Biographical annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settled families, Part 55

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 55

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CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

in 1856, at the age of twenty-one ; and Susan who died unmarried.

Elias Hartman was only two and a half years old when his parents settled in Middle- sex, so that practically his whole life has been passed there. As a boy he attended school in the old Hocker school-house, his first teacher being William Kent, but most of his time was needed on the farm, and he could drive a furrow when only ten years old, and at fifteen he could do a man's work at cradling. Mr. Hartman has never left the family homestead, but at his marriage brought his wife home, and after his father's retirement and death, he naturally remained at the head of affairs. He has added some improvements to the place, and in addition to that farm of 120 acres, has acquired an ad- joining tract of 100 acres, and another of 126 acres in South Middletown township.

On Christmas Day, 1862, Mr. Hartman was married to Catherine Musser, who was born in Silver Spring township, Oct. 8, 1841. They have had five children, namely : Annie Elizabeth, the late wife of George B. Otto; Mary Jane, Mrs. Edward W. Herman, of New Kingstown: John C., who died in in -. fancy; and Bertha Ellen and Viola Cather- ine, both unmarried. Mrs. Hartman was a (laughter of Jolin and Elizabeth ( Eckert ) Musser. and granddaughter of Jacob Musser. Jacob Musser married a Miss Margaret Frye, and with his wife and family moved from York county, where he had owned a fishery along the river. to Silver Spring township. Cum-

berland county, about 1832. John Musser was born in 1813. He enjoyed few educa- tional advantages and most of his time was employed in work about the farm, but during the winters he was at times engaged in knit- ting seines for fishing. At the age of nine- teen he married, and shortly after. accom-

panied his father, when the latter removed to Cumberland county. His death occurred in Hogestown. Pa., in May. 1901, at the age of eighty-eight. Their children were : Jacob and Henry, deceased ; Catherine, Mrs. Hart- man; Joseph, of Hogestown.

Elias Hartman is a Democrat in his po- litical sentiments. His chief interest in pub- lic matters is in educational work, and for the past twelve years he has served as one of the school directors. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and a man who en- joys the respect of all who know him.

JACOB W. WITMER (deceased), a lifelong resident of Middlesex township. Cumberland county, was born there Feb. 23. 1815, son of Joseph and Catherine ( Eberly) Witmer. The former, one of the old settlers of the township, lived and died on the farm which was his home for so many years.

Jacob W. Witmer was given a good education, and when old enough to begin life on his own account received a little help from his father in establishing himself. from which modest beginning he worked his way steadily to the possession of a fortune. He married. May 17, 1842, Miss Hannah Sense- man, who was born in Lancaster county, Aug. 11, 1819, daughter of John and Han- nah ( Brenizer) Senseman, the former a miller of Lancaster county; in 1820 he re- moved to Cumberland county, settling near Kingston, and for the rest of his life was engaged in farming. Mr. Senseman was buried on his eightieth birthday, while his wife lived to be eighty-three years old. Four children came to Mr. and Mrs. Witmer. namely : Catherine Hannah, born June 24. 1843. became the wife of J. S. Zearing, of Middlesex township, and died February 2. 1881 : John Adam, born April 25, 1845, and Mary Rebecca, born Oct. 23, 1847, both died

JACOB W. WITMER.

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in infancy; Robert Samuel, born Dec. (, 1850, was one of the prominent citizens of the county and died May 21, 1898. They also took into their family Tena Pope. then a child of eight years, whom they brought up like their own daughter. Her parents both died in Baltimore, and when, soon after. she was brought to Pennsylvania by an Evan- gelical preacher, Mr. Boas, Mr. and Mrs. Witmer offered to give her a home. She has remained in the family ever since, a source of comfort and support in sickness, old age and time of death. Miss Pope is a member of the Evangelical Church.

After his marriage Mr. Witmer settled on a farm near Shippensburg and lived there for thirteen years. He then spent one year on the old Hettrick farm, near the village of Middlesex, and. following that, . located on the farm where he was living at the time of his death. In 1861 Mr. Witmer abandoned the active work of farming for a year, and during that time lived in Carlisle, but after this brief interlude he resumed his former work and spent eight years operating a farm owned by his wife. Meantime he built the handsome family mansion which now adorns his own place, and in 1870, on its comple- tion, took up his residence there. His death occurred four years later, Nov. 15, 1874. Mrs. Witmer is still living, and though now at the advanced age of eighty-five, is re- markably well preserved and able to enjoy life.

Mr. Witmer was an earnest Republican in his political views, but never an active politician, although he always displayed an intelligent interest in public questions and was ever ready to do his part in advancing the community's interests. He was a de- vout Christian, a member of the Lutheran Church of Carlisle, and not only took a prominent part personally in its work, but

also contributed generously toward its sup- port. In all ways he was a prominent man in the township, and was widely known and respected.

MATTHEW KLING, whose entire life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits, is a native of the Keystone State, born on a farm in Perry county, Dec. 24. 1844, son of Moses Kling, also a native of Pennsylvania, of German descent.

Jacob Kling, his grandfather, was born in Lancaster, Pa., whence he moved to Per- ry county, where he passed the remainder of his days. He was on Old Line Whig, in his political views, but later became a Repub- lican. His wife was a member of the Bear Family. and they reared a large family of children, of whom are still living, John; Henry. a retired farmer ; and Jacob, of near Shippensburg .

Moses Kling was born in Lancaster, Pa., and moved with his parents to Perry county, where he afterward engaged in farming. His death occurred in 1894, at the age of eighty-eight. He married Julia Brinley. and became the father of eight boys and five girls. all of whom grew to maturity ; Joseph, of Carlisle : Margaret, wife of John Shaffer. of Mount Union, Pa. ; Jacob, of Cumberland county: Noah, of Nebraska : John, of Kan- sas; Henry, of Harrisburg, Pa .; David, of Middletown, Pa .; Matthew: Catherine. widow of Levi Failor, of Carlisle: Anna. who married George Koser. and lives in Ohio; Ada, wife of David Sanders, of Lan- caster; Julia, who is married and lives in Ohio; and Zachariah, who died in Carlisle. Moses Kling was a Republican in politic- and in 1855-56 he held the office of super- visor.

Matthew Kling received his education in the schools of Perry county, attending dur-

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ing the winter months until he was sixteen years old. He assisted his father on the home farm until he was twenty-five years old, when he married and settled on the farm in Southampton township, Cumber- land county, known as the old John T. Smith farm. There are fifty-one acres in that tract, improved with a good house and the necessary outbuildings. Mr. Kling has been a farmer all his life, and has thoroughly mastered his calling. He is up-to-date and progressive, and his well-cultivated fields are the result of his systematic care and in- dustry.

Matthew Kling was united in marriage with Miss Martha Swartz, daughter of Jos- eph and Susanna Swartz, born in Cumher- land county, near Newburg. Eight children have blessed this union: Anna, deceased ; William. a farmer : Joseph, a farmer ; Bertie, wife of Kyner Myers; Lizzie, who married E. M. Farner : and Charlie H., Floyd R. and Nellie, all at home. Mr. Kling is a Republi- can, but in no sense is he a politician. He is universally respected. and has many friends among his neighbors who know him so well.

WILLIAM A. LINE, a retired farmer . of Penn township. Cumberland county, now residing at Centerville, in that township, come, of a family which has long been ident- ified with Cumberland county and whose members have ever ranked among her most substantial citizens,

Mr. Line is a great-great-grandson of George Line, and a great-grandson of David Line, who was born June 10, 1753, in Lea- cock township. Lancaster Co., Pa., and was a blacksmith by occupation. His family con- sisted of six children : Eliza ( Mrs. Harris), Sallie ( Mrs. Mackey), Levina ( Mrs. Lutz ), Mamie, Levi and Daniel.

Daniel Line, Sr., the grandfather of Wil-

liam A., came to Cumberland county in an early day, and made a permanent home at Hogestown, in Silver Spring township, where he followed farming.

Daniel Line, Jr., father of William A., was born at Hogestown, Silver Spring town- ship, April 1, 1822. He grew to manhood in his native place, received a common-school education, and learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for about fifteen years. He then engaged in farming, being located for a time near Shippensburg, and later for a time on a place a half mile east of that place. There he passed the remainder of his days, and died in February, 1891. Mr. Line was married to Miss Hannah Al- len, daughter of Americus and Rachel (Swigert) Allen, of Cumberland county, and four children blessed this union, namely : Abigail, who died at Shippensburg when thirty-two years old ; Levi, now a resident of West Virginia, who married Miss Lucy Bingham; William A .; and John C., who died young. The mother of this family passed away in October, 1903, at Shippens- burg.

William A. Line was born in 1849 at Shippensburg, and there received his educa- tion. He worked for his father until his marriage, after which he located at his pres- ent home in Centerville, where he has ever since resided. Farming has been his prin- cipal occupation in life, and he still owns a fine farm in Penn township, which he him- self cultivated for about sixteen years. He is regarded as an excellent business manager, and is respected by all who have come in con- tact with him for his uprightness of char- acter. He has never cared for public hon- ors, or sought them, though he has served one term as township auditor.

In 1870 Mr. Line was united in marriage with Miss Mary Elizabeth Hawk, daughter

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of William and Mary A. (Ausbaugh) Hawk, of Ohio, later of Shippensburg, and to this union came one daughter, Margaret. who was born in 1872. She graduated at Shippensburg State Normal in 1889, and from Dickinson College in 1895, and is now the wife of Dr. George Heyde Krall, of Centerville. They have had three children : Elizabeth Line, born in 1896: Orena Eby. born in October, 1901 ; and William Line, who died in infancy. Dr. Krall is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Class of 1895. in both Medicine and Pharmacy, is a member of the Cumberland County Med- ical Society, and fraternally is a Knight Templar Mason, and a member of the Jr. O. U. A. M. Mrs. Krall is a member of Car- lisle Chapter, D. A. R.

Mr. and Mrs. William A. Line are mem- bers of the Centerville Lutheran Church. He is a Democrat in political faith, and has al- ways been active in the local work of the party. Fraternally, he is a member of Car- lisle Lodge, No. 110, G. E.

DAVID M. MARTIN, a substantial farmer of Middlesex township, Cumberland county, was born June 22, 1853, in that township, a son of Jacob and Mary ( Mohler) Martin. He is of Welsh and, German ex- traction.

David Martin, grandfather of David M., was born in Lancaster county, Pa., and there married Fanny Rutt, of West Donegal town- ship. They removed to Middlesex town- ship. Cumberland county, where Mrs. Mar- tin died, and in 1836 he moved to North Middleton township, dying two years later. His children were as follows: Joseph, who died in Franklin county; David, who died at Carlisle; Mary, Mrs. Abraham Goodyear, who died at Boiling Springs; Jacob, father of David M .; Fanny, Mrs. Daughterty, who

died in Lancaster county; Barbara, Mrs. Martin Ebersole, who died in Lancaster county ; Levi, who died in the West ; Ange- line, Mrs. Daughterty; and Annie, Mrs. Ebersole, living in Illinois.

Jacob Martin was born Oct. 15, 1821, in Lancaster county, and first attended a sub- scription school conducted by a local teacher in a vacant house across the line in Dauphin county. Later, when about thirteen years old, he attended the free school in Cumber- land county, which was the beginning of the great common school system. This, like every innovation, had its opponents in those early days, but public sentiment was with the movement and it eventually became 2. great success.

In March, 1846, Jacob Martin married Mary Mohler, daughter of Jacob Mohler, and the following children were born to them: William, of Middlesex township; Annie, Mrs. Levi Beck, of Cumberland county; Samuel, who went to Chicago, where he had the contract for lighting the streets in the days of the use of oil, later going to Texas; David M., of this sketch; Sadie, Mrs. Wesley Glatfelter, of Middlesex township ; Mary, Mrs. Frank Nace, of Mid- dlesex township: John, of Lancaster, who married Dora Bombarger : George Washing- ton, of this township, who married Susan Ensminger ; Ida, Mrs. Harry Bucher, of Sil- ver Spring township; and Emerson, of Lo- gansport. Ind., married to Alta Batt.

After his marriage Jacob Martin lived in South Middleton township until 1850, and then removed to Middlesex township and followed cabinet-making, carpenter- ing and other occupations until 1856, when he bought his present home, on which he has resided ever since. It is one of the most productive in the township, noted for its fine vegetables, Mr. Martin being the first farmer

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in this section to raise fruits and vegetables for the Carlisle market. In politics Mr. Martin was early a strong Whig, later be- coming just as closely affiliated with the Republican party. He is one of the vener- able and most highly considered men of Mid- dlesex township.

David M. Martin was reared in Middle- sex township and attended the district schools. In the fall of 1872 he became ap- prenticed to the blacksmith trade, with John Buttorf. of Middlesex township, and after serving three years remained as Mr. But- torf's assistant for five years more. In 1880 he opened a shop of his own on the Middle- sex pike road. in the lower part of the town- ship. which proved so good a stand that he remained there for the succeeding eighteen years. Mr. Martin was a skilled workman and did all kinds of work in his line that drifted his way, nothing in the shape of bolts, bars, tires or horseshoeing being beyond his skill. In 1901 he gave up shop work and lo- cated on his present fine farm of 153 acres, where he carries on general farming, meet- ing with deserved success.

On Nov. 20, 1879. Mr. Martin was united in marriage in Silver Spring town- ship with Lizzie Crozier, who was born Oct. 12, 1857, daughter of Armstrong and Mary Jane ( Updegraff ) Crozier, both of whom were born in Perry county, Pa., where they died before Mrs. Martin was ten years old. She then came to Dickinson township to live with her uncle, William Crozier, who at that time kept what was known as the "Stone Tavern," on the Bottom road. She remained there, a member of his household, for two years, and then went back to Perry county for two years more, and then came to Mid- dlesex township after her marriage. A family of nine children has been born to this 1111011, all ranking among the most intelli-

gent people of this locality, being well and favorably known in church and social circles : Frank A. (a school teacher), Charles Ed- gar (deceased). Raymond Crozier, Chester James, Cora Myrtle, Ruth May, J. Earl, Mary Susannah and Paul W.

In politics Mr. Martin is identified with the Republican party. Mrs. Martin is a valned member of the Evangelical Church, which Mr. Martin also attends and liberally supports. He is known all over the township and, like his father, enjoys the esteem of all who know him, many of his best friends having watched his industrious career from boyhood.

DELANCE Y. LENHART, a promi- nent hardware merchant at New Cumber- land, Cumberland county, was born Aug. I. 1878. in Hanover. York county, Pa., son of George H. Lenhart.

George H. Lenhart was born at Harris- burg and for many years was agent for the Adams Express Company at Middletown, Dauphin county. He removed his family at a later date to Hanover where he was agent for Chase's nursery stock, of Philadelphia. He died in 1886, aged sixty-one years. Dur- ing the Civil war he served three months as sergeant of Company K. 4th P. V. I. In politics he was a Republican, and in relig- jous faith he was a Methodist. He married a daughter of Peter Sanders, the patentee of Sanders' crimping machine, used in the man- ufacture of shoes, who was a man well known in the vicinity of Harrisburg. At the time of his death he was the oldest mem- ber of Capital City Lodge, I. O. O. F. He was a native of Lancaster county. His nephew, Hon. Dalvin Sanders, was chair- man of the Lancaster county Democracy and was elected to the Legislature. He now re- sides at Landisville, Lancaster county. Mrs.

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Lenhart died at Freeland, Md., while on a visit to a daughter. Mrs. Robert F. Swartz, March 28, 1901. The children of George H. Lenhart and his wife were: George S .. a newspaper man, correspondent for six of the leading New York and Philadelphia journals at Atlantic City, married ( first) Helen Mclaughlin and ( second) Lillie Powell: Harry S., of York, city editor of the York Dispatch, married Vira Cherry, of Springfield, Ohio: Horace A .. a merchant at Middletown, married Carrie Daugherty ; Bessie F. is Mrs. Robert F. Swartz, of Emigsville. Pa .: Carrie S. is Mrs. George M. Mathias, of Marysville, Pa .; DeLance Y. is mentioned below : Walter H. is in the Pennsylvania Steel Works.

DeLance Y. Lenhart first attended the public schools at Hanover, but after his father's death his mother removed to New Cumberland, where he completed his educa- tion at the age of fourteen years, or rather his youthful attendance at school ended. Dependent largely upon his own resources, he then learned the tinning and slating trade, serving three years. His active mind, how- ever, led him into literary work, and he be- came a reporter for the Harrisburg News and the Commonwealth, remaining in this connection three years. He then bought the tinning business and hardware store of his brother, in 1899, in New Cumberland, and has since carried on the business.

In New Cumberland, in 1898, Mr. Len- hart married Clara W. Ross, of New Cum- berland, daughter of the late George and Maria Hall (Neff ) Ross. They have two children. Marian and Dorothy. In politics he is a Republican. In religious belief he is a Methodist. His fraternal con- nections are with the Knights of Malta and the Jr. O. U. A. M., and he is also a member of the Daughters of Liberty.

PHILIP BRECHBILL, one of the rep resentative citizens of Boiling Springs, was born in that village Dec. 19, 1867, son of Henry E. and Martha J. ( Brandt) Brech- bill.

Henry E. Brechbill was born April 30, 1836. and died Nov. 1, 1889. He was the son of Philip and Clarissa (Gitt) Brechbill, and he was born, reared and spent his life in Boiling Springs with the exception of a few years when as a young man he was in Balti- more and Virginia. He farmed and oper- ated the old Brechbill flouring mill for many years, and then retired to the old homestead at Boiling Springs, on the corner of Front and First streets where his son Philip now resides. This house is the second built in the village. and was erected by Frederick Brechbill, the great-grandfather of our sub- ject. In this old home, the grandfather, the father and our subject were born. After his retirement, Henry E. Brechbill superin- tended the conduct of his farms, which lie adjoining the village, which are now the property of his son. The property is very valuable and consists of ninety acres of fine farming land. Henry E. Brechbill was one of the most ardent supporters of the Luth- eran Church of Boiling Springs. He was ever found ready to give of his time and money to help the needy, and to advance the best interests of the community and the church. For years he was one of the hon- ored officials of the Lutheran Church, and his loss was deeply mourned by all who knew him.

On May 22, 1866, Henry E. Brechbill married Miss Martha J. Brandt, who was born Ang. 3. 1842, a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Williams) Brandt, of Monroe town- ship. Two children were born to this mar- riage: Philip; and Mary E., born Aug. 16, 1869, who was graduated from the semi-

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nary at Hagerstown. MId., a most accom- plished and lovely young lady. and died Ang. 7. 1890.

Philip Brechbill was educated in the pub- lic schools of his village. as well as the select schools, and assisted his father until the lat- ter's death, when he took charge of the farm, and has been operating it ever since. In 1902. he remodeled and improved the home- stead and grounds, making his home one of the most pleasant and comfortable in the village. He is one of the public-spirited young men of this portion of the county- progressive. ambitious and talented.

On Oct. 25, 1895. Mr. Brechbill was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Cath- erine Good, daughter of John and Catherine ( Ebersole ) Good. of Monroe township. this county, formerly of Lancaster county. They have no children of their own, but are rear- ing Donald Thornburgh Good. an orphaned nephew. Mr. and Mrs. Brechbill are consist- ent members of the Lutheran Church, in which they are deservedly popular.

EDWARD HIGHLANDS, one of the progressive and prosperous farmers of Cum- berland county, whose foresight and energy have enabled him to acquire large landed possessions, is a representative of one of the old Cumberland county families. His great- grandfather Highlands, was a native of Ire- land, and on emigrating to America, pur- chased land of the government.

William Highlands, son of the emigrant, was one of the pioneers, and at one time owned a large amount of land. He married a Miss Peoples.

James Highlands, son of William and father of Edward, was born on the old High- lands homestead in Southampton township in 1822, and died Nov. 15, 1880. He was a prosperous farmer, and was known as a

man of inflexible will and great force of character, as well as of the strictest integrity. He married Mary Stough, who was born in Southampton township, on what is known as the George Koser farm. She died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. George Koser, in Shippensburg, in March of 1904. She was sincerely beloved for her womanly quali- ties. Nine children were born to James and Mary Highlands, all of whom lived to ma- ture years : Margaret, now deceased. was the wife of Conrad Clever; Jane is Mrs. George Mower; Susan, deceased, married George Cope : Belle died at the age of sixteen : Ann married John Cope, and resides in Missouri ; Emma F. married George Koser, of Ship- pensburg : Catherine is the wife of Gilbert Beattie, a successful farmer of Southampton township; Edward: and Harvey died in 1890.

Edward Highlands received his educa- tion in the Hippensteel school house, and was brought up to a thorough understanding of the duties of an agriculturist. He remained at home until his twenty-fifth year, when he rented a farm in Southampton township. until September, 1881, remaining from 1876 to 1880 on his father's farm. He then bought out the Peter Rebuck farm, which comprised fifty-six acres, and which has a bank barn fifty-six feet long; he also has a farm of 120 acres given him by his father. Mr. Highlands has been particularly suc- cessful as a wheat grower, some years har- vesting 1,600 to 2,000 bushels. Hay-grow- ing is also one of his specialties, he baling as high as 150 tons annually. He has added to his landed possessions, and owns now a number of farms, among which may be men- tioned the old Mansion farm, which was first taken up and improved by his great- grandfather. It has 120 acres of richly cul- tivated land, and is managed by his son,

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Lorin. Mr. Highlands also owns the Michael Hale farm of 101 acres, all joining, thus securing over 400 acres in one tract. Success has attended all his efforts, and he has apparently the marvelous ability to turn everything he touches into money. Pos- sessed of unlimited energy and business acu- men, his wisdom and foresight have won him more than a competence. While his per- sonal affairs have consumed his entire time, he is a stanch Democrat, content, however, to be but a worker in the ranks. He is an earnest advocate of good schools, and has given his children a liberal education. In disposition he is jovial and affable, and prosperity has not lessened his friendliness to all the world.

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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 55

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