Biographical annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settled families, Part 51

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 51

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In 1868 Mr. Bretz was married to

Martha Jane, daughter of Peter and Bar- bara Stambaugh, of Adams county. She died Nov. 7, 1898, leaving no children, and on July 13, 1904, Mr. Bretz married Mrs. Annie M. Ritter, widow of the late Charles Ritter, of Carlisle, and a daughter of Jere- miah Reep, of Dickinson township. He lives quietly in a pleasant home on West North street, where he now spends all his leisure hours, and where he expects to spend the de- clining years of his life in comfort and con- tentment.

SIMON DIETZ. Among the represen- tative men and prosperous farmers of Hamp- den township, appears the name of Simon Dietz, who resides upon his fine farm of 100 acres, the greater portion of which is under cultivation, and gives a portion of his atten- tion to township affairs. he having held some of the most important of its offices. Mr. Dietz was born on the old Dietz homestead, in East Pennsboro township, March 8, 1857. son of David Dietz, and the grandson of Daniel Dietz.

David Dietz, the father, came to Cum- berland county with his father when about eighteen years of age. irom York county, and engaged in farming. He married Caro- line Sheely, daughter of Christian Sheely, of Hampden township. Nine children were born of this marriage: Mary Ellen married John H. Smith, of Mechanicsburg; Daniel married Susan Mechlin, of Upper Allen township, and has three children, William (at home), Carrie (who died in childhood) and Susan (at home) ; Annetta married Jonas Rupp, of Hampden township, and has six children, Carrie (wife of Elmer Brindle. of Monroe township), Bertha (who married Jacob Sheely, of Upper Allen township, and has two children, John and Mary, at home), Ellen (who married Alvin Rowe, of Up-

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per Allen township), Charles (at home), Minnie (at home), and Sadie (at home) ; William died in childhood: Simon; Lydia died at the age of eighteen years; Carrie married Frank Hertzler, of Eberly Mills : Martha married S. S. Rupp, of Shiremans- . town, and has three children, Grace, David and Francis, all at home; Katie resides with our subject in Hampden township.

Simon Dietz was educated in the public schools of his neighborhood, which he at- tended until he was eighteen years of age. After completing his school life, he worked for his father on the farm until he was about twenty-five years of age, when on Nov. 29, ISSI, he was united in marriage with Miss Barbara E. Eberly, a daughter of Jacob and Mary ( Hertzler ) Eberly, of Lancaster coun- ty. One child was born to them, David C., at home.

Mr. Dietz is a consistent member of St. John's Lutheran Church, of which he was formerly deacon, and his wife also belongs to the same church. He has been a lifelong member of the Democrat party, and has held the office of township auditor for three years, township assessor for one term, and is at present director and treasurer of the school board of his district. His farm is kept in ex- cellent condition, as are his premises and comfortable house, while his spacious grounds are beautifully arranged. His property all shows a careful and judicious management, and the signs of thrift upon every side indicate the character of the owner.

JOSEPH M. MYERS, one of the sub- stantial men of Pennsboro township, Cum- berland county, Pa., and a man prominent alike socially and politically, is a son of Jeremiah Myers, and a grandson, on the maternal side of the house, of Robert Mc-

Keehan. who was born in 1784 in Ireland, and married Mary Trego, who was born in 1782.

Jeremiah Myers was born in Dickinson township. this county, March 12, 1816, and after a few years was taken to West Penn- boro, being reared upon the farm now owned by Robert Graham. After attaining his ma- jority he went to farming along the State road in Middleton township. After a few years thus spent Jeremiah Myers went west to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he died at the age of fifty years, in 1866. His wife was Mary Jane McKeehan, daughter of Robert and Mary (Trego) McKeehan, and three chil- dren were born to them: John F. married Eliza Prat, who re-married and died a few years ago; Robert M. married Sarah Strohm, and died in Philadelphia, but his widow died in the West ; Joseph M. is men- tioned below.

Joseph M. Myers, the youngest in the family, was born Jan. 11, 1845, in West Pennsboro township, and attended school and worked upon the farm until he was nine- teen years of age. He then commenced working for his grandfather, and so con- tinued until his death, when he went to live with an uncle. Remaining with the latter for some time, he married Amelia Buffing- ton. daughter of Cornelius and Elizabeth (Crimm) Buffington, of Perry county, Pa., who died in 1866 and 1855, respectively.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Myers lived for five years at Kerrsville, and then built a home on a farm left Mr. Myers by his uncle, which property consisted of 200 acres. This he divided into two farms. For about sixteen years they lived in the first house, after which he erected the substantial one now standing. It is but a short distance from Kerrsville, and very pleasantly located. Until within six years ago Mr. Myers was

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actively engaged in farming, but he now lives retired. The following family came to himself and wife : Mary Ellen, born March 6. 1876. died on the home farm aged nine years: Vernal Irene. born Nov. 26, 1886. is at home: Jolin D .. born Sept. 2, 1891, is at school.

Mr. Myers is a Democrat in his political views, and in 1876 was supervisor, which office he filled honorably and ably. In relig- ious matters he is a member of the Church of God at Plainfield. He is a man univer- sally respected. and the success which has attended his efforts is certainly well mer- ited.

EVERS S. FREED, M. D., one of the leading lights in the medical profession of Shippensburg. is a native of Virginia, hay- ing been born in the Shenandoah Valley, Sept. 12, 1864. His paternal grandfather, William Freed. was a native of Germany ; he married a Miss Dougherty.

Rev. John D. Freed, of the United Brethren Church, father of Evers S., was born in Rockingham. Va., in 1818. Arriv- ing at manhood's estate, he entered the min- istry and devoted forty years'to that calling, dying in 1891. at Shippensburg, Pa. His remains were interred at Mechanicstown, Md. The Rev. Mr. Freed married Miss Elizabeth Rhinehart. a native of Maryland, and daughter of Samuel Rhinchart, a prom- inent citizen of that State.

Dr. Freed was reared in his native place and received a portion of his edu- cation there and the remainder in Penn- sylvania. His father being a minister, the family lived at the several places at which his charges were located. Leaving his lit- erary course, Dr. Freed became a student of medicine, reading with Dr. Zimmerman of Frederick county, Md. He then entered the

Baltimore Medical College, from which he was gradnated in 1887. After graduation Dr. Freed located at Newburg, Cumberland county, but after a short time, he settled at Shippensburg, where he has devoted his en- tire time to his profession.

In 1887, Dr. Freed married Miss Violet Nissley, of Derry Church, Dauphin county, Pa., daughter of Jacob and Mary (Landis) Nissley. One daughter, Edith, has been born of this marriage. Dr. Freed is a member of the Shippensburg board of health, and he is a man widely known and most highly re- spected, not only as an efficient and popular physician, but also as an honorable and cour- teous gentleman.

JAMES M. DUNCAN, a prominent representative of one of the old Cumberland county families, is a successful farmer and stock raiser of Newton township. He was born on a farm known as the old Duncan homestead in West Pennsboro township.

Daniel G. Duncan, father of James M., married Miss Griselda Linn, who was born in Franklin county, in 1825, and who died in 1899, being buried in the Presbyterian graveyard at Newville. Both parents were consistent members of the Presbyterian Church, in which the father was an elder for a number of years. In politics he was a Democrat, but did not aspire to be an office holder. During a long and useful life, he accumulated considerable property, and was a man highly esteemed by a wide circle of friends. The children born to himself and wife were: William Linn, of Newton town- ship; Mary G. ; Samuel A. ; Emma J. ; Glenn, deceased; John K., of Nebraska ; Elizabeth ; Sarah P .; James M .; Flora G .; Eva.

James M. Duncan commenced his educa- tion at the district school known as the Oak Flat schoolhouse, continued it at the high

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school at Newville, and completed it at Springfield, West Pennsboro township. Upon leaving school, he returned to the farm and assisted his father until he attained his majority. He then began farming on his own account on the Duncan homestead, and after the death of his father, when the estate was settled. Mr. Duncan purchased the Mc- Cullough farm of eighty-nine acres, upon which are a good bank barn, a comfortable dwelling, and all necessary sheds. As yet he has not married, but carries on his farm himself. and has made it into one of the best in this locality. Mr. Duncan, himself, is very popular and has proven himself an excellent farmer and public spirited citizen.

ALFRED M. MUSSELMAN, one of the well-known and prosperous young farm- ers of Monroe township, Cumberland coun- ty, was born in Silver Spring township, but ever since 1873 has been a resident of Mon- roe township, in which he was educated. He is a son of John Musselman, and a member of a fine old family of Lancaster and Cum- berland counties.

Samuel Musselman, grandfather of Al- fred M., was born Aug. 12, 1793, in Lancas- ter county, and he died Aug. 27, 1868. He married the widow of John Martin, of Mt. Joy, Lancaster county, who was formerly Anna Eberly, and three children were born to the former union, one of whom survives. The five children born to the second mar- riage, which took place in 1826. were: John, Elizabeth, Anna, Catherine and Simon. In 1827 Samuel Musselman moved to Cumber- land county, and settled on a good farm along the New Kingstown turnpike road, which he bought of William Bell, for $40 an acre, and later sold, for $210 an acre. In 1843 his wife united with the Evangelical Church, and she died July 10, 1849, aged

fifty-two years, three months and eighteen days. In July, 1852, Samuel Musselman married the Widow Snavely, and they moved to New Kingstown. Mr. Musselman died Aug. 27, 1868, much lamented by all who knew him as he was a good, Christian man. He was very prominent in the Evan- gelical Association, and served a long time as church trustee helping to build the church at New Kingstown. He was survived six- teen years by his second wife, who died Aug. 8, 1884, at New Kingstown, aged eighty-one years, five months and three days, and was buried by the side of Mr. Snavely in St. John's cemetery.

John Musselman, father of Alfred MI .. was born in October, 1826, and was a suc- cessful farmer in Monroe township, where he bought a farm. In 1850 he married Mar- garet Musser, daughter of Jacob Musser, of Cumberland county, who died in 1892, aged sixty-three years. His death took place Jan. 21, 1901. His children were: John Amos, born Oct. 3. 1853, died in 1854: S. Emory. born Feb. 16, 1857, resides in Monroe town- ship; Lizzie E., born Jan. 13, 1859, married Dr. James W. Young, who died in a hospital. at Harrisburg in 1886; Alfred M., born March 2, 1861 ; Laura, born in 1863, died in 1867; Alice L., born Feb. 27. 1865, married C. R. Firestone, of Monroe township; John, born June 22, 1870, is deceased: Dessia A .. born Nov. 12, 1872, died Jan. 12, 1873; Anna A. married Rev. James C. Reeser in 1879, now stationed in Carlisle; Rev. Sam- uel Oliver married Carrie Fulton, who died in Kansas, and he married (second) Anna Gensler; and Mary, who married John Basehore, in 1892, resides in Middlesex township.

Alfred M. Musselman has been a resident of Monroe township the greater part of his life. He is one of the prominent Republican

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politicians of this locality, taking a very active part in public affairs, serving on im- portant committees, and as a delegate to vari- ous conventions. Fraternally. he is a mem- ber of the Masons at Carlisle, and Knights of Pythias at Allen.

JOHN B. MUSSER, one of the repre- sentative men and good farmers of the Third Ward. Borough of Mechanicsburg. and liv- ing on his well cultivated farm of forty acres, was born May 28, 1862, at Camp Hill.

John N. Musser, the paternal grand- father of John B. Musser. was born in Lan- caster county. Pa., where his life was passed as a farmer. His first marriage was to Mary Brenneman, of that county, and they had six children, namely: Henry ; Daniel B., a resi- dent of Eberly's mills ; Martha, wife of Mar- tin Bricker. of Hampden township; Susan, who died at the age of nineteen years; and John and Benjamin, both of whom died in childhood. His second marriage was to Fanny Horst, also of Lancaster county, and they had one child, Jacob, who resides north of Camp Hill.

Henry Musser, father of John B., was born in York county, Pa., not far from New Cumberland, and there was given a common school education. His occupation was farming. He married Mary Bates, a daugh- ter of Samuel Bates, of near Mechanicsburg, and they had a family of six children, as follows: John B. ; Annie Mary, who is the wife of Elmer Eppley, of Camp Hill ; George W., who married Ethel Gilbert, of Shire- manstown, and has two children, Walter (at home) and Elizabeth (in Shiremanstown) ; one that died in infancy ; Benjamin, who died in childhood ; and Henry S., of Camp Hill, . who married Jennie Cross, and they have three children, all at home, Ethel, Alma and Margaret.

John B. Musser received a common school education at Camp Hill. which he completed at the age of nineteen years. After leaving school he spent one year on his father's farm, and one year in the iron mills at West Fairview. Mr. Musser then made an extended trip through Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin, being occupied during this period in farming and operating a creamery. After his return to his home. March 3, 1887, he married Annie B. Basehore. daughter of Samuel A. Basehore, of Mechanicsburg. They have had three children. namely : Al- meda Blanche, who died in infancy; Mary Katherine, who is at home: and Lena Mary. a student at Mechanicsburg. Mrs. Musser is a member of the Reformed Church.

Mr. Musser has been a life-long member of the Republican party and takes a very active interest in campaign work. On vari- ous occasions he has been honored by his fellow citizens by election to office, serving as judge of elections, both in East Penns- boro township and in Fairview township, York county, being the holder of that office at the time of the inauguration there of the first Baker Ballot law. For the past three years he has represented the Third Ward of Mechanicsburg in the Borough Council; in 1904 was re-elected for three years; is one of the managers of the Allen and East Pennsboro Horse Company, and is one of the trustees of the Junior American Me- chanics. His official as well as his private life has been one of honor and uprightness, and he justly commands the respect and es- teem of all who know him.

WILLIAM WISE (deceased). In 1869, at Boiling Springs, Pa., passed away one of Cumberland county's representative men, at his home in that town. For many years he was an honored and respected citizen, and

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his loss was deeply felt by many outside the home circle.

John Jacob Wise, father of William, was born in Lancaster county, Pa., in 1767. and devoted his life to farming. After at- tending school in his native township. and when quite a large boy, he came to Cumber- land county with his father. He enlisted in the War of 1812 and when it was over re- turned to his native township, and there bought a tract of woodland, consisting of about 100 acres. He lived to see the timber cleared off. his land placed under cultiva- tion, and excellent buildings on the property. Jolin Jacob Wise was one in the following family, all of whom are now deceased : George, John Jacob, Frederick, Leonard, Michael, Mary and Susanna. His own chil- dren were: Elizabeth, who died in 1873: Joseph, who died at the age of nineteen years ; and William.

William Wise was born in 1812, and died as before stated, in 1869. Like the other boys of his neighborhood, he attended the public schools of South Middleton town- ship, and worked upon his father's farm. In 1833, he married Rebecca Brechbill, a daugli- ter of Frederick and Anna M. Brechbill, of South Middleton township. The young couple went to live with the parents of Wil- liam on the home farm, and remained there until 1869, when he removed to Boiling Springs. That same year he died. The fol- lowing family was born to himself and wife : Anna M., in 1875, married Joseph Pipher, who died in 1893, in Boiling Springs, South Middleton township, and in 1900 she came to live with her sister at Boiling Springs : Jacob married Amelia Zug, daughter of John and Elizabeth B. Zug, of Mt. Holly, and he died Oct. 28, 1902, at Boiling Springs (he owned a farm in South Middleton township) ; Hen- rietta married John Shupp, and died in 1886

at Boiling Springs, her husband passing away the same year : Elizabeth .1., born in 1841. at Boiling Springs, has traveled ex- tensively throughout the country, and is a very charming and accomplished lady : Wil- liam F. married Jane Bushman, daughter of Eli and Sarah Bushman, and lives in South Middleton township; Clarissa, died in 1847, in Boiling Springs, South Middle- ton township; Catherine, born in 1850, lives with her sister Elizabeth A., at Boiling Springs; George, born in 1853. died in 1856. at Boiling Springs. South Mid- dleton township; John P., who married Re- becca Deitch, daughter of David and Catlı- erine Deitch, owns a farm in South Middle- ton township, but lives in Monroe township.

In politics the late William Wise was a Republican, and in religious connection both he and his wife were consistent members of the Lutheran Church, in which he held sev- eral offices. For some years he was a school director, and served as supervisor of South Middleton township, and was one of its most respected and influential citizens.

JOHN MOWERS. a master blacksmith now living retired at his home in Shippens- burg. Cumberland county, was born on the old Mowers homestead in Southampton township, Sept. 27, 1829, son of Henry and Elizabeth (Cope) Mowers.

Henry Mowers was born on the same farm as his son, Oct. 1. 1803, son of George Mowers. In time he inherited the home- stead, and having been trained in his youth to farm work, made it his life occupation. becoming very well-to-do. He was one of the most intelligent men in the township, and kept himself thoroughly posted on pub- lic matters. A kind and helpful friend and neighbor, as well as an upright citizen, he was highly respected, and widely known.

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He died in 1896. in his ninety-fourth year, his mind remaining clear and bright almost to the end. His religious connection was with the United Brethren Church. He mar- ried Elizabeth Cope, who was born near Leesburg, Cumberland county, in 1808, daughter of Peter A. (an old resident of Cumberland county, and one of the charter members of the Reformed Church) and Mary Ann Cope. She died in 1884. the mother of twelve children, eight of whom lived to maturity : Mary A., deceased ; John ; Peter A., an ex-soldier of the Civil war; Isaiah, deceased: Samuel, deceased; Will- iam: George; Miss Elizabeth; Daniel, who died in his twelfth year : Joseph. a druggist in Shippensburg: and two that died in infancy.

Jolm Mowers passed his boyhood and youth upon the home farm. Until he was sixteen he attended school, during the winter months, at the old Croft schoolhouse in Cleversburg. He was then apprenticed to learn the trade of blacksmith with Mr. Lei- (lich, of Shippensburg, with whom he re- mained two years : and later he finished his trade under Jolin Guthrie. Determining to start in business on his own account, he formed a partnership with Henry Wolf, and under the firm name of Mowers & Wolf. they at once entered upon a prosperous ca- reer as general blacksmiths and repairers. For twenty-two years this partnership was continued to the great satisfaction and suc- cess of both members of the firm, and then in 1902, it was dissolved by mutual consent, Mr. Mowers then retiring to look after his general business interests. The shop was rented, and new faces greeted the customers, who had so long been accustomed to find the genial partners at the forge and anvil.

Mr. Mowers is a believer in the princi- ples of the Republican party, and has been

active in public affairs. For eight years he was a member of the city council. He has always been honest in all his dealings, and al- though he began life with small means, his energy, economy and good management have won him a competence to make comfortable liis declining years.

On Feb. 5, 1852, Mr. Mowers was mar- ried to Martha M. Jacoby, born in Cumber- land county. Feb. 19, 1832, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Burkholder ) Jacoby. She died in Shippensburg April 10, 1902. Eleven children blessed this union, four of whom grew to maturity : Elizabeth Jane, de- ceased; Laura Belle, who married David Mann, of Carlisle, and has three children, Flora B., C. Kimmel and John; Minnie F., deceased; and Martha M., wife of H. G. Zentmeyer, a skilled mechanic and promi- nent citizen, now deceased.

C. R. FIRESTONE (the name formerly being spelled Firestine), one of the sub- stantial retired farmers of Monroe township, Cumberland county, was born July 30, 1853, in Carroll township, York county.

The great-grandfather of our subject came from Germany, and bore the name of Peter Firestone. He settled first in Lan- caster county, Pa., but later removed to York county, where the family resided through two generations.

Jacob Firestone, son of the emigrant, was a farmer in York county, and married a Miss Brenneman, both of whom spent their lives there, survived by these children : Eliz- abeth, who died in Carroll township, the wife of David Williams; Aaron, father of C. R .; Jacob, who married Elizabeth Burk- holder, and died in York county ; George, of East Berlin, Adams county; Rebecca, wife of Jacob H. Baker, and living in Upper Allen township; Susan, who married Adam

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Deitz, and died in Cumberland county; Annie, wife of Michael Willey, of East Ber- lin ; Sarah, who died aged eighteen years; and Leah. wife of John Nell, of Warrington township. York county.

Aaron Firestone, father of C. R., was born March 17. 1825, in Washington town- ship. York county. His education was se- cured there in- the best schools the district afforded, and there he married Martha Bow- man, daughter of John and Martha ( Herr) Bowman. After marriage he bought a farm of 160 acres in Carroll township, York coun- ty, and later became the owner of several other farms in the same county, and also the farm now owned by our subject. For a period of forty-six years he engaged in active farming operations, retiring then to spend the remainder of his days in the enjoy- ment of many comforts afforded to him by ample means. His death occurred at Dills- burg. York county, in 1903. His wife had preceded him. July 29, 1892, while the fam- ily still lived on the homestead. Mr. Fire- stone was considered one of the leading citi- zens of his locality, and his death was a loss to the community. The children were : John B .. who married Ida Shearer, resides at Har- risburg : C. R .: Emma A .: and Jacob A .. who married Adda Moody, is a farmer of York county.

C. R. Firestone attended the local schools during his boyhood and assisted on the homestead farm, purchasing his present farm of his father, in 1896. At one time this farm was known as the old Ahl farm, along the Yellow Breeches creek, a fine estate which he operated until he retired from active work. selling the mill property to a Mr. Hoffer.

In 1897 he married Alice L. Musselman. daughter of John and Margaret (Musser) Musselman, of Monroe township, and they

have one son, Russell Musselman, born Sept. 26, 1899. The family home is one of the handsomest in this locality and is fitted with every comfort and convenience. In politics Mr. Firestone is a Democrat, and he has filled several important offices. He is very highly respected. His religious rearing was in the German Baptist Church.

JOHN M. RUPP, one of the substan- tial citizens and excellent farmers of Cum- berland county, living on a fine farm of 117 acres, all of which is under cultivation and well improved, was born March 30, 1844, on the old Rupp homestead in Hampden town- ship. He is a son of John Rupp, a grandson of Martin Rupp, and a great-grandson of John Jonas Rupp. [Extended mention of this family will be found elsewhere.]

John Rupp, father of our subject, was born Jan. 17, 1801, on the old Eberly home- stead in Hampden township. There he ob- tained a good district school education, and was reared a farmer. On Nov. 10, 1840, he married Anna Markley, daughter of John and Mary ( Mohler) Markley. This union was blessed with seven children, namely : Mary, wife of Charles Hertzler, of Silver Spring township; John M., of this sketch ; and Martin, Daniel, Annie, Elizabeth and Susanna, all of whom died young. John Rupp was a most worthy member of the German Reformed Church. and one of its trustees. In politics he was prominently identified with the Republican party. He was a man of stability, and in 1851 was elected associate judge, serving until 1856. His death took place Feb. 14. 1872, and he was buried at the Stone Church.

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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 51

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