Biographical annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settled families, Part 54

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 54

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in Adams county, near Mt. Rock, on the Harrisburg & Chambersburg Pike, and lie also owned considerable other realty. In politics he was a Democrat, and he always took an active part in local, county and State politics. He was elected assessor of his town- ship, as well as mercantile appraiser. His death was deeply mourned, and was felt in social, commercial and financial circles. as well as in his immediate home circle.

In 1891 Mrs. Jacoby moved to New- ville, where she now resides, purchasing a pleasant home formerly owned by C. W. Swigert. Two children were born to herself and husband: (1) Mary C. E. was educated at Lebanon Valley College, married Walter Hartzell, of Carlisle, a clerk in the Pension Department at Washington, D. C .. and has had two children, Ethel Jacoby ( who died at the age of eight and one-half years), and Frank Carlisle. (2) Susie died when nine- teen years of age.

ALBERT H. MURTOFF, coachmaker and blacksmith by trade, and a prominent resident of Boiling Springs, Cumberland county, was born in Adams county, this State, near Bendersville, Jan. 3, 1859.

Moses and Elizabeth (Goulden) Murt- off, his parents, were natives of Adams and Cumberland counties, respectively. The father died in 1872, aged sixty-four years. He was a cooper by trade. In religious mat- ters he was a member of the U. B. Church, and served upon the official board of the church. His wife died in about 1885, aged seventy-five years. Eight children were born to them: William, a resident of Read- ing, Pa .; Mary, wife of Jerry Beam, of Zion Church, this county; Eliza, who mar- ried Frank Shuisher, of Cumberland county, residing near Alger; Levi J., residing at Bendersville, Adams county; Ellen, de-

@Jacob

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ceased, who married Jesse Bricker ; John, a carpenter of Uriah, this county; George, de- ceased; and Albert H.

Albert H. Murtoff attended the public schools until he was sixteen years of age, when he went to Centerville to learn the trade of coachmaking, under G. W. War- field. He finished learning his trade, and re- mained with his employer one year longer, after which he came to Boiling Springs and entered the employ of the Ahls, in their iron works, remaining with them for four years, doing their smithing and running the engine. He then went to the Baldwin locomotive works, at Philadelphia, where he spent six months, in the erecting shops, and then re- turned to Boiling Springs building a shop for the purpose of coachmaking and general blacksmithing. This was about 1882 or 1883, and he continued to conduct this shop continuously until 1902, at which time he was appointed instructor in the coach depart- ment of the Indian School, where he has since continued. Mr. Murtoff has been very successful as a mechanic. His home, a fine frame residence on the corner of Third and Walnut streets, was remodeled by him in 1903, and is one of the most attractive in the village. He also owns another property, ad- joining his home, and still another near his shop on Third street. His shops for build- ing, repairing and painting coaches were built by him. On his fine farm. which is lo- cated one mile southeast of Boiling Springs, he has built a good brick house and frame barn, and has the entire 175 acres in excell- ent condition. In addition to this lie owns three lots in the Cumberland Valley. Mr. Murtoff is a self-made man, and started out in life without a cent, gradually working up to his present position through his own un- aided efforts. In addition to and in con-

nection with his coachmaking business, he handles fertilizers, farm implements, etc.

In March, 1886, Mr. Murtoff was mar- ried to Miss Emma V. Shopp, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Sadler) Shopp. She was born in Cumberland county in 1864. Two children have been born of this union, Robert and Vida. Both parents of Mrs. Murtoff survive. and she has one brother and one sister, Elizabeth and Jacob.

SAMUEL J. YEINGST, who has been engaged in the butcher business and farming in Monroe township, Cumberland county, for a number of years, comes of a family of German origin which has long had its home in the county.

George Yeingst, the grandfather of Sam- tiel J., was born in Dickinson township, Cumberland county, and was engaged in farming in that township, on what was known as the Bradley farm. Thence he moved to Mt. Holly, where he passed the re- mainder of his days, dying at the age of seventy-six years. His wife also died at Mt. Holly, when seventy-one years old. They were the parents of the following named children : Sallie is the widow of David Geyer. and is living at Mt. Holly Springs; Michael died in 1902, in Dickinson township; Fred is a carpenter, and makes his home in Car- lisle: Alfred died in Illinois; William lives in Dickinson township: Amelia, Mrs. Kauff- man, is a resident of Mt. Holly Springs; George makes his home in Dickinson town- ship; David, the father of Samuel J., is men- tioned below; Charles is a carpenter, em- ployed at Steelton, but makes his home at Mt. Holly Springs; James is a blacksmith at Boiling Springs.

David Yeingst was born in 1841, in Dickinson township, where he received a

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common-school education and grew to man- hood. After commencing work he was em- ployed about two years by John Fishiborn, and then learned the milling trade, which he followed for a few years. He finally took up farming. which he followed on a place along the Spruce run for about two years, thence removing to Monroe township. where he set- tled on the Yellow Breeches creek. He con- tinued on the one farm there for twenty-nine years. at the end of which time he purchased and removed to the old Daniel Ahl farm, ad- joining. He made many improvements on that place after it came into his hands, and he died there three years after removing to it, April 25. 1888. Mr. Yeingst was a pros- perous farmer. and a highly respected citizen.

Mr. Yeingst married about 1861, Martha Sowers, who was born in 1839. daughter of George Sowers. of Dickinson township, and she survived him for several years, passing away Dec. 15. 1896, in Monroe township. Their family consisted of five children, viz : Charles, who married Laura Sellers, lived in Illinois, and was employed by the govern- ment, as mail carrier ; he died there at the age of twenty-nine years. Samuel J. is men- tioned below. Daniel is an engineer, and is located at Cornwall, Lebanon county ; he married Lydia Beard. Viola is the wife of Harry B. Bowman, and is living at Lebanon, where he is engaged as a clerk in the iron works. Rebecca is the wife of Edward Sheets, and is living in Cornwall, Lebanon county.

Samuel J. Yeingst was born in 1863, in Dickinson township, Cumberland county, but was only a small boy when brought by his parents to Monroe township, where he was reared and educated. He remained at home, working for his father, until his mar- riage, in 1886, to Miss Mary J. Gates,

daughter of Jacob and Margaret ( Heck) Gates, who were formerly of York county. Pa., and later of Monroe township, Cumber- land county. The young couple located in Monroe township, and upon his mother's death Mr. Yeingst inherited part of the old home place, so he purchased the entire estate and moved thereon. This was in 1896. The estate is a fine one, and Mr. Yeingst has been successful in his agricultural work as well as in butchering, which latter business he has followed for the past fifteen years, killing both pork and beef. On Aug. 7, 1897, he entered into the coal business, having a yard between Boiling Springs and Leidigh's Sta- tion, along the Philadelphia & Reading road. and he has enjoyed a fine patronage from the start.

Mr. and Mrs. Yeingst have five children. namely: Irwin ( who is engaged in Worth Bros. Iron Works at Coatesville, Pa.), Bes- sie, John, Maggie and Romaine, all of whom are at home. Mr. Yeingst is a member of the Methodist Church of Boiling Springs, and in politics he is identified with the Dem- ocratic party. Fraternally, he is a member of Harrisburg Lodge, No. 70, I. O. O. F., of Harrisburg ; Senior Order of American Me- chanics ; Knights of Pythias; and the Mod- ern Woodmen.

CHARLES RAYMOND BOWEN, a well-known and substantial citizen of Lower Allen township, who is interested in both the dairy and livery business, was born Jan. 23, 1875, at Mechanicsburg, this county.

Levi Bowen, his father, was born in Franklin county, of poor but respectable pa- rents, and for that reason was bound out, in his childhood, to the Crone family of Lewis- berry, remaining with them until he went to learn the smith trade with John Taylor, of Lower Allen township. His education was

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received in the district schools. When the Civil war broke out he enlisted in a Pennsyl- vania Reserve regiment and for four years bravely faced the dangers of a soldier's life. At the battle of White Oak Swamp he was wounded and carried off the field for dead. having laid over night and a part of the fol- lowing day unattended. His name appears on the soldiers' monument at Carlisle, as it was supposed he was among the unknown dead. However, he had been captured and carried to the terrible Andersonville prison, where, strange to tell, he recovered enough to be exchanged. He was welcomed at the home of John Taylor and remained with that good man until he finished his trade. In 1870 he married Martha Whistler, who was born in Fishing Creek Valley, York county, and when but a girl removed with her pa- rents to Cumberland county, where she grew up to estimable womanhood and married. After this event Mr. Bowen took charge of Mr. Taylor's shop and started business in Hakes shop, in Lower Allen township, and then worked in Mechanicsburg for a time, moving then to Slate Hill and later to New Market. Here ha was employed by the Pennsylvania Steel Co., but the work was too hard for a man wlio was still suffering from the cruel wound he had received, and he was obliged to give up this good position. Moving to Frogtown, he followed his trade there for three years. This was about the end of his work at his trade. In Fishing Creek Valley he worked by the day on farms for two years and then went to the Buttorf farm, in Fairview township, on which he re- mained twelve years. Then he bought a farm near Lisburn, which he has since been operating.

The children of Levi Bowen and his wife were as follows : Edward, a carpenter ; Ella,

wife of William Reed, of Fairview town- ship; Anna, wife of John Fetrow, of Fish- ing Creek Valley; Charles Raymond, men- tioned below; Joseph, a traveling man ; Roy. who died aged three years ; Lloyd, of Hakes mill; Myrtle. at home; William, with our subject and Clarence, at home.

Charles Raymond Bowen was quite small when his parents moved to New Mar- ket, York county. He was educated in the schools in the vicinity where his parents re- sided, in York county, and he can recall the name of his first teacher. Joseph Kaufman. His last one, when he was nineteen years old. was Kelcey Atticks. During the interval lie had acquired a good common school educa- tion and had learned many practical lessons not taught in the books. He assisted his father on the farm until after his marriage. and worked the following year on the home farm, managing the dairy business. Later he bought the dairy outfit from his father and has been in the milk business ever since. In 1901 he removed to New Cumberland, where he still carries on a dairy business. In 1902 he purchased a livery business, which he carries on advantageously along with the other. He is an energetic young man of business ability and is very highly regarded in New Cumberland.

On March 8, 1897, Mr. Bowen married Laura Smith, who was born in York county, daughter of George and Sarah (Eisen- hower) Smith, and they commenced house- keeping in Fairview township. They have now a pleasant comfortable home in New Cumberland, and have four children : Flor- ence, George, Paul and Maurice. In poli- tics Mr. Bowen is a Democrat. Fraternally. he is associated with the Jr. O. U. A. M. Both he and his wife belong to the U. B. Church.

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HERVEY W. WITMER, veterinary surgeon, is a well known resident of Ship- pensburg. Cumberland county, where he has practiced his profession with signal success since 1896. Dr. Witmer was born on a farm in Antrim township. Franklin Co., Pa., Nov. 16. 1861. son of John B. and Eliza (Van- darau ) Witmer.

The Witmer family is of German ex- traction, possibly also of Swiss, and the founders in America came to Pennsylvania long before the American Revolution. The paternal grandparents of our subject were Dr. John and Elizabeth ( Bear) Witmer, the former of whom practiced many years in Lancaster county. On the maternal side the grandfather, William Vandarau, was born in Lancaster county, removed with the early settlers, to Franklin county, there married and died.

John B. Witmer, father of our subject, was born in Lancaster county, near the city of Lancaster, and followed agricultural pur- suits all his life, and his wife was born on the old Vandarau homestead in Antrim town- ship. Franklin county, in 1822; she died May 12. 1893, survived by her husband one year. In politics he supported the Republican party. They had two children, namely : Ab- ner M., who resides on the old Witmer homestead; and Dr. Hervey W.

Dr. Hervey W. Witmer was reared a farmer boy, and he received his primary ed- ucation in the district schools. These limited advantages did not satisfy his ambition, however, and later he entered a school at Greencastle, where he was prepared to enter a private academy of local note, taught by Prof. Frederick Zigler. After leaving this school, he studied medicine with Dr. C. M. Strickler, of Greencastle, and in 1895 he was graduated from the great Veterinary Col- lege, at Toronto, Can. This institution has

graduates all over the world, who take a leading place in the profession. After grad- uation Dr. Witmer practiced for twelve months in association with Dr. C. M. Strick- ler, and in 1896 came to Shippensburg.

Dr. Witmer has become known through his skill all over Cumberland county, and his practice extends into other counties. In 1901 he erected his fine stable on South Rail- road street, with dimensions of 30x120 feet, two stories in height, fitted with two com- modious and comfortable offices, and with sanitary and appropriate stalls for his pa- tients. Dr. Witmer can confidently be con- . sulted on any matter connected with his pro- fession. His services have on many oc- casions saved the lives of valuable animals, and many of "our dumb friends" have re- ceived the relief to be obtained only through the skill and thorough knowledge of an able practitioner like Dr. Witmer.

In addition to being a leading member of his profession, Dr. Witmer is a most gen- ial, affable gentleman, talented and schol- arly, and one whose conversation is filled with matters of interest. He is a member of Shippensburg Lodge, No. 315, A. F. & A. MI., and of Greencastle Lodge, No. 228, I. O. O. F.

HENRY D. HIPPENSTEEL, the owner of a fine peach orchard containing 4500 peach trees, which yields him a hand- some income in a peach year, is also the pop- ular groceryman of Cleversburg, where he has been located for some years. The Hip- pensteel family is of German origin. John Hippensteel, the grandfather of Henry D., was born in Germany, and on emigrating to America he settled in Southampton town- ship, Cumberland county, where he became quite prosperous. He married Susannah Hippensteel.

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John Hippensteel, father of Henry D., was born in Southampton township, in 1796. He learned the carpenter's trade, and became one of the most skillful workmen in the county, building many of the best dwellings and barns. He died in 1870. His politics were Republican, and his views on religious subjects were quite liberal. He had an abiding faith in the brotherhood of man, and was quite charitable to the faults and mis- fortunes of others. He married Susan Quarterman, who was born in Southampton township in 1806, daughter of Valentine Quarterman, one of the pioneers, whose father emigrated from Ireland. She died in 1882, the mother of eleven children : Henry D .. Elizabeth, Nancy, John (deceased), Bar- bara, Isabella (who died in her tenth year), Caroline (deceased), Susan, William, Sa- rah, and one that died in infancy.

Henry D. Hippensteel, the youngest in the family of children born to John and Susan Hippensteel, was born near Franklin Furnace, in Franklin county, June 3. 1849. He attended a select school in Washington county, Md., and then, at the age of fourteen, he returned home, and assisted his father on the home farm, continuing under the par- ental roof until he was twenty-one years of age. After his marriage he located in Clev- ersburg, and there gave his attention to farming, and also to milling. He was de- termined to enter the business world, and to equip himself to that end he engaged for a time as a clerk for George Clever, of Clevers- burg. He carefully studied the methods of that successful business man, and thoroughly mastered all he could learn there. Then, embarking in the grocery business on his own account, he was prepared to meet all the exigencies of the business, and today is one of the prosperous merchants of his county. Having been brought up on a farm, he has

not entirely abandoned agricultural pursuits, but has a choice farm of thirty-four acres, a portion of which is devoted to his very fine peach orchard in which he takes a pardonable pride. He was for nine years the assistant postmaster at Cleversburg, but the establish- ment of the rural free delivery system caused that office to be abandoned.

· On Nov. 3. 1871, Mr. Hippensteel mar- ried Anna Mixell, daughter of Squire John Mixell, of Franklin county. Both Mr. Hip- pensteel and his wife are members of the United Evangelical Church and active in its work. For the past twenty-five years he has served as class leader, and for twenty years has been superintendent of the Sunday School, the length of his service being a mute testimony not only of his ability, but of his Christian character and general manliness.

SAMUEL E. BRENNEMAN was born on his father's farm in Middlesex township Nov. 4. 1848, and since attaining manhood has continued to make that locality his home. His father, Isaac Brenneman, was born in Lancaster county, about 1820, and was a farmer during his earlier life, but the last twenty years of his life lived retired in Car- lisle, though he always retained some busi- ness interests, and was a director in the Farmers' Bank at Carlisle. In his politics he was first a Whig and then a Republican, af- ter the foundation of the latter party. His death occurred in 1895.

Samuel E. Brenneman was reared on his father's farm. and was educated in the country schools. When he grew up he adopted the occupation of truck farming, and settled on the place of eighteen acres on which he still lives. He was married in 1876 to Miss Emma Heagy, who was born in the village of Mid- dlesex. July 20, 1855. They have had five

CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

children, as follows: Frank, who married Miss Catherine Zearing, has one daughter, Marion, and resides in West Virginia; Wil- liam H., who died April 2, 1900. aged twenty-one: Robert C., who married Miss Pearl Hall, has two children. Emma H., and Lucile, and lives in Middlesex ; and Roy and Albert. at home.

Mrs. Emma H. Brenneman is the daugh- ter of William and Sarah A. (Spousler) Heagy. The father, born in Middlesex vil- lage. July 27, 1820, son of John Heagy, was a farmer and carpenter by occupation and he died Dec. 1, 1898. The mother was born in Carlisle. Jan. 25. 1821, and died Sept. 12, 1877. Of their six children, Mrs. Brenne- man was the youngest.

Mr. Brenneman, as well as his wife, is a member of the United Brethren Church, is a trustee in it and an active worker. Polit- ically, he is a Republican. He is a man thor- oughly upright and conscientious, and has the respect of his neighbors.

WILLIAM C. DRAGER, postmaster at Boiling Springs, Cumberland county, is a native of Churchtown, this county, born in 1864. He is a son of Conrad and Charlotte (Zinn) Drager, the former of whom died in 1891, aged sixty-nine years. The mother is now aged seventy-two years. Conrad Drager was a native of Nienburg. Hanover, Germany, and spent his boyhood in that country, receiving a liberal education. He learned the trade of tailoring, and traveled over the greater portion of Germany, and then, animated by a desire to see the New World of which he had heard so much, he came to America, landing at Baltimore, Md. There he remained for a time, possibly two years, when he removed to Churchtown, Cumberland county, where he met his wife. During the time he was a resident of Church-

town he conducted a tailoring establishment, and in 1873 he came to Boiling Springs, here following the same line of business until about ISSS, when he turned the establish- ment over to his son William. In politics Conrad Drager was a stanch Republican. In religious matters he was a consistent mem- ber of the Lutheran Church from the time he was fourteen years of age. Of the chil- dren born to himself and wife, two lived to maturity, William C. and Nettie, the latter the wife of John C. Spera, of Decatur, Illinois.

William C. Drager was reared in his na- tive place until the family moved to Boiling Springs, was educated in the public schools, and learned his trade from his father. When the latter failed in health William took charge of the business, as before stated. He carries on a gen- eral tailoring establishment, and is one of the most prominent men in his line in the town. In politics he is an ardent Republi- can, and in 18SS he served as a member of the Republican county central committee, also holding the office on various occasions since. and has been a delegate to town and county conventions several times. In 1898 he was appointed postmaster of Boiling Springs. Fraternally, he is a member of Car- lisle Lodge, No. 91, I. O. O. F. In every re- lation of life Mr. Drager has proved himself an honorable, upright, spirited man, and the people of his community have the most ex- plicit trust and confidence in him and his ability.

NATHAN F. REED, one of the well- known citizens of Lower Allen township, Cumberland county, who since 1889 has been engaged in business at New Cumber- land, is one of the successful self-made men of his locality.

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Mr. Reed was born Dec. 6, 1858, in Fair- view township, York county, and attended school until the age of seventeen, working on his father's farm during vacation. At the age of twenty-one he left home and came to New Cumberland, and was employed for nine years at the Pennsylvania Steel Works. In 1889 he embarked in a coal business in this place, and later added fertilizers, cement, tiling and sewer pipe. The business so es- tablished, by his energy and enterprise. has been continued until the present, and is now one of the leading concerns of the place.

James L. Reed, the father of Nathan F., was born in New Jersey, learned the shoe trade, and later came to York county. Pa. He married Margaret Parker, of York, York county, and after marriage located in Fairview township, where he engaged in farming until his death, in 1890, at the age of seventy-two years. His widow still sur- vives, aged eighty years. In religious con- nection they belong to the United Brethren Church. In politics he was a Republican. The children of James L. Reed and his wife were: Emily Jane, who is Mrs. Henry .Handshaw, of Dauphin county ; Eliza, Mrs. John Holmes, of Harrisburg; Mary. Mrs. Abraham Simmers, of Harrisburg : Jane. de- ceased : Albert, a resident of Michigan : Na- than F., of this sketch; Leah, Mrs. John Walker, of Harrisburg, deceased; and Wil- liam, who married Ella Bowen, a resident of York county. The maternal grandfather of this family, was a patriot soldier in 1776.

Nathan F. Reed was married at New Cumberland, to Elizabeth Smaling. daugh- ter of Henry and Anne ( Peters) Smaling, both of whom are deceased. Both Mr. and Mrs. Reed are valued members of the U. B. Church, in which he is a trustee. In politics he is identified with the Republican party. and he is now serving his second year as a

member of the borough council. In 1900 he erected a beautiful home in this city, and he and wife are very hospitable entertainers.

ELIAS HARTMAN, a wealthy farmer of Middlesex township, is descended from a family that settled first in Montgomery county, Pa., but in later generations lived in Lancaster, and then in Cumberland counties. Elias Hartman was born in Lan- caster county, Sept. 21, 1834.

The paternal grandfather of Elias Hart- man was a farmer in York or Lancaster county, and after his death his widow mar- ried a Mr. Peters.

Christian Hartman, father of Elias, was born on the farm in Lancaster county in 1800, was married there to Miss Anna Gantz, a native of the same county, and re- mained there until 1837. He worked at carpentering and teaming, making trips to Philadelphia, but after removing to Cum- berland county, he settled on a farm and de- voted his attention to agriculture till 1863, when he retired from active life, and made his home in New Kingstown, where he died in 1877. He had lost his wife many years be- fore in 1861, while he was still living on the farm. They are interred in Longdorf's cem- etery at New Kingstown. Mr. Hartman had been reared in the German Lutheran faith, but as there was no church of that denom- ination in Middlesex township, both he and his wife joined the Lutheran Church, after going to Cumberland county. Politically, he was a stanch Democrat, and served many years in various township offices. There were five children in the family, the first four born in Lancaster county, namely: Eliza- beth, who married Samuel Voglesong, and died in Silver Spring township in 1892; Anna, the wife of William P. Eckles, of New Kingstown; Elias; Catherine, who died

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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 54

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