Biographical annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settled families, Part 10

Author: Genealogical Publishing Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Genealogical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 994

USA > Pennsylvania > Cumberland County > Biographical annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settled families > Part 10

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He revisited Europe, accompanied by his family, in 1872, 1883, and 1900, and as he had at an early day taken great interest in the science of Photography, and was always abreast of the most advanced methods, the camera was used to secure valuable notes of travel, including the glaciers of the Zer- matt region, in Switzerland. He also gave Practice of Photography a place in the Phy-

sical Laboratory of the College, for its edu- cational value, and as an aid in scientific investigation, and delivered an address be- fore the Congress at the Columbian Exposi- tion, in 1893, on "Photography as an Edu- cational Means." He organized, in 1884, at Mt. Lake Park, Md .. the first Summer School of Photography, which is still in successful operation. He has delivered numerous lectures and addresses on scientific and educational topics. Among those pub- lished, some fully illustrated, may be named : "Actinism, or the Scientific Basis of Pho- tography," before the International Elec- trical Exhibition, at Philadelphia; "The Stereoscope and its Applications"; "Ama- teur Photography in its Educational Rela- tions"; "Photo Record Work"; "Photo- graphic Permanence," before the Franklin Institute, Philadelphia ; and "The Making of Photography," at its seventy-fifth anni- versary ; "The Scientific Expert in Forensic Procedure," before the Franklin Institute, and the Dickinson School of Law; "Science in the Common Schools," before the Penn- sylvania State Teachers' Association; "Sci- entific Theories and Creeds," before the American Institute of Christian Philosophy ; address as retiring president before the Pennsylvania-German Society. Among numerous contributions to scientific and ed- ucational literature are "Phenomenon of the Horizontal Moon and Convergency of the Optic Axes in Binocular Vision," before the New York Academy of Sciences ; "Methods and Results of Observations of the Total Eclipse of the Sun," and "Report of the Section of the U. S. Government Expedition stationed at Ottumwa, Iowa, to Observe and Photograph the Total Eclipse of 1869;" "Review of Professor Porter's American College and American Public"; "Methods of Teaching Chemistry"; "Investigation of

CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

the Electric Spark by means of Stereoscopic Photography": "Preparation of Photo- graphic Plates by Daylight"; etc. From 1872 to 1879 Dr. Himes was associated with Prof. S. F. Baird, of the Smithsonian Insti- tution, in the preparation of the "Record of Science and Industry." He published "Will's Tables for Chemical Analysis," translated and enlarged in three editions; "Bunsen's Flame Reactions"; "Leaf-Prints, a Hand Book of Photographic Printing": "History of Dickinson College, more particularly of its Scientific Departments," illustrated; etc. Prof. Himes is an Honorary Member of the Franklin Institute, Philadelphia ; a Member and Fellow of the Amer- ican Association for the Advancement of Science: member of the Amer- ican Philosophical Society of Phila- delphia : of the New York Academy of Sciences: of the Maryland Academy of Sciences; oi the Philadelphia Photographic Society: of the Pennsylvania German Soci- ety, of Philadelphia; and of the Hamilton Library Association of Carlisle, Pa., the official Historical Society of Cumberland County, in which he is actively interested, and of which he has been president for a number of years.

Prof. Himes married, Jan. 2, 1868, Miss Mary E. Murray, a daughter of Rev. Joseph A. Murray, D. D., a prominent minister of the Presbyterian Church. Her death oc- curred Dec. 3. 1904. They had two daugh- ters, Mary M. Himes, and Anna M., the wife of Rev. George V. Metzel.

GEORGE W. HIMES, secretary and treasurer of Rummel, Himes & Co., of Ship- pensburg, is one of the leading business men of that city. The business was established in 1888 with a capital stock of $50,000, and through the energy and executive ability of

Mr. Himes has been built up to its present mammoth proportions. In addition to his connection with this concern Mr. Himes is a member of the People's Coal Co .; of Rum- mel, Himes & Co., fruit growers, and vice- president of the People's National Bank of Shippensburg, which financial institution was organized in August, 1903.

George W. Himes is a native of Cum- berland county, born in 1869, the only son of Rees C. and Cecilia H. (Himes) Himes. The father died in February, 1904, at seven- ty-five years of age, leaving a large estate. His birth occurred in Gasconade, Mo., but he was reared in Cumberland county, and at sixteen went to Philadelphia where he was educated. In young manhood he returned to the Cumberland Valley, to take charge of his father's business, and here remained. He married Cecilia H. Himes, a native of Gap, Pa., daughter of Rees C. and Sarah (Eckert) Himes, and she still survives, at. the age of seventy years.

George W. Himes, father of Rees C. Himes and grandfather of our subject, was born at Honeybrook, Chester county, Pa., in the old "Anthony Wayne Hotel," of which his father, Thomas Himes, was pro- prietor. Thomas Himes married Catherine Clemens. George W. Himes was reared at Honeybrook. He married Miss Johanna Sturgis, daughter of Dr. John Sturgis, of New Holland, Lancaster county, Pa., and after marriage went to what is now St. Louis, Mo., making the entire trip out and back in a Conestoga wagon. For a time he owned and operated a sawmill on the pres- ent site of St. Louis, and his daughter Louisa E. was the first white child born in that sec- tion. Thence the family removed to Gasco- nade, Mo., where Mr. Himes also operated a sawmill. Later he returned to Pennsylva- . nia, settling in Southampton township, Cum-

CUMBERLAND COUNTY

berland county, where he owned consid- erable property, comprising three good farms which are still in the possession of the only descendant of the family, George W. Himes, whose name introduces this sketch. Here he spent the greater part of his re- maining days, and here his death occurred. However, he lived in Philadelphia for a time in order to give his family better educa- tional advantages. Mr. Himes was always successful in the real estate business, and was an extensive owner of real estate in different parts of the country.

After finishing the public school course George W. Himes, our subject, entered the Cumberland Valley State Normal, and still later took a course at a select school in Newark, N. J., where he completed his edu- cation.

In 1893 Mr. Himes married Miss Annie Slaymaker, who was born at Gap, a sister of Dr. J. M. Slaymaker, who is now a resi- dent and prominent physician at Gap. To Mr. and Mrs. Himes two children have been born, Cecilia and Rees S. Mr. and Mrs. Himes are members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he is a member of the board of trustees, and he is also a member of the Y. M. C. A., and very active in all the work of the church. Fraternally, he is a member of the Loyal Legion of America. The residence of the family is on North Normal avenue, in Shippensburg, and in addition to this valuable property Mr. Himes owns some very desirable city property and two good farms.

JAMES W. HUGHES, PH. D., of Shippensburg, professor of modern lan- guages and higher mathematics, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Juniata county upon a farm near what is known as Tusca- rora Academy, Nov. 16, 1835. His father,

Hugh G. Hughes, was born in the Tusca- rora Valley, in 1806, son of James and Rachel (Gray) Hughes, the former born in Greene county, in 1780.

Hugh G. Hughes married Margaret Mc- Donald, who was born in Juniata county, Pa., daughter of David McDonald, a native of Scotland. Three children were born to these parents : James W .; David M. was a soldier in the Civil war, and died while in service; and John G. resides in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania.

James W. Hughes spent the first seven- teen years of his life at Pleasant View, Ju- niata county, where he received his primary education. His mother died in 1851, and he then went to make his home with his grandfather Hughes, who lived and died in Fulton county. From 1851 to 1854, he re- mained with his grandfather, and in the lat- ter year, entered Cassville Seminary, there continuing until 1862. At that date he went to Martinsburg, Blair county, Pa. From 1863 to 1871 he was made professor of Rainsburg seminary. In 1871 he went to Everett, Bedford county, Pa., where he was professor of schools for five years, but later he became superintendent of Bedford county schools. At the expiration of that period, he became cierk in the establishment of Fair- weather & Ladew, prominent merchants. Following this he taught school for two years.

In February, 1890, he came to Shippens- burg, and became a professor in the Cumber- land Valley State Normal School as teacher of ancient languages. After this he accepted the chair of mathematics, which he held consecutively for eight years, and at the ex- piration of that time, he became teacher of German and general history, and later of German, French and, finally, of higher math- ematics.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

In 1860, Prof. Hughes . married Miss Saralı Cresswell, of Cassville. Pa., a dauglı- ter of Jacob and Mary ( Wilson) Cresswell. Mrs. Hughes was born in 1838, at the old forge in Trough Creek Valley, Huntingdon county. Pa. The children born to this union are: William C., a graduate of the Cumber- land Valley State Normal School, is now em- ployed in the railroad yards at Rutherford; Josephine, a graduate of the same school and a very highly educated young lady, was married. Aug. 17, 1904. to John F. Hughes, a teacher in the Mannington, W. Va., schools.

Prof. Hughes is a member of Everett Lodge No. 524. A. F. & A. M .; of Bedford Chapter No. 215. R. A. M .; and of Carlisle Commandery, No. S, K. T. He and his wife are consistent members of the Metho- dist Church. Prof. Hughes has devoted his entire life to educational matters, and is a man of remarkable talents in this direction, who possesses a great love for his work and pupils. In 1882 he was elected to the Leg- islature from Bedford county, and served through the sessions of 1883 and 1884, giv- ing efficient service on a number of import- ant committees, being chairman of that on V'ice and Immorality, and a member of that on Education and Local Judiciary. Prof. Hughes is serving his third term as presi- dent of the school board of Shippensburg, and under his administration two new school buildings have been erected.

LINDSAY PITTS O'NEAL, M. D., a prominent and successful physician of Mechanicsburg, was born Oct. 11, 1838, on his father's plantation in Essex county, Va., a son of Albert G. and Anna ( Wearing) O'Neal, both of whom were born in Essex county.

Thomas O'Neal, the grandfather of Dr.

O'Neal, was born in Dublin, Ireland, where he became a merchant with business stand- ing until his sympathy with the rebellion against England made it advisable for him to leave his native land. He emigrated to Virginia, and there, in Essex county, mar- ried Elizabeth Pitts, who was of English ancestry. To this union were born two sons and three daughters, namely: Albert G., Johnson, Elizabeth. Mary and Emeline.

Albert G. O'Neal became a large planter in Essex county, but during the Civil war lost his possessions. He served as a captain in the War of 1812. In 1831 he married Anna Wearing, and two sons were born to them, viz : Thomas J. and Dr. Lindsay P.

Dr. O'Neal was but sixteen years old when he left home to make a career for him- self. At Baltimore, Md., he engaged in clerking, in grocery and in drug stores, re- maining there until 1858, when he began the study of medicine, supporting himself by running a stitching machine in his brother's boot and shoe factory. In the fall of 1860 he entered York Academy, and in the spring of the following year, he entered the Washington University of Medicine and Surgery. In the fall of 1861, he en- tered the medical department of the United States Army. It was not until the fall of 1864 that he returned to the Washington University of Medicine and Surgery, Balti- more, where he studied and attended lect- ures and clinics, until March, 1865, gradu- ating with degree of M. D. He located in York county that spring. There he prac- ticed his profession until 1870, when he set- tled at Mechanicsburg, where he has met with the most flattering success,

On Nov. 26, 1868, Dr. O'Neal was united in marriage . with Margaretta W. Eckels, born near Mechanicsburg, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Cooper) Eckels.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

Mrs. O'Neal is a valued member of the Presbyterian Church. Dr. O'Neal is pro- fessionally connected with the National Medical Association of Pennsylvania, and is a charter member of the Eclectic Association of the State. He has served four terms on the Medical Examining board of Pennsyl- vania through the administrations of Govs. Robert E. Pattison, Daniel Hastings, Wil- liam Stone and Samuel Pennypacker, and was re-appointed for the fifth term in 1904. For many years he has been an influential member of the Democratic party in Cum- berland county. In his profession he ranks very high, being regarded as an expert in his successful treatment of smallpox, and up to this time ( 1904) has never had a death from this dread disease. He keeps thor- oughly abreast of the times, and is well ac- quainted with all modern methods and dis- coveries. Personally, he is a man of high character and enjoys universal esteem. He is an example of the self-made man owing but little to any fortunate circumstances of birth, kindred or friends, having bravely carved out his own fortune.

JAMES ECKELS. Nathaniel, Francis and James are favorite names in the differ- ent generations of the Eckels family. These three were sons of the first Eckels who set- tled in Pennsylvania. Although not proven by documentary evidence it is reasonably cer- tain that the father's name was Francis, and that he was married twice. Tradition has it that he had six children by his first wife, and six by his second, but very little is known of any of them excepting the three here named. Nathaniel was born Oct. 2. 1744, and died on Sept. 16, 1830. He is buried in 'Pine Hill graveyard, in Silver Spring township. Francis was born in 1751, and died Aug. 13, 1814, and is buried in the

Old Graveyard at Carlisle. According to tradition Francis was born at sea.

James Eckels, youngest child of Francis Eckels, Sr., by his second marriage, was born Oct. 15, 1772, in Cumberland county. In 1817, he settled at or near Fair Haven, Allegheny county, where he married Nancy, daughter of John and Esther (Twinen) Cameron, who were early settlers in Wash- ington county, Pa. By this marriage lie had the following children : James, Jr., John, Esther Ann, Robert, Sarah, Amelia and William. John became a Methodist Epis- copal minister, married Caroline Leech and settled at Cambridgeboro, Crawford county, Pa .; Esther Ann married Samuel Donald- son, a farmer; Robert married Elizabeth Ramsey, and engaged at farming; Sarah married Perry Donaldson, and settled in South Dakota; Amelia married John Gib- son, capitalist; and William died unmarried.

In 1832 James Eckels removed to Clarksville, Mercer county, where he died Jan. 1, 1860. He and his wife. Nancy Cam- eron, were both active members of the Pres- byterian Church, and among the first to be interred in the new cemetery at Clarksville. After settling in western Pennsylvania James Eckels became effectually separated from his relations in the Cumberland Val- ley, and it is not known that he ever ex -. changed visits with them. He, however, never faded from their memory, and mem- bers of the present generation of the Cum- berland county Eckelses recall having fre- quently heard their fathers speak of him. In 1854, a grand-nephew, James S. Eckels, -Esq., now of Princeton, Ill., who is a grand- son of Nathaniel Eckels, taught school in Mercer county, and then met him and had several conversations with him.

James Eckels, Jr., oldest son of, James and Nancy (Cameron) Eckels, was born

CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

at Fair Haven, July 11, IS19, and went with his parents to Clarksville, Mercer coun- ty, in 1832. In 1840 he embarked in the furniture and undertaking business at which he continued until 1874. On Sept. 8, 1842. he married Mary, daughter of James and Mary (Gaston) Warnock, who were early settlers of Beaver, now Lawrence county, Pa. His children were Edwin Dowling; Frances A., who married A. T. Brown; John Warnock; Helen; Amanda Caroline; Emma; Frank Cameron; Anna; Walter Howard and Mabel. who married Dr. E. W. Shields. Edwin D., Helen, Amanda C., Anna and Emma are dead, as is also Mr. Brown, the husband of Frances A.

In 18Si James Eckels, Jr., and family moved to Pittsburg, and in 1892 he and his wife celebrated their golden wedding. His wife died June 14, 1895, and he died while visiting his daughter, Mrs. A. T. Brown, at Gallipolis. Ohio, Jan. 31, 1899, and with his wife and deceased children is interred at Clarksville. His grandchildren are James W., Mary W., Florence and Grace, children of Edwin D. and Anna ( Wilson) Eckels; Edwin A., Mary E., Harry and Louise, chil- dren of A. T. and Frances ( Eckels) Brown; Robert Bonner, son of John W. and Mary (Echols) Eckels, and Margaret and Jean, children of Frank C. and Margaret (Pais- ley) Eckels.

BRIG. GEN. RICHARD HENRY PRATT, who was for almost a quarter of a century in the position of superintendent of the United States Indian Industrial School at Carlisle, was born Dec. 6, 1840, in Rush- ford, Allegany Co., N. Y., and was the eld- est of three sons born to Richard S. and Mary ( Herrick) Pratt. The father was a contractor and builder of canals, and con-

structed a portion of the Welland canal, in Canada, and the canal in New York.

In the summer of 1846 the family moved to Logansport, Ind .. and there Gen. Pratt began his education in the common schools. Later he attended the Logansport Seminary. In 1858 he removed to Delphi, Ind., and on April 16, 1861, at the breaking out of the Civil war, he enlisted for the three months' service, and was made a corporal in Com- pany A, 9th Indiana Infantry ; he was mus- tered out July 29th, following. On Sept. 18th he re-enlisted, in Company A, 2d In- diana Cavalry, with which he served, as ser- geant and first sergeant, until April 19, 1864, . when he was promoted to first lieutenant in Company C, 11th Indiana Cavalry, of which company he became captain on Sept. 1, 1864. He served as inspector and judge advocate for the 5th Division Cavalry, Mil. Div. Miss., on the staff of Gen. Hatch, through- out the Nashville campaign, 1864 and 1865, and until he was mustered out of the service, May 29, 1865, with a record of active ser- vice in the following engagements : 1861- Philippi, Va., June 3; Laurel Hill, Va., July 7; Bealington, Va., July 10; Carrick's Ford, Va., July 13-14; 1862-Shiloh, April 6-7; Pea Ridge, Tenn., April 15; Monterey, Tenn., April 17; engagements around Cor- inth, Miss., April 30 to May 30; Tuscumbia Creek, Miss., May 31 ; McMinnville, Tenu., Aug. 9; Gallatin, Aug. 13; engagements. . about Murfreesboro, Tenn., Aug. 20, 25, 27, Sept. 7; New Haven, Ky., September (in the capture of the 3d Georgia Cavalry) ; Perryville and Crab Orchard Oct. 6-7-8; Stone River, Dec. 31 to Jan. 3; 1863-Mur- freesboro, Tenn., March 10; Shelbyville Pike, June 6; Triune, Tenn., June 11 ; Shel- byville, Tenn., June 23; Tullahoma, June 25; Middleton, June 24; Gray's Gap, June

RA.fratt Brig Seul U.S.A.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

27; Elk River Bridge, July 2; Sparta, Aug. 9; Chickamauga, Ga., Sept. 19-20; Ander- son's Cross Roads and pursuit of Wheeler (in which he saw daily fighting) ; 1864- Huntsville, Ala., October; Shoal Creek, Ala., Nov. 9; Lawrenceburg, Tenn., Nov. 22; Campbellsville, Tenn., Nov. 24; Nash- ville, Tenn., Nov. 15-16; Hollow Tree Gap, Tenn., Dec. 17; Linnville. Tenn., Dec. 23; Pulaski, Tenn., Dec. 25-26.

After the close of hostilities Capt. Pratt returned to Delphi. Ind., remaining there until September, 1865, when he went to Be- ment, Ill. After a year there he went to Minnesota, where he stayed only a few months, returning thence to Logansport, Ind., where he was tendered an appointment by Schuyler Colfax, as second lieutenant in the United States cavalry. Accepting, he joined his command at Fort Gibson, in the Indian Territory, in June, 1867, and on July 3Ist was promoted to first lieutenant of his company, continuing as such until Feb. 7, 1883, when he became captain. On July 1, 1898, he was made a major ; on Feb. 2, 1902, Lieutenant-colonel ; and on Jan. 24, 1903, colonel. He was retired from army service on Feb. 17th of the same year, was promoted to brigadier-general on the retired list in April, 1904, and was relieved from the superintendency of the Indian School July 1, 1904.

In the spring of 1879, by special Act of Congress, he was detailed for Indian educa- tional work at Hampton Institute, Virginia. Being unwilling to remain at Hampton, be- cause he did not esteem it best to combine the work for the Indians and negroes, he suggested the use of Carlisle Barracks and the establishment of an Indian industrial school. This was accepted, and he was made superintendent and placed in charge in Sep- tember of that year. Under his management

the school has grown to include over a thous- and pupils, from eighty different tribes, with about ninety employes, and has met the substantial support of the people and Con- gress throughout its career. Perhaps the best commendation Gen. Pratt has for his work at Carlisle is contained in the award made to the school for its exhibit at the World's Fair in Chicago :

The United States of America by act of their Congress have authorized the World's Columbian Commission at the International Exhibition held in the city of Chicago, State of Illinois, in the year 1893, to decree a medal for specific merit which is set forth below :

INDIAN INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL, CARLISLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

EXHIBIT: WORK, PHOTOGRAPHS AND COURSES OF STUDY. -AWARD .-

For excellence of methods, objects and results as a part of the best plan for the industrial, intel- lectual, patriotic, social, moral and spiritual train- ing of the Indian to take his place as a member of civilized society, seen first, in his separation from savage surroundings; second, in wise and well-fitted plans and methods of theoretical and practical training of boys and girls in the several years of school life, during which they learn the conditions of caring for health and are prepared for active affairs, in common studies, such as reading, writing, drawing, arithmetic, composition, geography, music, bookkeeping and morals, and in industries for girls, such as household economy, needlework, cutting of garments, and cooking; and for boys, farming, car- pentering, blacksmithing, harnes's and wagon mak- ing, the making of tinware and shoes, and printing ; third, as seen in the outing system, by which pupils are placed in good families, where both boys and girls for a year or more become familiar by observa- tion and practice with all the customs and ameni- ties of American home life, fixing what they have been learning in the theory and practice of the school : fourth, as seen in results attained (a) in the outing system in 1892, which resulted in the earn- ing by 404 boys of $16,698.85, and by 293 girls of $5,170.15, or a total of $21,868.98, all of which was placed to their individual credit, and (b) in the usefulness and worthy lives of the great majority of all who have returned to their Indian homes.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

The earnings of the students under the outing for the fiscal year 1903. eleven years later, was $31.393.02, and their combined savings deposited and earning interest for them amounted to over $40,000.00.

In 1889 Col. Pratt was chairman of the commission which treated with the Sioux tribe for half of their reservation.

On April 20, 1864, Col. Pratt married Miss Anna Laura Mason, of Jamestown, N. Y., daughter of Belden B. and Mercy (Whitcomb) Mason, and four children have blessed this union, namely : Mason D., born Jan. 23, 1865 ; Cora Marion, Oct. 2, 1868: Nana Laura, July 27, 1871 ; and Richenda Henrietta, Aug. 25. 1882.

COLONEL ALEXANDER BRADY SHARPE, who passed away at his home in Carlisle, Cumberland county, Dec. 25, I891, was throughout his active years one of the most prominent lawyers of that place.

The Sharpes were among the early set- tlers of Newton township, Cumberland county, and are still numerously represented in that section. Our subject was a great- grandson of Thomas and Margaret ( Elder) Sharp (as the name was originally spelled), Covenanters, the latter the daughter of a Scottish laird, who, because of their relig- jous faith, were driven from Scotland and took tefuge in the Province of Ulster, in the North of Ireland, living near Belfast, in County Antrim, until their emigration to the New World. Their son, Robert, had crossed the Atlantic at a very early age, and soon returned to Ireland to persuade his father to bring the rest of the family over. This could not have been later than 1746, as two tracts of land, one of 2,000 acres and one of twenty, are recorded in the list of land warrants as having been taken up by Thomas Sharp in May, 1746. The family

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Biographical annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settled families, Part 10

Author: Genealogical Publishing Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1905 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Genealogical Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 994

Author: Genealogical Publishing Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Genealogical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 994