Biographical annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settled families, Part 65

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 65

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Mr. and Mrs. Weakley are the parents of two children, Esther E. and William King. The parents are members of the Presbyterian Church at Shippensburg. In politics, Mr. Weakley is a zealous Republi- can, and takes considerable interest in town, county and State political affairs.

JOHN H. KRUGER. The ancestral record of the family of Mr. Kruger is traced back to the grandfather, who with his son, John M. Kruger, was born in Germany. Upon their arrival in this country, they set- tled in Cumberland county. Pa., above Car- lisle, but afterwards moved to Clinton coun- ty. Ill. On the maternal side, John H. Kruger is descended from the Leidigh fan- ily, one of the oldest settled families of Cum- berland county.

John M. Kruger was born in Germany in 1812, and after a life devoted to farming, died Aug. 23, 1897, at the age of eighty-five years. His wife, Sarah Leidigh, was born in 1825, and died at the age of seventy-three years. These parents had the following chil- dren : Elizabeth married Jacob Haldeman, and resides in Kansas : Ira married Amanda Baker, and is engaged in a coal and grain business at Carlisle: Emma married Daniel Wagner, and lives at Dayton, Ohio; Calvin married Lavina Herr, and is overseer in the car department at Dayton, Ohio; Mar- garet married Martin Brubaker, and lives in Kansas; Jacob married Fannie Brenner, and is a contractor at Abilene, Kansas ; Clarence F. is deceased; Harvey married Annie Spahr, and resides at Carlisle, Pa., where he is an engineer on the Cumberland Valley Railroad ; John H. : and twins died in infancy.

John H. Kruger was born near the Stone Tavern, seven miles from Carlisle, Nov. 12, 1850. He received his education in Monroe

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township, and after completing his school course, began farming. For seventeen years he operated the Eberly farm on shares, and for three years was connected in the same manner with the Myers farm. In the year of 1873. he went to Clinton, Ill., and farmed for four years. His present farm of thirty acres, he bought in 1900, purchasing it from the estate of Levi Miller, deceased.

In 1872, Mr. Kruger married Anna Keeny, of Cumberland county, who is de- scended from the Keeny family of Lancas- ter county, which comes of old English stock, and is numbered among the earliest settlers of Lancaster county. Mr. and Mrs. Kruger have children as follows: Ida, who married Henry Meals, a farmer ; Cora, liv- ing at home; Mervin. telegraph operator on the Philadelphia & Reading railroad; and Blanche. at home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Kru- ger are very well and favorably known in their community, where he is recognized as one of the most prosperous and representa- tive farmers, and a thorough and successful business man. Mrs. Kruger is a member of the German Baptist Church.

JAMES A. DAVIDSON is the oldest of his generation of this family now living, and is one of the most esteemed citizens of West Pennsboro township, where he has passed all his life. He was born July II, 1827, on the place where he still resides, son of Alexander Davidson and grandson of John Davidson. Alexander Davidson was also a native and lifelong resident of Cum- berland county. He settled on a farm in the Kerrsville district, and became very pros- perous, owning five hundred acres of valua- ble farm land. In 1858 he retired from active labor, taking up his home in Newville, where he and his wife spent the remainder of their days in well-earned rest, Mr. David-

son passing away Oct. 19, 1865, at the age of seventy-eight years. and Mrs. Davidson on Aug. 19, 1879, when eighty-four years old. Their family consisted of eight chil- dren.

James A. Davidson was reared upon the home place, and received the greater part of his education in the common schools of the locality. After his marriage he settled on the old homestead, where he has remained ever since, though he retired from the active work of the farm some three years ago, and is now enjoying the accumulations of his years of industry. Though he gave proper attention to his business affairs he found time to serve his fellow citizens in various ca- pacities, and has filled the offices of school director and assessor in his township with acceptance to all concerned. He has also held other local offices. Mr. Davidson gives his support to the Republican party. He is wonderfully active and well preserved for one of his years. On Sept. 1, 1853, he mar- ried Nancy C. Nettle. daughter of William Nettle, of West Pennsboro township, and to them were born ten children, of whom seven reached maturity: Jane Ellen, the eldest, born in March, 1854, was married to a Mr. McKeehan, and had three children, James D., George E. and William O. She died at Mt. Rock, West Pennsboro township, at the age of fifty. Lacy Cordelia married Robert E. Glimm, of West Pennsboro town- ship. Mary Alice is the widow of David Paul, and is living with her parents. Nancy Merrette became the wife of Samuel Green, and is living in Plainfield. Cumberland coun- ty; they have two children, Lacy E. and Lina A. William Alexander, born in Feb- ruary, 1860, is at home on the farm. Annie Amelia is the wife of William Jauss, and lives at Harrisburg. Carrie Rebecca mar- ried J. W. Orr, and has one child, Helen P .;

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they live at Greason, Cumberland county. The mother of this family is beloved for her many Christian qualities, and shares the re- spect in which her husband has been held by friends and acquaintances alike for so many years.

WINFIELD SCOTT McGAW, a member of an old and honored family of Cumberland county, is now a resident of Hopewell township. He is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Gurrell) McGaw, whose other children were as follows: Sarah, who died at the age of twenty-one years in Mifflin township, and was buried at Newville; James, who learned the milling trade, and went to Dayton, Ohio, and later to Califor- nia by ox team, and was engaged in the dairy business, but is now retired; Isabella, who married Abraham Snyder, deceased, and she is living at Newburg ; Jane E., who married Alexander S. Koontz, and died in Plainfield, and buried near Newville; Mary, who married Jacob Cline, deceased, and she lives at Leesburg; John A., who married Mary Ellen McCrea, and died in Port Royal, Juniata county, where his family are still living : G. W., who married Lizzie Gill, and enlisted in the army, was captured and con- fined at Libby Prison, where he died ; Lewis C., who married Julia Carral, and lives in Kansas, being engaged in farming; Ellen, who married William Thumma, and died at Jacksonville.

For about fourteen years, after reaching his maturity, Winfield S. McGaw conducted the stage business, but bought the "Ex- change Hotel" at Newburg in 1888, and has conducted it ever since, it being the only hotel in the borough.

In 1862 Winfield Scott McGaw was .married to Miss Sarah A. Sterick, and their children were: D S. married Sadie Moler,

and is engaged in business at Waynesboro; Minnie B. is at home; Thomas Edward died at the age of two years; Frank L. died at the age of eighteen years of typhoid fever ; J. C. is at home; Mabel G. married J. C. Basehore. Mr. McGaw resides in Hope- well township, and is very active in the Dem- ocratic party of that locality. For many years he has been recognized as a solid and leading man of his township, and has many friends here and throughout the county.

ALFRED C. KOSER, proprietor of the City Meat Market at Mechanicsburg, and an extensive dealer in live stock, is a worthy representative of one of the old and promi- nent families of Cumberland county. Mr. Koser was born May 12, 1847, at Mechan- icsburg, son of John and Sarah ( Rocka- fellow) Koser.

John Koser was born at Mifflin, Pa., and until the outbreak of the Civil war, engaged in butchering at Mechanicsburg. He was one of the first of the loyal men to shoulder his musket and go to the defense of his coun- try, enlisting in the spring of 1861, in Capt. Dasheimer's infantry company, serving three months. He then re-enlisted as sergeant of Company C. 9th Pa. Vol. Cavalry, and after passing safely through many battles, was killed in the summer of 1863, at Murfrees- boro, Tenn., leaving his widow and four children.

Alfred C. Koser was but fifteen years of age when his father fell a victim to the for- tunes of war. Determined to avenge his father's death and to defend his country's flag, the youth sought an opportunity to en- list and did so in Company D, 20th Pa. Cav- alry, for six months' service. At the expira- tion of his term of enlistment, he re-enlisted in Company A., 20th Pa. Cavalry, and made so good an impression that he was very soon

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promoted, and gave his service until the close of the war. His record is one which deserves repetition in a work of this kind : Private, Company C. 20th Pa. Cavalry, 18Ist Pa. Vols., enlisted as second lieutenant, Jan. 28. 1864, enlisted at age of 15 years ; transferred to Company A; promoted to be corporal and commissary sergeant. Service : Assigned to Ist Brigade, 2d Division, 8th Corps. March 20. 1864; engaged at New- market, Va., May 15: Harrisonburg, June 4: Piedmont. June 5 : Buffalo Gap, June 6: Staunton, June 10: Midway. June 11 ; Rose Mills. June 12 : Cedar Creek, June 12 ; Lex- ington, June 13; New Glasgow, June 14; Otter Creek, June 16: Quaker Church, June 17: Lynchburg, June 18 and 19; Liber- ty. June 20; Salem. June 21. He was then detailed in charge of order- lies at Harper's Ferry from July 3 and July 18; at Ashby's Gap, July 19-21; Winchester, July 20; Kernstown, July 23-24; Martinsburg, July 25-26. Second Brigade, First Cavalry Division, Aug. 7; Berryville Pike, Aug. 10; Fisher's Hill, Aug. 15 ; Front Royal, Aug. 16; Berry- ville, Aug. 21; Sept. 3-4, Smithfield ; Aug. 25-26-29. Winchester; Sept. 19, Fishers Hill: Sept. 22, Luray Valley; Sept. 24. Brown Gap; Sept. 26, Waynesboro : Oct. 2, Tom's Brook; Oct. 8-9, Cedar Creek; Oct. 19, Ninevah; Nov. 12, Rood's Hill; Nov. 22. Somerset ; Dec. 21, Gordonville ; Dec. 23, Waynesboro; Feb. 28, 1865, White House; March 27, Stony Creek; March 30, Din- widdie Court House; March 31. Hatcher's Run; March 31. Five Forks : April I, South Side R. R. ; April 4-5, Harper's Farm ; April 6. Amelia Court House and Sailor's Creek ; April 7, Appomattox Station; April 8-9, Appomattox Courthouse. His first term of service was for six months, and he then · re-enlisted for the war. That he escaped in-

jury while taking part in so many engage- ments, is little less than miraculous, espe- cially as he had two horses shot from under him.

After the close of the war in which he `had taken so active a part, Mr. Koser re- turned to Mechanicsburg, and looked about for a good business stand. Finally he de- cided to establish himself in the butchering business, and with the small capital of fifty dollars, opened up a business, which, at pres- ent is one of the leading ones in this bor- ough. His energy and perseverance accom- plished much in a short time, and encouraged him to farther effort. At present Mr. Koser is a director in the Second National Bank of Mechanicsburg, and one of the substantial men of this part of the county.

In December, 1868, Mr. Koser married Annie M. Markley, born in Shiremanstown, Cumberland county, daughter of Henry and Susan ( Rodabaugh) Markley, who were natives of Lancaster county. One daughter was born to this union, Grace, who married Bryan Schroeder, of Mechanicsburg, and has one daughter, Annie. In politics Mr. Koser has always been a stanch Republican, and he has held local offices at various times, serving as councilman fifteen consecutive years in a Democratic ward. At present he is one of the directors of the Mechanicsburg Cemetery Association. He was active in the organization of the Col. H. I. Zinn Post, No. 415, G. A. R., of Mechanicsburg, of which he is past commander. Mr. Koser is highly respected for his many sterling traits of character, and he is also held in honor as a veteran of the Civil war.

WILLIAM H. WISE, of Lemoyne. Cumberland county, was born Nov. 12. 1843, in Kishacoquillas Valley, Mifflin coun- ty, Pa., a son of an old resident farmer of

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that locality. His education was obtained in his native place and he was reared to farm work.

In 1861 Mr. Wise was one of the first of that great army, of the very flower of the land. that responded to the President's call for defenders of the Union. enlisting for three months in Company D. 5th P. V. I. After serving out his time he came home and again engaged in farming. until 1863. when he re-enlisted, this time entering the 22d P. V. C .. for six months. At Chambersburg he was detailed to the United States Signal Corps, and located at Maryland Heights. performed the duties required of him, and was honorably discharged a second time, Feb. 5. 1864. Mr. Wise worked for a time at railroading. but as the war still continued he enlisted. for the third time. in Company A. IOIst P. V. I., and served until June 25, 1865, when he was mustered out at New- bern, N. C. He returned to railroading and was fireman on his old division when, in 1867. he was sent to Huntingdon, to take charge of the roundhouse there. In 1872 he began firing again, and on March 4, 1873, he was promoted to freight engineer on the same division, as a reward of his close at- tention to duty and fidelity to his employers. In 1879 he left the company and for a few months worked on the new postoffice build- ing at Harrisburg, and then went into the Altoona railway shops. In 1880 he went to Boiling Springs and ran an engine on the Harrisburg & Potomac, now the Reading, railroad. On March 14, 1887. he became connected with the roundhouse of the Cum- berland Valley railroad at White Hill. and was put in charge of the engine house March 25, 1890, a position he has held most effi- ciently ever since.

In 1865 Mr. Wise was married ( first ) to

Penelope A. Orner, daughter of William and Matilda Orner, the latter still surviving. Four children were born to this marriage: Maggie, Mrs. Duncan, of Columbus, Ohio ; Minnie C., Mrs. Keathley, of Altoona, Pa .; Harry, clerk of the "Brant Hotel," at Al- . toona; and Herbert, a railroad man. In 1882, at Boiling Springs, Mr. Wise was married (second) to Anna M. Scharf, daughter of Jacob Scharf; her mother died when she was quite young. The children of this marriage are: George H., Frank, Earl and Hazel, all at home.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Wise are consistent members of the Christian Church at Le- moyne, of which he is a trustee. Politically, he is identified with the Republican party. He belongs to the G. A. R., Post No. 58, Harrisburg, and takes a great interest in all that affects legislation in favor of the old heroes. For more than thirty years he has been a member of the fraternal order of the Brotherhood of Engineers.

Mr. Wise is a son of Samuel and Ann Eliza (Etter) Wise, the former of whom was born in Lancaster county, and was a shoemaker by trade. The latter was the daughter of Jacob Etter, who kept the "Block House Hotel," on Paxton street, . Harrisburg, and ran the ferry across the river before the building of bridges. Soon after his marriage Samuel Wise settled in Huntingdon county, where he followed his trade and farmed, and there his wife died in 1887. He passed away six years later. Their children were: Ada, Mrs. Metz, who removed to Ohio and died there; Miss Mary Jane; William H., of this sketch ; Ella, Mrs. Grimison, who lived and died in Hunting- don county; Annie, Mrs. Myers, deceased ; and Jerome and George, of Council Bluffs, Iowa.

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JOHN HOSFELD, contractor and builder and former proprietor of the Elec- tric Light, Heat and Power Company, of Shippensburg, now consolidated with the Gas Company, is one of the enterprising citi- zens of that city, where he was born Feb. 9. 1859, son of Casper and Frederica ( Heller) Hosfeld, both natives of Germany.

His parents emigrated to America and were married at Shippensburg. By trade the father was a shoemaker, and followed his calling for a number of years, but later turned his attention to farming, and died in 1890, being buried in Spring Hill cemetery. The mother is still living, making her home at Akron, Ohio. She was the mother of ten children, seven boys and three girls.

John Hosfeld was educated in the public schools of Shippensburg, and at the age of fifteen, was apprenticed to the shoemaker's trade, which he followed ten years, and then in a small way, became a contractor and builder. By energy and thrift he has worked up a large business, and has erected over 200 houses in and about Shippensburg, princi- pally in the south part of town. A number of the best business blocks in the city, etc., have been built by him. At present he is devoting his attention to the construction of public works, including dams, water works and sewers. After a time he purchased the Shippensburg Electric Light, Heat and Power Company, which was, as above stated, later consolidated with the Gas Com- pany of which he is president and prin- cipal stockholder, and the electric plant is operated under his direction. He has con- structed some of the factories at Shippens- burg, among which are the Lutz Pants Com- pany buildings, which company is one of the most important industrial concerns of the city.

In 1884, Mr. Hosfeld married Miss

Clara O. Martin, of Shippensburg. daughter of William and Sophie ( Ekenrode) Martin, old residents of Cumberland county. Seven children have been born of this marriage: Edward, who died in 1902; and Nellie F., George W., Susie, John B., Mary C. and Julia, at home.

For three years Mr. Hosfeld was a mem- ber of the council, and for ten years was a member of the school board of Shippens- burg township, representing the Democratic party, of which he is an enthusiastic member. He has a very fine brick residence, and beau- tiful grounds, filled with ornamental shrub- bery. In addition he also owns considerable realty in Shippensburg. As a promoter. business man and public-spirited citizen, Mr. Hosfeld is a very important member of society, and may well be regarded as one of the best representatives of the material in- terests of Shippensburg.

WILLIAM ORR KER is a representa- tive of the fourth generation of his family in America, his great-grandfather having come from Ireland in 1745 and settled in Hunting- don county, Pennsylvania.

William Ker, the grandfather of William O., was born Oct. 30, 1791, in Huntingdon county, where he grew to manhood and lived until a year after his marriage. In 1826 he and his wife came to West Pennsboro town- ship. Cumberland county, where they settled on the farm now occupied by their grandson. and here passed the remainder of their lives. Mr. Ker had first come to the county in 1825. on June 26th of which year he mar- ried Miss Eliza Belle Sterrett, daughter of David and Isabel Sterrett, who were natives of Cumberland county and belonged to prominent pioneer stock. He accumulated a fine property, and devoted the greater part of his time to its improvement and manage-

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ment. though he took a lively interest in the public weltare. He was one of the founders and a member of the board of directors of the banking firm of Ker, Brenneman & Co., who conducted what has since been known as the First National Bank of Carlisle. Mrs. Ker passed away Dec. 23, 1844, and Mr. Ker survived her many years, passing away Sept. 20, 1874. Of the children born to them four attained maturity ; Elizabeth Jane and Mary Isabel. both of whom are now de- ceased : William A., father of William O .: and David Sterrett, who was educated in the common schools and MIt. Joy Academy, and has passed all his life on the old homestead.

William A. Ker, father of William O., was born Nov. 30, 1829, and received excel- lent educational advantages, attending the academies at Huntingdon, Mt. Joy ( Lancas- ter county ). Juniata county and Good Hope (in his native township). He and his brother engaged in farming on the old home place, on which they have made many im- provements. The place comprises 100 acres of fertile land, which under their careful man- agement has been brought to a high state of cultivation. On Jan. 10, 1854, Mr. Ker was married to Miss Elizabeth B. Orr, of Franklin county, Pa., and they became the parents of two children, Mary Eliza and William Orr.

William Orr Ker was born in 1863 on the old Ker homestead, and has passed all his life there. He commenced his education in the public schools of the township, subse- quently attended the public schools at Phila- delphia for two years, and then attended the Chambersburg Academy for one year. Re- turning home he commenced to work for his father, and he has continued on the farm ever since, keeping up the traditions of the family for pride in his work and the appear- ance of his surroundings.

In 1882 Mr. Ker married Miss Jane Brattan, daughter of S. W. and Margaret G. Brattan, of Newville, Cumberland county, Pa., the former of whom died Aug. 26. 1899; the mother is living in Harrisburg. Two children have blessed this union : Wil- liam Sterrett, born Dec. 22, 1890, and Mar- garet Bleam, born April 15, 1893. The family attends the Presbyterian Church at Newville. Mr. Ker is a Democrat in politi- cal sentiment. He is a worthy member of a family which has taken a marked interest in the development of Cumberland county, and is an esteemed citizen of his community, whether from a business or personal stand- point.

DAVIS C. SINGER, a carpenter by trade and one of the prominent residents of Mechanicsburg. Pa., for a number of years, was born in Middletown, Pa., in 1834, and he died in Mechanicsburg, in 1871.

Davis C. Singer came to Mechanicsburg in 1856, and he followed his trade until 187i, becoming one of the leading men in his line in the county. He was a natural musician, and organized the Singer Band in 1862, which still retains his name and is a lasting monument to hls talent and enter- prise. This organization is one of the lead- ing ones of its kind in the city. He was a man who made friends everywhere, and died highly esteemed by all who knew him. As a business man he was honorable in all his dealings, and those who knew him found that he could be relied upon in any emergency. In 1860 he married Mary Ellen Sadler, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Coble) Sadler, the former of whom was born Nov. 4, 1809, and died July 1, 1875, and the latter was born May 25, 1819, and died in 1887.

Joseph Sadler, grandfather of Mrs. Sin- ger, was of German parentage, and early

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settled in Cumberland county. His seven children were: Jacob, John, Samuel, Jo- seph, William, George and Susan ( who mar- ried Benjamin Erb), all now deceased.

John Sadler, father of Mrs. Singer, came to Mechanicsburg in 1858, and there lived a retired life until his death in 1875. He was very prominent, and was one of the organiz- ers of the old State Bank of Mechanicsburg, and one of its stockholders. This bank was later merged into the First National Bank. Of his children, Elizabeth C. married Thad- deus S. Comfort : Henry, died unmarried, and Mary Ellen is Mrs. Singer.

Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Singer has resided at her beautiful home on West Main street, and she seeks consolation in works of charity and in her religion, she being a member of the Church of God. She is a lady who is esteemed by those who know hier, and one who has many warm personal friends.

WARREN ZELL. One of the older residents of Churchtown, Monroe township, is Warren Zell, who for many years has been engaged in business at that city, and en- joys the reputation of being one of the most skilled mechanics of the place. He is a son of David, and grandson of Peter.

The father of Peter Zell was born in Ireland, but came to America at an early day, landing in New York. He located in Lancaster county, Pa., and followed farming there until his death. His wife was of Scotch-Irish descent, and the two were married in New York City. Their children were ten in number.

Peter Zell was born in Lancaster county, where he married, and then came to Cum- berland county, locating in Monroe town- ship, there leading a quiet life. In 1854, he went to Danville, Ohio, and died there

in 1863, his wife passing away shortly there- after. Five sons and three daughters were born to this marriage.

David Zell, the eldest son of Peter Zell, was born in 1812, in Lancaster county, where he received a common-school educa- tion. When twenty-three years of age, he came to Cumberland county with his father, and learned the mason's trade, which he fol- lowed in Monroe township, meeting with success. He married Rebecca Gensler, daughter of John and Barbara (Brandt) Gensler, of Monroe township. The death of David occurred Sept. 15. 1860, but liis widow survived until 1894, and she like him died at Churchtown. They are buried in the same cemetery. Their children were: George M., who died in infancy in Monroe township; Warren; Shedrick, living at Beaver Falls. near Pittsburg: John, living in Monroe township; and Barbara E., who died in Monroe township in 1863.

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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 65

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