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 43
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Charles S. These two boys were reared by their grandfather, John Harpst. John Der- land was a resident of Huntingdon, Pa., in early life, but later went to Blair county, where he was engaged in the iron business. He was an only son.
John Harpst, the grandfather, was a son of Henry Harpst, a soldier of the Revolu- tionary war, and John Harpst was a soldier in the war of 1812, participating in the battle of Lake Erie. The family originated in Scotland. John Harpst was a powerful man, standing six feet three inches in his stock- ing feet. A hard worker, he succeeded well in life, and lived to the surprising age of ninety-eight years. His wife, who was a Miss Cox, died aged 102 years. Both pa- rents of John Harpst lived to be 102. In politics John Harpst was an Old-line Whig, while in religious matters he was a Lutheran.
The two grandsons were tenderly reared by this most excellent man, and were given a limited education in an old-fashioned school, which had slabs for seats, and was built of logs. At the age of twelve years the boys began working in a wholesale and retail store at Hollidaysburg, Pa., as errand boys. Within three years young Asbury was promoted to the position of bookkeeper, and Charles S. took his place, remaining with this house until the breaking out of the Civil war. Asbury had, in 1857, engaged with a firm of iron manufacturers, and become the chief clerk of his firm. On Aug. 24, 1861, .young Charles enlisted in the Anderson troop, composed of a selected man from each county in the State, 100 in number, to act as bodyguard to Gen. Anderson. Charles served one year as a private, when the troop was re-organized as the 15th Cavalry, and he was commissioned second lieutenant. In 1863 he resigned as an officer of the 15th Cavalry, and after a short period at home
Cheap. S Destand
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went out as adjutant of the 22d Cavalry. Af- ter the battle of Gettysburg, in the spring of 1864. the 22d Cavalry was re-organized, and he was commissioned first lieutenant of Com- pany I, and in the winter of 1864 he was promoted to the rank of captain of Company I, thus serving until Oct. 31, 1865. when he was mustered out by general orders. He never had a scratch, although three horses were shot under him. Among other battles he participated in the following: Shiloh. Corinth, Perryville, Murfreesboro, Antietam. Newmarket, Strasburg. Piedmont, Lynch- burg, Ashby's Gap, Winchester, Martins- burg. Fisher's Hill. Port Republic, Cedar Creek, and many minor engagements. His record was all the more remarkable in that he was not only never wounded, but he was never sick, or taken a prisoner.
After his term of service had expired Capt. Derland returned to Pennsylvania. and located at Boiling Springs, where he em- barked in the mercantile line with his brother, thus continuing for three years. He then went to Antietam, Md., and took charge of a mercantile business for John S. Ahl & Co., continuing thus four years. He then moved to Newville, still in the employ of the Ahls, and in 1876 returned to Boiling Springs. once again embarking in a mercantile busi- ness here, which he conducted until 1903. His business operations were very successful. and he is one of the prosperous men of the place. Capt. Derland is one of the active Republicans of Boiling Springs. has repre- sented his party as delegate to various con- ventions, and is a member of the Republican county central committee. He was appointed notary public by Gov. Pattison, and re-ap- pointed by each succeeding governor. On May 7. 1903, he became draftsman in the office of the secretary of internal affairs in Harrisburg, and still holds that position.
For many years Capt. Derland has taken a prominent part in the affairs of his county, and is a live energetic, ambitious man, one calculated to advance the best interests of the community. Fraternally he is a mem- ber of G. A. R. Post No. 201. He was made a Mason in 1867, in St. John Lodge, Carlisle.
On Dec. 4. 1864, Capt. Derland was married to Miss Sadie Embick, who died in November, 1900. Two children were born to them: Mary, wife of Rev. John E. McVeigh, of New York, member of the Phil- adelphia conference, has two children, Charles and William; Blanche is at home. Capt. Derland is an active member of the Second Presbyterian Church of Carlisle, to which his wife also belonged.
ORON LONG, who has carved his own way to a comfortable competence, was born in Perry county. Pa., Aug. 17, 1854, son of Lewis and Sarah ( Brandt) Long.
Lewis Long was a native of Greenwood township, Perry county, where he attended the public schools. At the age of twenty years he began the practice of medicine, and for about twenty years followed that calling in Perry county. In 1868 he began the mer- cantile business in Greenwood township, which occupied his attention until his death, Nov. 4. 1894. When he was twenty he was married to Sarah Brandt, daughter of Abra- ham and Mary Brandt, of Perry county. Mrs. Long still survives and carries on the business left by her husband.
Oron Long attended the public schools of his native township until he attained his majority. In 1873 he engaged in the iron ore mining business, and the following year he began well drilling. In 1875 he moved from Perry county to Cumberland, and here continued his business of well drilling until
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1SS4. when he entered the machine business, which proved most remunerative. In 1894 he located in Dickinson township, purchas- ing the old George Line farm, about four miles from Carlisle. He has since found general farming to his liking. and has made his place one of the attractive farms of the township.
On Jan. 13, 1881, Mr. Long was married to Rebecca J. Line, daughter of George and Rebecca Line, and five children were born to them : Howard L., assisting on the farm; Iva J. : Jay E. : William O .; and Sarah, who died at the age of nine years. Mrs. Long died July 5. 1903, and was buried in the home cemetery in Dickinson township. She was an earnest Christian woman, a member of the Evangelical Church. Mr. Long was reared in the faith of the Dunkard Breth- ren. He is an advocate of temperance in all things, and in his politics is a stanch ad- herent to Prohibition principles.
JOSEPH JOHN TOTTON, a well known resident of Carlisle, Cumberland county, is of Irish extraction, and a repre- sentative of the fourth generation of his family in America.
John Totton, his great-grandfather, was born in Portadown, Ireland, and was a shoe- maker by trade. He enlisted in the English army and served nine years during the French war, after which he was assigned to duty in America, in 1812. However, he re- fused to fight the Americans, and became a citizen of the United States, settling at Dills- burg, York county, Paz, where he died in 1847. when sixty years of age. He was married at Dillsburg to Hattie McClure, who died in 1849. aged fifty-eight years, in the faith of the Presbyterian Church. Their family consisted of six children.
Col. Joseph Totton, grandfather of
Joseph John, and one of the most respected citizens of Mechanicsburg, Cumberland county, was born July 8, 1823, in Dillsburg, and acquired his education there. He then learned the trade of shoemaker, remaining in his native town until 1864, when he went to Shippensburg. In 1857 he came to Me- chanicsburg, embarking in the boot and shoe business, but at the outbreak of the Rebellion he entered the Union service, raising the Cumberland Guards, which became Com- pany H, 7th Pennsylvania Reserves, of which he was elected captain, and subse- quently became lieutenant-colonel. He served with the regiment one year, resign- ing on account of impaired health, and re- turned home. About a year afterward he opened the livery stables which he has con- ducted up to the present time with uniform success. In 1873 he was elected sheriff of Cumberland county, and held that office for three years, during which time he resided in Carlisle.
On June 8, 1848, Mr. Totton was mar- ried at Dillsburg to Miss Lydia Wagner, who was born in East Berlin, Adams Co., Pa., a daughter of Samuel and Lydia (Oyler) Wagner. The former was a native of Adams county, the latter of Hanover. York Co., Pa. Mr. Wagner was a black- smith by occupation. Colonel and Mrs. Tot- ton have had a large family : David Edwin, the father of Josepli Jolin, is mentioned be- low; James M., born Sept. 25, 1851, in Monroe township, Cumberland county, was a partner in the livery business with his father ; George B., born in Dillsburg, is a farmer in Silver Spring township; Ellen, born at Shippensburg, married Talbot Crane, of Cumberland county; Annie, is a resident of Mechanicsburg; Maggie is living with her parents; Joseph, Jr .; C. N. is a resident of Mechanicsburg ; John and Frank
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assist their father; Murray and Hattie are deceased.
Colonel Totton is a member of the Pres- byterian Church, and fraternally he belongs to Mechanicsburg Lodge, No. 215. I. O. O. F., and to Widley Camp, of Mechanics- burg, being the oldest member of the I. O. O. F. in that town; he has been connected with the lodge for fifty-seven years. He is also a member of Carlisle Post, No. 201, G. A. R. In politics he is a Democrat.
David Edwin Totton, father of Joseph Jolin, was born Oct. 30, 1849, at Dillsburg, York county, came to Cumberland county with his father, and located at Mechanics- burg. He married Miss Fannie Hutton, daughter of John and Sarah Ann ( Colis- haw) Hutton, of Carlisle, and two children came to this union, Florence M. (who is unmarried and living in Philadelphia ) and Joseph John. Locating in Chambersburg, Mr. Totton engaged in the livery business, and thence removed to Carlisle, where he embarked in the same line, also dealing in horses. In 1879 he dropped the livery busi- ness and devoted all his time to dealing in horses, continuing in that line until his death. He passed away in Carlisle, and his widow died in New York City in 1903.
Joseph John Totton was born March 12, 1873, in Carlisle, and received all his education in the public schools of that city, graduating from the high school when eigh- teen years of age. He then commenced clerking in a cigar and tobacco store, con- tinuing to be thus engaged for a few years, after which he obtained a clerkship in the post office, which he held for five years. In 1898 he bought ont E. G. Noble, who carried on a tobacco business, and in 1901 he came to his present location, No. 47 West High street, where he conducts a pool and billiard room and carries the finest line of
tobacco and cigars to be bad in the city. He has the leading trade of Carlisle in his line.
Mr. Totton was married, in 1897. to Miss Annie May Darr, daugliter of W. A. Darr, of Carlisle, and they have had three children, namely: Joseph, born April 13. 1898, died in infancy; David Edward, born Oct. 24, 1899, died in infancy; Lydia Doro- thy, the youngest, was born June 8, 1903. Mr. Totton is a member of the Second Pres- byterian Church of Carlisle, and in political faith he is a Democrat.
HENRY D. MUSSER, a prominent resident of East Pennsboro township, Cum- berland county, belongs to one of the old and honored German families of this sec- tion. His grandfather, Dr. John Musser. was born in Lancaster county, but no data have been preserved of the great-grand- father except that he was born in Germany. emigrated to the United States, and settled in Lancaster county, Pa. Like all the family he was a man of large means and local pron- inence, and left a family which, by marriage. has become kindred to many of the other old German families of the locality.
Dr. John Musser became an eminent phy- sician, and in the treatment of a number of diseases, such as white swelling, or such as would. in these days, be diagnosed as some form of tuberculosis, he could find no supe- rior in the adjacent counties. He removed to York county, near the Cumberland line. and there bought a tract of 200 acres, where he died and where his remains lie buried. He married Elizabeth Neff, of Lancaster county, who died in York county, and they had children as follows: Benjamin, father of Henry D. ; Henry, who died in Dauphin county ; John, who died young; Elizabeth. who married Henry Snavely and died in Cumberland county; Nancy, who marriedl
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Harvey Bowman. of Lancaster county; Martha, Mrs. Houk: Mary. deceased, who married Joseph. Whistler; and Susan, who married his brother. Henry Whistler, and died in Cumberland county.
Benjamin Musser was born in 1801, in Yor'. county, and in early manhood devoted Some time to the study of medicine, but later concluded to become a farmer, and with this end in view took charge of his father's farm and continued to operate it until he sold it to a Mr. Garver, whose name it still bears. In search of a suitable business situation, he went to Ohio in 1834, but found nothing lie liked better than that afforded in Pennsyl- vania. Upon his return, in association with his brother Henry, he bought a mill prop- erty at Millersburg, having 150 acres of land, and he cultivated the latter while Henry ran the mill. He lived on that farm for sev- enteen years, and then came to East Penns- boro township, where he lived until his death, Jan. 18, 1854; he is buried at Camp Hill cemetery, in East Pennsboro township. He was a prominent man in political affairs, a stanch Republican, and in 1844 was elected to the House of Representatives, serving two terms.
Benjamin Musser married Frances Snavely, daughter of John and Elizabeth ( Eberly) Snavely, who came from some of the best stock in Cumberland county. She died in 1865, and was buried by the side of her husband in the cemetery at Camp Hill. Their children were as follows: Elizabeth, born Jan. 8, 1826, died Aug. 13, 1889, at Millersburg, wife of Josiah Seal. John S., born May 27, 1827, died Nov. 25, 1901, at Millersburg, Dauphin county; he married Elmira Hoffman. Henry D. is mentioned below. Benjamin, Jr., born Dec. 21, 1830, died May 16, 1877, at Millersburg ; he mir- ried Susan Minnich. Catherine, born Oct.
I, 1831, married Beneville Boyer, and they live in Dauphin county. Annie L., born April 13. 1833, married Isaac Lloyd, of Harrisburg, a successful teacher for forty years. Jacob, born Nov. 5, 1835, died in infancy. Joseph R., born Feb. 7, 1837, took part in the Civil war; he married Amanda Lane. Levi. born March 18, 1838, died Ang. 2, 1838. David, born June 9, 1839, died July 9. 1871 ; he married Susan Coble. Daniel, born Sept. 3. 1840, died Oct. 12, 1840. Hiram. born Nov. 29, 1841, died Dec. 28, 1842. Jeremiah, born April 9. 1843, died in infancy. Sarah, born April 14, 1847. died May 3, 1847. Josiah A., born July 27. 1849, died March 25, 1898 ; he married Annie Boughter.
Henry D. Musser was born Nov. 20, 1828, in Fairview township, York Co., Pa. He first attended school in the township and later was a pupil in the graded schools of his locality. His application to his books made him enough of a scholar to enable him to secure a certificate, and he taught school for six sessions, one year in Fairview town- ship and the rest of the time in Dauphin county. In 1852 he began farming in East Peunsboro township and continued thus until 1866, when he embarked in a mercan- tile business. but sold this eighteen months later. In 1873 he concluded to agam be- come a merchant. Being appointed post -. master at Fairview, he opened up a good general store there and continued in business until 1894, since when he has been retired from all active business care, having amassed a comfortable competence.
In 1854 Mr. Musser married Mary E. Rupley, daughter of George and Magdaline ( Musser) Rupley, and they have had chil- dren as follows: George Wesley, born in January, 1856, died Jan. 16, 1857. Elmer A., born Jan. 10, 1858, died Sept. 4, 1858.
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Charles Emery, born Nov. 30, 1859. mar- ried Clara Kanaby, and they live at Fair- view, their children are Ellen, William. Warren, Virgie, Jennie, Margie, and Odessa. who lives with her grandfather and goes to school. Henry Clinton, born Aug. 14. 1861. has charge of the telephone business at Mem- phis, Tenn. Mr. and Mrs. Musser have seven grandchildren and two great-grand- children, all fine, healthy specimens of a sturdy, temperate, industrious ancestral stock.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Musser are leading members of the U. B. Church at Fairview, in which Mr. Musser has held office for the past fifty years, as class-leader, superintend- ent of the Sunday-school and treasurer of the latter. Mrs. Musser has always been deeply interested in this work and has a fine record, not having missed a single Sunday of attendance since 1886. She has trained her granddaughter, Odessa, to follow in her footsteps, ever since she was two and a half years old.
Politically, Mr. Musser is a Republican of no uncertain type. He is township asses- sor and has served six terms on the school board, has been on the election board and has been supervisor. He is known all over the township and is highly respected and much esteemed.
JAMES COYLE, one of the represen- tative citizens of Cumberland county, was born in South Middleton township, this county, July 13, 1822, a son of Joseph and Calista (Thompson ) Coyle.
The father of Mr. Coyle was of Scotch- Irish extraction, and he came to America in young manhood, locating in Cumberland county, Pa., where he married. His wife ' was a daughter of Thomas Thompson. a very intelligent English farmer, a resident
of South Middleton township. After his marriage Joseph Coyle removed to York county, where he engaged in distilling a number of years, and died there. He was the father of three children, namely : James, Mary and Jane Ann. The daughters went West and married and both died in middle life, leaving families. The mother con- tracted a second marriage, with Samuel Bear, of Lancaster county, and they removed to Northwestern Ohio.
James Coyle did not accompany his mother to Ohio, but remained with a farmer to whom he was apprenticed until the age of sixteen years. He then apprenticed him- self in 1840 to a carpenter named Robert Graham, remaining with him six years. He made rapid strides in his calling and was so reliable that prior to completing his apprenticeship he was placed at the head of important work as foreman of gangs of men. He soon be- came noted for his excellent work in build- ing and contracting, operating between Me- chanicsburg and Newville. He erected some of the most substantial buildings in that lo- cality, which will long bear testimony to his ability. Mr. Coyle has labored hard and perseveringly and deserves the high esteen in which he is held all through the valley. He owns a fine farm of 100 acres in South Middleton township which he has improved into one of the most valuable properties of this section, and upon which he settled in 1855.
In politics Mr. Coyle is a Democrat. He has filled a number of township offices and for six years has been director of the poor of Cumberland county. Since 1843 he has been a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Carlisle and has been very active in its affairs, liberal in his contributions, and ever ready to assist in all its benevolent en-
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terprises. Although Mr. Coyle had few early advantages he had much natural ability, and through association with business men and much reading has educated himself. He is a man of property. all of which he has honor- ably earned by his own efforts.
On Feb. 26. 1846. Mr. Coyle was mar- ried to Mary Ann Johnson, of Franklin county, who died in June, 1890, at the age of seventy-three years. She was a good Christian woman. a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. They had the fol- lowing children: Jennie, who is her father's capable housekeeper, formerly a teacher in the public schools; William G., of Craig- head ; Rebecca Calista, wife of Christian W. Leib. . of Carlisle; James Andrew, at the homestead; Joseph, who died in May, 1881, aged twenty-three years: and Charles T. All the sons became skilled carpenters.
T. J. SPANGLER, who owns a fine farm of 125 acres about seven miles from Carlisle, has been a lifelong farmer, as were his father and grandfather before him.
Philip Spangler, his grandfather, was a native of Lancaster county, Pa. Coming to Cumberland county in his boyhood, on reaching maturity he settled in Dickinson township, about seven miles southwest of Carlisle. He bought about 500 acres of land. a large part of which was woodland, and there carried on farming. He married Mary Line, and had the following children : William; Maria, who died in South Middle- ton township: George, who died in Dickin- son township; Matilda, who died on the old homestead in Dickinson township; Samuel, who died in the same township; Rebecca, who died in South Middleton township; and Marguerite, who died on the old homestead.
William Spangler, eldest son of Philip, was born in the Dickinson township home
March 12, ISOS, and died April 9, 1847. He attended the public schools, and on at- taining his majority began farming for himself. In 1840 he bought the old home from his father, and thereon made many improvements. In 1832 he married Nancy Sheaffer, daughter of David and Susanna Sheaffer, and their children were as follows : Mary Rebecca, born Sept. 12, 1832, married Jolin Zinn, who died in Newville, and she died in Carlisle; William Washington, born April 19, 1840, married Catherine Zinn, daughter of Isaac Zinn, and died in West Pennsboro township, while his wife died in Newville; John T., born Aug. 13, 1841, died in South Middleton township, Oct. 23, 1857; T. J. is our subject.
T. J. Spangler, the youngest child of his parents, was born Nov. 19, 1843, and was reared to manhood on the old homestead. His education was acquired in the public schools. He was trained to farm work, purchased of his father his present share of the old home, and has become one of the successful agriculturists of the county. Be- sides this farm he owns eleven acres of very valuable land close to the mountains. He is always ready to adopt advanced ideas, con- ducting his farm along the most approved lines, and it presents a charming appearance with its neat and commodious buildings, well cared for fences, and clear fields. In 1901 a large plant for the manufacture of phosphorus was erected on Mr. Spangler's. farm, along the railroad, and is now in opera- tion, the rock from which the phosphorus is made being secured on the farm. The fac- tory is conducted by the Enterprise Manu- facturing Company of Philadelphia, Pa., composed of T. Henry Asbury and Sons, and is superintended by Gilbert C. Landis.
On March 16, 1869, Mr. Spangler was married to Mary J. Martin, daughter of
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George and Elizabeth (Shultz) Martin. By a former marriage he has one son, Wil- lian J., and Mrs. Spangler also has a son by a prior marriage, George M. Hollinger, of Mt. Holly, who married Ida V. Moore, daughter of Matthew Moore, and has two children. Edith M. and Mary M. In poli- tics Mr. Spangler is a Democrat, and he has held a number of town offices. He is well esteemed by those who know him, and his life has been an upright one.
J. W. HOY. Among the representative me:1 of North Middleton township, Cum- berland county, Pa., is J. W. Hoy, who was born in Silver Spring township in 1861, a son of Adam and Sarah Jane ( Shenk ) Hoy, and grandson of Henry Hoy.
Henry Hoy was born in Upper Paxton township, Dauphin county, and came to Cumberland county in 1854. Upon moving to the county he settled in Silver Spring township, buying 180 acres of land, the old Young farm, where he carried on agricult- ural pursuits. He married Julia Ann Rum- barger, daughter of Daniel Rumbarger, and the children of this union were: Hannah died in Carlisle; Adam became the father of our subject ; William R. is living in Steelton, Dauphin county; Daniel R. is living in Sil- ver Spring township, on the old farm; John Henry lives in York county ; Annie E. lives in Lancaster county.
Adam Hoy, the father of J. W., was born in Lykens Valley, Dauphin county, Pa., June 28. 1838, and came to Cumberland county with his father when fourteen years of age. He attended school before he had learned to speak English, using the Pennsylvania Dutch dialect, and in his after life found much amusement in the attempts he made and the laughable mistakes which his ignor- ance of the English language occasioned.
But being a bright lad he could soon talk as fluently as any boy in the school. In 1859 he married Sarah Jane Shenk, daughter of David Shenk, of Silver Spring township, and the young couple located in that town- ship. Mr. Hoy worked by the day for about ten years, when they moved to North Mid- dleton township, in 1876, and he bought a fine farm of 117 acres. In 1862 Adam Hoy entered Company A, 158th Regiment, at Chambersburg, Pa., and was located in North Carolina. After a year of hard serv- ice he was mustered out at Chambersburg. In 1896 Mr. Hoy removed to Steelton, Dauphin Co., Pa., and was employed at the steel works there for four years. In 1900 he came to Carlisle, where he is now located, engaged in a prosperous wood business.
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