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 68
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John Shulenberger was born on the home farm in Hopewell township, was reared a farmer, obtaining such literary education as was to be secured in the district schools of his day. Later he bought the old Bell farm of 300 acres in Mifflin township, and fol- lowed farming all his life, prospering greatly. He married Janetta Beatie, daughter of John Beatie, who was born in Ireland and lived in Newburg, and then on his farm where he died. The children of John Shulenberger and wife were: Benjamin, who died in Frankford township: Samuel, who died in Illinois ; John B., of Shippensburg ; William, a minister of the Reformed church and lo-
cated in Maryland : Elizabeth, who married Adam Heberling: Anthony, who died on the home farm; Adamı, a resident of Missouri: Robert E., of this sketch ; and Anthony (2). who is also a minister of the Reformed church, and located in Virginia. In 1857 his first wife died, and later in the same year. John Shulenberger married Catherine Shu- man, who bore him five children, four of whom died in infancy, and David is a resi- dent of Shippensburg. John Shulenberger bought a farm of 200 acres in Mifflin town- ship, where he erected handsome buildings and made many fine improvements. There he died in January, 1875, and his second wife in 1888, and both are interred at Zion Church, in which he was an elder.
The late Robert E. Shulenberger was a youth of active mind, and he secured a good education in the district schools, growing into a young man of more than the usual intelligence and information. In addition to farming, he became a skilled veterinary surgeon, although he had no medical oppor- tunities. He was so successful that his time was filled with professional engagements, whenever he could be spared from the farm. After his marriage he settled in Mifflin town- ship, and, at his father's death, he bought 176 acres of the family estate. He continued to improve this place, making it one of the finest farms of the township, and there his death took place, Sept. 21, 1901. His burial was at Zion Church in Hopewell township.
Few men were more highly respected, or more sadly missed, than Robert Shulenber- ger. In 1880 he was elected justice of the peace, and served faithfully in this office until his death, a period of twenty-one years, and was just entering upon another term. For six years he was a school director, was also auditor, served on the election board, and in fact was one chosen by his fellow citi-
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zens to fill the offices of trust and responsi- bility. Future examiners of the township records will have no occasion to ask what kind of a man was Robert Shulenberger, for they will find his name standing for honesty and integrity, and for the faithful perform- ance of public business.
A consistent and active member of the Reformed Church, Mr. Shulenberger pos- sessed the happy faculty of making his re- ligion so bright and so real that instead of turning the youthful from it, he was noted for his influence with the young. He had charge of the children's department of the church, and was universally beloved by them, and his influence will long be apparent.
In 1872 Mr. Shulenberger married Sarah Belle Clippenger, daughter of Solo- mon and Eva (Gilbert) Clippenger, and these children were born to them; Aldora E., born in 1872, married Mervin H. Swartz, who is farming the home farm in Mifflin township. and they have these children, Edna, Eva, Ethel, Annie, Ervin, Lester and Nellie: Minna M. is a resident of New York City ; Frank W., a graduate of Franklin and Marshall College, is now a student at Har- vard; and Elden married Nellie Harbaugh, and is manager of the Mohler Organ Fac- tory at Hagerstown, Md. Mrs. Shulen- berger still resides on the home farm, re- taining the management of the property, and having the companionship of her daughter. son-in-law and the merry little grandchil- dren. She is very highly esteemed by all who know her.
CLIPPENGER. Solomon Clippenger, father of Mrs. Shulenberger, was born in Lurgan township, Franklin county, Pa. His education was obtained in the district schools and he grew to man's estate a farmer. He married Eva Gilbert, daughter of Freder- ick Gilbert, and they settled near Zion
Church in Hopewell township, where he bought a farm of over 300 acres. In 1868 he built a fine modern brick residence and commodious barn, burning the brick on the farm. A few years before his death he moved to Newburg and lived retired, dying Feb. 23, 1891, aged seventy-five years and ten months. His wife died March 17, 1893. aged seventy-four years. Both were worthy members of the Church of God, in which he was an elder and a leading spirit. He gave largely to charity, assisted in public- spirited enterprises, and performed every duty of a Christian man and a good citizen. In politics he was a Republican, and he served acceptably as supervisor of Hopewell township. The children of Solomon Clip- penger and wife were: Henry is a physician in Berrien county, Mich., and married Mary E. Johnson, of Ohio; Mary died when four years old: Josiah died also when young : Jacob, in the tile business, and a prominent business man in Wayne county, Ohio, mar- ried Barbara Heïdenshield ; Annie married David Heberling, and died at Newburg Oct. 22, 1899 ; Sarah Belle is the widow of the late Robert Shulenberger ; Anthony married Ida Milligan, and resides in Somerset county, Md. : Obediah married Anna Showers, and they live in Somerset county, Md. ; Solomon died in infancy; Daniel, the second oldest living, is unmarried and resides with Mrs. Shulenberger.
JOHN COFFEY is one of the promi- nent farmers and live stock dealers in Cum- berland county. He is engaged in general farming on his fine farm of 200 acres, all under a high state of cultivation, and is a man of large experience in business transac- tions, and,being a good judge of character, he has been wise in the management of his affairs, and in the selection of business as-
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sociates. He was born in Southampton township Feb. 9, 1830, a son of James and Mary ( Highlands ) Coffey, and grandson of William Coffey, a native of Pennsylvania.
James Coffey was born in Delaware county, Pa., in ISII, of Irish descent. He became a farmer and distiller, and was a prominent man in his locality. In his re- ligious belief he was a strict Presbyterian, in which faith he died at the advanced age of eighty-six years, in 1897. He was. three times married. The name of his first wife is not known. For his second wife he mar- ried Mary Highlands, who was born in Southampton township in IS12, daughter of James Highlands, whose father emigrated to America from Ireland prior to the Revolu- tion and was a soldier in the Colonial army. She died in 1836, the mother of five children, namely: William A., of Carlisle; John; George W., of Kansas; Julia A., who mar- ried Levi Strohm, of Leesburg; and Mary, wife of John Noaker. By his third marriage, James Coffey became the father of Robert J., of Colorado; Elizabeth, of Carlisle; and Margaret.
John Coffey was but six years of age when his mother died. His early years were all spent on the farm, and as he began life for himself with little or no means, he is pre-eminently a self made man. His school days taken altogther did not exceed a period of two months. He was employed by his father and other parties until he was twenty- four years old, when he leased the old Sam- uel Adams farm, where he is found to- day-having remained here for the long period of fifty years. The land is all under a fine state of cultivation, and with it Mr. Coffey has engaged extensively in buy- ing and selling horses, cattle, sheep and hogs. In politics Mr. Coffey is a Democrat, after the kind of Thomas Jefferson, and for
several years he has been a member of the school board, and he has also served as treas- urer and assessor of his township. He has taken an active part in local politics, but has never sought any of the honors for himself. His judgment in public matters is greatly re- lied upon, and he is often called upon by the party's leaders for advice and counsel.
In 1862 Mr. Coffey recruited a company for service in the Union army, and took them to Harrisburg. Upon the organization of the company the men elected a captain, and Mr. Coffey, feeling that he himself was enti- tled to the office, quietly returned home.
In 1854 Mr. Coffey married Elizabeth Rank, daughter of Samuel and Mary ( Kos- er ) Rank; she died in 1889. leaving the fol- lowing children: Ella, wife of George A. Reese, a farmer of Southampton township; James Bernard; Charles William, in the clothing business in Shippensburg with his brother James B. ; and Della E., housekeeper for James B.
SAMUEL HERTZLER, former pro- prietor of the "Franklin House," Carlisle, was born March 3, 1848. on the old home- stead one and one-half miles east of that city, and there he spent his boyhood, receiving his education in the public schools, and remain- ing with his father until his marriage.
In 1873 Mr. Hertzler was united to the eldest daughter of Jacob and Mary Ann (Spangler) Hallinger, who was born in 1851 in South Middleton township. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hertzler lo- cated on a farm near the Ridge, four miles east of Carlisle, remaining there two years, and then went west of Carlisle, on George Bosler's farm, where they lived for seven- teen years, when Mr. Hertzler accepted the position of steward of the county home. He held that position for three years, resigning
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to come to Carlisle and take charge of the "Franklin House," in 1897, from which time until Sept. 1, 1904, he most success- fully conducted it. Mr. Hertzler is a pub- lic-spirited man, and is one of the stock- holders and promoters of the Mechanics- burg, Lewisberry and New Cumberland Street Railroad Company. In addition to other holdings he owns his father's home- stead in Carlisle, on South Hanover street. He has always been one of the warm sup- porters of the Republican party.
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hertzler, namely: Richard died in infancy ; Frank H., a graduate from Dick- inson College, class of 1898, is now in Phila- delphia with the American Newspaper As- sociation in the Lippincott building; Adin L., a graduate of Carlisle high school and a school of photography at Effingham, Ill., is now a popular photographer on East Main street, Carlisle. Pa. ; Jacob O., a former stu- dent in Carlisle, at Dickinson College, class of 1903, is now a law student at Morgan- town (W. Va.) University. Mrs. Hertzler is a member of the Methodist Church of Car- lisle, and is a most highly esteemed lady. Mr. Hertzler stands very high in public esteem and is a man whose cordial, genial manner makes friends for him wherever he goes, so that his pleasant hostelry, once visited, was never forgotten.
SAMUEL M. KITNER, one of the most highly respected residents of Middle- sex township, Cumberland county, was born Jan. 6, 1856, in Carroll township, near Bloomfield, Perry county, and received an excellent education in the district schools of his neighborhood. At the age of eighteen years he came to Cumberland county, and eventually located near the Carlisle Sulphur Spring, where he is now living. He farmed
successfully for a number of years. In poli- tics he is a stanch Republican, and has served as supervisor a number of times, filling that office to the entire satisfaction of his con- stituents. When the United States appointed the rural delivery carriers he was one of the first seven chosen, his route being No. 2.
In the winter of 1879 Mr. Kitner mar- ried Elizabeth Ellen Kutz, who was born Aug. 1, 1859, a daughter of Joseph and Eliz- abeth ( Keihl) Kutz. She was born in Cum- berland county, and is a devout member of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Kitner also cling- ing to that faith. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kitner: Sarah Elizabeth, born Sept. 29. 1880. married John H. Sny- der, and they have two children, Blanch Ce- cilia and Edith May. Minnie Jane, born Aug. 24, 1882, died June 9, 1884. Charles. Irwin, born June 11, 1886, married Emma Jane Garman.
On June 16, 1894. Mr. Kitner and his son had a most remarkable experience. They were just getting up and partially dressed when the house was struck by lightning, and some of the curtains in the sitting room were burned : the cloth on a table holding the Bible was also burned. Mr. Kitner and his son Charles were not injured, and the rest of the family were fortunately away.
Abraham Kitner. father of Samuel M .. was born in 1830 in Perry county, near Bloomfield. He was a soldier in the Civil war, and was mustered out with a clean, honorable record. After the war was over he returned to Perry county, and died in 1896. He married Sarah Smith, who was born in the same place May 25, 1836, and both were members of the Bethel Church. Mrs. Kitner died in 1892. The family born of this marriage was as follows: Charles. Edward, born Jan. 5. 1857, died April 21. 1858; Sarah Frances, born Jan. 14, 1859,
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died June 9, 1862: John Wesley, born April 2, 1860, died June 2, 1861; Abraham Lin- coln, born April 14, 1861, died Oct. 1.4, 1863: Isaac Filmore, born Sept. 15. 1862, died Nov. 1. 1900: George Washington was born April 6, 1864; Amanda Jane, born April 6, 1865, married William Wickard, and they have five children, Maud, Anna, John, Charles and Erma: Anna Catherine, born March 19, 1867, married John Reeder, and has one child, Edward; Barbara Ellen, born March 29, 1868, married Joseph Clouser, and has six children, Hubert, Raymond, Francis. Ada. Edward and Ellen ; Alice Re- becca, born Oct. 21, 1869. married Jerome Zeigler : Jacob Stambaugh, born July 25. IS71, married Florence Frye; Christian Hess, born May 25, 1874. married Mary Thomas ; David Owens was born March S, 1876: Mary Isabel, born July 10, 1879, married Charles Karnes, and has children, Laura and Mary Ellen.
JAMES HANLIN, one of the prosper- ous business men of Hopewell township, was born in South street, Philadelphia, Pa., son of Thomas Hanlin.
But little is known of the ancestral his- tory of the Hanlin family, save that there was a Thomas Hanlin, born at Belfast, Ire- land, who there learned the trade of a weaver. In young manhood he came to America, locating at Philadelphia, where he followed his trade. He was but twenty- two years of age at the time of his emigra- tion. In time, he married Elizabeth Mor- gan, born in Dublin, Ireland, who was brought to Philadelphia when ten years of age. After marriage, Mr. Hanlin followed his trade of weaving at Philadelphia until his death in 1858. aged forty-seven years. Later his widow located in Southampton township, Franklin county, and there died
aged fifty-seven years, and she is buried at Breckbill's Church. Of the eight children born of this family, all died in infancy ex- cept our subject and Edward, the latter of whom was born in 1844, in Philadelphia, and there worked at his trade with his brother. James. Later, he enlisted in Com- pany B, 106th P. V. I., and spent two years and eight months in the service, participat- ing in all the notable engagements of the Army of the Potomac, including the Battle of Gettysburg.
James Hanlin received a common school education, principally in Lurgan township, Franklin county, to which he was brought when eight years of age. He then lived near Fairview, and worked for Jacob Holler, re- maining with him seven years, his wages being board and clothing. He next went to live with James Beatty in Southampton township, Franklin county, and remained a year. For another year he was with Martin Oberholtzer, in Greene township, Franklin county, and one year with David Lesher, in Southampton township. For the four fol- lowing years he lived in Greene township with Jacob Lehman, and then spent two years with Samuel Zook in Southampton township.
In 1875 Mr. Hanlin married Nancy Hoover, daughter of Christian and Annie (Byers), of Franklin county, near Roches- ter. After marriage the young couple lo- cated in Southampton township, Franklin county, on one of George H. Stewart's farms, receiving $200 a year rent free and wood found, 600 pounds of pork, one-half of the produce of chickens and cows. There they remained one year, and then rented one of Samuel Zook's farms in the same town- ship. There he remained nine years, or until 1885, when he bought the old John H. Book farm in Hopewell township, of 198 acres.
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A little later he bought 205 acres in Lurgan township. Franklin county, which he after- ward sold. Upon his property he made all of the improvements, including the drilling of a 103-foot well. and the building of an excellent grain house. Although he began life without a penny. Mr. Hanlin is now one of the most prosperous farmers.
The children born to himself and wife were: (1) Christian. born in 1876, grad- uated at Shippensburg and later at Prince- ton, and for three years taught in Hopewell township: he had a graded school in Bell Vernon, and then went to the Philippines, in 1901, and is still engaged there teaching the natives. (2) Edwin is also a graduate of Shippensburg, and a teacher in the Phil- ippines. (3) Rebecca H. married Frank Eberly, a farmer of Southampton township, Franklin county. (4) David, born in 1881, is at home. (5) Samuel was a farmer of Illinois, but is now at home. (6) Annie is at home keeping house for her father. Mrs. Hanlin died in Hopewell township in 1899, and is buried at Mowersville, Lurgan township, Franklin county. In religious be- lief Mr. Hanlin is a member of the River Brethren of Mowersville, as was also his wife, and both took an active part in the good work of that church.
EMANUEL C. LINE bears worthily the name of a family long esteemed in Cum- berland county. At a time when the French Huguenots were seeking homes in Switzer- land George Line, a native of Switzerland, sailed with his wife and son, George, for America, but died on shipboard. The widow located in Lancaster county, Pa., where young George grew up. For many years he was the proprietor of the famous Green Gardens, in Lancaster county, and finally removed to Cum-
berland County. He married Salome Zimmerman, and of their children David died in Lancaster county; and William, Abraham and John lived in Dickinson town- ship, Cumberland county; George died un- married. The daughters were Elizabeth, Sa- lome and Susanna.
John Line, son of George, married Bar- bara Anna LeFevre, and they had six chil- dren, three sons and three daughters: Sa- lome; Catherine, who became Mrs. Tritt; Mary, now Mrs. Coulter, of Vermilion, Kan .; George L .; Daniel, who was burned to death in childhood : and John, who settled in Warren county, Illinois.
George L. Line, son of John, married his second cousin, Maria Line, daughter of Emanuel Line and granddaughter of Wil- liam. They settled on the old family home- stead, and passed the rest of their lives there. Their children were: Elizabeth M., John A., Emanuel C. and Abram L. Mrs. Maria Line died Nov. 27, 1869, her husband sur- viving until Nov. 5, 1885, when he died aged eighty years, ten months and ten days.
Emanuel C. Line was born on the farm in Dickinson township, where he yet resides, May 8, 1837. He remained on the old home farm and took care of his parents in their old age. He now has 101 acres of finely improved land. He is a Republican in po- litical faith, and is a consistent member of the Methodist Church. He married Rachel Jumper, and they have had the following children : Clarence B., born April 27, 1888; John Ira, Feb. 28, 1890; William, July 28, 1892 (died Aug. 17, 1892) ; Clinton D., Dec. 25, 1893 ; and Golda, July 4, 1896.
ALEXANDER STUART COOVER, who is engaged in farming and poultry rais- ing near Shippensburg, in Cumberland coun- ty, was born April 2, 1856, on the old Jacob
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Coover homestead in Southampton town- ship, that county, part of which he now owns.
Mr. Coover is the second son of Jacob and Mary E. ( Renshaw ) Coover, the former of whom was born in 1816, in the eastern part of Cumberland county, and descended from a pioneer family of the Cumberland Valley. He became a successful farmer, widely and favorably known as one of the most enterprising and intelligent men of his day in Southampton township. He married Mary E. Renshaw, who was born on the Ridge road, in Southampton township. Cumberland county, about 1825, and died in 1873. She, too, was a representative of a worthy old family of the county. The father passed away Jan. 19, 1891.
Alexander Stuart Coover was reared a farmer boy, and in his early youth attended the local district school. He continued with his father until 1889, when he married, and he and his wife took up their residence on a part of the old homestead, Mr. Coover sub- sequently purchasing a part of the Meyers farm, containing fifty-five acres. He has his place well equipped with good buildings, in- cluding a substantial bank barn, dwelling. sheds and all other necessary outbuildings, most of them built by Jacob Coover, his grandfather. Alexander S. Coover takes great interest in the details of up to date farming. paying as much attention to good stock, hogs, cattle and horses, and to im- proved farm machinery, as he does to the actual work of the farm, and the appearance of the place speaks volumes in favor of his method .. He takes rank deservedly with the most intelligent and progressive agri- culturists of his neighborhood.
In 1889 Mr. Coover married Miss Emma Shoap, of Mt. Holly, Cumberland county, daughter of David and Rebecca Shoap, and
they are the parents of two children, Iva and Roy. Mr. Coover is a Republican in politi- cal faith, and he takes considerable interest in the success of his party. His wife is a member of the Bethel Church at Shippens- burg.
ALEXANDER BISHOP, the owner of one of the fine farms of Cumberland county, where he is engaged as a general farmer and stock raiser, was born in Southampton town- ship, Jan. 4, 1832, son of Jacob and Betsy E. (Goodhart) Bishop.
Jacob Bishop was born in Cumberland county, in 1804. son of James Bishop, a na- tive of Penn township, Cumberland county. who raised a numerous family. Jacob Bishop wedded Betsy E. Goodhart, who was born in Rheemstown, Lancaster county, in 1802, daughter of William Goodhart.
Alexander Bishop passed his early years on a farm, and as a youth became familiar with the multiple duties incident in a farmer's life. He remained at home until he attained his majority, and then started out for himself, renting a farm at first. After his marriage he located in Penn township. where he lived for a number of years, then buying the farm known as the old Cressler homestead. This contains seventy acres, all in a good state of cultivation, and well-im- proved with a comfortable dwelling and sub- stantial barn and outbuildings. Here Mr. Bishop has since made his home, and he has become quite well-to-do. He is highly re- spected for his many sterling qualities. His political faith is that of the Jeffersonian Democrats. He has served as assessor in Grove and Cooke townships.
On Feb. 7. 1855, Mr. Bishop was mar- ried to Fredericka Cribs, born Sept. 7, 1835, (laughter of Elizabeth Cribs. They had one son, John T., who married Kate Cooper,
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and is engaged in farming near Carlisle. Mrs. Bishop died June 12, 1902. She was a devoted wife and mother, and passed away in the faith of the Lutheran Church, of which Mr. Bishop is an active and interested member.
SOLOMON WERTZ, whose death took place at Mechanicsburg, June 2, 1901, was long one of the most highly respected men of this section, at that time living re- tired from business activity. He was born June 10, 1829, in York county, Pa., son of George and Mary (Low) Wertz, the family being a prominent one, of German extrac- tion. The children born to George Wertz that grew to maturity were: Elizabeth ; Sol- omon: George, of Cumberland county ; Charles, now deceased; and Mary, wife of John Scheaffer.
Solomon Wertz was a self-made man; starting out in life a poor boy, by his indus- try and energy he accumulated a competency which his family enjoys. He lived many years in Silver Spring township engaged in farming, owning a very valuable farm near Mechanicsburg. He also owned a com- fortable home in the city on East Main street, where his widow and daughter still reside. Few men deserved to be more sin- cerely esteemed than did Solomn Wertz, for he passed through life doing his duty to God and man. He was a kind husband and de- voted father, a good friend and helpful to the poor, a supporter of the church, and up- holder of the laws.
Mr. Wertz was twice married. His first wife, Mary Lininger, of Silver Spring town- ship, died leaving one daughter, Mary Ellen, who married Edward Witters, of Hampden township, this county. In 1857 Mr. Wertz married Susan Reed, of Perry county. daughter of John and Mary Reed. This
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