a practising physician of Reed City, Michigan; married Grace Thrush. 4. Louis Elmer, resides in Braddock, Pennsylvania, unmarried; an employee of the Union Switch and Signal Company. 5. John Centen- nial, of whom further.
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(II) John Centennial, youngest son of Captain John Miller and Mary Christine (Weiderecht) Nolte, was born in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, June 20, 1876, and was named in honor of the one hundredth anniversary of our nation's declaration of freedom. He was educated in the public school and, until he was of legal age, assisted his mother in the operation of the restaurant, which she continued after her husband's death, her son acting as manager from the time he was fourteen years of age. He then acquired a knowledge of photography and later bought out a studio on the public square, Lewistown, of which he is yet proprietor, also maintaining a department for the sale of photographic supplies, kodaks, etc. He is a Democrat in politics, but never an aspirant for public office. He belongs to the Patriotic Order Sons of America, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Patriotic Order of America, and the Loyal Association. Both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church.
He married, November 22, 1900, Hannah Mary Burkett, born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth Bur- kett, an old family of Franklin and Mifflin counties. Children: Mary Elizabeth, John Frederick and Robert Arthur.
MUTHERSBAUGH This name was originally spelled Mutthers- baugh, and the first settlement of the family in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, was in Derry township. where John and Catherine ( Mulholland) Muthersbaugh were early settlers. They came to Derry from Morrisons Cove, on Spruce creek, and lived on a fine farm which he owned. John Muthersbaugh followed farming all his active years, but spent his latter days in Decatur township with his son, Abraham Muthersbaugh. He was a member of the German Baptist church. Children: Samuel, born March 6, 1798, died in Ohio; John, born May 22, 1800, died in Virginia; Susan, born December 28, 1802, married John James; Jacob, born April 14, 18-, lived and died in Lewistown; David, born November 1, 18-, died in Derry township, Mifflin county ; Abraham, of whom further ; Elizabeth, born April 30, 1808, married John Irvin and died in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania; Daniel, born March 18, 1810, died in Center county, Pennsylvania.
(II) Abraham, son of John and Catherine (Mulholland) Muthers-
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baugh, was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, May 22, 1806, died in Decatur township, Mifflin county, June 15, 1867. In his youth he was a famed wood-chopper, later a worker at the iron furnaces of his locality. After his marriage, in 1843, he bought a farm of three hun- dred acres in Decatur township, in partnership with his brother David. Later the brothers divided the tract and to his half, Abraham later added two hundred and sixty acres, by purchase. He prospered and spent his entire later life in the cultivation and improvement of his own acres. He was the "peacemaker" of the township, and both well known and in- fluential. He was a Democrat in politics until the election of James K. Polk to the presidency, then went over to the Whigs. He never accepted public office, but lived a private, quiet life, taking little part in township affairs, excepting to settle differences and to promote good feeling among his neighbors. Both he and his wife were active members of the Metho- dist Episcopal church. He married, February 28, 1843, Jemima Sigler, born in Mifflin county, August 17, 1812, died October 24, 1905, at the great age of ninety-three years. She was a daughter of Adam, and a descendant of John Sigler of German parentage, who came from New Jersey in colonial days. His son, George Sigler, was the father of George (2) Sigler, who was carried away by the Indians and held cap- tive for a year. Adam was the third son of George ( I) Sigler, and elder brother of the captured lad. Adam Sigler was born June 4, 1769, died June 30, 1846. He married Jemima Van Horn, born April 2, 1775, died August 24, 1854, daughter of Dan Van Horn, of Brooklyn, New York, a descendant of the Dutch family of Van Hooren, early settlers of Manhattan Island, Long Island, and New Jersey. After mar- riage Adam settled in Decatur township along Meadow Run, a small stream then abounding with fish. He erected a log house, which he many times remodeled and enlarged, to accommodate his large family of thirteen sons and daughters. He became the owner of over six hun- dred acres of land, much of which he cleared. He was a very large man, a great hunter and fisherman, and at his death owned perhaps the best farm and largest house in the township. The sons aided their father in clearing and improving the farm, while the daughters spun and wove the flax and wool from which later they made the family clothing. Both he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church. Chil- dren of Abraham and Jemima (Sigler) Muthersbaugh: I. Johnson. of
Johnson Withersbaugh
Margaret ( Miller ) Authersbaugh
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whom further. 2. James Knox, born August 29, 1845, now deceased, a farmer of Granville township; married Mary M. Gallagher. 3. Annie Catherine, now residing on Valley street, Lewistown, unmarried. 4. Isabella M., a teacher, residing with her sister Annie, unmarried. 5. Howard, deceased, married Alice Alexander, who resides in Decatur, Illinois. 6. Ellen, married Thomas Brennan, he is now deceased; she resides in Lewistown. 7. Emma, married William H. Mendenhall and resides in Avalon, Pennsylvania.
(III) Johnson, eldest son of Abraham and Jemima (Sigler) Muth- ersbaugh, was born in Decatur township, Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, December 7, 1844. He attended the public school and until August 30, 1864, was employed at the home farm. On that date he enlisted in Company K, Two Hundred and Fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Volun- teer Infantry, under Captain F. B. McClenahan, served until the close of the war, received honorable discharge June 2, 1865. He was engaged in the battles of Petersburg, and in several skirmishes, doing faithful service in the closing year of the war between the states. After the war he attended Freeburg academy in Snyder county, Pennsylvania, where for two terms he was under the instruction of Rev. W. L. Wil- son and Professor Van Dyke. The following year he taught at German- ville, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, then spent two years at the home farm. In 1868 he married and spent the following year at the farm of his father-in-law, engaged in its cultivation. In the spring of 1872 he entered the employ of Dickson and McGovern on the Lewistown divi- sion of the Pennsylvania railroad, moving to Lewistown and continuing with the Pennsylvania two years. He then began working at the car- penter's trade, working one season with William Smith, and with Daniel C. Matters four years. In 1877 he began contracting and became a well known, reliable and prosperous contractor and builder, continuing most successfully until 1908, when he retired. He built up, with the dwellings he erected, a reputation for honorable dealing and good work- manship that brought him a great deal of unsolicited patronage. He kept many men employed and ran, to its full capacity, a shop equipped with modern planing mill machinery. This he still owns and occasionally runs for a day or two, more in memory for his old-time busy days, than for profit. He is a Republican in politics, but independent in local elec- tions. From 1908 to 1912 he served as borough councilman and has
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always taken an active part in borough politics. He is a member of Lewistown Lodge, No. 270, Knights of Pythias, and of Colonel Huling's Post, No. 176, Grand Army of the Republic.
The family residence is at No. 122 Chestnut street, but Mr. Muthers- baugh takes frequent vacation trips to California, Florida and Canada, and in other ways enjoys the fruits of his long life of industry.
He married (first) Amelia Fees, who died May 10, 1899, daughter of Zeno and Lavina (Gift) Fees, granddaughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Fees, and maternal granddaughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Gift. He married (second) August 6, 1903, Margaret Miller, born in Mifflin county, daughter of Mrs. Mary Miller, of Mechanicsburg. The only child of his first marriage was Verna F., born December 25, 1872, died September 22, 1909; she married William M. Lind and left no issue.
SHERMAN There is much in the German character to admire, but one trait that most impresses Americans is their un- tiring industry and thriftiness. As settlers in a new land they faced discouragement with a fortitude amazing; and while acquiring American citizenship also placed to their credit a good share of American dollars. Another trait, and one unlooked for from a race that has suffered much from the ravages of war, is the promptness with which they have rallied to the defense of their adopted country's flag whenever men were needed. The career of Henry Sherman, of Lewis- town, illustrates both the above-mentioned traits, and can be duplicated in the lives of thousands of our German-Americans, who are among the best of our citizens.
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