USA > Pennsylvania > A history of the Juniata Valley and its people, Volume III > Part 15
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January 29, 1895, Mr. Rumberger married Miss Luella Rebecca Wilson, a native of Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Christopher and Mary (Wheeland) Wilson, the former of whom is deceased and the latter of whom resides in Warriors Mark. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were both born and reared in Huntingdon county. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Rumberger were Thomas and Chris-
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tina Wilson and her maternal grandparents were John and Susan Wheeland. Four children have come to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Rumberger, namely: Ethel Mae, born April 29, 1896; Calvin Lee, born September 1, 1898; Almeda Wilson, born May 12, 1906; and Verna Elizabeth, born March 28, 1908.
Edwin J. Neff, of Warriors Mark, Huntingdon county, NEFF Pennsylvania, descends from German ancestry. The first of the family to leave the Fatherland to try his fortunes in the New World accompanied a body of Palatines, who crossed the Atlantic ocean in 1752. Like his companions he settled in Pennsyl- vania, and his name, Andrew Neff, is on the list of incoming immi- grants during that year, in the Historical Department of the State of Pennsylvania. He was a farmer by occupation, which he followed after reaching America; and a member of the Lutheran church, which faith is still that of the majority of his numerous descendants.
(I) Isaac Neff was a direct descendant of Andrew Neff, the Ger- man immigrant. He was born in Pennsylvania and there lived and died. He settled in Huntingdon county and became the proprietor of the Petersburg House, which he conducted with great ability. He married Susan Neff, probably a cousin, who was also born in Penn- sylvania. He was one of the popular hotel keepers of his day, and had a large acquaintance, not only in his immediate vicinity, but also over the state. He was ably seconded by his wife, who was famous for her cooking and the dainty and tempting meals that she prepared for the guests of the Petersburg House. Children: I. Edwin J., of whom further. 2. William, died in Cleveland, Ohio. 3. Isaac, last heard of in Cleveland, Ohio. 4. Susan, married John Morton, of Philadelphia. 5. Anna Mary, died in youth. 6. Fannie, married John McMillan, and died in Iowa.
(II) Edwin J. Neff, son of Isaac and Susan (Neff) Neff, was born in Stone Valley, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. He received his education in the common schools, and on reaching maturity began farm- ing. After his marriage he located in Warriors Mark, Huntingdon county, and purchased one hundred and eleven acres of land, which he soon converted into one of the finest farms in the township. Here he lived and died, an influential man, and a good one. He and his wife
E. g. lf-
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were members of the Presbyterian church, and he was a Republican and held township offices under that party. He married Mary Ellen Harris, born in Stone Valley, where her family had long been settled, and ranked among the prominent ones of the community. Children : I. Wilfred, a turnkey at Pennsylvania Industrial Reformatory. 2. Fannie, unmarried; lives on homestead. 3. William, lives on home- stead. 4. Edwin J. Jr., of whom further. 5. Carrie, married Harry Grazier, of Warriors Mark township. 6. Sue, widow of Ernest Addle- man, lives ai Bridgeport, Connecticut.
(III) Edwin J. Neff Jr., son of Edwin J. and Mary Ellen ( Harris) Neff, was born March 6, 1865, in Warriors Mark township, Hunting- don county, Pennsylvania. He was reared on his father's farm and re- ceived his education in the public schools of the township. On reach- ing maturity he decided on farming as his vocation; and for several years he rented various farms in Center county, Pennsylvania, where he met with success. He farmed in Buffalo Run Valley, Center county, for a time; after which he moved, in 1900, to Franklin township, Hunt- ingdon county, and leased land from Clark Grazier, since deceased. He immediately began improvements on the land and buildings, and has by keen judgment made it a financial success. He does general farming along scientific lines, and is one of the progressive agricul- turists of his section. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and belongs to the Encampment. He is a staunch Pro- gressive in politics. His wife is a member of the Lutheran church; but he has no church affiliations.
He married, September 18, 1889, Anna Fetterhoof, daughter of Daniel Fetterhoof, the descendant of an old and distinguished German- American family. Children: Eugene and Stewart.
The Lehman family, of Huntingdon county, Pennsyl- LEHMAN vania, is of direct German extraction. The German immigrant, Gustav Lehman, who founded the Ameri- can branch, probably landed in America about 1789-1790, and settled in Pennsylvania. Among his children was John, of whom further men- tion is made below.
(II) John Lehman, son of Gustav Lehman, was born in Pennsyl- vania, and there lived and died. He was a farmer by occupation, and
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owned a good deal of land, which was divided among his heirs after his death. Among his children was Henry, of whom further.
(III) Henry Lehman, son of John Lehman, was born in York county, Pennsylvania. Like his forbears he followed farming as his vocation. He was one of the progressive men of his day, and his place was a model. Among his children was Henry, of whom further.
(IV) Henry (2), son of Henry (I) Lehman, was born in York county. Pennsylvania, on his father's farm. He died while yet in the prime of life. Children by his wife Mary: I. Daniel. 2. Henry. 3. Joseph, died young. 4. John, died young. 5. Samuel, of whom fur- ther. 6. Mary (Mrs. Sipe). 7. Elizabeth (Mrs. Sipe). 8. - (Mrs. Daron).
(V) Samuel Lehman, son of Henry (2) Lehman, was born in 1818, in York county, Pennsylvania, and died in Huntingdon county, Penn- sylvania, in 1885. He was reared on the farm and received his edu- cation in the common schools. In 1839 he moved to Huntingdon county and was employed for a time in Neff's mill, near Petersburg. After marriage he engaged in farming, and became the possessor of a farm of seventy-two acres, which he increased to eighty-two acres before his death. He erected substantial buildings and remained on the place until his death. He was a Republican and was active in local politics. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Epis- copal church, and he was a trustee. He married Mary Ann Hutchi- son, born in Warriors Mark township, Pennsylvania, in 1819, and died near the place of her birth, on the land that she inherited from her father, in 1877. She was the daughter of Archibald and Mary (Hys- kell) Hutchison. He was the son of William Hutchison, who came over from Ireland before 1798, and settled first in Tyrone, Pennsyl- vania, afterward going to Muskingum county, Ohio, where he died. Archibald married and remained in Pennsylvania, where he died in 1851. He married Mary Hyskell, born in Germany, daughter of Ben- jamin and Margaret (Spensard) Hyskell. Children: John; Benja- min; William; Eliza; Margaret ; Mary Ann, married Samuel Lehman ; and John. Children of Samuel and Mary Ann ( Hutchison) Lehman : I. Amanda, unmarried, makes home with her brother, Frank Scott Lehman. 2. William, died in infancy. 3. Samuel, died in infancy. 4. Mary, married George Schubert, of Altoona. 5. John R., lives at
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Warriors Mark, employee of the State Internal Department. 6. Frank Scott, of whom further.
(VI) Frank Scott Leliman, son of Samuel and Mary Ann ( Hutch- ison ) Lehman, was born August 27, 1859, at Warriors Mark, on the farm he now lives on. He received his mental training in the common schools of the township, and early took up farming. He managed the homestead before his father's death, and after that event he pur- chased the interests of the other heirs and remained on it, doing gen- eral farming and specializing in dairying. He keeps a large number of thoroughbreds of high pedigrees. His dairy, which is conducted along modern lines, is supplied by twelve or fifteen cows, which give an unusual yield of milk. Mr. Lehman is one of the up-to-date farm- ers in his section, and uses the latest methods to produce desired results. He owns one hundred and sixty-five acres of land. He is a Republican and has been school director three times; both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a trustee of many years' standing. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and of the Grange.
He married, in 1892, Zula Rumberger, a daughter of O. S. Rum- berger. mentioned elsewhere. Children: 1. Frances, born May 23, 1893, graduated in class of 1913 at Warriors Mark high school. 2. Pauline, born April 3, 1900, a student in high school.
The history of the Isett family in Huntingdon county be-
ISETT gins in 1787 with Jacob Isett, born in Bucks county, Penn- sylvania, February 16, 1769, of German Lutheran parents. He was a shoemaker, and in 1787 came to Sinking Valley, working at the lead mine fort at his trade. There was no money to be had, his serv- ices being paid for in wheat at fifty cents per bushel. He accumulated two hundred bushels, that, when the price advanced to one dollar and fif- ty cents per bushel, he sold, thus giving him a capital on which he built his future fortunes. He bought the Arch Spring property, and in 1787 built a saw and grist mill. The mill was a crude affair, the stones for grinding being brought from nearby mountains, and for those who wished their flour bolted, a rude bolter was used, turned by hand. He later bought what was known as the Union Furnace power, intending to build a merchant and grist mill. In 1798 he built on the Little Juni-
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ata river the foundation for a dam, dug part of a mill-race and put in head-gates, but saw all his labor washed away by floods the follow- ing spring. His millwright, after an inspection of the Arch Spring power, gave him so favorable a report that in 1799 he built there a stone grist mill, forty by forty-five feet, three stories high. Here he conducted a prosperous business in connection with mill and store un- til his death in 1852. He married, in 1795, Eleanor Stockdale, born of Presbyterian parents, in county Down, Ireland, died in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, in 1827, coming to this country with her pa- rents, settling in Baltimore, where the father died two years later. Her mother married again, and later the family settled in Canoe Valley, Huntingdon county.
(II) John S., one of the seven children of Jacob and Eleanor (Stockdale) Isett, was born in Franklin township, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, October 14, 1799, died in 1883. He was given a good education, attending school until 1814 at Alexandria. He was of- fered by his father the choice of a college education at Carlisle or a position with the clearing gang, choosing the latter. The following fall he became clerk in the store of Cyrus Cartwright, but after five months returned home and began learning the miller's trade in his father's mill. In 1817 he was placed in charge of the mill, receiving the same share of the profits as the other millers. When he had saved $400 he determined to go to St. Louis, Missouri, then considered an Eldorado. His father consented to his going, telling him, however, that when his money was gone he could return and have his old posi- tion. In company with John Wray he went to Pittsburgh, where they bought a skiff in which they made their way down the Ohio to Cincin- nati. They continued their journey to Louisville by raft, thence by boat to Shawneetown, thence by foot to St. Louis. He did not there find employment to his liking, and went to Carthage, Missouri, where he entered into partnership with Dr. J. H. Lambert, starting a small store. He was taken ill, but finally reached home minus all he started with, but far richer in experience. After a year spent on the farm he returned to the mill. In 1824 his father built the stone mill at Arch Spring, which the son managed, as well as a store, which he operated in partnership with a brother-in-law. In 1826 his father. Jacob Isett. purchased of ex-Governor Heister the Spruce Creek property, and in
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1827 the family moved to the new purchase. In 1828 John S. Isett built the Spruce Creek mill, which he managed in connection with a mercantile business. In 1831 he built a large residence at Spruce Creek and continued in successful business until his retirement. He owned and conducted several farms, built in 1836 a small bloom forge, with one hammer and two refining fires, which he operated until 1861, and for twenty-six years from January, 1839, had charge and control of the Huntingdon-Cambria & Indiana Turnpike Company, having been ap- pointed sequestrator in the former year by Thomas Burnside, presi- dent judge of Huntingdon county. In 1844, with his son John H. he visited Hot Springs, Arkansas, thence by wagon traveled through Ar- kansas, Missouri, Illinois and Iowa. In 1845 he again visited Missouri with his son Edward B., purchasing a tract of land on which he in- tended to settle, but never carried out his intention. He continued in business until a few years prior to his death, residing at the old home in Spruce Creek, quiet and retired. He was a Democrat in politics. liberal in his religious views, just to all, honorable and upright in all his dealings. He married, July 19, 1825. Mary Ann, daughter of Ed- ward Bell, of Antis township, Blair county, Pennsylvania, and they had twelve children: 1. Edward B., of whom further. 2. Jacob, died in Spruce Creek, a farmer. 3. Mary I. 4. Annie, married Chauncey Sar- gent, whom she survives, residing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and To- ronto, Canada. 5. John H. 6. Lucetta. 7. Frank, died in Hollidays- burg, Pennsylvania, while still a young man. Five children died in infancy.
(III) Edward B., son of John S. and Mary Ann (Bell) Isett, was born July 24, 1826, at Spruce Creek, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. He obtained his education in the public schools and was trained in busi- ness methods at his father's various business plants. After his marriage he settled at Cold Spring Forge, where for several years he was en- gaged in the manufacture of iron. From 1861 to 1864 he operated the Elizabeth Furnace, in Blair county, then returned to Spruce Creek. where he engaged in mercantile business and conducted a farm in part- nership with his father. As the latter advanced in years he surrendered more and more of the burdens of business to Edward B., especially in the milling department, which latter business he conducted many years until his retirement. In 1912 he moved to Bellwood, where he yet resides.
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He was during his active life one of the leading business men of his section; was for a quarter of a century president of the Altoona Bank, of Altoona, Pennsylvania, and has been for many years a director of the First National Bank of Huntingdon. He engaged extensively in lumbering in Clearfield, Cambria and Jefferson counties, also operating for several years in coal enterprises. His mercantile business he con- ducted alone for some time, then as Isett & Thompson. His various enterprises were well conducted and uniformly successful. He is a Democrat in politics, a member of the Presbyterian church, and is the oldest living member of Mountain City Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Altoona.
He married Elizabeth B. Dysart, daughter of Joseph Dysart, an old resident of Eden Hill, who spent his last years in Tyrone, Penn- sylvania, who married and had issue: Elizabeth B., deceased, mar- ried Edward B. Isett; Sarah, deceased, married - McClain; Annie, deceased, married Dr. Conrad; John, died in Dixon, Illinois; James, died in Altoona, Pennsylvania; William, died in Dixon, Illinois. Chil- dren of Edward B. and Elizabeth B. Isett: John Bell, of whom fur- ther; Samuel, died aged thirteen years; Mary, died aged seventeen years; Alice, married Louis Henderson, and resides in Nachusa, Illi- nois; Sarah, married J. G. Humer, and resides at Altoona; Sidney T., of whom further; Eleanor, married Dr. Edmund Owens, and resides in Dixon, Illinois; Lusetta and Wilson, died in infancy.
(IV) John Bell, eldest son of Edward B. and Elizabeth B. (Dy- sart) Isett, was born at Cold Spring Forge, January 14, 1853. He was educated at Bellwood Academy, Lititz Academy, and State Col- lege. After finishing his studies he engaged with his father at milling for several years, then bought the mill and operated it until 1885. He then moved to Indianapolis, where he erected and for five years oper- ated a factory devoted to the manufacture of corn goods. He sold out his factory interest in Indianapolis, then located in Maryland, where he leased a flour mill at Conococheague, located on a creek of the same name. After running the mill for one year the dam was destroyed by a flood. when he moved to Hagerstown, Maryland, spending a year there. In 1893 he returned to Spruce Creek, settling on one of the Isett farms, but after one year bought a farm in Hanover county, Vir- ginia, which he operated for seven years. He then became agent for
Sidney S. Isett
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the Western Maryland Railroad Company at Hagerstown, Maryland, and also owned and operated a coal and grain business, but, after eighteen months, returned again to Spruce Creek, renting the old Isett mill of his brother, and operating it for five years. He then retired, but still manages his own farm and those belonging to his father. He re- sides in the old brick house of the Isetts, which he purchased on his last return to Spruce Creek. He is a Democrat in politics, and a mem- ber of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.
Mr. Isett married, September 5, 1878, Lusetta Banks, born April 30, 1856, died April 29, 1912, daughter of Ephraim Banks, of Wilkes- Barre, Pennsylvania.
(IV) Sidney T., son of Edward B. and Elizabeth B. (Dysart) Isett, was born February 18, 1867, at Spruce Creek, Pennsylvania. He was educated in the public schools, Muhlenberg College, and Millers- ville State Normal School. After completing his studies he entered the Altoona Bank, at Altoona, later becoming manager of his father's lumber interests in Jefferson county, twelve miles from Punxsutaw ney. He then engaged in farming until 1901, when he became pro- prietor of the Isett mill at Spruce Creek, where he conducts a general milling business. He ships to various points, also supplying a large local demand; also owning and operating three farms in the township, thereon conducting general farming operations. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. He is a Knight of Pythias, and a Democrat in politics. He married, June 9, 1904, Edith B., daughter of John Waite, of Eden Valley. Children : Muriel, Edward, Mary and Elizabeth.
HENDERSON For many generations the Henderson family has been in Pennsylvania, contributing by their in- dustry and initiative to the wealth and general prosperity of that commonwealth. The immigrant ancestor came from England in the days when the English crown colonies in America were attracting some of the brightest minds, indomitable spirits and far- seeing men of the Mother Country. David Henderson, the immigrant. located in Pennsylvania, having drifted into the colony from New York, where he landed in 1680. His descendants are today among the highly respected citizens of the Keystone state.
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(I) Robert Henderson, a descendant of David Henderson, was born about 1797 in Bald Eagle Valley, Center county, Pennsylvania. He was a farmer and owned the land that he tilled. He married Isabella Lindsey, born in Bald Eagle Valley, the daughter of a neighbor. Among their children was David, of whom further mention is made below.
(II) David Henderson, son of Robert and Isabella (Lindsey) Hen- derson, was born in Center county, Pennsylvania. He was a farmer and owned his farm, besides holding other real estate. When quite a young man he married Margaret, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Shank) Conrad, who came from Lancaster county, settled near Hunt- ingdon Furnace, Huntingdon county, and there lived and died on his farm. Among the children of David and Margaret (Conrad) Hender- son was Samuel Conrad, of whom further.
(III) Samuel Conrad Henderson, son of David and Margaret (Conrad) Henderson, was born April 22, 1832, on his father's farm in Huntingdon county, and died near the place of his birth in 1895. He received his education in the common schools and was reared on the farm, and on reaching maturity engaged in the family vocation. In 1864 he moved to one of his father's places and there established him- self, and later bought the property of his parent. He was one of the able men of his township and was accorded the highest respect by his neighbors and friends. He was actively interested in politics, voting the Democratic ticket, and was at one time chosen to the office of school director.
He married, in 1860, Julia A. Wilson, born in Huntingdon county, the daughter of Samuel and Martha (Stephens) Wilson, both of whom descended from straight English ancestry. He was a large mining man, his interests extending through many branches of that industry. He lived near Huntingdon Furnace, and died in Warriors Mark town- ship. Both he and his wife were consistent members of the Baptist church. Children of Samuel Conrad and Julia A. (Wilson) Hender- son: I. Frank, drowned in 1892, at Sioux City, Iowa, with his wife and child, Edna, an infant in arms. 2. Martha. 3. George, died of pneumonia. 4. James. 5. Walter. 6. Robert, married Elizabeth Hal- lead; children : Lillian, Robert, Gerald. 7. Jesse. 8. Mary, 9. Clara. Io. Lucy. II. Died unnamed.
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Andrew William Oliver, of Graysville, Huntingdon OLIVER county, Pennsylvania, descends from ancient and hon- orable Irish stock. James Oliver, his grandfather, was born in Londonderry, Ireland, and never left his native land. He was the oldest son, and according to the laws of primogeniture he inherited the family estate. He had a younger brother, John, who came to America in 1828, learned the saddler's trade, in Pittsburgh, Pennsyl- vania, and settled in Covington, Kentucky, and eventually located in Pembroke, Kentucky, married and died there in 1872. James Oliver married Sarah McCurdy, in Ireland. Among their children was James, of whom further.
(II) James Oliver, son of James and Sarah ( McCurdy) Oliver, was born in Londonderry, Ireland, and there educated. While yet a youth he accompanied his brother John when he emigrated to the United States in 1828. He located first in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, where he married. He moved to Center county, Pennsylvania, and from there to Huntingdon county, in 1844. He purchased the Thomas Ewing place of one hundred and fifty acres, to which he soon added forty more acres, and there lived until his death, March 6, 1891. He was a prosperous and successful farmer, and was exceedingly ambitious, especially for his children. With John Archey he bought the James Ewing farm and later the Thomas Lyon estate, making his land hold- ings large. He was a Republican after the organization of that party and held local offices. Both he and his wife were members of the Pres- byterian church. He married Margaret Campbell, born in Mifflin county, and died in Huntingdon county in 1880. She was the daugh- ter of John and Rachel (Oliver) Campbell, both of whom were of Scotch-Irish descent and old residents of Mifflin county. Their ances- tors were in Mifflin county more than one hundred and forty years ago, and some of them were soldiers in the War of the Revolution. The entire estate still bears the Campbell name, and now numbers four farms. Children of James and Margaret (Campbell) Oliver : 1. James, died in infancy. 2. Sarah Rachel, unmarried, makes home with her brother, Andrew William. 3. John, a prominent and noted Presbyter- ian minister in Irvine, Pennsylvania. 4. Andrew William, of whom further. 5. Sidney Ellen, married Dr. Thomas C. Van Tries, died in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania.
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(III) Andrew William Oliver, son of James and Margaret (Camp- bell) Oliver, was born September 14, 1848, in Graysville, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. He received his education in the common schools and then attended the Airy View Academy. Leaving school he became manager of his father's farm, at the age of fourteen. He proved a careful, painstaking manager of affairs, and continued in that position until his father's death in 1891. He purchased a portion of the homestead and added it to that which he had inherited and contin- ued to farm. In 1887 he moved onto the present home place of one hundred and sixty-seven acres, south of Graysville. Here he erected comfortable, substantial houses, still in use, and did general farming. He has one of the model, up-to-date farms in Huntingdon county, and is both progressive and original in his methods of tilling the soil. He is a Republican, actively supporting and working for that party, and has been supervisor of the county, elected on the Republican ticket. Like his forbears in Ireland and the United States, he is a Presbyterian, as is his wife. Mr. Oliver stands for all that is high toned and upright in the community. He is an advanced man in his views and methods, but adheres strictly to the right in all cases and on all questions. No man in his county ranks higher than he, and he commands universal respect. He married, December 16, 1885, Jennie Cummins, born in Pennsylvania, near McAlevy's Fort. She is the daughter of Sterrett and Agnes Cummins, both of whom descend from old and important families in Pennsylvania. Mrs. Oliver is the cousin of Agnes Cum- mins, mentioned elsewhere. Children: I. Agnes, born February 24, 1888, died aged fifteen years. 2. James Sterrett, born September 4, 1891, educated in Juniata College and Mercersburg Academy; farms at home. 3. Stanley Campbell, born March 16, 1895; being educated in Juniata College.
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