USA > Pennsylvania > A history of the Juniata Valley and its people, Volume II > Part 15
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(IV) Leonard, son of Jacob and Nancy (Hench) Groninger, was born in Milford township. Juniata county, on the Groninger homestead. He was educated in the common schools of the township, and engaged in farming while yet a youth. He purchased land in Milford township after his marriage and lived on it until his death, which occurred in 1905. He was an active worker in the Lutheran church, of which he was a member, as was his wife. Ile advocated the principles of the Republican party, and voted with it since it was organized in 1857-59. He married Margaret, a daughter of William Reynolds, a long time resident of Fermanagh township. a farmer and land owner. Mr. Reynolds was one of the prosperous and prominent men of his section, and had a notable military record. His children were: Mary, married Enoch Horning ; Jesse, married Betsey Groninger : Robert, married Miss Robin- son : George, was a civil war veteran. died unmarried : Margaret, mar-
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ried Leonard Groninger, and died in 1902. Children of Leonard and Margaret (Reynolds) Groninger. I. Stewart, a locomotive engineer, killed in an accident : married Rosa Shaffner. 2. Mary, married Everitt Meloy, a farmer of Milford township, both deceased. 3. John, married Anna Beale; he is a telegraph lineman at Reading, Pennsylvania. 4. Elliot, of whom further. 5. Jacob, died on reaching majority. 6. George, married Laura Weildman; he is a farmer in Milford township. 7. Jesse, married Gertrude Arbagast.
(V) Elliot, son of Leonard and Margaret (Reynolds) Groninger, was born February 12, 1856, in Milford township, Juniata county, Penn- sylvania. He received a common school education in the township. and on leaving school began farming with his father. He moved to his pres- ent home in 1889, which was known as the Professor Wilson place, near Port Royal, and has one hundred acres in a high state of productiveness. He does general farming and stock raising, the dual occupation netting handsome sums each year. He is a Republican, was associate judge from 1906 to 1911, and has held other minor offices. He is a member of the Lutheran church, while his wife attends the Presbyterian. He mar- ried Mary, daughter of John and Mary (Hamilton) Mclaughlin, the latter agent for several fire insurance companies in Turbett township. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Groninger: 1. Homer, born in 1885 ; graduate of West Point Military Academy, in 1908: at present serving in the Fifth Cavalry, U. S. A. 2. Stoey, born in 1889; a teacher. 3. Hugh, born in 1892: a student in State College. 4. Sarah, born in 1894; at home with parents.
George D. Herrington, of Mifflin county, Penn- HERRINGTON sylvania, descends on the paternal side from hon- orable English stock, and on the distaff side from thrifty German people, a happy combination, as has been proven on many occasions and in many American families.
(I) Daniel Herrington, the grandfather of George D. Herrington, was born in Pennsylvania. His forbears probably came to this country in the early part of 1700, as there are many of the name in the New Eng- land states who claim early emigrants from England about that time. Daniel passed his entire life in his native state, spending most of it in the Juniata Valley. He married a native of the valley. Children : I.
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Hiram, was a laborer in Juniata Valley. 2. Reuben, of whom further. 3. James, a drayman at the Osceola Mills.
(II) Reuben, son of Daniel Herrington, was born in Juniata Valley, June II, 1830, and was killed in a sand mine, November II. 1873. He was a farmer in early life and a boatman on the Juniata canal, afterward engaging with the railroad. At the outbreak of hostilities between the north and south he enlisted in a Pennsylvania company and served out the time of his enlistment. He was a Democrat, taking an active inter- est in all political questions, and was a member of the Methodist Episco- pal church. He married (first) Mary Davis, December 16. 1851 ; she died August 4, 1854. He married (second) Catherine Minehart, born November 16, 1832, in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, died March 6, 1900, daughter of John and Mary (Lyons) Minehart. Children by first marriage : 1. James Horace, born October 22, 1852 ; a farmer in Texas. 2. Mary, died in infancy. Children by second marriage : 3. John, born July 14, 1861 ; owns a steam laundry in Lewistown; married Susie Hochenberry. 4. Sarah H., born July 16, 1863, died aged fourteen. 5. Mary E., born April 10, 1865 ; married Peter Lower, an axe grinder at Yeagertown. 6. Rachel Annie, born December 6, 1867; married Henry Knepp; lives at Lima, Ohio. 7. Elbertha A., born January 27. 1870, died aged seven. 8. George D., of whom further. 9. Reuben Alfonzo, born March 1, 1874, died in infancy. John and Mary (Lyons) Mine- hart came from Butler county to Mifflin county with their family, and he took up land in Granville township, about two hundred acres. He cleared and improved it and he and his wife died on it, he at the age of seventy-two and she eighty-six. They were members of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, and were highly respected in the community. They both were God-fearing and law-abiding members of society, and reared their children to be such. Children: William: Catherine, mar- ried Reuben Herrington; Ard.
(III) George D., son of Reuben and Catherine ( Minehart ) Herring- ton, was born June 4, 1872, in Granville township, Mifflin county, Penn- sylvania. He received his education in the common schools of the township, and as a young man engaged with the various farmers of the township and with his brother. In 1900 he established a milk dairy business, which he has since followed with great success. In 1906 he bought one hundred and forty acres of land five miles from Lewistown,
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and has brought them up to a high state of productiveness. He does general farming and stock raising. He gives his franchise to the Demo- cratie party, and has done so since reaching his majority, but has never helt nor aspired to office. Ile, with his wife, attends the Baptist church, of which she is a member.
Ile married. March 2, 1897, Mary E., daughter of Ellis and Tillie (Rittenhouse ) Donahey, the former a prominent farmer of Granville township. Mrs. Herrington died July 1, 1912. Children: I. Wilbur, born October 24, 1899. 2. Matilda Catherine, born September 22, 1900. 3. George Walker, born September 1, 1905. 4. Ethel May, born July 27, 1907. 5. Horace Reuben, born March 24, 1909. 6. Mary Donahey, born June 2. 1912, died in infancy.
William J. Crissman, of Lewistown, Mifflin county,
CRISSMAN Pennsylvania, must be classed by learned ethnologists as a true American, in that he descends from three of the different races that have combined to produce the American nation of to-day, the English, Irish and German.
(I) Adam Crissman, the forbear of the Crissman family in Pennsyl- vania, was born in Lower Pennsylvania while it was yet a province of England. He was a farmer and reared his family on the first clear- ing that he made after his marriage. An Adam Crissman is named as one of the sokliers from Pennsylvania that enlisted in the continental army, and it is more than probable that it was he. He was the father of a large family, and among his sons was John, of whom further.
(II ) John, son of Adam Crissman, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, on the farm of his father. He was a farmer and a land owner, and at one time had under cultivation one hundred and twenty acres. Ile also possessed valuable timber lands in Havice Valley. He married Elizabeth Rothrock, born in Dauphin county, daughter of a prominent German family in that community. Immediately after mar- riage they came to Mifflin county and settled near Siglerville, where they soon became identified with the social and religious life of that section. Both were members at one time of the German Reformed church, but later in life affiliated with the Presbyterian. Children : 1. Adam, died in Clearfield county ; was a bookkeeper and later a pros- perous merchant : married Sarah Iludson. 2. George W., a farmer of
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Armagh township ; married (first) Elizabeth Longwell; (second) Louise Wagner. 3. Lavina, married Frederick Havice, a farmer of Armagh township. 4. Margaret, married Christian Brown, a farmer of Armagh township. 5. Elizabeth, married Thomas Longwell, a carpenter and con- tractor of Siglerville. 6. John M., of whom further. 7. Susannah, married W. H. Glass, a prominent educator and a civil war veteran, member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
(III) John M., son of John and Elizabeth ( Rothrock ) Crissman, was born December 5, 1834, near Siglerville, Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, died March 7. 1902, at Siglerville. He farmed during his entire life in Armagh township, and owned a large place on which he erected sub- stantial houses and reared his family of ten children. He was a staunch Republican as soon as that party came into existence, supporting it and working for it. He was honored by his neighbors with many township offices. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church, of which he was an elder for twenty-five years. He advocated at all times the greatest good to the greatest number, and there was no ques- tion of public policy that did not have his approval when it was for the benefit of the public. He married Mary J. Aitkens, born May 9, 1840, in Mifflin county, near Siglerville, died June 4, 1905, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. John A. Esh. She was the daughter of William and Eliza (Close) Aitkens. Mr. Crissman was widely mourned at his death. as his township offices and generosity had brought him in close contact with many people of the township. Children. 1. William J., of whom further. 2. Hallie Elizabeth, born March 20, 1860; married W. G. Ram- sey, a farmer of Armagh township; she is deceased. 3. Ada J., born December 17, 1861 ; married A. F. McClintic, a gentleman farmer and merchant. 4. James Mead, born August 23, 1863; a farmer and later a mail route carrier ; married the widow of Samuel M. Brown. 5. Samuel Rush, born April 20, 1865, died in infancy. 6. Edward Bruce, born January 28, 1867, died March 25, 1913; married (first) Jennie Sailor : (second) Margaret Esh. 7. Minnie May, born October 30, 1868; married T. W. Lawver, an educator and farmer of Milroy ; she is deceased. 8. Walter Clark, born September 28, 1871 ; a school teacher and farmer: married Rhoda Sample. 9. Bertha, born September 26, 1873; married John A. Esh, a farmer of Armagh township. 10. Mary M., born October 8, 1878, deceased ; married Clyde Stull.
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(IV) William J., son of John M. and Mary J. ( Aitkens ) Crissman, was born August 26, 1858, in Armagh township, Mifflin county, Penn- sylvania, on the Crissman homestead. He received his preparatory edu- cation in the public school of the township, finishing at the Milroy high school. Being the eldest of a large family of children he considered it his duty to remain on the farm with his father, and did so until he reached the age of twenty-eight. In 1904 Mr. Crissman moved from his one hundred and forty-one-acre farm in Granville township to Lewis- town and established a meat market, supplying it largely from his own farın, where he makes a specialty of stock raising for his market. Since the establishment of the business it has grown wonderfully, assisted, not only by the demand for excellent meats, but also by the courte- ous and fair treatment of the public. Both he and his wife are mem- bers of the Presbyterian church, and like his father he votes with the Republican party, but has never held nor asked for office. He is re- garded as one of the substantial, progressive business men of Lewis- town. He married, December 28, 1887, Juniata J., daughter of Lemuel A. and Margareta (Koons) Kepner, of German descent and prominent people of Turbett township, Juniata county, where Mr. Kepner had a large farm.
(The Aitkens Line).
The Aitkens family, long established in Pennsylvania, is of Scotch- Irish descent. William Aitkens came from Scotland in 1742, and settled in Pennsylvania. His son, William, also located in Pennsylvania. John, the son of William, was born in Lancaster county, but moved to an ad- joining county on reaching his majority. William, son of John, lived and died near Siglerville, Mifflin county. He was a Republican and a member of the Presbyterian church. He was a farmer during the greater part of his life, and erected on his farm a smithy that was largely patronized by the community as well as the farmers in adjoining town- ships. Ile married (first) Eliza Close, daughter of Mr. Close, of Eng- lish extraction; married (second) Maria Jones, of Clearfield county. Children by first marriage: 1. Thomas, a farmer; married Susannah Crissman, the widow of W. H. Glass. 2. Mary J., married John M. Crissman (see Crissman III). 3. Samuel D., a mail carrier and farmer in Armagh township, lives on Aitkens homestead; married Maggie Adams. 4. Ada J., married Wilson W. Nale, a farmer of Center county
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and later of Armagh township. Children by second marriage: 5. Sarah, married Charles J. Ehrenfield, a farmer and land owner of Armagh township. 6. Maggie B., married S. H. Crissman. 7. Martha, married A. B. Cummings, a farmer of Armagh township.
Simon E. Hess, the efficient yard conductor for the Pennsyl- HESS vania railroad at Marysville, is a son of Henry E. and Mary Jane (Eppler) Hess. Henry E. Hess was born in 1841, has been a railroad man for many years and is now train master for the Pennsylvania railroad, stationed at Baltimore, Maryland. He is a Democrat in politics, has held several offices local in character and is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He married Mary Jane Eppler. born in 1852 in East Pennsboro township, Cumberland county, Pennsyl- vania, daughter of Simon G. and Catherine ( Hebison ) Eppler and grand- daughter of John Eppler and his wife, a Miss Garver. John Eppler was a farmer and land owner of Perry county, later moving to the town of Marysville where he lived retired until his death. He left issue, among whom were: Simon G. (see forward) ; Herman; Reuben; Solomon : Aaron; Leah, married David Brightall; Susan, married Jacob Zang.
Simon G. Eppler was born December 31. 1831, on an island in the Susquehanna river, just below Harrisburg in Londonderry township, Dauphin county, died in Marysville, Pennsylvania, October 5, 1899. He was a railroad engineer for many years at Marysville, but in later life opened a shoe store there. He was a Republican in politics and both he and his wife were members of the Church of God.
He married Catherine Hebison, born in East Pennsboro township, Cumberland county, November 22, 1830, died December 5, 1911 ; chil- dren : Mary Jane, born June 12, 1852, married Henry E. Hess (of pre- vious mention) ; Aaron H., born April 3. 1857, died aged eight years ; Sarah Ann, born August 29, 1858, married Philip Zimmerman, a mer- chant of Highspire, Dauphin county ; Catherine, born January 29. 1860, never married. Children of Henry E. and Mary Jane Hess: Catherine, residing at home : Simon E., of whom further ; Lily, married James Sib- bits and resides in Baltimore : Anna, resides in Baltimore; Mary, mar- ried Lindsay Pettit and resides in Washington, D. C .; George, now an electrical engineer in Altoona, Pennsylvania.
(II) Simon E., eldest son of Henry E. and Mary Jane (Eppler)
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Hess, was born in Marysville, Perry county, Pennsylvania, September 7, 1875. He was educated in the public schools and at the age of eighteen years entered the employ of the Pennsylvania railroad as clerk at the Marysville station. Later he entered the train service as brakeman, winning promotion to his present position of yard conductor at Marys- ville. He is a member of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen ; the Patriotic Order Sons of America ; the Knights of Pythias and both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church.
He married in 1897 Cora, daughter of John and Mary (Freed) Ilipple, he a farmer of Rye township. Mary Freed was a daughter of Joseph and Sarah Freed, natives of York county, Pennsylvania, later resided on their farm in Perry county. Children of John and Mary ( Freed ) Hipple : Arbie E., married Della Colyer ( ?) ; Sarah, married James White: Nettie, ummarried; Walter, unmarried; Richard, mar- ried .Anna Bell Eppley ; Cora, married Simon E. Hess, of previous men- tion: children : Miriam, born April 30, 1899; Theodore, February 4, 1900.
MCLAUGHLIN This branch of the Mclaughlin family was founded in Pennsylvania by Hugh Mclaughlin, born in Ireland, who settled in Lancaster on first coming to America. The date of his coming to Juniata county is fixed at 1793 or 1794. by deeds and land transfers. His lands were in Turbett township and there he lived until death. He married in Ireland and brought a family to this country with him.
(II) James, son of Hugh MeLaughlin, was born in Ireland and came to Pennsylvania with his father at the age of fourteen years. He moved to Juniata county, married and settled on the homestead farm in Turbett township, where his after life was spent. During the war of 1812 he raised a company, and was always active and useful in town affairs. Ile was one of the prime movers in locating the old Mount Hope school- house and was given the honor of bestowing upon it a name. He was a Democrat in politics. He married Elizabeth Swyler, born in Germany. but came to this country when a girl. Children: John, died in Juniata county, a farmer and insurance agent; Mary, married Joseph Steager and died in Indiana: James (2), of whom further: Elizabeth, married George DeVault and died in Illinois ; Jane, married William Hench and
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Ja S. M Laughlin
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died in Turbett township; Margaret, married Michael DeVault and died in Illinois ; Frank, died in Turbett township; Hugh, died aged seventeen years ; Samuel, died in Spruce Hill township, formerly Turbett.
(III) James (2), son of James ( 1) and Elizabeth (Swyler) Mc- Laughlin, was born in Turbett township, Juniata county, Pennsylvania, March 4, 1817, died in the same township, March 15, 1901. He re- mained at the home farm until his marriage, then in 1850 purchased a farm to which he added until he had one hundred acres of fertile, well cultivated land. From 1876 until 1879 he was a commissioner of Juniata county, elected as a Democrat. He was a man of high character and held in universal esteem. He married (first) Mary Wharton, who bore him three children, now all deceased : William K., Rebecca J., mar- ried Elias Arbogast: Edward P., died in South Dakota. He married (second) Elizabeth Irvine, born in Perry county, January 2, 1821, died in Turbett township, February 15, 1901, daughter of William and Sarah (Milligan) Irvine. Her parents were both born in Saville township. Perry county, where William Irvine followed his trade of blacksmith until his death, aged forty years. His widow never remarrying, died aged sixty-nine years. Both were members of the Presbyterian church ; their children were: James, died in Perry county, a farmer ; Jane, died unmarried : Elizabeth, married James (2) Mclaughlin; Sarah, died unmarried ; John, is living in Virginia, aged eighty years. Children of James (2) and Elizabeth (Irvine) Mclaughlin : John, died aged three years ; James Scott, of whom further ; Sarah Ann, married D. B. McWil- liams, a worker in the Standard Steel Works, at Burnham, Pennsyl- vania, also their residence.
(IV) James Scott, only son of James (2) and Elizabeth (Irvine) McLaughlin, was born on the farm which he now owns in Turbett town- ship, Juniata county. Pennsylvania, November 29, 1859. He was edu- cated in the public schools and Airy View Academy, and has always lived on the homestead farm. There his youth was spent as his father's assistant. later he purchased the interests of the other heirs and has since added adjoining acres. He has erected a new residence on the property and otherwise enhanced its value. Mr. Mclaughlin was one of the principal organizers of the People's National Bank of Mifflin and was chosen its first president, an office he has most ably filled. He is also the owner of a grist mill at old Port Royal, and interested in other
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business enterprises. He is a Democrat in politics, and both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church and the Patrons of Hus- bandry. Mr. Mclaughlin is a fine type of the business farmer, loves the soil, and the associations clinging around the old home farm have always held him closely.
He married, December 22, 1886, Blanche M. Caldwell, born at White Deer, Clinton county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Joseph and Mary ( Mil- liken) Caldwell, who both died in Milton, Pennsylvania. Children : James I., a miller of Missouri, but a plumber by trade : Mary C., mar- ried Charles Finnefrock and resides in Mifflintown; Grace E., residing at home; Paul E., a student at Port Royal high school.
The Creightons of Burnham, Pennsylvania, are of CREIGHTON English descent paternally, their forbears being early settlers in the Juniata Valley. William Creighton came to Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, at an early date, settling first in Decatur township, later in Derry township, at the present town of Burn- ham, where he died, aged eighty-eight years. He was a shoemaker and an auctioneer, successful in all his undertakings and a man much re- spected. He owned forty acres of land in Derry township, half of which was later sold to the Standard Steel Works, the balance yet remaining in the family. He was a Republican in politics and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He married Elizabeth Jacobs, who died in 1873. Children: Abraham, Samuel. Amanda. Mary Jane. Isaac Thompson, of whom further: William, Elizabeth and Mar- garet.
(II) Isaac Thompson, son of William and Elizabeth (Jacobs) Creighton, was born in Decatur township, Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, in 1843, died August 5. 1902, in Derry township. same county. He grew to manhood in the latter township, was educated in the public school and Wright private school. later learning the carpenter's trade. He followed his trade for many years, and was also for several years employed at the Standard Steel Works. He was a Republican in poli- tics, and both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episco- pal church. He was a man of industry and integrity, holding the respect of his community.
He married, December 31, 1872, Lucinda Herbster, born in Snyder
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county, March 15, 1847, daughter of Gabriel and Hannah (Young) Herbster. He was born in Snyder county, died in Snyder county ; she was born in Decatur township, Mifflin county, and died in Snyder county in 1854. Children of Gabriel and Hannah Herbster : William, a veteran of the civil war, deceased; Thomas, a veteran, now living in Snyder county ; Priscilla, married Samuel Bottorff, of Downs, Kansas ; Amanda, married Samuel Chestnut, of DuBois, Pennsylvania; Lucinda, married Isaac T. Creighton, whom she survives, a resident of Burnham, Penn- sylvania ; Hiram, Nathaniel, deceased; Jacob, deceased. Children of Isaac T. and Lucinda (Herbster) Creighton: 1. Emma Elizabeth, born November 1, 1873 ; married Mitchell Barr, of Yeagertown, Pennsylvania. now a foreman at the Standard Steel Works ; children : Edward Creigh- ton, Rosemond Lucinda and Kenneth Sheaffer. 2. William Andrew, born 1876, educated in the public school and Williamsport Seminary, formerly a merchant, now with the Standard Steel Works. He married Rose L. Willett, of Burnham and has children : Doris Bywater, Averial and William Edger. 3. Edward Roy, born 1879, educated in the public school, learned the molder's trade, later that of machinist, which he now follows. He married Albertina Smith.
GIBBONEY The Gibboneys, of Belleville, Pennsylvania, are of Welsh origin, the emigrant settling in Bucks county. Pennsylvania, prior to the revolution, in which his sons bore a part. The founder of the family in the Juniata Valley was Alex- ander (1) Gibboney, born in Bucks county, where he became a manu- facturer of cloth. He served in the commissary department of the con- tinental army, and later settled in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, where he had a small farm of thirty acres near Belleville, then called Green- wood. There he built the first woolen mill ever erected in that section, operated it for many years, and died at the age of eighty-two years. He was a Democrat in politics, active and enterprising in business, and of high standing in his community. He married a Miss Garver, born in Berks county, of German parentage. They were both members of the Presbyterian church, and are buried in the Presbyterian cemetery at Belleville. Children: 1. Davis. 2. Alexander (2), of whom further. 3. James, for one term sheriff of Mifflin county, elected 1833, and for two terms prothonotary, first elected 1839; he married Annie Horrell,
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