USA > Pennsylvania > A history of the Juniata Valley and its people, Volume II > Part 10
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David C., born November 15, 1861 ; resides at Locust Run: a farmer. 7. Mary E., born November 16, 1865; married James William Kyle. 8. Banks J., born March 9, 1868, died aged eighteen months.
(The Witmer Line).
Anna Elizabeth Witmer, born January 16, 1827, wife of David Sieber and mother of Mary Elizabeth (Sieber) Kyle, was a descendant of John Witmer, born in Switzerland in 1687, arrived in Philadelphia in 1716, and settled four miles west of the present city of Lancaster, where he died in January, 1728. His wife Catherine, born in 1690, died in 1760. Their first two children were born in Switzerland, the third in Pennsyl- vania : Elizabeth, born 1712; Michael, 1714; Barbara, 1717.
(II) Michael, son of John Witmer, "the emigrant", died in 1789. He became very wealthy, married Anna Long and left each of his five children a generous property. Children: John, born 1750, died 1817; Herman, born 1753; Abraham, born 1756; Anna, born 1760, died 1831; Mary, born 1763, died 1788.
(III) John, eldest son of Michael and Anna (Long) Witmer, grew to manhood at the farm near Lancaster, where he became a miller. He early came to Juniata county, where he built a mill and engraved on a stone in its walls the date of its erection. He owned land inherited from his father, lying on the west side of the Susquehanna river in what is now the northeastern corner of Juniata county, containing two hundred and thirty-two acres, also owning one hundred and fifty acres in Snyder county. He served as a private in Captain Philip Beck's company. Third Battalion Lancaster County Militia in 1781. He married and had issue : Abraham, born 1780, died in 1829; Anna, born in 1782 ; Barbara, born in 1784, died in 1828; Fannie, born in 1786; Henry, born in 1788, died in 1866: Jacob, born in 1790, died in 1847; Mary, born in 1792, died in 1829; John, born in 1793, died in 1829; Magdalene ; Elizabeth.
From the revolutionary soldier, John Witmer, descended Anna Eliza- beth Witmer, wife of David Sieber and mother of Mary Elizabeth Sieber, wife of James William Kyle.
This name, Schneider in German, was first found in
SNYDER Pennsylvania in official lists under date of September 15. 1728. when Matheis and Christian landed from the same
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ship, coming from Germany. Under the anglicized spelling, Snyder is found on lists of September 18, 1727. While many retain the German spelling, the form Snyder is almost as freely used, although in the lists of those landing in the province there were one hundred and fifty-three Schneiders and but thirty-seven Snyders. However, this proportion would not hold good in latter days. The founder of this branch was Anthony Snyder, who was born at Knippenburgh, near Oppenheim, Germany, arrived in Pennsylvania in 1748 and settled in Lancaster.
(I) A descendant of Anthony was Henry Harrison Snyder, born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where he lived and died. He mar- ried Anna Staley born in Lancaster county of Irish parentage. Among his children was Jacob S., mentioned below.
(II) Jacob S., son of Henry Harrison and Anna (Staley) Snyder, was born in Lancaster county in 1817, died in 1903. He learned the carpenter's trade, later became an undertaker and located at Reams- town, Lancaster county. He was a Lutheran in religion, and a Republi- can in politics. He married Anna Bridegam, born in Lancaster county in 1815, daughter of Henry and Sarah Bridegam, both of Lancaster county, all members of the Reformed church. Children: 1. Henry Harrison, who died in 1911, aged seventy-one years. He was a lieuten- ant in the civil war, serving from the first call to the final surrender in Company L, Seventh Regiment Cavalry, and once for a term of five days was acting captain of his company. 2. Jacob A., died in 1864, one of the victims of the Salisbury ( North Carolina) prison pen, after hav- ing been held a prisoner at Libby Prison in Richmond. He was a private of the Fifty-fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. 3. Wil- liam F., of whom further. 4. Anna, married John Mumma, of Lancaster county. 5. Sarah, married Charles Tole, of Lancaster City. 6. Mary Elizabeth, married Scott Groff, of Lancaster county, whom she survives. 7. Susan Rebecca, married Charles Witmeyer, of Lancaster county.
(III) William Franklin, son of Jacob S. and Anna (Bridegam) Snyder, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, November 16, 1845. He was educated in the public schools and at a suitable age went to Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, to learn the trade of chairmaker, serving one and a half years, then enlisted, although his term had not expired. He enlisted, in 1863, in Company E, Twenty-seventh Regiment Pennsyl- vania Volunteer Infantry, serving six months, then returned home and
W.F. Amyder
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for a time again worked at his trade. In 1864 he enlisted in Captain A. B. Sanno's independent cavalry company, serving one hundred days, receiving honorable discharge, September 16, 1864. On September 17, or the next day, reenlisted in Company I. Ninth Regiment Pennsyl- vania Cavalry, for one year, serving until the close of the war. He was with Sherman in his march from "Atlanta to the sea" and witnessed the surrender of General Johnston's army. After the war he finished learning his trade and worked in Lancaster until 1867, then located in Mifflintown, where he was married a year later. In January, 1868, he began the manufacture of chairs for his own account, his father-in- law, Mr. Sandoe, conducting an undertaking establishment. He con- tinued thus until 1878, then purchased Mr. Sandoe's interest and has since conducted the undertaking business in Mifflintown alone, selling out his chair manufacturing to his son. D. L. Snyder, in 1909. He con- tinued his undertaking business until February 1, 1913, when he sold that department to his son, D. L. Snyder, and retired. He has been very successful in business, built a fine store building in 1909, and now lives in a residence he erected in 1901. During the years he spent in undertaking he conducted the funerals of three thousand one hundred and thirty-four persons, his business extending over a large expanse of territory surrounding Mifflintown. He is a Progressive in politics and has served as member of the borough council. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, Mr. Snyder having been a member forty-seven years, active and useful. He belongs to .D. H. Wilson Post. No. 134. Grand Army of the Republic; has been an Odd Fellow for forty-three years, first joining Lodge No. 131, now a mem- ber of Lodge No. 911. He has filled all the official chairs in the local lodge and in 1876 was representative to the Grand Lodge of Pennsyl- vania, sitting in Philadelphia.
He married, December 24, 1867. Isabella, daughter of Anthony Sandoe, an early settler in Mifflintown. locating there in 1840, and died in 1905: he married Rebecca Coder, who died in Mifflintown in 1897. Anthony Sandoe was in the undertaking business in Mifflintown until 1878, when he sold out to his son-in-law William F. Snyder. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Snyder: 1. Rebecca, born 1870; married Cooper Moorehead of Newport. Perry county, Pennsylvania ; children : Isabella and Miriam. 2. Mary E., born 1873; married William Frasier, of Lin-
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coln, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. 3. David Lewis, born August II, 1882; now his father's successor in the furniture and undertaking busi- ness ; married Frances Gouchenour and has a son, William Franklin (2).
HAYES For nearly one hundred years the Hayes family has been prominent in the Kishacoquillas valley, the original settler in this branch being John Hayes. He was the son of An- drew and Jane (Alcorn) Hayes, both born in county Armagh, Ireland, who prior to the revolution came to this country, settling in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Andrew and Jane (Alcorn) Hayes had nine children: Robert, Thomas, Edward, Andrew, John, of whom further; Frank, William, Henry, Sarah and one who died young.
(II) John, son of Andrew and Jane (Alcorn) Hayes, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, March 6, 1797. He grew to manhood in his native county, attended the public schools, worked at farming and learned the plasterer's trade, serving a regular apprenticeship. He fol- lowed his trade for a time in Center county, Pennsylvania, but in 1824 moved to Mifflin county. He worked in that county for thirty years, becoming well known as a master of his trade and a reliable con- tractor. In 1854 he purchased the farm upon which he resided, and there died, March 14, 1888, aged ninety-one years, a worthy, respected citizen. John Hayes married Jane, born March 11, 1803, daughter of John Alexander, of Scotch parentage, whose ancestors lived in the vicinity of Sterling, Scotland, She was a consistent member of the Presbyterian church and died January 10, 1883. Children: William, born July 2, 1825, died in 1838; Henry, born November 3, 1826; John, of whom further; Francis, born March 1, 1830, died in 1866; Josiah, born April 1, 1833; Jane Ann, born July 19, 1838, died in 1843; William James, born October 20, 1843, a farmer, married, May 14, 1890, Emily Bigelow.
(III) John (2), son of John ( I) and Jane (Alexander ) Hayes, was born in Brown township, Mifflin county, near the famous "Logan Spring", July 9, 1828, died at his home three and a half miles west of Reedsville, March 23, 1887. He grew to manhood in his native town- ship and attended the public schools, remaining there until the age of twenty-four years. In 1852 in company with his brother Henry, he made a journey to California, via the Isthmus, remaining until 1859, but dur-
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ing that period made a visit home. In 1859 he returned to Mifflin county, married and located in Reedsville, where he owned a farm of one hun- dred and eighty-five acres. This he improved by the addition of new buildings and there carried on general farming until 1870. He then retired to a small tract of six acres, three and a half miles west of Reedsville, where in 1830 his father, John ( 1) Hayes, had built a home. There John (2) Hayes lived until his death in 1887. He was a Demo- crat in politics and an attendant of the Presbyterian church.
He married Rebecca J. Reed, born in Brown township, Mifflin county, March 5, 1838, died at sea. December 14, 1910, while returning from Yokohoma, Japan, to San Francisco. Her body was returned to her native town, Reedsville, where she and her husband sleep in East Kisha- coquillas Presbyterian Cemetery; she having been a member of that church all her life. She was a daughter of Abner Reed and his second wife, Rhoda Mckinney, and granddaughter of James and Jane (Ogleby) Reed. James Reed, with his half-brother, William Brown, were the first white settlers in the Kishacoquillas valley. Children of John (2) and Rebecca J. Hayes : Jane Alexander, died agen ten months ; Rhoda Mckinney, now residing in Broom township, at the old home ; J. Frank ; Abner Reed, now an attorney of Lewistown, married Lucy Parker, of Washington, D. C .; Ann Williamson, now living in Oakland, California.
Harry C. Smith, of Lewistown, Pennsylvania. descends SMITH from a family that has long been established in Juniata Valley, Pennsylvania. For several generations they have been numbered among the most progressive citizens of the valley, and have been justly held in high esteem by the public.
(I) Jacob Smith, the grandfather of Harry C. Smith. passed his entire business life in Lewistown. Upon the completion of the Penn- sylvania canal as far west as Lewistown in 1829, and then to the foot of the Allegheny Mountains two years later, among other young men of energy and enterprise attracted to Lewistown as a location for busi- ness were the twin brothers, Jacob and Henry Smith, who came to the growing borough from York, Pennsylvania. In May, 1832, they estab- lished a coachmaking business, making a specialty of coaches, doctors' gigs, Dearborn wagons and sleighs. The business thrived wonderfully. and the firm turned out the best line of goods then on the market in
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that region. The same year these twins and partners in business traveled back to York together on a special errand, as is learned from the fol- lowing notice copied from a Lewistown paper :
"July 5, 1832, at York, Pennsylvania, by Reverend Mr. Clough, Henry Smith, of Lewistown, Pennsylvania, to Miss Rachael Fahs. At the same time and place, by Reverend Mr. Zeigler, Jacob Smith, of Lewistown, to Miss Elizabeth S. Welsh, of York. Penn.'
Arriving in Lewistown with their brides on the canal packet-boat, business and family affairs were at once united, Henry taking charge of the painting and leather branch, and Jacob of the wood and iron work. The location of the business was the site of the present hoine of Mrs. Maggie McCoy, widow of General Thomas F. McCoy, and children. on North Main street; the ground in front now occupied by the resi- dence being used as a yard for vehicles awaiting repair. The wooden building now in the rear part of the McCoy property was the workshop, which stood on a line with the alley. This property, valuable for busi- ness or residence purposes, was owned by Jacob, who later in 1841, erected the brick residence, which at that time was considered the finest dwelling in the town. April 1, 1833, by mutual consent, the firm of Smith Brothers was dissolved, each continuing in the same line of busi- ness for himself. A few years later Henry moved to Huntingdon, Pennsylvania : later returning to Lewistown to open a grocery and follow sign painting. Some time in the decade of the forties Jacob Smith moved from his former location on North Main street to a property he purchased a few doors farther north, the site now occupied by Mrs. Frank E. Mann. Here he carried on coachmaking until the summer of 1849, when he sold the business to John Clarke, a practical coachmaker, who soon moved the plant to North Brown street, near Market. where Henry Zerbe was associated as a partner. A few years after its intro- duction into this country Jacob Smith studied and took up the discovery of Daguerre in a practical way, and opened the first permanent gallery for practising the art of "taking pictures" in Lewistown. He erected a large building for the purpose adjoining his home on the site of the Mann residence, spoken of above. In this calling, which was in after years superseded by photography, he was succeeded by his son, James W. Smith, who for many years was the leading photographic artist in the town. To Jacob and Elizabeth Susan (Welsh) Smith were born two
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children : James Welsh, of whom further; Emma Jane, who died Oc- tober 9. 1850, at the age of seven years and a few months. Elizabeth Susan (Welsh) Smith died in Lewistown, November 19. 1860, aged fifty-two years, one month and twenty-five days. Jacob Smith married (second) Margaret Markley, of Lewistown, February 19. 1863. One daughter was the fruit of this union, Matilda, who married Grant Bur- lew.
(II) James Welsh, son of Jacob and Elizabeth Susan ( Welsh ) Smith, was born in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, probably in 1833, died Novem- ber 10, 1891. He married Annie Comfort, daughter of an old Penn- sylvania family, a native of Lewistown. He succeeded to his father's photographic business and was for many years the leading photographer of Lewistown. He possessed the true artistic instinct, and the posing. of his subject was copied universally. He was a civil war veteran, serving his country faithfully and loyally during the time of stress. He enlisted first on the nine months' call. July, 1862. in the One Hundred and Thirty- first Regiment. Company D, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served his full enlistment. Being honorably discharged he returned to Lewistown, took up the broken threads of life and again began his photographic work. He reenlisted February 5, 1865, in Company C. Eighteenth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, as a musician, to serve until the close of the war. He was mustered out June 7. 1865. at Nashville, Tennessee. Again he returned home to reenter the photo- graphic business. One child only was born to James Welsh and Annie (Comfort ) Smith : Harry Comfort, of whom further.
(III) Harry Comfort, son of James Welsh and Annie ( Comfort) Smith, was born in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, July 31, 1868. He was educated in the public schools of Lewistown and on leaving thein hic engaged as clerk for a firm in Pennfield, Pennsylvania, for a few months. From December 14, 1887. to July 6. 1904. he was employed by the Pennsylvania railroad. Leaving this company he entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Glass Sand Company as assistant bookkeeper, re- maining in that position until the organization of the Pennsylvania Pulverizing Company, an affiliated concern, and has remained with this company until the present time ( 1913). He is a Democrat in politics and served one term as clerk of the city council, at the time the sewage system and the present system of arc lights were installed. He is a
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member of the Presbyterian church and is treasurer of the same. Mr. Smith is unmarried.
Dyson Fisher, of Burnham, Pennsylvania, is an example FISHER of what a progressive man, though foreign born, may ac- complish in the United States by close application and a determination to succeed in business in whatever line he may choose. Born in England, reared in the conservative manner of the subjects of that country, living there until he had reached adult age, he came to this country to confront new ideals, new labor conditions and a foreign people. That he succeeded goes without saying.
(I) William Fisher, grandfather of Dyson Fisher, was a native of Denby Dale, England. He was a farmer, farming the land as his ancestors had done before him for countless generations. Children: I. Luke, of whom further. 2. Seth, lives in Denby Dale. 3. William, lives in Sheffield, England. 4. Ellen, deceased. 5. Christiana, lives in Denby Dale. 6. Christopher, lives in Bradford, England.
(II) Luke, oldest son of William Fisher, of Denby Dale, England. was born in Denby Dale, and there grew up and married his wife, Mary Lockwood, daughter of William Lockwood, a farmer and native of Denby Dale. William Lockwood had children: Ann, a widow, living in Denby Dale; Eliza; Mary, mother of Dyson Fisher ; James. After the marriage of Luke Fisher and Mary Lockwood they moved to Brad- ford, England, where he was engaged in the textile industry and fol- lowed that until his death, in Bradford, at the age of fifty-six. His wife died in Bradford, aged fifty-four. He was a Conservative in poli- tics and both he and his wife were communicants of the Church of England. Children: I. Walter, died in 1912, in England. 2. Ellen. widow of Thomas Pickard, of Bradford. 3. Clara, died aged twenty- one, unmarried. 4. Dyson, of whom further. 5. Albert, died aged seven.
(III) Dyson, son of Luke and Mary (Lockwood) Fisher, was born in Bradford, England, June 21, 1862. He received his education in the public schools of Bradford. On leaving school, while yet a youth. he entered the Bolling Iron Works, of Bradford, to learn steel making. and remained with the company for nine years. In 1882 he came to the United States imbued with the idea of more rapid advancement than
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he could hope for in his native country. He located at Logan, now Burnham, Pennsylvania, the seat of the Logan Iron & Steel Works, and has made his home there since. He at once entered the employ of the Standard Steel Works, in the hammer shop department, working with a vim and energy for which he is known. In two or three years he entered the boring mills department, in which department he has remained. From 1894 until 1909 he was general foreman of the depart- inent. He then resigned and has since done contracting in the same department. Through thrift and business acumen he has been able to accumulate a nice property in Burnham. He has erected a large double house, one side of which serves for his home, while the other herents. He has become a naturalized citizen of the United States; is a Republi- can in politics, and has been school director of Derry township. Both he and his wife are members of the Episcopal church. He is a Knight of Pythias in high standing, a Knight of Malta, and a member of the Frec and Accepted Masons, at Lewistown; Lewistown Chapter, Lewistown Commandery, and also the Harrisburg Consistory and the Harrisburg Council.
He married, July 16, 1881, Edith Emily Shackleton, born in Brad- ford, England, daughter of George and Dinah Shackleton, both de- ceased ; Mrs. Fisher is also deceased. One child, a daughter, Minnie. married Calvin Crownover, born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, son of Samuel Irvin Crownover. Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Crownover have one son, Dyson Lockwood.
The Baker family came to the Juniata Valley from eastern
BAKER Pennsylvania, settling in Union county, thence to Snyder county, where John Baker owned a small farm and lived until his removal with his son Daniel to Mifflin county. There he died, September 29, 1871, aged eighty-eight years, three months and nine days. He married (second) Margaret Reitz, who bore him nine chil- dren. By a first wife he had two, and by a third wife one child. Both John and Margaret Baker were members of the Lutheran church; their children were: Daniel, of whom further: Frederick, died in Mifflin county : David, died in Snyder county; John, died aged twenty-one years; Absalom, died aged twenty-two years; Sophia, married George Roath and died in Iowa; Sarah, married George Harmon and died in
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Ohio ; Mary, married a Mr. Harpster and died in Iowa; Elizabeth, mar- ried Daniel Freese and died in Michigan.
(II) Daniel, son of John and Margaret (Reitz) Baker, was born in Snyder county, Pennsylvania, October 25, 1817, died in Mifflin county, December 24, 1881. He grew to manhood in Snyder county, remaining on the farm until his marriage, when he moved to Mifflin county, settling first in Oliver township. He remained there seven years; then moved to Granville township, thence to Armagh township, finally settling in Derry township, where in 1865 he bought a farm of two hundred acres. He was an industrious, upright farmer, a Republican in politics and both he and his wife members of the Lutheran church, but later in life became Presbyterians.
Daniel Baker married, January 2, 1841, Susanna Ritter, who died September 19. 1898, aged seventy-eight years, eight months and thirteen days. She was the daughter of Henry Ritter, born in Pennsyl- vania, of German descent, a farmer and land owner of Snyder county. He married Magdalena Brouse, who bore him children: Henry, George, Jacob, Samuel, Sarah, Sophia, Kate, Susanna and Mary. Both Henry and Magdalena Ritter were members of the Lutheran church. Children of Daniel and Susanna ( Ritter ) Baker : Susanna, died young ; Sophia, de- ceased, married William R. Treaster, who now lives in Kansas: Sarah, deceased, married Joseph Shirey, of Derry township: Joseph, of whoni further ; Catherine, married Andrew Weader and lives in Snyder county ; Martha, died in infancy; Mary Margaret, deceased, married Jacob Rich- ards, a minister of the German Baptist church ; H. Albert, married Sally Worley and lives in Juniata county.
(III) Joseph, son of Daniel and Susanna ( Ritter) Baker, was born in Snyder county, Pennsylvania, May 12, 1850. He was three years of age when his parents moved to Mifflin county, where he was edu- cated in the public schools. He remained at the home farm with his father and after the death of the latter, bought out the other heirs and became sole owner of the two hundred-acre farm in Derry township. He continued there a successful farmer until the spring of 1907, when he bought a small tract of fourteen acres at Vira and there lives retired from active labor, but cultivating his small farm. He is a Republican in politics and served as supervisor of Derry township for several years. For many years Mr. Baker has been a pillar of the Presbyterian church, holding the office of elder. He has led an active, useful life and holds
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the respect of his community as an honorable, upright man, his life being one of usefulness.
He married, November 17, 1870, Mary A. Burkheimer, born July 30, 1845, in Center county, Pennsylvania, daughter of John and Jane Ellen (Mckinney) Burkheimer, both deceased. John Burkheimer, a blacksmith, was born in Center county and died there in 1846. Ellen. his widow, married (second) William Hawlk and died in 1864 in Mif- flin county, also her native county. Children of John Burkheimer : One died in infancy; William L., an attorney, now living in Kohoka. Mis- souri ; John E., a minister of the Free Methodist Episcopal church, now living in Venango, Pennsylvania ; Mary A., wife of Joseph Baker. Chil- dren of Joseph and Mary A. (Burkheimer) Baker: An infant, died un- named; Mary Margaret, died in infancy; Thomas Vernor, died in in- fancy; Elizabeth, died in infancy; Susanna Frances, living at home ; Daniel B., died aged four years; Nellie J., married William Baker and died July 9, 1900.
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