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 67
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J. Arthur Smith, of Shippensburg. employed by the Bell Telephone Company. Their hospitable home is a pleasant gathering place for their many friends, with whom they are justly favorites. Mr. Mowers is a com- poser of music, and has written a number of fine selections for all kinds of instruments. His son, Burk. was the composer of a me- morial song. "Shed not a Tear." His last production was entitled. "My Pennsylvania Homc." At the time of his death he was just finishing a song "I Have a Secret That Never Once Was Told."
HENRY KNAUB, one of the repre- sentative men of Monroe township, Cumber- land county, Pa., and one of the highly es- teemed men of his community, is a son of Samuel and grandson of Henry Knaub.
The great-grandfather of our subject was born in Germany, but came to America and settled in York county. Pa., and there died. Henry. Knaub, son of the emigrant. was born in York county, about three miles southeast of York city. There he became the owner of a farm, which he sold, and then moved to Dillsburg, where he followed farm- ing until his death.
Samuel Knaub, son of Henry, Sr., and father of Henry, was born in 1812. in York county, Pa., and there he received a common school education. He married Sarah Har- per, also of York county, whose father was a miller by trade, and a soldier in the Revo- lutionary war, who, at his death, was buried with military honors. In 1837 Samuel Knaub came to Cumberland county, and lo- cated at Shepherdstown. After two years
he returned to York county, then came back to Cumberland and settled in Monroe town- ship. where he bought a small tract of land, remaining upon it for five years. His next change was made to Adams county, where
once more he purchased a small farm, and there he died aged seventy-five years. His wife also passed away there, aged sixty-five years. Their children were: Henry : Mary. who married Jacob M. Comfort. and lives in York county : William, who married Sarah Herman. and lives in Dauphin county : Joshua, who died at Ashland. Schuylkill county in 1904: Lydia, who married Jacoli Brandt. and lives in South Middleton town- ship: James, who died in 1857. in York county, aged four years : George. who mar- ried Edna Trimmer. and lives near Dills- burg. York county.
Henry Knaub was born Oct. 19. 1836. in York county, and there was educated in the common schools. He worked for his father until he was twenty-one years of age. and a year later he started out in life for him- self. He then married Catherine Diller, a daughter of Solomon Diller and Oct. 8, 1858. the young couple located at Churchtown, Monroe township, where they still reside. For a number of years, Mr. Knaub was suc- cessfully engaged in basket making. manu- facturing all kinds of baskets, making a spec- ialty of those of willow, and he had a large sale for his goods throughout Cumberland and surrounding counties, and in adjoining States, even as far as Kansas, where he had an extensive trade, and he built up a large business, continuing until 1903. At present he is the agent, for Cumberland county, of the Western Medical Institute of Cincinnati. Ohio.
The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Knaub were: Sarah Ellen, born Dec. 28. 1860, died at the age of eight months : Lillie. born in 1863. died when thirteen days okl. In politics Mr. Knaub is a Republican, and both he and his excellent wife are consistent members of the United Brethren Church of Boiling Springs.
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SOLOMON DILLER, father of Mrs. Knaub. was a son of Casper Diller, the latter of whom came from Lancaster county and settled near Churchtown, Cumberland county. Sol- omon Diller had the following family : Simon Peter married Mary -, who came from Mexico, Pa .; Samuel Alexander married Sadie Leib of Mt. Holly Springs; William Elisha : Mary married Henry Pentz of Dillsburg; Julia married Jacob Duey: Catherine, Mrs. Knaub; Rachael married Frederick Cornman: Ann Rachel; Sarah Jane: and Ida Cordelia married Henry Esh- leman, of Cumberland county. Solomon Diller lived to the advanced age of eighty- four years, while his wife passed away at the age of eighty-three years, and both were very estimable people.
Mr. Knaub is now sixty-eight years of age, but is active, energetic and ambitious, performing the duties of his position with the ability of a much younger man. In May, 1852, Mr. Knaub was converted, and four years later joined the church of which he and his wife are such faithful members, earnestly endeavoring to follow themselves, and lead others in the Master's footsteps. Their gentle, charitable, kindly lives teach a noble lesson to those about them, and point a moral all can read. Few men have less to regret in their lives than this broad-minded, kind- hearted. Christian man, who carries his re- ligion 'into his daily business life, and who believes in the teaching of Him who laid down the rulings for our constant use, to the extent that he will not do anything, however small, which he believes will in any way en- croach upon them, or reflect upon his duty as a member of the Church in Christ.
JOSEPH D. GIVLER, coachmaker and prominent citizen of Boiling Springs, was borit in Newville, Cumberland county, Sept.
22, 1865, a son of William S. and Angeline C. (Diller) Givler. The father died July 27. 1874, at Boiling Springs, aged thirty-three years. He was born, reared and spent his life in this county and was a blacksmith by trade and a thorough mechanic, having few equais in his profession. He was a man of powerful physique. During the Civil war he entered Company D, 6th Regiment, P. V. I., and served three years, participating in all the engagements with his company and regi- ment, and was a brave and gallant soldier. His father bore the name of Samuel Givler, and his mother was a Miss Smith prior to her marriage. The mother of our subject is still living, and makes her home at Boil- ing Springs. Four children were born to William S. Givler and wife : ( 1) Jospeh D. is mentioned below; (2) James K. P., a blacksmith and coachmaker, in business with his brother Joseph, married Miss Mary Ann Starry, and has five children, Naomi, Joseph, Clarence, Paul and Ray. (3) Smith is de- ceased. (4) William H. died in childhood.
Joseph D. Givler was reared principally at Boiling Springs, and received a common school education. When about eighteen years of age he commenced learning the trade of blacksmithing with Peter Spath, at Dillsburg, York Co., Pa., and he also learned coaclimaking. Remaining with him for five years, the young man then came to Boiling Springs, and took the shop which was erected and conducted by his father before his death. When he took charge of this shop it was simply a blacksmith shop, 24 x 30 feet, a story and a half in height. This he has enlarged three different times, until it is now two stories in height, with one two- story addition 15 x 24 feet, and another two- story addition 20 x 30 feet, in which he con- ducts a complete carriage manufacturing business. He has mastered each and every
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branch of the business, and can construct a carriage throughout. Being an excellent me- chanic he takes delight in the work, and so satisfactory are his vehicles that he is kept busy the year round filling his orders. Like his father, he is a man of powerful build, and can turn out an amazing amount of work. He can hold at arm's length his own weight. By industry and honorable methods he has built up a business of large propor- tions, and is highly respected in the commer- cial world. Politically, Mr. Givler is a mem- ber of the Prohibition party.
On Nov. 23, 1886 Mr. Givler was mar- ried to Miss Lizzie Spath, daughter of Peter Spath, of Dillsburg. She died June 4, 1896, at the age of twenty-five years, eleven months, and three days. On Aug. 25. 1898, Mr. Givler was again married, this time to Naomi S. Kauffman, daughter of Susan J. Kauffman, of South Middleton township, this county. Two children have been born of this marriage, Reba A. K. and Esther. The family unite with the U. B. Church, Mr. Givler being one of the trustees of the parsonage, a Sunday-school teacher and treasurer. Mr. Givler purchased a home in Boiling Springs and erected a new residence upon a vacant portion of the property. The family rank among the most respected people of Cumberland county, and they all have many friends.
LEMUEL R. SPONG, one of the prom- inent citizens of East Pennsboro township, Cumberland county, was born May 21, 1855, in that township, a son of Joseph and Caro- line ( Marsh) Spong.
Jolin Leonard Spong, the grandfather, was a native of Germany, and the grand- mother, whose maiden name was De Werter, was a native of Dauphin county. Joseph Spong was born Feb. 2, 1823, and grew up a
farmer boy, with few educational opportun- ities. He continued to farm until 1861, when he moved to West Fairview, and was employed in the nail mill until the works closed. In politics he was a Democrat. In religious connection he was a Lutheran, and he was a man universally respected. He married Caroline Marsh, who was born in York county, from ancestry of the British Isles, and who still survives at the age of seventy-seven years. Lemuel R. is the only surviving child, two others dying in infancy, and Noah dying in 1882, aged twenty-five years. Mrs. Spong is noted for her kind and gentle disposition and is beloved by all who knew her. She is a devout member of the Lutheran Church.
Lemuel R. Spong was reared to man- hood in his native place and at Fairview, whither his father removed when he was six years of age. He attended the Fairview schools until he was twelve years old, when he entered the nail works at a wage of fifty cents a day, and continued to work there, through all the departments, being promoted from the position of office boy to that of ov- erseer of the shipping department. In ad- dition to acting as foreman of this important department he served as agent for the Adams Express Co. and the Northern Cen- tral Railroad at Fairview. In 1884 he was elected register of wills for Cumberland county, entering upon his duties in January, 1885, and served his full term, removing his family at that time to Carlisle. In August, 1888, he became manager for the McCor- mick estate quarry interests, and served as such until July, 1900, since which time he has been operating the Walton quarry of the estate, at Lemoyne, for himself, and is also interested in other quarries. Mr. Spong is also interested in the manufacture of a patent fertilizer lime and is erecting an ex-
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tensive plant for the same. This plant is situated at Bonny Brook, below Carlisle, on the Gettysburg & Harrisburg railroad. Mr. Spong is also the owner of large farming properties and other real estate in Cumber- land county, and is one of its most substan- tial men. He is president of the Mechanics- burg Gas & Water Company.
On Oct. 24. 1875. in West Fairview, Mr. Spong married Miss Rosie Mann, daughter of George and Mary Ann ( Eslinger ) Mann. She passed away April 12, 1904, a member of the Lutheran Church, which Mr. Spong also attends and to which he is a liberal contributor. Politically, he is a Democrat and has been active in the party since early manhood. Fraternally, he belongs to the Royal Arcanum. Modern Woodmen and Heptasophs.
SAMUEL McKEEHAN, a retired merchant now residing at Newville, repre- sents one of the oldest families in this por- tion of the State. and he was born at Pitts- burg Nov. 9, 1843.
(1) Samuel McKeehan, the paternal grandfather for whom our subject is named, was born in Cumberland county, and mar- ried a Miss McBride.
( [1) James McKeehan. one of the sons of the elder Samuel. and father of the younger Samuel, was born at Mt. Rock. Nov. 7, 1809. He spent his first quarter of a century in Cumberland county, and then removed to Pittsburg. where he engaged in a mercan- tile line. Next going to Baltimore, Md .. he there continued in the same line, but after eight years, he made his home at Cincinnati, . Ohio, removing there in 1852, and engaging actively in the mercantile trade until his leath which occurred Nov. 25, 1897. Ifc married Margaret Sharpe, who was born in Cumberland county, in 1816, and died in
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Baltimore, in 1848. Mr. McKechan then married Mrs. Lucy F. Swift, of Massachus- etts. By his first marriage, Mr. McKeehan had five children : Ellen, who died in Pitts- burg : Samuel: Helen: Anna Bell and Lonisa.
Samuel McKeehan was born at Pitts- burg. as before stated, and was only nine years of age when taken to Cincinnati, and there received his primary education in the public schools of that place. After leaving school he assisted his father, then a prom- inent merchant, and so continued until he sold his interest, in 1896, and retired to New- ville, where he now makes his home.
In 1875, Mr. McKeehan married Miss Lyda C. Craig, of Cincinnati, of which place she was a native. She was a charming lady. highly educated, and died in 1896, leaving no children. Mr. McKeehan is a member of the Elks, and is a man of means, who is highly esteemed in his community as a gent- leman of high business ability, and genial. courteous manner.
JOSEPH L. YOTER, one of the well- known citizens of West Pennsboro township, Cumberland county, was born in that town- ship in 1846, a son of Hezekiah and Cather- ine ( Bear) Yoter, and a grandson of Jolin Yoter.
John Yoter came from Taneytown, Md .. to Cumberland county, in 1802, settling on the Alexander farm in North Middleton township, very close to the noted cave which is a historical landmark. Later he bought a farm near Shippensburg, where he died, leaving three sons : Josiah, who died in the West : John G., who died at Shippensburg . and Hezekiah. The latter was born in Mary- land and was twelve years of age when he came to this county. He finished his educa- tion in Cumberland county and then settled
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down to farming in the vicinity of Carlisle. He married Catherine Bear, daughter of Samuel and Lydia Bear, formerly of Leb- anon county, but later of Cumberland coun- ty, and then bought a farm of 223 acres in North Middleton township which he oper- ated from 1861 until his death, which oc- curred in February, 1870. His children were : Maria. a resident of West Pernsboro town- ship: John C., who died in North Middle- ton township: Hezekiah, who died in Plain- field : Fannie, who died in South Middleton township: Samuel B .. who died in North Middleton township: Joseph L., of this sketch : Charlotte C., deceased in North Mid- dleton township: David W., a resident of Chambersburg. Pa .. and Benjamin, died in infancy.
Joseph L. Yoter was reared and educated in West Pennsboro and North Middleton townships, and in young manhood learned the blacksmith's trade in North Middleton township, and then became interested in farming. In 1869 lie married Caroline Wag- goner, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Waggoner, of Frankford township. They lived on the old homestead farm for two years and then moved to Dickinson town- ship, where they lived two years more, and where Mrs. Yoter died in December, 1873. Mr. Yoter, in 1874. came to Plainfield and lived with his mother until her death, in 1895. For twelve years he followed thresh- ing and worked by the day, making a very good income.
In 1896 Mr. Yoter married (second) Anna M. Finkenbinder, daughter of Jona- than and Nancy Finkenbinder, and removed to his ten-acre farm in Plainfield. The two children born to his first marriage were: Elizabeth C., who married Joseph Barrick, died at Greason. this county, aged thirty
years : John H., of Plainfield, married Mina Stickle.
In politics Mr. Yoter has always been a Democrat, and he has served as supervisor and as a member of the election board in his township. He is a man very highly re- spected, at home, in his church, in business. and as a citizen. He and his family belong to the Plainfield Lutheran Church, where he is superintendent of the Sunday-school, and he is a liberal supporter of all its charities and missions.
JOHN STAMMEL, who now lives a retired life on a comfortable little farm in Monroe township. Cumberland county, is one of the most highly respected German- American citizens in his locality. Mr. Stan- mel was born in 1826, in Germany, a son of Jacob and Mary Stammel.
Jacob Stammel was a weaver by trade. and he followed this occupation all his life. in his native land, where he died at the age of sixty-five years : his wife also died there. aged forty-eight years. They had these children : Mary, who died aged twenty-five years; John ( I), who died aged seven- teen years; Lizzie, who died aged fifty-five years : John (2) : Jacob; Adam; and Fred- erick.
John Stammel (2), our subject, came to America in 1851, being then twenty-five years of age. For six years he lived in the city of Baltimore, where he worked at shoe- making, and then came to Churchtown. where he worked at his trade until 1880. when he bought his present small farm. He has a very comfortable home here, has put his residence in fine order, and built one of the commodious barns which mark the thrifty homes of this farming section. Mr. Stammel has had a varied life, having served
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five years in the German army, prior to com- ing to America, and four months in the Union army during the Civil war. He has a fine army record.
In 1851 Mr. Stammel was married (first) to Anna M. Schallhas, born in Ger- many. who died in 1879. and is buried in the family lot at Mt. Zion cemetery, at Church- town. The children of this union were : An- nie. Mary, Caroline, Elizabeth, John, Mary, Harry and Katie, all of whom have passed away. Annie was buried in Baltimore, but all the others. rest with their mother, at Churchtown. The survivors are: George, who with his family, lives in South Middle- ton township; Herman, who resides with his father, and who married Rachel Hartman, and has three children: Cora, Sarah and Alberta. In 1880 Mr. Stammel married (second) Margaret Richwine, daughter of Christian Richwine. of Cumberland county. She died in 1899, and was interred at Mt. `Zion Cemetery. Mr. Stammel is an old member of the order of Knights of Pythias, and belongs to the lodge at Churchtown. He is a leading member of the Lutheran Church, and is a man who is held in high regard by all who know him.
JOHN A. SWARNER. The fruitful Cumberland Valley is the home of many successful agriculturists, who have found within its borders wealth and prominence, and among them may be mentioned John A. Swarner, of South Middleton township, who is a son of the late highly respected George Swarner.
George Swarner was born in 1800, in Lancaster county, and received but a limited education. He participated in the War of 1812, being stationed at Philadelphia. After the war, he located in Perry county, Pa., and there died. His children were as follows :
Henry B., of West Pennsboro township, who married first Mary Parkinson, daugh- ter of Reuben Parkinson, and second Mary Reiber: Jolin A .: George W., who married Kattie Zinn, daughter of Philip Zinn, and has two children. Frank (who is married and lives in Dickinson township), and Charlie (at home) ; William, who died in 1896; Annie, who married H. C. Swigert, of Carlisle : Minnie and Mina, twins, both married and residing in Carlisle.
John A. Swarner was born in 1841 in Perry county, and after taking a public school course, taught in that county for two years. In 1862, he enlisted in Company G, 133d. P. V. I., and participated in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, and was honorably discharged in 1863. The following year he reenlisted. and was placed in the quartermaster's department, and there continued until the close of the war.
Returning home Mr. Swarner married Fannie Bear, daughter of John and Mary Bear. At one time John Bear was associate judge of Perry county. Mrs. Bear is still living, being now in her eighty-first year. After his marriage, Mr. Swarner remained in Perry county for two years, engaged in farming, but in 1868 he removed to South Middleton township, Cumberland county, and in 1895 he purchased the old Brindle farm of ninety acres in this township, upon which he has since resided. making many im- provements until he now has one of the fin- est farms in the township. and he is highly respected by all who know him. His suc- cess has been gained by earnest and persist- ent labor, and great thrift.
The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Swar- ner are: Minnie B., who married Edward Burgett; Annie L., who married James B. Noaker, has two children, Jessie and Edna, and lives with her father; Alfred C., in Ne-
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braska: Emma H., who married Albert Ilgenfritz, and has two children, John and Olive ; Harry E., who married Annie Ward, daughter of Jacob and Mary Ward; Rose E., at home : and George A., at home, as- sisting his father on the farm.
Mr. Swarner is a member of the First Lutheran Church, of Carlisle, as is also Mrs. Swarner. In politics he is a stanch Demo- crat, and by his able administration of the affairs of a number of the township offices intrusted to him, has proved himself a con- scientious public servant and good citizen.
JOHN L. RUPERT, who is now living at Centerville, Cumberland county, practic- ally retired from active labor, was born in 1846 in Dickinson township, that county, and has spent all his life in Penn township.
Detrich Rupert, the grandfather of John L., was of German origin, and settled in an early day in York county, Pa., where he passed his days, engaged in farming ; he died there. He was the father of four children : George, who died in York county; Samuel, who died in York county; Solomon, who lived in Michigan; and Henry, the father of John L.
Henry Rupert, youngest son of Detrich, was born in York county, Pa., and was there reared and educated, attending the common schools, such as they were in his boyhood days. He learned the trade of wagonmaker, which he followed in York and Adams coun- ties, finally coming to Cumberland county and locating at Barnitz Station, in Dickinson township. Here he bought the property now owned by Mrs. Reuben Martin, and followed his trade there for about twenty years. In 1846 he bought and moved to a farm in Penn township. Cumberland county, a tract of about eighty-seven acres which he cleared and improved in many ways, building a barn
and other structures and in various ways en- hancing the value of the place, which is now among the best in the valley. Mr. Rupert died here in 1862. He married Catherine Wampler. of York City, Pa .. and she died in 1889. Both are buried at Centerville. Mr. and Mrs. Rupert were the parents of five children : Sophia, who died young ; Howard, who is married and living in Penn township; Lewis, who lives in Arkansas; Sarah Frances, who never married, and who died at the Todd Hospital, aged fifty-seven years, May 1. 1900; and John L. Henry Rupert and his wife were members of the Lutheran Church of Centerville, he being a deacon for a number of years and he represented his church at the Synod at different times. He held the office of township supervisor of Penn township.
John L. Rupert was born at the old place in Dickinson township, at Barnitz Station, but he was only two weeks old when the family removed to Penn township, and there" he was reared. He received such advantages as the common schools afforded, and was early inducted into the work of farming un- der his father, for whom he worked as long as he lived. He continued on the home farm with his mother after the death of his father, and after her death bought the per- sonal property. He purchased the home- stead after the death of the mother, and sub- sequently bought the old David Wortz prop- erty, at Centerville, where he now makes his home. In 1901 Mr. Rupert married Mrs. Amanda (Helm) Stutterheim, widow of Dr. Von Stutterheim, of Penn township, and daughter of David and Sophia (Bucher) Helm. Her father died at the age of fifty-two years, her mother at the age of sixty-two, and both are buried in Penn township.
Mr. and Mrs. Rupert lived on the old
CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
Rupert homestead for a year after their marriage, and have since lived at their pres- ent residence in Centerville. He is now leading a quiet life, enjoying the accumula- tions of a life of industry. In political faith he is a Republican. but he is not active in party affairs. He is a member of the United Brethren Church at Hayes Grove, where he has served as church trustee and as secretary of the Sunday-school and also of the Young People's meeting. Mrs. Rupert is also a member of the United Brethren Church, and of the Woman's Missionary Society.
ROBERT E. SHULENBERGER (de- ceased ) was born in 1844, in Mifflin town- ship. Cumberland county, son of John, and grandson of Benjamin Shulenberger.
Benjamin Shulenberger was a farmer and distiller in Hopewell township, where he bought a farm of 137 acres. Both he and wife died there. and were interred at Hock's graveyard. They had children as follows: Adam died in Lurgan township, Franklin county; Samuel died in Frankford township, and is buried at Newville; Cath- erine Hoover died in Lurgan township; and John was the father of our subject.
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