Biographical annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settled families, Part 41

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 41

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age he was able to take care of himself and was earning a good salary. As a change. and in order to see something of the coun- try. he went out as a drover, traveling through Ohio and Indiana, and when he re- turned. a year later. he went to work in his father's shop and then went to Harrisburg and engaged in coachmaking, later follow- ing this business at Washington, D. C .. Pittsburg. Altoona and other points. for several years. Again he returned to Car- lisle and started a business of his own in high-grade edge tools. In 1880 he was ap- pointed superintendent of the blacksmith de- partment at the Indian School at Carlisle. and filled the position with the utmost effi- ciency for twenty-two years and three months. In June. 1902. he resigned, but his place was found too hard to fill and he was prevailed upon. after a rest, to return and resume his duties in February, 1903. Mr. Harris, like his father, is an expert, his work being as far removed from that of the common smith as light from darkness, and his methods of imparting instruction are so excellent that many of the Indian wards have become most competent workmen.

In 1864 Mr. Harris was united in mar- riage with Susan Emma Palmer, who was born in Mechanicsburg, Pa., a daughter of John Palmer, a well known coachmaker of that place. A family of cleven children has been born to this union, as follows: Clyde P. is a traveling salesman; Marie, wife of George W. Danzberger, of New York city, has two children, Harris and Norman ; Belle, wife of Charles Spahr, of Carlisle, has one child, Charles; John, teller of the Merchants National Bank of Carlisle, mar- ried Miss Florence Miller, of Carlisle, Pa., and they have one daughter, Mildred; Ellen i

died in 1893; Alice, Edna, Thomas P .. Charles, Norman and Jennie complete the

family, all being at home except Thomas, who is deceased. The various members of the family are connected with the Presby- terian and Lutheran churches. In politics Mr. Harris has always been identified with Jacksonian Democracy, but he has been no seeker for office. He enjoys the highest esteem in Carlisle.

JAMES PORTER, a prominent con- tractor and builder of Carlisle, is the son of Commodore and Sarah (Walker) Porter, and was born in York county, Pa., near York city, Aug. 3, 1857. The Porter fam- ily is of Swiss extraction, the great-grand- father of James Porter having been a native of that land, while the grandfather, Elisha Porter, probably came from some other Ett- ropean country. The latter was a brick- maker by trade, and worked for a number of years in Franklin county, Pa. He also lived in the vicinity of Huntingdon, in the county of the same name. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was a brave and loyal man. He was twice married, and his family was a large one.

Commodore Porter, the father of James, was born near Orrstown, Pa., in 1835. He was a trader and auctioneer, residing in Plainfield, Cumberland Co., Pa., where he passed forty years of his life. In politics. he was a very strong Republican, and he held a number of the township offices. His religious belief made him a member of Bethel Church of Plainfield. He married Sarah. a daughter of Richard Walker, a farmer of Cumberland county, and by her had children as follows: Susan, who died in infancy; Nancy; a son that died in in- fancy; Commodore, a carpenter of Carlisle; Anna; Sarah deceased, who married Elmer Jacoby; Alwilda; Lillie; Walter, and James.

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James Porter received his education at the Plainfield public schools, the high school and the Greason Academy, in Cumberland county. After finishing he went West, where he remained a year, returning to this county, and at the age of twenty-one years he began to learn the carpenter trade which he followed as a journeyman for four years. He then became a contractor and builder, in 1883, since which time he has devoted himself to his business in Carlisle and the neighboring towns. Mr. Porter has erected a number of the fine buildings of the town, among which may be num- bered the Cumberland fire engine house of Carlisle, the Penn school buildling of Car- lisle, the First Lutheran church of Carlisle, and the Lindner greenhouses: he also laid out the park which was presented to the city of Carlisle by Mr. Lindner ; he also erected the Dr. A. J. Miller building. ot Harris- burg, and many others too numerous to mention. He is a thorough mechanic, an excellent draughtsman, a competent archi- tect. although self-educated through private study and close observation. In 1889 he erected his present home, a fine brick resi- dence on the corner of Penn and Bedford streets, where he and his family reside. Mr. Porter was married Feb. 8, 1883. to Annie S. Stock. daughter of Peter S. Stock, of Carlisle, and three children were born to this union. Nina R., James Elmer and Bertha Mary; the two last named are de- ceased, and Mrs. Porter passed away Ang. 3. 1900. On May 14. 1902. Mr. Porter married Miss Clara R. Mowery. daughter of Jacob and Susan ( Hanes) Mowery, of Biglerville, Adams Co., Pa .. where Mrs. Porter was born and where the parents still reside.

Mr. Porter is an excellent shot and is a popular member of the Carlisle Rifle

Club and the Carlisle Gun Club, and lie is very prominent in all their affairs. In ad- dition to his other interests Mr. Porter is actively engaged in buying and selling real estate, and also does considerable building of residences, which he sells. In religious matters he is a consistent member of the Bedford Street Lutheran Church, toward which he has given liberally, and no man stands higher in the regard of the general public than he.

WILLIAM BIGLER BEITZEL has become well and favorably known in Car- lisle in his capacity of chief clerk at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School. He has passed nearly all his life in this section of Pennsylvania, having been born Oct. 14. 1851, near Dillsburg, York county, om of William and Leah ( Bentz) Beitzel.

Mr. Beitzel grew to manhood on a farm. assisting during his youth in the labors of the home place, and he attended the public schools, receiving excellent educational ad- vantages. He taught school in all eight terms, beginning in 1870, but meanwhile took advantage of every opportunity to im- prove his own store of knowledge, in 1873 attending the State Normal School at Ship- pensburg. in 1874 taking a business course at the National Normal School, Lebanon, Ohio, and in 1876 a course in telegraphy at Sandusky, Ohio. From January, 1878. to June, 1880, Mr. Beitzel was in charge of the editorial work of the Dillsburg Bul- letin, and from June, 1880, until Dec. 31, 1881, he was clerk at the Cumberland Val- ley railroad station at his native place, Dills- burg. The day afterward he commenced his duties as station agent at that place, con- tinuing there in that incumbency until Sept. 30, 1887. Meantime, from 1881 to 1887, he also acted as notary public. On Oct. I.

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ISS ;. he was transferred to the joint agency of the Cumberland Valley and Gettysburg & Harrisburg railroads, at Gettysburg Junc- tion, Carlisle. Pa., where he was retained until he tendered his resignation. Dec. 15. 1892. to accept his present position. Mr. Beitzel has been chiet clerk at the Indian School continuously ever since. discharging the duties of that position with the faithful- ness and efficiency which marked his work in all his former positions, and giving sat- isfaction to all concerned.

On Oct. 23. 1890. Mr. Beitzel was united in marriage with Miss Margaret C. Wil- liams, of Williams Grove, Pa., who died May 22. 1898. On June It, 1903, he mar- ried for his second wife Miss Elizabeth Et- tinger Forster, of Harrisburg. Pa. He is an earnest member of the Second Presbyterian Church of Carlisle, of which he was elected an elder in 1897.

CHARLES DEITCH, a retired farmer now living in Carlisle, is one of the most re- spected residents of that place. During his active years he was engaged in agricultural pursuits not many miles from Carlisle, and he is well known as an industrious, progres- wwe citizen throughout that locality.

Mr. Deitch was born Sept. 22, 1844, in North Middleton township, Cumberland county, near Harmony Hall schoolhouse, where his parents resided for about eight years. His father-David Deitch-and grandfather were born in the town of St. John, in the Province of Alsace, which is now a part of Germany. David Deitch mar- ried Catharine Ludt, who was born in 1822 in the same town, and in 1843, having heard of the many chances for advancement to be had in America, the young couple left the Fatherland. They landed in the New World after a stormy voyage which lasted two

months, and, coming to Pennsylvania, lo- cated south of Carlisle. Cumberland county, The first dollar Mr. Deitch earned in the United States was in the employ of Gov. Ritner. He died in the latter part of July, 1896. His wife survived until Dec. 21, 1903. They belonged to the German Luth- eran Church. To David and Catharine (Ludt) Deitch were born children as fol- lows: ( 1) Caroline married Jacob Nailor. and both are now deceased; they had eight children, Mary, Catharine, David, William, Emma. Mima, Charles and Rebecca. (2) Charles was the twin of Caroline. (3) Kate D. married John Brown, and they had chil- dren-John, Laura, Park, Minnie and MI- bert. (4) John married Barbara Brechbill, and had five children, Fanny. James, Kate, Frank and Anna. (5) Mary married Sam- uel Leib and had four children, Charles, Ella, David and John. (6) Christiana mar- ried Harry Farenbaugh, and they had Charles, George. Rebecca, Mary and Mag- gie. (7) Jacob married Sarah Smee, and they had seven children, Rebecca, Howard, Mary, Joseph, Samuel, Edgar and Mabel. (8) Levi married Rebecca Nofksinger. and they had children-Kate, Cecilia and Wil- liam. (9) David married Cecilia Shopp. and their family consisted of four children. Mabel, Florence, Anna and Henrietta. ( 10) Rebecca married John Wise and had two children, Catharine and Frederick. ( II) Christopher married Mary Nailor, and lives in Carlisle. They have Amanda, Jennie, Carrie, Robert and Mary.

Mrs. Catharine ( Ludt ) Deitch came of a family of soldiers, and her father was a soldier under Napoleon at Austerlitz and Waterloo, serving under him with distinc- tion during the period of the First Empire and later against him with the Prussians.

Charles Deitch moved with his parents

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to Frankford township. Cumberland county, in early boyhood, the family locating near the Stone church, and thence they moved to near Bonny Brook, near Bosler's mill, where they lived for two years. Their next home was on a farm east of Carlisle owned by Jacob Witmer. In all these localities the youth attended the district schools. He lived at home-receiving excellent training in agricultural work, until one year after his marriage, when he left the parental roof to commence life on his own account, set- tling on the Holmes farm, one mile east of Carlisle, and later on the Bosler farm, near Bonny Brook, where he remained for twen- ty-six years. All this time he was industri- ous and thrifty, and prospered in his work, winning a high reputation as a careful.honest man in all his dealings, worthy the high re- spect of all who knew him. He has since made his home in Carlisle, where he is en- joying the respite from labor which he has so nobly won. Mr. Deitch has looked well to his business affairs, but he has never had any desire for the excitement or honors of public life.

In the winter of 1867 Mr. Deitch was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Baker who was born Feb. 16. 1844, on the Hamil- ton farm, one and a half miles east of Car- lisle, and who was one of the seven children of George and Elizabeth (Grove) Baker, namely : Sarah, Amanda, Jeremiah, Emily, Catharine, Elizabeth and Margaret. Mr. and Mrs. Baker were farming people. The father was born in 1812, three miles east of Carlisle, and the mother was born in 1825 in Virginia; Mr. Baker died in 1875. Mrs. Deitch is highly respected throughout a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, by all of whom she is beloved for her cheerful and pleasant disposition and her high Christian character. She is the mother of three sons

and two daughters: ( 1) George, born Sept. 19. 1868, married Rosie Glime, daughter of Levi Glime, a carpenter, and they have had six children, Charles, Mary, Sarah, Grace, Herman and Stuart. (2) Rebecca Jane, born Jan. 28, 1872, married Jacob Walters, son of Samuel Walters ; they have no chil- dren. (3) David, born Oct. 24, 1873. mar- ried Lizzie Glime, daughter of Samuel Glime, a well-known carpenter, and they have had two children, Ruth and Wilma. (4) Mary Ellen, born May 24. 1876. mar- ried Charles Lindsey, son of John Lindsey. and they had two children, Hilda Catharine and John Leroy. (5) Charles Albert. born .Aug. 4. 1877, is engaged as a clerk in one of the largest hardware stores in Carlisle.

JOHN C. SCHUCHMAN, a promi- nent contractor and builder of Carlisle. is well known throughout Cumberland county as a business man of high standing and a citizen whose life is creditable alike to him- self and to the community of which he is a representative.

Mr. Schuchman was born July 25. 1838, in the old Schuchman home on West Pom- fret street, Carlisle, and is a son of George N. and Mary ( Wonderlich ) Schuchman, who are fully mentioned elsewhere. He received his education in the public schools of the city, which he began to attend when six years old, and among his teachers were the following well known educators: Miss Kauffman, Philip Quigley, Lewis Foulk, Mr. Kramer and David Eckels, under whom he last studied. When sixteen he left school and until he was eighteen he remained at home and engaged at whatever work pre- sented itself. He then commenced to learn the cabinet-maker's trade with David Sipe. but as he did not like the business he con- tinued at it only a few months, and his next

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essay was at the painter's trade. After a few months' work at that line under Jeffer- som Worthington he turned to the mason's trade, which he learned under Wise & Crall, and which he has since continued to follow. with the exception of the time he was in the service of his country, during the Civil war.

On April 21, 1861, Mr. Schuchman en- listed under Capt. Robert M. Henderson in Company A. 7th Pennsylvania Reserves. for three years and was discharged at Philadelphia, June 16, 1864. He saw active and arduous service, and was in the battles of Mechanicsville, June 26. 1862: Gaines Mill, June 27: Charles City Cross Roads, June 30, followed by Malvern Hill. After this they lay at Har- rison's Landing for a time, and then fol- lowed the Second Bull Run. From there Mr. Schuchman was sent to the hospital in Philadelphia, with typhoid fever, where he remained until just before the battle of Cold Harbor. during his convalescence doing pro- vost duty in the city. His regiment had re- turned home to be discharged, but Mr. Schuchman and others were ordered to the front. and arrived in time to take part in the engagement at Cold Harbor, doing de- tached duty with a body of troops made up from different regiments. Returning to Philadelphia, he was discharged, being among the fortunate ones who escaped death, wounds and capture on that field.

On his return to civil life Mr. Schuch- man resumed work at his trade, and he has since put up many substantial buildings in and around Carlisle, and in other places in this section. He erected buildings at the Carlisle barracks, the Gardner Manufactur- ing Company's shops, many of the Indian School buildings, and the Good-Will En- gine House. He rebuilt the old M. E. church at the corner of Pitt and High streets,

erected the Catholic church, and assisted on the new Lutheran church and a church in Mechanicsburg. He also put up a school building in Hagerstown. Mr. Schuchman has done business on his own account since 1865, and has built up a fine patronage by honest and thorough work, his reputation in his line being second to none in Cumber- land county. As a business man and a citi- zen he bears the highest character, his work standing for itself and the strictest integ- rity marking all his transactions. In private life he has many friends, his useful and up- right life commanding their respect, and his kind disposition winning their lasting friend- ship. He has taken the interest which every intelligent citizen should take in the welfare of his home city, and has served as chief of police and borough auditor. His political support is given to the Democratic party, and he was reared in the faith of the Luth- eran Church.

Mr. Schuchman was married in Carlisle in 1867. to Miss Mary Elizabeth Pilkey, a native of that place, and daughter of John R. and Rachel ( Morrett) Pilkey, both of whom died in Carlisle. Mr. Pilkey was a cabinet-maker by trade. To Mr. and Mrs. Schuchman have been born four children : Grace, now the wife of Harry J. Neil, of Lakewood, N. J .; Mary, who died when three years old; Estella, who died young ; and Bessie, at home.

SAMUEL M. KISSINGER, a well- known farmer of Dickinson township, Cum- berland county, was born at his present home, and is a son of George Kissinger, one of the most prominent men in this part of Cumberland county.

George Kissinger is a native of the same township, and received his education in the public schools there. He was one of four

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children born to his parents, the others being Jonathan, Philip and Susan, all three deceased. George Kissinger is the possessor of seventy-six acres of valuable land, which is now kept in a highly productive state through the wise care of his son, Samuel M. He was one of the most useful men of the township in his day, being intelligent and practical, and possessed of good judg- ment and plenty of common sense. He served as supervisor and school director for about six years, and he surveyed the public road across the mountain in Dickinson and South Middleton townships. He and his wife,, Maria (Myers) had the following children : John (deceased), Charlie, Wil- liam (deceased). George (deceased) and Samuel M., the last named being the eldest of the family.

Samuel M. Kissinger was reared to man- hood in his native township, receiving his education in the public schools there. He was trained to agriculture on the home farm. and early manifested a liking tor it. Upon reaching manhood he determined to make it his life work, and has continued to reside on his father's farm, managing same with great ability. The family is numbered among the substantial residents of the town- ship.

JOSEPH L. BEST, one of the promi- nent and highly esteemed citizens of East Pennsboro township, was born in 1851, in Clearfield county, Pa., son of Joseph Best, whose father, Joseph Best, was born in Germany. The grandfather came to Amer- ica and settled along the Yellow Breeches creek, in York county, where he bought a tract of over 100 acres of land and followed farming until advanced in life, when he came to Cumberland county and made his home with his son Joseph. His death oc-

curred there, and he was buried in St. John's cemetery in Hampden township. His wife died young, leaving four children: John ; Elizabeth, who married Henry Snavely and died in Mechanicsburg; Joseph, father of Joseph L .; and Martin, who died in Shire- manstown1.

Joseph Best, father of Joseph L., was born in 1818 in York county, near the Cum- berland county line. In young manhood he taught school and in 1840 went into the mercantile business at Shiremanstown. Later he went to Clearfield county, where he became a very successful lumber mer- chant. continuing in that business until his death, in 1880. He was interred by the side of his father in Hampden township. He married Catherine Barnhart, daughter of

Peter Barnhart, of Hampden township, and she died in 1882, and was also laid to rest in St. John's cemetery. They had children as follows: John, who married Sadie Eberly, died in 1880, and was interred with the other members of his family : Peter is a resident of Carlisle; Mary is the wife of Christian T. Eberly, and they live at Wel- lington, Kan .; Joseph L. is mentioned be- low; George C. is a resident of Kansas.

Josephi L. Best attended the township school of Hampden until he was sixteen years of age, and then engaged in the lumber bus- iness along the river at Fairview. for four- teen years. Then he learned the carpenter's trade in East Pennsboro township, which he still follows, and many of the buildings in this section show his handiwork.

In 1872 Mr. Best married Sallie Lantz, who is a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Swartz) Lantz, and located in East Penns- boro township. They have had two daugh- ters. Mary and Cora. The former was born in 1873 and died in young girlhood, aged but twelve years, and she was buried in Zion

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Lutheran cemetery in East Pennsboro town- ship. The latter. born in 1875, is the wife of Rev. J. C. Nicholas. a Lutheran minister of Butler, Pennsylvania.

In politics Mr. Best is a Democrat, and he has frequently been honored with elec- tion to office. In 1884 he served one term as county commissioner, and has been school director three years and supervisor of East Pennsboro township for two terms. Both he and his wife are valued members of Zion Lutheran Church. Mr. Best enjoys the es- teem of all who know him, and his reputa- tion is that of an honorable, upright man and first-class citizen.

JOSEPH E. MUSSER, a retired farmer of Silver Spring township, Cumberland county, was born on what is known as the Herman Myers farm, Sept. 30, 1843. His great-grandfather, the earliest ancestor of whom we have any definite data, was Benja- min Musser, who was born in Lancaster county, Pa .. where he followed the occupa- tion of a blacksmith.

( 11) Jacob Musser, son of Benjamin, and grandfather of Joseph E., was born and reared in Lancaster county, where he was a farmer: He married Margaret Frye, also a native of Lancaster county, and they be- came the parents of five children : John, Jo- seph, Fanny, Mary and Margaret. Jacob Musser moved to York county about 1817. residing there until 1833, when he moved to Cumberland county, where he made his home until his death.

(111) John Musser, son of Jacob, and father of Joseph E., was also born in Lan- caster county in 1813, and removed with his parents to Cumberland county in 1833. Hc was married in the spring of that year to Elizabeth Eckerd, daughter of Jacob Eckerd, of York county, and four children were born

of this union : Jacob, Henry, Catherine and Joseph E.

(IV) Joseph E. Musser received his edu- cation in the public school at Hogestown, Pa., which he attended, as was the custom, during the summer months, until he was about fifteen years of age, thereafter going in the winter season. After leaving school. at the age of nineteen years, he worked on the old homestead for his father until he was twenty-six, at which time he married Eveline R. Lehman. daughter of Jacob and Cathe- rine (Gibbler) Lehman, of Monroe town- ship. Four children were born to them, three of whom are still living : John L., Catherine E., Gertrude Ellen and Jacob Fulmer. The last namedl died .Aug. 2, 1897, at the age of seventeen years, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. John L. married Daisy Albright, daughter of Samuel Albright, of Lancaster, Pa., and they have one child : Marguerite Evaline Albright. born Aug. 17, 1902. Catherine E. married Harvey H. Mentzer, son of Francis Mentzer of Frankford township, and has one child, Evaline Mary, born July 26, 1903. Ger- trude Ellen married Clarence H. Miller, son of Solomon Miller, of Mechanicsburg, and has two children, Joseph Musser and Lester Solomon. Mrs. Musser was born in Dickin- son township, Cumberland county, Oct. 17, 1844, daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Gibbler) Lehman, residents of Monroe township, and she is a most charming lady, an excellent housekeeper and homemaker.

After his marriage Joseph E. Musser de- voted his time and attention to farming, and has been very successful, being now the owner of three farms in Silver Spring town- ship and one in South Middleton township, his land aggregating 434 acres-all under an excellent state of cultivation, and in first- class condition.

Mr. Musser is a consistent member of

Viseph & (Musser)

Evaline R. Ausser

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the Lutheran Church, as is his wife, and he is a deacon and one of the trustees of the Trindle Spring Church. His political views have allied him with the Democratic party, to which he has devoted his energies with un- failing loyalty, and he has served one term as school director. His success in life can be attributed to his industry, thrift and good management. He is public-spirited, giving his aid to every movement he believes will result in permanent good to the community at large. At present he is living in his beautiful home at Hogestown, which is one of the finest in the place, and enjoys the nn- limited respect and esteem of a wide circle of warm personal friends.

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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 41

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