USA > Pennsylvania > Cumberland County > Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of the Nineteenth Congressional District, Pennsylvania > Part 56
USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of the Nineteenth Congressional District, Pennsylvania > Part 56
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70
400
BIOGRAPHICAL AND PORTRAIT CYCLOPEDIA.
Sheely, and was born January 29. 1863, near this historic city. He is of German origin. His paternal grandfather, Jacob, was born in Adams county. He received a common school education, was a popular and estecmed citizen of Mount Joy town- ship and a worthy member of the United Brethren church. He was the father of seven children. The father of the subject of this sketch was born in Mountjoy town- ship, Adams county. He received his ele- mentary education in the district school and subsequently attended Pennsylvania Col- lege at Gettysburg. Leaving that institu- tion he engaged in teaching school, in which pursuit he was eminently successful, for a number of years. In 1864 he was elected superintendent of the schools of Adams county, and the satisfactory manner in which he filled the office may be con- ceived from the fact that he held that posi- tion for twenty-four years, when he volun- tarily retired. He is still living, an honored and esteemed citizen of Gettysburg, re- vered by all who know him. He owns a large amount of real estate and devotes his entire attention to these interests. Politi- cally he is a Democrat. His children were, Willian Clarence, the subject of this sketch, Ella M., Annie B., Sadie M., Minnie H., and Harry M.
W. C. Sheely passed his youthful years attending the public schools of Gettysburg and was graduated from Pennsylvania Col- lege in 1882. He took first honor in his class and all the prizes in the college course, the second time in the history of the Col- lege that this was done by one man. After leaving college he read law with R. G. Mc- Creary, Esq. and after his death, with Geo. J. Benner, Esq. He was admitted to the bar of Adams county in August, 1887, re- maining in the office of Mr. Benner for three years. Since then he has pursued his profession by himself and has acquired a
large and lucrative practice. He is a mem- ber in good and regular standing of Good Samaritan Lodge, No. 336, Free and Ac- cepted Masons. In politics, like his father, he is a Democrat. On June 24, 1891, he married the accomplished daughter of Nathan Hanna, of Linganore, Maryland, Miss Eugenie H. Their children are Fran- ces M. and Marion J. He is the author of "The Pennsylvania Lawyer," a subscription book, containing abstracts of the laws of Pennsyl- vania, and the postal, patent, copyright and pension laws, with legal and business forms for all transactions, which has had a large sale in this State.
D R. M. L. BARSHINGER, son of H. S. and Mary (Geesey) Barshinger, was born in Dallastown, March 16th, 1867. He came of reputable and sturdy stock of Swiss ancestry. The first of the family to come to America being Andreas Bersinger, a native of Switzerland, who emigrated some time between 1727 and 1735. Since then the name has undergone modification into its present form. The doctor's grand- father, Henry Barshinger, was born near York and farmed all his life. He was a Re- publican in politics and a Lutheran in reli- gion. The grandmother was Susan Stab- ley. They had seven children: George, lives at York: Kate, wife of John Strevig; Andrew, deceased; Jacob, resident of Wind- sor: Emanuel, of Windsor; Susan, de- ceased; Benjamin; and Joseph, deceased. The father of our subject was born near York, October 31, 1840, and was educated in the common schools. He engaged in the general mercantile business at Dallastown and afterward came to York and opened a fire insurance and fertilizer agency. Novem- ber 8, 1862, he enrolled in the 166th Penn- sylvania Regiment and served until July 28, 1863, retiring with the rank of sergeant. He was a Democrat in politics and of the
401
NINETEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
Lutheran faith in religion. Through the insurance business he became secretary of the Southern Mutual Fire Insurance Com- pany. He died May 19, 1885, survived by a widow, his son and a daughter, Sallie A., all of whom continued to reside at their home, 417 South George street. On the maternal side the doctor is descended from another old and prominent York county family. His grandfather, Jonathan Geesey, was born near York, the son of Jacob Geesey, a Revolutionary soldier. He farmed all his life and in later years retired and lived in Dallastown. He was a Democrat in politics and a member and elder of the Lutheran church. His children were Amos, Charles, John F., Mary A., Adam F., ex- County Treasurer, ex-Democratic County Chairman and ex-Revenue Collector; Jona- than, Pius E., Martin, Sarah and Emma. He died in 1877, aged sixty-six. His wife, Sarah (Flinchbaugh) Geesey, survived him twenty years, dying in 1897, at the ad- vanced age of eighty-seven years, three months and twenty-five days.
Our subject secured his early education in the public schools and his professional training at the University of Pennsylvania.
In preparation for his calling, he attended Philips Exeter Academy at Exeter, New Hampshire, for one year and Pennsylvania college, Gettysburg, from 1888 to 1890, taking a special course in the latter institu- tion preparatory to the taking up of the study of medicine. He was one of the most active students, becoming president of his class, a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, a member of the base ball team and the leading athlete of the college. On field day he won the first prize, a gold medal, taking six events, the hundred yard dash, standing broad, running broad, stand- ing high and running high jumps and the hop step and jump. In 1890 he entered the University of Pennsylvania, where he made
a notable record as one of the oars of the varsity crew of '91. He graduated in 1893 and the same year began active general practice at his home. The doctor is a pleas- ant and agreeable gentleman to meet, takes more than ordinary interest in his profes- sion and is alive to the topics and move- ments of the times. Though he has never sought office, his friends because of his popularity have urged him several times to enter the lists and his name was, without his knowledge, brought forward for nomi- nation to the office of coroner in the Demo- cratic county convention of 1896, where he received a flattering vote though no can- vass was made by him. January 4, he was appointed physician to the jail by the board of county commssioners. He is also a mem- ber of the city board of health and of the York County Medical Society. The doctor is like his people before him, a member of the Lutheran church and at present a dea- con in Christ's congregation. He was mar- ried September II, 1894, to Emmelyn Greacen, daughter of Stephen Bailey and Hesse (La Monde) Greacen, of Perth Am- boy, New Jersey. Mr. Greacen is a naval engineer.
Dr. and Mrs. Barshinger have one child, Henry Stephen Barshinger, born April 10, 1897. They reside with Dr. Barshinger's mother and sister, and one of the most agreeable family circles in the city is that which gathers about the Barshinger hearth.
E PHRAIM ADAMS SHULEN- BERGER, D. D. S., a successful dentist of Carlisle, is the eldest son of Jno. Beatty and Martha (Adams) Shulenberger, and was born near Newburg, Cumberland county, Pa., November 2, 1860. The Shu- lenberger family is of German descent and traces its New World ancestry back to Vir- ginia in the early part of the last century. Lewis Shulenberger came from Jamestown,
402
BIOGRAPHICAL AND PORTRAIT CYCLOPEDIA.
Va., to Strausburg, Franklin county. To him was born three sons: Lewis, who went to New York State; Frederick, who went to Ohio, where some of his descendants are still living, and Benjamin, who married a Miss Shomaker and removed to near New- burg, Cumberland county. Here on a farm he had purchased before coming, he reared his family. He was a member of a militia company that marched to take part in the Whiskey Insurrection, but by the time they reached the scene of conflict it was over. His family consisted of three sons and one daughter: Adam, who lived and died on the homestead; Katie, (Mrs. John Hoover); John (grandfather of Dr. Shulenberger), and Samuel.
John was born in 1812. He married Miss Jennette Beatty. He was a farmer and be- came the owner of considerable real estate in the western part of Cumberland county, where he was known as a man of sterling integrity and influence; a member of the Reformed church at Newburg and an elder in the church for many years. He died in 1876. His family consisted of eight sons and one daughter: Benjamin, who was a farmer and is now dead; Samuel W., a teacher and principal of the schools at Peoria, Ill., for a number of years; John Beatty, William C. B., a minister in the Reformed church and preaching at Em- mettsburg, Md .; Elizabeth, who married Mr. Adam Heberlig, and is now dead; Adam A., teacher and farmer in Missouri; Robert E., a farmer, veterinary surgeon and justice of the peace in Upper Mifflin township, Cumberland county; Anthony, a Reformed minister, preaching at China Grove, North Carolina, and David S., a stone cutter and monument dealer at Ship- pensburg.
John Beatty Shulenberger was born about three miles northeast of Newburg in Upper Mifflin township on December Ist,
1835. After receiving a liberal education he spent a number of years in teaching and afterward followed farming for some years, and is now living retired in Shippensburg, Pa. He was a member of the 158th Regi- ment, but shortly after entering the service was stricken with typhoid fever, from which he suffered for months and was never able to enter the active service before the war closed.
He is a Democrat in politics and served two terms as director of the poor. He has been an elder for twenty years in Newburg Reformed church. He married Martha Adams, whose father, Ephraim Adams, was a native of Perry county and a merchant and farmer for some years in the western part of Cumberland county. Mr. and Mrs. Shulenberger had six children, five sons and one daughter: Dr. Ephraim A., J. Clark, engaged in the creamery business in Ship- pensburg; Robert B., a contractor and builder of Shippensburg; Professor A. Lee, a graduate of Franklin and Marshall Col- lege, and now engaged in teaching; Elsie and Mark C., now attending school.
Dr. Ephraim A. Shulenberger received his education in the Newville Academy and after teaching from 1880 to 1883, com- menced the study of dentistry with Dr. D. S. McCoy, of Newville, this State. Com- pleting his office course of reading and study, he entered the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery, from which he was graduated in the spring of 1885. Immedi- ately after graduation and on April 1, 1885, he came to Carlisle, where he has practiced his profession successfully up to the present time. He is a Democrat and a member and elder of the First Reformed church and a member of Carlisle Castle, No. 110,Knights of the Golden Eagle.
On March 17, 1886, Dr. Shulenberger married Lillie Mickley, the only daughter of Rev. J. Marion Mickley, a minister of the
403
NINETEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
Reformed church and now residing at Mc- Knightstown, Adams county.
H ORACE M. ALLEMAN, M. D., a progressive and enterprising phy- sician of Hanover, is a son of Dr. Horace and Rebecca B. (Winnemore) Alleman, and was horn at Hanover, York county, Penn- sylvania, February 19, 1863. He received his early education in the public schools, fitted for college at Baugher's Academy, and in 1881, entered Lafayette College of Easton, this State, from which he was graduated in the class of 1885. Shortly after graduation, and in the same year, he entered the medical department of the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated three years later in the class of 1888, and immediately returned to Han- over for the practice of his chosen profes- sion. He was successful from the start, has kept up with the medical advancement of the times, and now enjoys a very enviable practice. He is a member of St. Mark's Lutheran church, and Hanover Lodge, No. 327, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has always been an active supporter of the Republican party and its principles. He is interested in politics, yet no politician, active in working for the supremacy of his party, but no office seeker. He takes a spe- cial interest in the schools of Hanover, like his father before him, and when elected as school director in 1896, he accepted and has been serving in that capacity ever since. He is now its president. Devoted to his pro- fession, he is progressive and enterprising, a man abreast of the times and in touch with the medical spirit of the age. Is a member of York County Medical Society and also of the American Academy of Med- icine.
In 1891 Dr. Alleman wedded Cora Young, a daughter of W. J. Young, of
Hanover. Their union has been blessed with one child, a son, Winneman.
Dr. Horace Alleman, the father of the subject of this sketch, was one of the old physicians of Hanover where he practiced for nearly thirty years. He was born Janu- ary 19, 1824, in Lancaster county, this State, and was a son of John and Eliza- beth (Mackert) Alleman, the former a na- tive of Dauphin county and the latter of Lancaster county. The Allemans are of German descent and were among the early settlers and prominent people of Dauphin county, where John Alleman was born in 1792. He settled near Elizabethtown in Lancaster county and died there in 1866, and his wife, who was born in 1797, pre- ceeded him to the tomb by one year. Dr. Horace Alleman was reared on his father's farm, received his education in the Emaus Institute and Pennsylvania College and read medicine with Dr. Nathaniel Watson of East Donegal township, Lancaster county. He was graduated in the class of 1848, from the Pennsylvania Medical Col- lege, now the University of Pennsylvania, and practiced from 1848 to 1859 at Eliza- bethtown and Safe Harbor in his native county. In the last named year he came to Hanover where he soon obtained a good practice, and where he died January 14, 1887. He was an Odd Fellow and a mem- ber of St. Mark's Lutheran church, and in politics was successively a Whig and a Re- publican. At the time of his death he was burgess of Hanover, in whose advancement he took a great interest, especially in the public schools, having served for many years as a school director. Dr. Alleman was recognized as one of the leading phy- sicians of the county and had a lucrative and extensive practice. In 1847 he married Rebecca B. Winnemore, a daughter of Thomas Winnemore, of near Elizabeth- town, Lancaster county, and of the ten chil-
404
BIOGRAPHICAL AND PORTRAIT CYCLOPEDIA.
dren born to them six grew to maturity: John H., cashier of the First National bank of Hanover; Agnes, a teacher in the public schools; Jennie, wife of J. J. Rohrbaugh, of Helena, Montana; Louise, wife of Edward Wentz, and Dr. Horace M., whose name heads this sketch. Mrs. Alleman survived her husband two years, dying January 14, 1889, aged 65 years, and the remains of both rest in Mt. Olivet cemetery.
FRANK SMALL, M. D., a leading J . physician and present City Health Officer of York, Pennsylvania, is a son of David Etter and Mary Ann (Fulton) Small. He was born in the city of York, July 6, 1865. Dr. Small is a descendant of one of the oldest and most distinguished Pennsylvania families. In boyhood he re- ceived a thorough literary training in the public schools of York and the York Col- legiate Institute. He subsequently in 1886 entered the Medical Department of the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, from which he was graduated in the class of 1889. Immediately after graduation he was engaged for two years in the wholesale drug business at York, in conjunction with his twin brother, J. Hamilton Small, now a dealer in mill supplies. Upon the disso- lution of this partnership he made an ex- tensive European tour, during which time he took a post graduate course in the Lon- don hospitals, and was interested in other professional observations on the continent and elsewhere. Returning from his Old World trip in 1893 he opened an office in York, where he rose rapidly in his profes- sion. He is learned in medical literature, keeps fully abreast of medical advancement, and withal is a man of fine intellectual cul- ture and taste.
Dr. Small has always been a stanch Re- publican, and is a charter member and ex- president of the Young Republicans of
York, and has frequently represented his party in caucus, local and State conven- tions. He served his city as President of the Board of Health in 1894, and was elect- ed health physician in 1895, and re-elected in 1896. He is a member of the York county and Pennsylvania State Medical Societies, and has taken an active interest as a member in the American Medical As- sociation and the Pan-American Medical Congress. For one term he presided over the York County Medical Society and served at different times on various im- portant committees in State and National Medical organizations.
Dr. Small, for a number of years, has been prominent in fraternity circles. He is officially connected with Alpha Mu Pi Omega Medical fraternity of the Univer- sity of Pennsylvania, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Junior Order of American Mechanics, Patriotic Order Sons of Ameri- ca, Artisans Order of Mutual Protection and the Royal Arcanum, for which latter he is medical examiner. He is also one of the highest degree Masons in the United States, having passed through the lodge, chapter, commandery and consistory.
S AMUEL S. LONG, a well known citi- zen of York and a member of the drug firm of Dale, Hart & Company, was born at Carlisle, Pa., July 13, 1850, the son of Christian M. and Ann (Shrom) Long. The Longs are of Swiss origin and their name was formerly written Lang.
Philip Long, born Sept. 20, 1784, the pa- ternal grandfather of Samuel S. Long, was born near Manheim, Lancaster county, Pa., and married Elizabeth Springer, who was born Sept. 21, 1874. He was a wheelwright by trade and also farmed in Columbia county, Pa. In politics he was a Whig but did not take an active part in public affairs. His children were John, Joseph,
40
NINETEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
George, Dr. Philip, Christian, and Dr. Samuel; Catherine, who married Philip Dieffenbacher; Elizabeth, who married Charles Howell; Sarah, who married Philip Kieffer; Mary, married Jonathan Shultz, and Susan, who married Dr. George W. Fulmer. Subsequent to his residence in Columbia county, Mr. Long removed to Mechanicsburg, Cumberland county, where both he and his wife died and are buried.
Christian M. Long, the father of our sub- ject, was born near Washingtonville, Co- lumbia county, Pennsylvania, Ang. 14 1822. During his earlier years he attended the common schools and worked on his father's farm near Washingtonville. When he had reached years of maturity he learned the trade of carriage maker and followed that occupation for many years. In religion he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He believed in those political prin- ciples which gave rise to the Whig and Republican parties and voted for the candi- dates who proclaimed them. By his mar- riage to Ann, a daughter of Joseph and Ann (Flemming) Shrom, he had three chil- dren: Alice, wife of Anson Low, a Chica- go grain dealer and dredger; Susan, who died in infancy; and Samuel S., who forms the subject of this sketch. Mr. and Mrs. Long died and are buried in the old grave yard at Carlisle, Pa. Mother died August 10, 1857, and the father lived until April 1894.
Our subject's maternal grandfather was Joseph Shrom, who was born in Carlisle and followed tanning very extensively in the latter town. He was a Whig in politics and was a communicant of the Reformed church. His wife was Ann Flemming. To that union were born five children: Rebec- ca, deceased, who was the wife of James Culbertson; Barbara, wife of Ephraim Cornman, both deceased; Margaret, wife of Joseph Weibley; and Frances, deceased,
who was the wife of Wilson McKim and Ann, the mother of our subject. The grandfather was a son of Joseph Shrom, who was a native of York county and is buried in Ashland cemetery at Carlisle.
Samuel S. Long devoted his earlier years to his education which was acquired in the public schools in Carlisle. When his school days were over, he entered the El- liot drug store, September 1866, and re- mained there for six months. He then en- tered the drug store of Dr. John T. Nicho- las, at Williamsport, Pennsylvania. There he remained for two years, when he re- turned to Mechanicsburg and for six months worked at carriage making under his father. In February, 1869, Mr. Long was called into the employ of Dale & Hart, of York, and remained there until Septem- ber in the following year. He then went to Philadelphia as a student of the Phila- delphia College of Pharmacy, from which he was graduated March 15, 1872. Subse- quently he went to Saginaw, Michigan and to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and clerked in drug stores there. Returning to Mechanics- burg he remained at home a short time and then took up the drug business with Dr. J. H. Boher, at Harrisburg, Pa. His stay in Harrisburg was brief, however, as Dale & Hart sought his services and in 1873 he again entered their employ, continuing with the firm until 1885, when he was made a member. During the greater part of these years he served as traveling salesman for the firm. In politics Mr. Long is a pro- nounced Republican and in religion he and his family are members of Grace Reformed church.
On November 21, 1883, he married Clara R. Matlack, a daughter of Enoch and Sophia (Rife) Matlack, of Hummelstown, Pennsylvania. Mr. Matlack was a tanner by trade and in later life a farmer. Mrs. Long's parents are both deceased. To this
406
BIOGRAPHICAL AND PORTRAIT CYCLOPEDIA.
union have been born two children, Marie and Lawrence Matlack.
SAMUEL SMYSER, an equally unpre- tentious, useful and public spirited citizen of York, is a member of one of the oldest and most prolific families in South- ern Pennsyvlania, dating back in an honor- able line to the Revolutionary era of our country. He is a son of Mathias and Eli- zabeth (Eyster) Smyser, and was born on the old Smyser homestead, known as "Rugelbach," located three miles west of the City of York, in West Manchester township, York county, Pa., October 29, 1813.
Near by the historic and pleasant little village of Rugelbach in the Kingdom of Wurtenberg, Germany, lived Martin and Anna Barbara Smyser (or Schmeisser, as it is spelled in German), industrious peas- ants and pious Lutherans. Martin died, and his widow and two sons, Mathias and George, emigrated to the United States in 1731, in the ship Brittania, and shortly after their arrival located in Pennsylvania.
Mathias Smyser was born February 17, 1715, and took up his first place of resi- dence near Kreutz Creek, York county, where he became a farmer and weaver. Subsequently, he removed to Spring Grove, but impoverishing himself by open-handed hospitality and warm-hearted generosity he removed, on May 3, 1745, to the farm now owned by the subject of this sketch, where he died in 1778. He left three sons, Col- onel Michael, Hon. Jacob and Mathias, Jr., who resided on the mansion farm. Mathias, Jr., married Louisa Schlegen, and their five sons were George, Jacob, Mathias, Philip and Henry. Mathias Smyser was a farmer, and so continued until his death in 1842 or 1843. He married Elizabeth Eyster, and passed away in the year 1848 at the age of about 73 years. They had four children:
Elizabeth, Sarah, Joseph and Samuel. Eli- zabeth wedded George Loucks, and Sarah became the wife of Jacob King.
Samuel Smyser was reared on the home farm and trained to habits of usefulness and industry. He received the customary edn- cation of his day, and during the early part of his life adopted the traditional occupa- tion of the family, farming, which he fol- lowed assiduously and successfully up till 1863, in which latter year he removed to York and became profitably interested in quite a number of building operations. A vast deal of general interests beside the management of his farm, claimed a fair share of his attention. This farm, Rugel- bach, has been in the unbroken possession of the Smyser family for more than one hundred and fifty years, and on 3rd of May, 1846, an interesting and notable reunion and centennial celebration of the family was there held, at which a large number of the 1162 descendants at that time of pioneer Mathias Smyser, were present. Samuel Smyser has built over 40 houses and several business blocks in the city of York, besides improving several other city properties. His present residence on West Market street was erected in 1868, and is a substantial three story structure, comfortably and thor- oughly furnished.
Mr. Smyser is an active member of the Lutheran church, and in politics is a sup- porter of the Republican party. He is noted for his public spirit, kindness of heart and pronounced charity wherever suffering and want exists. He has been active in many measures and projects for the material im- provement and advancement of his com- munity, and has been an exemplary citizen, without reproach. He lives at an ad- vanced age in a quiet and unostentatious manner, enjoying the contentment of a life full of arduous service and good deeds, as
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.