Biographical annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settled families, Part 35

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 35

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was never absent without leave, was never paired, and answered to every roll call.

Mr. Peffer is a firm believer in the Chris- tian religion, is a Master Mason, and a member of the Episcopal Church. He is the father of ten children: Winnie Alice, William Barber, May Keller, Charles Theo- dore, Douglas Marmion, William Alfred, Emma Milburn, John Sherman, Nellie Mc- Mullen and Ellwood Souder, William Bar- ber being deceased.

JOSEPH SHARPE HEMPHILL, one of the successful farmers and stock raisers of Newton township, and a prominent rep- resentative of one of the old and honored families of Cumberland county, was born Nov. 5, 1847, in Southampton township, on a farm four miles east of Shippensburg, son of Moses and Margery (Clarke) Hemp- hill.

James Hemphill, the paternal grand- father of our subject, was born in North- ampton county, Pa., and he died and was buried at Middle Spring. He was one of the leading members of the Presbyterian Church in that locality. He married Cynthia Jane Jack, of Newton township.

Moses Hemphill, father of our subject, was born in 1799, in Hopewell township. Cumberland county. On March 25, 1830, he married Margery Clarke, born in 1811, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Fulton) . Clarke, early settlers of Cumberland county, of Irish extraction. Moses Hemphill died in March, 1865, survived by his widow until 1872. They were the parents of ten chil- dren, all of whom survived to maturity, namely : Elizabeth, wife of James Quigley, of Hopewell township; Cynthia J., widow of David Quigley, of Hopewell township; Mary, who married the late Judge David McCulloch, of Peoria, Ill., and died in

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1903 : Caroline, deceased; James, a resident of Kansas: Robert, a farmer of Page Co., Neb .: William Jack, who died in 1865; Charles, who removed to Illinois and died there; Joseph S .; and Margaret Belle, who is matron of the ladies dormitory, C. V. S. N. S .. at Shippensburg, Pennsylvania.

Joseph Sharpe Hemphill received a com- mon school education, and attended the school at Thorn Grove, in Southampton township, and later took a course at Acade- mia Academy in Juniata county, where he remained one year. After this he returned to Southampton township and engaged in farming with his brother, until the spring of 1870. In 1871 he located on a part of the McCulloch homestead, where he is found to-day. Mr. Hemphill is recognized as one of the first-class farmers of the county, mak- ing use of modern methods and improved machinery, and keeping his stock up to the highest grade. He has an especial liking for Jersey cattle. Since his marriage Mr. Hemphill has resided on a part of what is known as the old McCullochi' homestead. This farm contains 101 acres, and is well- improved, with fine home and substantial bank barn, which was erected by the late James McCulloch. In addition to that farm he owns another, containing 104 acres, the latter being known locally as the Thomas McCulloch farm.

In the autumn of 1870, Mr. Hemphill married Belle McCulloch, daughter of Jamies and Martha (Brown) McCulloch, both of whom are deceased. They have a family of five children, namely : Margery Clarke, wife of Oliver Myers, of West Pennsboro town- ship; James McCulloch, a farmer in Newton township; William Jack, at home; Thomas, engaged in teaching ; and Joseph Sharpe, Jr., a student. In politics Mr. Hemphill is in sympathy with the Republican party, his an- cestors having been Old Line Whigs. Both

he and wife are members of the Big Spring Presbyterian Church, of which he has been a trustee for many years. Mr. Hemphill stands as one of the responsible and repre- sentative men of the township, the kind of man who is sure to be mentioned by those who wish to point out its wealth, intelligence and good citizenship.

LEMUEL BRENNEMAN, a promi- nent farmer and dairyman of Middlesex township, was born on the family homestead in that township, May 26, 1859.

The paternal grandfather, Melchor Brenneman, was born in Lebanon county, Pa., married a Miss Killinger, and in 1824, when their son Henry was seven years old, removed with his family to Cumberland county, where he settled on a farm in Mid- dlesex township, and lived there till his death. Henry, the father of Lemuel, born Jan. 24, 1817, was brought up to farm life, and was so occupied during all his active years, though at one time he also kept a hotel on his farm. This place, known as the Black Horse Inn, was a favorite stop- ping place for travelers between Pittsburg and Philadelphia. In 1855 he married Miss Henrietta Cassel, born in Dauphin county, Pa., the daughter of Henry and Eva (Bock- enstoe) Cassel. Three children were the issue of this union, namely: Annie, who died aged seventeen ; Lemuel; and Newton, who died at Mt. Holly, Pa., in 1900. Henry Brenneman's life was brought to its close in 1900. Religiously he was for over twen- ty-five years a member of the Lutheran Church, politically he was a Republican and a good citizen, but not an active poli- tician.

Lemuel Brenneman grew up on his father's farm and from early boyhood was accustomed to assist in the farm work. From the age of six he was sent to the

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public schools of the locality, and later spent one year in a Normal school. In ISSo he undertook the management of the home farm, and has ever since operated it for himself. For many years he ran the largest dairy in that section of the county, but in October, 1903, sold the entire business. Mr. Brenneman was married in 1879 to Miss Florence Hertzler, daughter of Christian and Rebecca (Eberly) Hertzler, both of whom are deceased. Five children were born to this union: Harriet, Anna, Ro- mayne, Lester and Mary, all of whom are musical and proficient players on the piano.

Mr. Brenneman is not only a success- ful and prosperous farmer, but a man of wide interests. Socially he is a member of the Modern Woodmen, on religious ques- tions is a Lutheran, and politically is an adherent of the Republican party. In all directions he is intelligent, wide-awake and forceful, and is well known throughout the locality.

IRA E. SHAULL, an energetic young business man of Carlisle, where he carries on a real estate and contracting business, is native to Cumberland county, born at the old family homestead at West Fairview. His father passed away Dec. 6, 1890.

Mr. Shaull received his literary edu- cation in the public schools, attending until he was nineteen years old. During vaca- tions he assisted his father, who was a con- tractor, and when twenty years old he be- came pressman's apprentice in the Evangeli- cal Publishing House at Harrisburg, where he remained altogether ten years. He then took up his father's work, contracting on his own account, and has also engaged suc- cessfully in the real estate business, in this connection having been agent for the past two years, of the Rupley estate. Mr. Shaull is a selfmade man in every respect

of the word. He began with nothing, but by enterprise and industry has gained a good standing in the business world and enjoys the confidence of all his associates. His ambitious spirit displayed itself early in life, when he commenced working in Harris- burg ; he received only three dollars a week, and he made the trip to and from his work daily on foot. For one year Mr. Shaull was engaged at butchering, but he seems to have his place in his present line of work, and is improving his opportunities to the utmost.

On July 18, 1901, Mr. Shaull was mar- ried to Miss Clara Mann, daughter of George S. and Sarah Mann. Mr. and Mrs. Shaull hold membership in the United Brethren Church at West Fairview. In political sentiment he is a strong Republi- can, active in the local councils of his party, and is at present serving as county com- mitteeman.

JOHN F. SENSEMAN, a retired sales- man and farmer, who now resides at Me- chanicsburg, was born Feb. 21, 1822, near Ephrata, Lancaster Co., Pa., a son of Sam- uel and Elizabeth ( Haines) Senseman. His grandfather, John Senseman, was a mill- wright by trade. His children were: John, William, Samuel, Daniel, Rebecca, Lydia and Hannah.

Samuel Senseman, the father of John F., was born July 25, 1796, and died in Me- chanicsburg April 7, 1877. He married Elizabeth Haines, daughter of William Haines, a native of Lancaster county, of Irish descent, and they had the following children : John F .; Susan, deceased; Jere- miah, deceased; Harriet, deceased; Lydia, a widow with three children ; Adam, of Phila- delphia; William, of Boiling Springs; and David, who was a soldier in the Civil war and was killed at the battle of Chattanooga, in 1863, while serving as sergeant major of

John F Senseman

CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

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the 27th Ill. Vol. Inf. After their marriage Samuel Senseman and his wife settled near Ephrata, where he followed the carpenter's trade until 1826, at that time moving to Cumberland county and settling on a farm of 100 acres in Silver Spring township. Here he resided a number of years, engaged in farming and stockraising, and then bought property in Mechanicsburg to which he moved and whereon he resided until the close of his life. He was a Jeffersonian Democrat in politics and held a number of the minor offices in his township, such as assessor and supervisor. also acting as ad- ministrator and executor of many estates. Elis wife died Feb. 21, 1879.

John F. Senseman spent his boyhood on his father's farm and during the winter months attended the district schools of Sil- ver Spring township until his seventeenth year, when he settled down to assist his father, with whom he remained until his twenty-second year. Then he went to Ohio. taking a boat at Pittsburg for Cincinnati, and went from there to Dayton, where he found his uncle. William Senseman. This gentleman had a large farm and gladly accepted his nephew's services for two years. Then he returned to Cumberland county and for a time did farm work, receiving $45 per annum, but two years later he entered the employ of George W. Rathburn, a manti- facturer of stoves. His duties of traveling salesman brought him $15 a month and ex- penses. and a commission of $1 a stove. Mr. Senseman found himself well qualified for this work and made a success of it, and after three years with this company he was em- ployed by the American Stove Co. on a higher salary, continuing in this business for a number of years.

In 1854 Mr. Senseman married Mary Landis, second daughter of Jacob and Mary

( Mohler ) Landis, and a member of a promi- nent old family of Lancaster county, al- though Jacob Landis was born in York county. Mrs. Senseman was born Feb. 10, 1831, and was educated in the district school in Allen township. Mr. and Mrs. Senseman have had the following children : Charles, (leceased : George W., of Erie, Pa. ; Harry H., who is deceased; Anna, deceased; and David, a machinist in York.

After marriage Mr. Senseman settled on 100 acres in Monroe township and success- fully engaged in general farming and stock raising. This property cost him $18,600, and is improved with excellent buildings, which he has under rental. He is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Mechanicsburg. Politically Mr. Senseman is a Jeffersonian Democrat, but has never consented to accept political office. He is a man well versed on general subjects and has improved his op- portunities when traveling. His last trip was taken in 1878, with his friend. Frank Sidel. Together they went abroad and en- joyed the Paris Exposition for ten days. and then visited London, Manchester. Liver- pool and other points. Mr. Senseman has many friends, who find in him a pleasant, genial gentleman. His wife is a consistent member of the Bethel Church.

PETER PLANK (deceased ) was for a number of years engaged in the nursery busi- ness at Trindle Spring, near Mechanicsburg. in Cumberland county, and was one of the successful men of the locality in his day. His widow has made her home in Carlisle since his decease, and is one of the most highly esteemed residents of that place.

Mr. Plank was born in 1828 in South Middleton township. this county, and was a son of Jacob and Anna Mary ( Reifsnyder ) Plank, who were natives of Lancaster coun-

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ty. Pa., and Newville, Cumberland Co., Pa., respectively, and were married in Cumber- land county. Jacob Plank was a farmer by occupation. and followed that calling in . South Middleton and Monroe townships, this county. When he retired from agricul- tural pursuits he took up his home in Churchtown, this county, where he died, and his wife passed away at the home of a daugh- ter. in MeKnightstown, Adams Co., Pa. They were the parents of nine children, namely: Samuel is deceased. Dr. Jacob died in York Springs. Abraham is a resi- dent of Churchtown, Cumberland county. Daniel lives in York Springs. David, M. D., died in Bedford county, Pa. Peter is mentioned below. Anna married Rev. Abner Kramer. and lives in Bedford county. Mary E., Mrs. Gressinger, has her home in North Middleton township. Sarah C. is the wife of John C. Lawer, and resides in Hagerstown, Maryland.

Peter Plank attended the district schools in Monroe township, whither his parents removed when he was a sinall boy, and dur- ing his young manhood he taught school for a short time. He grew up on the farm, and was reared to agricultural pursuits. Shortly before his marriage he located near Lynch- burg, Campbell Co., Va., where he engaged in the nursery business. Returning to Cum- berland county in 1855 he married and took his bride back to Virginia with him, the young couple remaining near Lynchburg until the Civil war broke out, when Mr. Plank sold his business interests to his brother Abraham, who had married a South- ern woman. Coming back to Cumberland county, he embarked in the nursery business at Trindle Spring, near Mechanicsburg, and did a very successful business until his death, which occurred at his home there Oct. 20, 1865. Though still a young man he had

gained fine standing as a substantial citizen and influential resident of his section of the county, and he was esteemed by all his asso- ciates, whether in business or private life. He was a stanch Republican in political faith, and he attended the Presbyterian Church with his wife. On October 16, 1855. Mr. Plank married Miss Jane M. Mellhenny, and three children blessed this union: Two died in infancy, and Williams died when fourteen years old.

John McIlhenny, father of Mrs. Plank, was a native of Adams county, Pa., and was married at Pine Grove, Pa., to Jane ( Ege) Cox, of Pine Grove, after that event settling near Greenville, Darke Co., Ohio, where his daughter, Mrs. Plank, was born. He died at that place, and his wife, who survived him, died at Newark, Licking Co., Ohio. Mrs. Plank was a young child when her father died, and she grew to womanhood in Cumberland county, Pa., where during young womanhood she engaged in teaching, keeping a private school for two terms. She is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Carlisle, in whose work she has taken an active part, and is well known for her kindness of heart and charitable dispo- sition.

JOHN A. SOLLENBERGER, D. D. S., who is located at No. 105 North Hanover street, in Carlisle, was born in York county, Pa., Dec. 26, 1847, son of Joseph MI. and Mary Ann ( Helsel) Sollenberger, natives of Cumberland and York counties, respectively.

Dr. Sollenberger was reared to farm life and received his early education in the com- mon schools, later going to normal school, and in the fall of 1869 he removed to Fulton county, Ill., where he taught school at first. In the following August he entered a general store at Astoria, where he was employed for

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two and one-half years. He again turned to school teaching, but after a term resumed clerking. and was employed in various ca- pacities until 1874. when he entered the office of Dr. T. B. Atkinson, at Astoria, Ill., where he took up the study of dentistry, continuing his association with Dr. Atkinson for eight years. In the fall of 1883 he returned to Pennsylvania, and took a course of lectures at the University of Pennsylvania, and in 1884 he located in Mt. Holly and began the practice of his profession. After seven months he removed to Mooredale, and re- mained two years, at which time he settled in Carlisle, and has since been engaged in building up a large and very prosperous practice.

In 1872 Dr. Sollenberger was married to Miss Fannie Brubaker, daughter of Jacob Brubaker, who was born in Lancaster coun- ty, but was brought to Cumberland county when a child. They have a family of seven children : Guy A. married Clara Hartzel, and they reside in Carlisle, where he is a silk and carpet weaver : Clarence R. is prop- erty man for the King Dramatic Opera Co .; Charles M., who resides at , Steelton, Pa., in the employ of the Steelton Co., married Sa- rah Bolinger, and has three children, Roy, Lawrence and an infant ; Grace E. is at home ; Harry resides at Steelton, where he is book- keeper ; Annie V. is at home; Maud E. is at home. Dr. Sollenberger is one of the suc- cessful, substantial men of Carlisle, and both as.a professional man and a private citizen he is honored and respected by a large circle of acquaintances and friends.

JOSEPH BEETEM, who throughout the greater part of his active life was en- gaged in business in Carlisle, Cumberland county, was a native of Centerville (now Huntsdale), this county, born Dec. 16, 1830.

His parents. Abraham and Elizabeth (Smith) Beetem. are more fully mentioned elsewhere.

Mr. Beetem received all his education in his native place. attending school until he was fifteen. His father died when he was only two years old. leaving a family of eight children, the oldest but fourteen, who were quite naturally thrown early on their own resources. . After leaving school Joseph com- trenced to learn the carpenter's trade with his brothers. Samuel, Jacob, George and Abraham, though the first named worked principally as a millwright. Prior to his marriage he followed his trade in the coun- try around his native place, and later came to Carlisle, engaging in contracting and building in company with his brothers, going into business on his own account two years before he married. He continued in that line for a few years following his marriage, and he and his brother Abraham then went into the grain business, their grain house being on the site of the present home of Judge Biddle. They met with continued success in that enterprise, carrying it on until the death of Joseph Beetem, in 1894. Mr. Beetem was a man of marked business ability, as his career would indicate, and he was ever a public-spirited and valuable citi- zen, giving his influence toward every move- ment for the general welfare. But his dis- position was quiet. and he was kind and charitable in his dealings with all, whether in business or in private life.

Mr. Beetem was married in Carlisle, in 1869, to Miss Hetty Hemminger, who was born in South Middleton township, Cum- berland county, daughter of John and Eliza Hemminger, and received her education in the district schools of that locality. She was a young woman when her parents removed to Carlisle. Mr. and Mrs. Beetem settled in

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the home at No. 112 South West street, where she still resides, and two children came to their union: Samuel Harvey is a business man of Omaha, Neb. : Frank H .. who is engaged as a bank clerk in Carlisle. married Miss Sarah Kimmel, of Mechanics- burg. Pa. Mr. Beetem in religious connec- tion was a member of the First Lutheran Church of Carlisle, in the work of which congregation he was quite active. hokling office for many years. His political sympa- thy was always with the Democratic party.

SAMUEL H. JACKSON, of the firm of Jame- Jackson & Son, dealers in agricultural implements at No. 46 West Louther street, Carlisle, traces his lineage back to his grand- father. Samuel Jackson, who for a number of years was a resident of Shermans Dale. Perry Co .. Pa. He was a cooper by trade. In middle life he removed to Cumberland county, and settled on what is known as the Happy Retreat, where he died at the age of about fifty-five or sixty years. He married a Miss Mortan, of Perry county, and they had four daughters and three sons: James: Nancy, married to John Guse, of Fairview : Richard. deceased: Annie. deceased: Rose, of Scranton: Samuel Parker. a stock dlealer of Carlisle : Emaline, widow of Sam- tel Shearer, of Carlisle.

James Jackson was born in Perry county in 1838, and was brought up to work upon the farm in the summer and attended school in the winter, and learned the coopering trade with his, father. When about twenty-one years old he married, and he followed farm- ing until 1901, when he retired from active business life. The homestead farm is pleas- antly located two and one-half miles north- west of Carlisle, and has been held by four different owners since 1863, but since it passel into the possession of Mr. Jackson,

in 1882, it has been much improved. About that time he also began to sell farm imple- ments, and until 1892 he transacted his busi- ness at home, then moving his office to Car- lisle. He enjoys the distinction of selling the largest number of binders in Cumberland county, as well as other farm machinery. his sales sometimes reaching as many as sixty- four in a season.

James Jackson married Sarah Ann Snyder. of North Middleton, a daughter of Henry Snyder, an alderman and leading undertaker in his day, and she died in May. 1884, aged forty years, leaving five children : Samuel H. : Simon B., a miller of Carlisle : Annie, who married John Raudabangh, of North Middleton township, this county: Mary Ellen, who married William Bry- messer, of North Middleton township; and Emma J., unmarried, a teacher in the pub- lic schools of this county.

Samuel H. Jackson was born Sept. 12. 1861, and was educated in the public schools. His boyhood was spent upon the farm, but he early learned to sell machinery, and when the business was moved to Carlisle. in 1892. he assumed full charge, it having been con- ducted under the name of James Jackson & Son from the time he was twenty-one years of age. The business is a very large one. and is constantly increasing, while the stock carried is large and complete.

In 1882 Mr. Jackson was married to Miss Annie Wise, a daughter of Isaac Wise. a farmer of Middleton township, and they had one child, Clarence E. Mrs. Jackson died in the spring of 1884. On Dec. 31. 1885, he married Miss Ida Sutton, a daugh- ter of Jonathan 1). Sutton, of Tidioute, War- ren Co., Pa., and they reside at No. 134 North Pitt street. Mr. Jackson is one of the most progressive men of Carlisle, and is very highly esteemed. His son graduated

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at the Villa Nova College in the class of 1903. in the commercial course, taking honors of the class, and is a very promising young fellow.

J. CLAYTON RILEY, of the firm of Morris & Riley, tin and stove merchants, Carlisle. is well-known throughout the coun- ty, where he has made his home since his return from the Civil war, where he made a most honorable record as a patriotic soldier of his country. He was born near Cham- hersburg, Franklin Co. Pa .. Sept. 5. 1845. a descendant of the sturdy stock of North of Ireland Presbyterians.

John Riley, father of J. Clayton, was born in Pennsylvania, but was reared partly in Oldtown. Md .. with his grandfather Riley, who attained the remarkable age of one hundred and four years, and died at Old- town. He had been a soldier in the war of 1812. John Riley in early life followed farming, but his last years were spent as a hotel keeper in Hagerstown, Md., where he died at the age of seventy-four. He mar- ried Sarah Stone. a native of New Jersey. who bore him nine children, and who died in Hagerstown, MId., aged sixty-eight years.

The early training of J. Clayton Riley was in the line of farm work. His educa- tion was all acquired in the common schools of Franklin county, and he was early placed under the instruction of Jacob B. Miller to learn the tinner's trade. In this he suc- ceeded admirably. and long before most boys of today would think of leaving the school room he had mastered the trade that was to be his life work. Before he was eighteen years of age the fires of patriotism had burned in him with unquenchable flame, and he ran away from home to enlist in the Union army. In August, 1864, he became a private in Company G. Sth Pa. Vet. Vol.

Cav., under Capt. Jolin S. Howard, who was killed at Dinwiddie Court House, in the campaign in front of Petersburg. In that battle, March 5. 1865. Company G entered with thirty-two men, and after the fight-and subsequent siege lasting until April 9th fol- lowing. the Company was able to show six privates and two sergeants at roll call. Lieut. Col. Corry was in command of the regiment, Col. Hughey at that time being a prisoner of war. Among the battles and skirmishes in which Mr. Riley participated with his company may be mentioned Black Swamp or Jerusalem Plank Road ( his first fight ), Wyatt House, Ist Hatcher's Run, Dinwiddie Court House, 2d Hatcher's Run, 2d Din- widdie Court House, Five Forks, Sailor's Creek, Amelia Springs, Farmville, and the surrender of Lee at Appomattox Court House. After the close of war the regiment was discharged at Lynchburg, Va., June 17, 1865. The men were paid off in Richmond, and while waiting for their pay, they boarded at Libby Prison. During the time he was in the army, the Rebels had attacked Chambersburg. Pa., and had burned his pa- rents' home. They moved to Carlisle then, and there the soldier-son joined them.

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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 35

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