Biographical annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settled families, Part 23

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 23

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Though deeply absorbed in the banking business Mr. Stuart finds time for public duties. He has long been a member of the Carlisle school board, takes an active part in all its affairs, and has several times been president of the body. He is a Republican, but not a politician, and has convictions upon all questions with which the citizen is obliged to deal. His religious views he inherited from his Scotch-Irish ancestry and conse- quently is a Presbyterian and a communi- cant in the Second Presbyterian Church of Carlisle. On Dec. 21, 1882, he married Barbara Ellen, a daughter of George Peter and Martha (Stuart ) Searight, and a de- scendant of two of the oldest and most prominent families of South Middleton

township. Walter and Barbara E. Stuart had issue as follows : George Searight, born Oct. 23, 1883 (died Sept. 6, 1884) ; Samuel Donaldson, Dec. 30, 1884; Walter Searight, Sept. 22, 1886; and John Bruce, April 10, 188S.

Mrs. Barbara Ellen (Searight) Stuart was born in South Middleton April 13, 1860, and at the time of her marriage lived in Car- lisle. She died Feb. 19, 1900, and her re- mains are interred beside those of her first child, in the Old Grave Yard at Carlisle. Walter Stuart, his aged mother, and his three boys now constitute the Stuart house- hold, and they live on South Hanover street, Carlisle, just one square from where Samuel Stuart long had his home 125 years ago.

REV. JOSEPH ALEXANDER MUR- RAY, D. D., was born in Carlisle, Pa., Oct. 2, 1815. His father, George Murray, only son of William and Susanna (Sly) Murray, born near Fort Pitt, March 17, 1762, was the first white child born within the limits of Pittsburg, Pa. Early left an orphan, he lived with his mother's parents on their farm in Westmoreland Co., Pa. At about twelve years of age, he came to Carlisle, assisting in driving cattle over the mountains and sub- sequently made it his residence, as an "Orphan in care of James Pollock, Thomas Alexander and George Stevenson." He learned the trade of blacksmith with Capt. Simon Boyd, whose partner and ultimate successor in an extensive business he became, as well as his brother-in-law. In 1814 he was married, by Dr. Davidson, to Mary ( Polly) Denny, daughter of William and Agnes ( Parker) Denny, sister of Major Ebenezer Denny, and sister-in-law of Capt. Boyd. William Denny was a prominent cit- izen of Carlisle, a coroner of the county, and his wife a woman of marked character.

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[See Ebenezer Denny. ] George Murray was a model artisan. He died in Carlisle, May 6, 1855, in his 94th year, highly esteemed for liis high-toned and upright character.

The subject of this sketch, Joseph Alex- ander Murray, the youngest of a family of four sons and one daughter, received his preparatory education in Carlisle, was for a time a student in Dickinson College and completed his college course at the Western University of Pennsylvania, at Pittsburg, from which he was graduated in 1837, and at once entered the Western Theological Seminary of the Presbyterian Church at Allegheny, from which he was graduated in 1840. During his student life, in college and seminary, he was a member of the family of his cousin, Hon. Harmar Denny, a prom- inent lawyer, mayor of Pittsburg, member of Congress, and influential in national politics of that day. The contact of young Murray with many of the leading men of the Whig school, and the associations of his home, continued into his later years, and had much to do with imparting breadth to his character and information, and the courteous manners and dignified bearing which always charac- terized him. His pen was frequently effect- ively employed, even as a young man, in the political discussions of that day. He was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Ohio in October, 1840, and supplied for some time a church at Miami, Ohio, and, although cordially urged to continue his work there, during a visit to Carlisle in 1842, he ac- cepted a call to the church at Dillsburg, Pa., where he became so attached to the church and its people that he continued with them until, by reason of impaired health, in 1858, lie was obliged to give up the active pastorate. He had not only been a pastor to his charge, but as a model citizen, was interested in

every enterprise promotive of the interests of the borough. He was especially active in regard to public education, and was presi- dent, for many years, of the Board of Di- rectors of public schools. He removed to Carlisle, and although his health improved. and seemed to be quite restored, he never felt at liberty again to resume the responsi- bility of a charge, but was always active in pulpit ministrations and all kinds of church work. He was a member of the General Assembly in 1844, 1861, 1865 and 1875. He was appointed, with Judge H. W. Williams. to defend an important decision of his Synod before the General Assembly in 1875, and was appointed a member of the Judicial com- mittee. In 1876 he was made moderator of the Synod of Harrisburg by acclamation. His scholarly habits and tastes led him into many fields of literary activity. He became especially known for his thorough, pains- taking, intelligent research in State and Na- tional, as well as local, history, and was re- garded as an authority on many historical, biographical and antiquarian questions, and accumulated a large amount of documentary material. He was readily accessible, and always ready to give information. He was a member of the Historical Society of Penn- sylvania, of the American Philosophical So- ciety of Philadelphia, Corresponding Mem- ber of the Numismatic and Antiquarian So- ciety of Philadelphia, and of other Historical Societies. He was the active secretary of the Hamilton Library Association, of Car- lisle, from its organization to his decease, and did much to direct and encourage the ac- cumulation of local historical literature. His contributions to literary, historical and re- ligious periodicals have been numerous, and some of unique value. Many of his public addresses have been published. The Western

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Theological Seminary conferred on him the degree of D. D. in 1869, and in 1886 he was elected a director of that institution.

In April. 1843. Dr. Murray married Miss Ann Hays Blair. daughter of Andrew Blair, a prominent citizen of Carlisle. She died in 1875. leaving a daughter. their only chikl. Mary Elizabeth, married in 1868 to Prof. Charles F. Himes, Ph. D., of Dickinson Col- lege. In 1879 he was married to Miss Lydia Steele Foster, of Philadelphia, who survives him. He died in Carlisle, Nov. 27, 1889, in his seventy-fifth year.

JACOB HURST was for many years numbered among the leading business men of Mechanicsburg, where he conducted what was the leading dry goods establishment in that city. He was born in Dillsburg, York Co .. Pa., Aug. 13, 1832, a son of Jacob B. and Susan ( Herchfeldt) Hurst, the former of whom was also born at Dillsburg, Jan. 7, 1808, a son of Jolin and Catherine (Cocklin) Hurst. The grandparents were among the early settlers of York county, and were the parents of four sons and three daughters who grew to maturity.

Jacob B. Hurst, father of Jacob, resided upon the homestead until he was fifteen years of age, when he began to learn the tailoring trade with William Gilberthurp. Four years later he went to Harrisburg and Philadel- phia, following his trade for a number of years. Finally, in 1831, he returned to Dills- burg and established a tailoring establish- ment which he continued to carry on until 1855. when he opened a general store. In the spring of 1866, he removed to Mechan- icsburg and established the dry-goods house of J. B. Hurst & Son. He was a director of the First National Bank, and stood high in the community. Both he and his wife were earnest members of the Presbyterian Church,

of which he was an elder for a number of years. . On Nov. 18, 1875, occurred the death of this most excellent man. His widow sur- vived for some years. The following chil- dren were born to this couple: Edwin W., a merchant tailor of Mechanicsburg: Jacob; Lydia B., who married William A. Spahr ; Mary E., wife of William B. Nelson, a farm- er near Dillsburg. Pa. ; Templeton B., an ex- soldier of Company H, Pennsylvania Re- serves: Kate MI., who married Robert B. Mateer, a hardware merchant of Harris- burg. Pa .; and Melizena M., who married George W. Hackett, a merchant of Sun- bury, Pa.

Jacob Hurst attended school until he was sixteen years of age, and then assisted his father in his merchant tailoring establishment and the general store until 1865. He then came to Mechanicsburg, and became the junior member of the firm of J. B. Hurst & Son. Three months after his father's death he purchased the entire stock, and continued to be the leading merchant of Mechanics- burg until his death.

In 1872 Mr. Hurst married Miss Julia Wilson, of Mechanicsburg, daughter of Ro- bert and Sarah (Shock) Wilson, members of good Cumberland county stock. Two sons were born of this marriage : Wilson of Me- chanicsburg, manager of the dry-goods house of the J. Hurst estate, married Miss Bessie Goodyear, of Carlisle, Pa .; Corliss is also with the dry-goods house above mentioned.

The death of Mr. Hurst occurred Feb. 22, 1902, and he passed away firm in the belief of the Lutheran Church, of which he was elder. He was a man of high moral character, successful in business as well as prominent in church circles, and in him Me- chanicsburg lost one of its best citizens. Mrs. Hurst and her two sons reside at the family home on West Main street, and are

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very important factors in the life of Mechan- icsburg, of which they are highly honored citizens.

WILLIAM H. DOUGHERTY, ex- sheriff of Cumberland county, residing at Mechanicsburg, Pa., is one of the represen- tative men of that city. and is a native of Pennsylvania, having been born in York county, Aug. 5. 1840, a son of George Dougherty, whose father was born in Ire- land.

George Dougherty was born in Adams county, in 1799. In 1826 he married Mary Ann Stallsmith, a native of Pennsylvania, of Scotch-Irish extraction, who died in 1898, at an advanced age.

William H. Dougherty was brought by his parents to Cumberland county when he was thirteen years of age, and he attended school at Shepherdstown. Leaving school in his sixteenth year, he began to learn the carpenter's trade, and upon completing his term of apprenticeship, he traveled about, working as journeyman, and assisted in the construction of many of the buildings in the vicinity of Shiremanstown, and Mechanics- burg, including churches, schoolhouses and

residences, and he built the First National Bank building and also the high school build- ing of Mechanicsburg. He continued build- ing and contracting until 1901, when he was nominated by the Democratic party as candi- date for the office of sheriff, and was elected by a handsome majority. During his term of service, he made an excellent officer, and justified the confidence his party placed in him. His term expired Jan. 1, 1904.

In 1865, Mr. Dougherty married Miss Sarah Ann Maust, of Shepherdstown, a na- tive of Cumberland county, and a daughter of Daniel Maust, a tailor by trade. After marriage, Mr. Dougherty located in Bow-

mansdale. residing there until 1885, when he removed to Mechanicsburg, where he con- tinued his business as builder and contractor. Mr. Dougherty is a member of the Knights of Malta. He is a prominent Democrat, and has always taken an active part in local, county and state politics, and often is sent as delegate to the various conventions. He is a man who is very popular personally, and wields a strong influence in his party.

On Nov. 16, 1869, a son, M. M. Dough- erty, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Dougherty, now Dr. M. M. Dougherty. After reading medicine with J. H. Boyer, of Mechanics- burg. Dr. Dougherty entered Jefferson Med- ical College of Pennsylvania, and was grad- uated in the class of 1891. He is now lo- cated at Mechanicsburg, and is actively en- gaged in a successful practice. He is a mem- ber of the Cumberland County Medical So- ciety, and of the American Medical Associa- tion. In 1893. Dr. Dougherty married Miss Gertrude Ritter, of Philadelphia, a daughter of John H. Ritter, a prominent citizen of Philadelphia. Two sons were born of this marriage, William R. and Fillmore Maust.

GEORGE G. IRWIN, M. D. South Middleton township, Cumberland county, has been particularly fortunate in the high class of professional men who have made their homes there. Not the least among these is Dr. George G. Irwin, whose conscientious devotion to his calling, and whose natural ability and high attainments, have won him a conspicuous place in the front rank of successful physicians and surgeons.

Dr. Irwin comes of good Scotch-Irish stock, and his paternal great-grandfather passed his entire life in Ireland. Alexander Irwin, the Doctor's grandfather, was an early settler of Chester county, Pa., where he was engaged in trade.

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George Irwin, son of Alexander, was born in Chester county, and on reaching man- hood followed in his father's footsteps as a merchant, also carrying on farming. the lat- ter occupation occupying his entire time dur- ing the latter years of his life. His energy and foresight enabled him to find success in whatever he undertook. His death occurred Jan. 25. 1901, when he was seventy-five years of age. His wife, Harriet Gable, was born in Lancaster Co., Pa .. and is still living now ( 1904) aged seventy-one years. Five children were born to George and Harriet (Gable) Irwin, namely: J. Alexander, who is deceased: Clarence C .. deceased: George G .: Margaret G .; and Mary M., deceased. In religious belief the family all united with the Presbyterian Church. George Irwin, the father. was a Republican in politics, and held a number of local offices, serving for some years as a justice of the peace. He was a man of sterling worth, and by his fidelity to duty and his high ideals of right living won the lasting esteem of his fellowmen.

George G. Irwin was born in Oxford, Chester county, Nov. 27, 1860, and his early years were passed in his native town. The common schools gave him the rudiments of his education, which was furthered in Oxford Seminary and the broad school of experience, and by wide reading. After his graduation from Oxford Seminary, he re- turned to work upon his father's farm, but his ambitions led him to seek a professional career, and in 1889 he began to read medi- cine with Dr. J. W. Houston, an eminent practitioner of Lancaster county, with whom he continued until he matriculated in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Bal- timore, Md. He was graduated from that school in 1892, with the degree of M. D., and at once returned to Oxford, there to be- gin an active practice among his old neigh-

bors. A few months later substantial in- chucements led him to move to Mount Holly Springs, Cumberland county, where he has since made his home, meeting with unques- tioned success in his work. He is a close student of the new discoveries in medical science, and possesses a remarkable faculty of discernment in selecting the wheat from the chaff. His ability in diagnosis has brought him favorably before his brother physicians who have frequently availed themselves of his services in consultation.

Professionally. Dr. Irwin belongs to the Cumberland County and Pennsylvania State Medical Societies, and is always interested in the deliberations of those bodies. In his political faith he is a Republican, and he has given good service as a member of the board of health.

In 1895 Dr. Irwin was united in mar- riage with Miss Emma Black, daughter of Anthony and Sarah Black, both of whom died in Mrs. Irwin's childhood. The Doctor and his wife are delightfully hospitable, and have many warm friends throughout the county.

JOHN LINDNER. Some of the most prominent and enterprising citizens of this country come from German ancestry. Con- spicnous among these, in Carlisle, Cumber- land county, is John Lindner, the famous. shoe manufacturer, of whom we here give a brief history.

Three generations ago there dwelt in Reidenhansen, Franken, Germany, Henry Lindner and Elizabeth, his wife. Both were natives and lifelong residents of that town, Mr. Lindner being employed in the govern- ment postal service all his active years, hav- ing charge of the postal service of the Province. To Henry and Elizabeth Lind- ner there was born, in 1820, a son, John,

fre. Lindner

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vho grew to manhood in Reidenhausen. He vas educated in the private schools of his native town, and upon completing his studies entered the employ of his father in the ca- pacity of clerk. After considerable exper- ence in business he rose to be treasurer in the firm of Henry Lindner of Beikeburg, a position he filled until 1848, when he mar- ied Sophia M., daughter of Adolph Darm- wurst, of Beikeburg, and came to America. Mr. and Mrs. Lindner located in Newark, .N. J., where he engaged in the manufacture of clothing, at which he was very successful. To John and Sophia M. Lindner were born the following children; Frederick William, of Louisville, Ky .; Elizabeth B., wife of Frederick Heilman, of Waltham, Mass .; und John, the subject of these lines.

John Lindner was born in 1859, in Newark, N. J., in the house which has been the home of his parents ever since they set- tled in America. He was educated in the public schools of Newark and in the New Jersey Business College, and on laying aside his books he entered the employ of Banister & Tichner, shoe manufacturers of Newark, with whom he acquired knowledge of shoe manufacturing, and thoroughly equipped himself for a successful business career. In 1882 he went into the employ of Reynolds Brothers, shoe manufacturers of Utica, N. Y., and applied himself so diligently and efficiently that he soon rose to the position of manager. Six years later he became su- perintendent of the G. W. Neidich & Co., of Carlisle, Pa., where he demonstrated his superior capability by, in three years' time, increasing the output of the factory seven- fold and making it one of the largest and best paying shoe plants in the country. His pronounced success encouraged him to try larger and more difficult undertakings, and in 1891 he organized and had incorporated

the Lindner Shoe Co., of Carlisle, Pa - cap- italized at $35,000. A suitable building was erected a little to the north of and in easy sight of the Cumberland Valley railroad. at the western end of Carlisle. It was first con- structed to accommodate 100 hands, but from the very start business grew rapidly, and in a surprisingly short time the force having to be increased fivefold, it was correspond- ingly enlarged. It now consists of a struc- ture 430 feet long, 225 feet wide, and three stories high, and is a veritable hive of indus- try. In January, 1893, the capital stock of the company was increased to $50,000, and in 1901 it was raised to $125,000, and in August, 1904, it was increased to $200,000. at which figure it rests at present. The of- ficers of the company are: John Lindner, president ; I. E. Greenwood, vice-president ; M. L. Dunkleberger, secretary and treas- urer. The factory is a model of its kind; two large additions just completed make it America's largest factory making women's fine shoes, constructed and arranged to fa- cilitate the output and at the same time con- serve the health and comfort of its employes. It is equipped with the best machinery known, complete in every department and detail, and has a capacity to produce every year more than three million dollars worth of ladies' fine shoes, which are marketed to all parts of the country. It is by far the largest manufacturing enterprise in Carlisle, employs the most labor, and brings from a distance and distributes among its citizens more money than any other agency.

But this great shoe factory is only one of Mr. Lindner's laudable enterprises. He has others to his credit. In 1902 he em- barked in the cultivation of flowers on a scale characteristic of the man. He pur- chased a plot of ground in the western end of town, and upon it erected the largest and

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finest greenhouses ever built in this part of Pennsylvania. They are thoroughly mod- ern in every part of their construction, and of magnificent size, requiring more than 70,- 000 square feet of glass to cover them. Fronting these greenhouses, and bordering on West Louther street, he has laid out a beautiful public park of artistic design. Macadamized roadways surround and cross it. granolithic pavements border its edges : through its well-kept lawns in graceful curves wind gravelled walks and shrubbery and plants and flower beds of variegated hue ornament and beautify it. In it is planted every species of tree known to the Cumberland Valley, and with a few years of growth it will be a most delightful spot for rest and recreation. Every two weeks during the past summer, Saturday evening band concerts, provided by the same liberal hand that donated the park, were here given for the benefit of the public. The creation of this pleasure reflects thie tastes of the man, and the fact that he throws both park and greenhouses wide open to the children of the public schools speaks eloquently of his gen- erosity. Not only do the public school chil- dren have free access, but the students of Dickinson College and the Indian Training School are also welcome, and such of them as delight in the mysteries of plant life are given the use of apparatus and standard works on botany to assist them in their study and analysis.

Probably no employer of labor in the State of Pennsylvania entered more cor- dially into association and sympathy with his employes than does Mr. Lindner. He takes a personal interest in all that concerns them, and both contributes to and shares in their pleasures. For a number of years he annually gave his entire force of hands a

day's outing. providing for them means of enjoyment. refresluments and music.

Recognizing the importance and necess- ity of higher education, Mr. Lindner fre- quently makes contributions to the local in- stitutions of learning, and quietly does much to encourage science and the arts. He takes a deep interest in the prosperity of the town and the general welfare of its citizens, always aiding and often leading in efforts to promote the public good. He was one of the organizers of the Board of Trade, and has been its president ever since it was or- ganized. He is a member of the National Association of Manufacturers; of the Shoe Manufacturers Association of Pennsylvania ; of the National Trade Exchange; of the National Association of Civics; of the State Forestry Association; of the Manufacturers Club of Philadelphia; of the Hamilton Li- brary Association of Carlisle; and long a valued member of the Philadelphia Museum. He is a Republican in politics but not an aspirant for political honors or preferment. As a public-spirited citizen he is much in favor with the people, and a few years ago was elected a member of the borough council of Carlisle, was elected president of that body, and at the expiration of his term was re-elected without opposition, and again without opposition in 1903. In religious belief he is a Lutheran and contributes liber- ally to that church and to Christian charities generally.

In 1884 Mr. Lindner was married to Matilda B., daughter of C. W: and Matilda B. Metz, of Utica, N. Y., and to them one child has been born, a son, J. Austin Lind- ner. Their home is at the corner of Louther and College streets, in a most desirable part of town. On the outside it is conspicuous by reason of its shrubbery and flowers and

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generally attractive surroundings, and inside it is a model of comfort, culture and refine- ment. Here, among books and papers and rare paintings and bric-a-brac, the busy man finds rest and solace from the care and trials of his intensely active life.

LINDNER PARK .- A public park located in the western end of Carlisle, contain- ing about five acres. The residence section surrounding it is known as the Lindner Park East and West. A beautiful residence sec- tion, land has been set aside for that pur- pose under restrictions, so as to give the entire neighborhood a larger scope of park effect.

WILLIAM A. COX, SR. After an active business life of over sixty years, and crowned with the esteem of his fellow citizens and the affection of his kindred, Wil- liam A. Cox, Sr., passed away at his home on East Orange street, Shippensburg, Cum- berland Co , Pa., Sept. 10, 1903, aged eighty- three years, two months, twenty-two days.

Mr. Cox was born June 19, 1820, on his father's farm, near Middle Spring, the sec- ond son of John and Martha Cox. His educa- tional opportunities were confined to the local schools. About 1840 he went West, where he spent several years, and settled for some years at New Orleans, La. After his return, in 1846, he married, and for some years en- gaged in farming in the vicinity of Middle Spring, but in the spring of 1857 he pur- chased the shoe store of G. B. Cole, which he conducted for a year. His next business partnership was with the late E. J. McCune. in the grocery, boot and shoe trade, which they conducted in what was formerly the Graybill room, now in the Shapley block. About this time he also filled a clerical posi- tion in the Farmers and Mechanics Bank of

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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 23

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