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 71
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118
500
CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
25x25. and still another. 20x50. One house is devoted to the culture of violets alone, other departments being given to roses, car- nations and chrysanthemums. One space is devoted to palms, of which he shows a great variety. Mr. Robbins cultivates about three acres of outside plants, his patronage com- ing from the flower-loving residents of Carlisle. He occupies a fine modern home, which he erected. and all of his surround- ings are first-class and substantial. He is one of the progressive and energetic young business men of the city, who has encom- passed success on account of his industry and close attention to his own affairs.
Mr. Robbins was born in Devizes, Wilt- shire. England, March 27. 1864, a son of William and Esther ( Perry) Robbins, and is the only member of his family in this city or country. He is one of a family of eight children. all living, namely : Alfred, born Aug. 29, 1854: George, March 30, 1856: Mary, August 12, 1857; William; John, May 4. 1861 : Jesse. March 27, 1864; Henry. April 6, 1867; and Sarah, Nov. 26, 1869.
Mr. Robbins was trained to be a gard- ener after leaving school, and learned all the practical parts of the business during a four-years apprenticeship at Sneed Park, near Bristol, England. He then went to the Veitchs Nursery, where he served an ap- prenticeship oi eighteen months in the orchid department at Chelsea, London, and from there went to the Scilly Islands and was em- ployed in the government gardens for Gov. Thomas Algernon Smith Dorrien Smith, and there had the opportunity of making special studies of the narcissus and allied bulbous plants. His next change was to the royal botanical gardens at Kew, and there he spent four years, perfecting his knowledge of water lilies and ferns, and
becoming so well qualified in all these mys- teries that he was given charge of the seed propagating house of the private plant de- partment. a responsible office he capably filled for two years. Mr. Robbins had thus most unusual advantages afforded him for the correct study of the subject of gardening in every branch and his training was much superior to that of any collegiate course in advanced botany.
In April, 1889, Mr. Robbins came to America, landing in Boston on May Ist, and was engaged as private gardener to E. F. Bowditch, Esq., at South Framingham, Mass., and later at Brookline, Mass., with Prof. Sargent, the author of "The Sylva of North America" and other works. He then went to Falmouth and Cohassett, and in 1893 came to Carlisle, where he was em- ployed for eighteen months as a private gardener to Frank C. Bosler, Esq. Realiz- ing that there was a good opening in Car- lisle for an experienced florist, he decided to permanently locate here, and his present flourishing business is the result.
On May 24, 1890, at the Y. W. C. A. in Boston, Mr. Robbins was married to Miss Emma Rosewell, a native of Bristol, Eng- land, a daughter of Charles and Eliza ( Waite) Rosewell. The children of this marriage are : Harold Victor, born in June, 1891; Leopold Rosewell, January, 1894; Mildred Esther, April 1895; Francis Jesse, May, 1896; Emma Ella, June, 1897; and William Alfred, December, 1902. Al- though reared Baptists, Mr. and Mrs. Rob- bins now are valued members of the Second Presbyterian Church of Carlisle, Dr. George Norcross, pastor. Mr. Robbins was natur- alized Jan. 19, 1899. Fraternally, he be- longs to the I. O. O. F., Lodge, No. 91, Carlisle; and Carlisle Encampment, No. 183, and both he and wife belong to Edith
501
CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
Rebekah Lodge, No. 113. I. O. O. F., of Pennsylvania. He also belongs to the Elk Fraternity, being a member of Carlisle Lodge, No. 578. B. P. O. E.
In June, 1903. Mr. Robibns had the ex- treme pleasure of paying a visit to his native land, after an absence of fourteen years. He sailed on Saturday, June 13th, from New York, on the Cunard liner "Lucania." and landed in Liverpool the following Satur- day, June 20th, quite early in the morning. arriving in London at 1:30 P. M., leaving Liverpool by special train at 9:30 A. M., thus covering the distance of 201 miles in four hours. After spending six delightful weeks in various parts of England he again em- barked at Liverpool, on board the same ship. on Saturday, July 25th, and arrived safely in New York on the following Saturday morning. Aug. Ist. reaching his home in Carlisle. Pa., at 9 P. M., same day. In spite of the prolonged absence from his boyhood home Mr. Robbins found all his many rela- tives in good health and prospering : but in his own family he sustained a very severe loss a few short weeks after his return home, for on Sept. 4th the baby, William Alfred. passed away at 3 P. M., after an illness of two weeks' duration.
LEONARD GUTSHALL, one of the leading men of North Middleton township, Cumberland Co., Pa., was born in 1825, in the township in which he now lives, son of Jacob and grandson of Jacob Gutshall.
Jacob Gutshall. the grandfather, was born in Berks county, Pa., and came to Cumberland county when a young man, fol- lowing farming. He brought up the follow- ing children : John, who died in Berks coun- ty: Jacob; Sarah, who married Daniel Bob, and both died in Berks county; Leonard ; Mary, who died in North Middleton town-
ship; and Eliza, who died in Frankford township, Cumberland county.
Jacob Gutshall, father of Leonard, was born in Berks county, and came to Cumber- land county, where he learned the trade of a mason. Later he purchased a farm in North Middleton township, consisting of 120 acres, upon which he farmed and worked at his trade. He married Susan Stauffer, of Cumberland county, and died at the age of seventy-five years in North Middleton town- ship, where his wife also passed away : both are buried in Middlesex township. Their children were: John and Jacob, who died, in North Middleton township, and Leonard.
Leonard Gutshall was well educated in North Middleton township, and learned the wagonmaking trade, at which he worked for a short time. He then turned his at- tention to farming. In 1850, he married Mary Wetzel, daughter of John Wetzel. of Carlisle, Pa., and located where he now re- sides, the farm coming to him upon his father's death. Of the children born to this marriage three attained maturity: Amos, living in Middlesex township, who married Ettie Albright; Ellen, who married John Lane, and is living in North Middleton town- ship; and Laura, deceased wife of John Waggoner. In 1877 Mrs. Mary Gutshall died. and in 1880 Mr. Gutshall married Louise C. Smee, daughter of David and Elizabeth Smee, of North Middleton town- ship.
For the past twenty-five years Mr. Gut- shall has been living retired on the old home- stead. In politics he is a Democrat. but he has never taken an active part in local affairs. He is a steadfast member of the German Reformed Church of Carlisle Springs, and Mrs. Gutshall also belongs to the sante de- nomination. Although Mr. Gutshall has at- tained to a venerable age he is active, retains
502
CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
all his faculties, and enjoys discussing cur- rent events, upon which he is remarkably well posted.
JOHN FISHBURN MYERS, one of the prosperous and well-known farmers of Penn township. Cumberland county, comes from a family which has been numerously and creditably represented in this part of Pennsylvania for over a century. He is a great-grandson of Abraham Myers, one of the early pioneers of Dauphin county, this State, and a grandson of Abraham Myers. the well-known pioneer of Cumberland coun- ty, who came hither from York county. The latter had children as follows: Samuel, who died in Philadelphia: James, the father of John F .: Benjamin, who died in West Pennsboro township, Cumberland county ; Abrahamı, who died in Altoona. Pa. ; Will- iam, who died in Philadelphia, while on a visit to his sister, Mary A. ; Mary A., who died in Philadelphia; and Elizabeth, who died in Dickinson township. Cumberland county.
James Myers, father of John F., was born in Dickinson township. Cumberland county, and there received a common school education. When he started out for him- self he located in Penn township, along the Chambersburg pike, and there bought 196 acres of land, upon which he erected all the buildings and made the other improvements. He was a prosperous farmer, and his indus- trious and thrifty habits were as apparent in the appearance of his property as in his increased wealth. He died on the home- stead June 20, 1879, and was buried at Carlisle. After that Mrs. Myers moved to Newville, where she resided for ten years, thence removing to Carlisle, where the re- mainder of her days was passed, and where she died Dec. 8, 1903. She is buried 'in
Carlisle cemetery. Mrs. Myers's maiden name was Barbara Fishburn, and she was a native of Dauphin county, Pa., coming to Cumberland county with her parents when thirteen years of age. To Mr. and Mrs. Myers were born ten children, namely : Catherine A., Mrs. Leidigh; Sarah E .; Abraham George; John Fishburn ; Barbara Elizabeth. Mrs. Keller; James P .; William Albert: Charles Calvin; Annie B .. Mrs. Caldwell, who died in Frankfort. Ind .. and is the only one of this large family who has passed away; and Edwin E.
Jolin F. Myers, whose name introduces this sketch. was born Nov. 20. 1845. in .Penn township, and with the exception of a few months spent in the West has lived there all his life. He received his early education in the district schools, and for two terms attended a graded school at Newville. He commenced work under his father, on the home farm, and during his early manhood was also engaged in clerking at Newville. After his marriage he located on a farm in Penn township, a well improved place of ninety-three acres equipped with substantial buildings and in every way desirable as a residence. In the spring of 1888 the family went West to Ford county, Kans., where Mr. Myers followed farming for seven months. Returning. he settled upon the farm in Penn township where he has since resided, and he is justly regarded as one of the representa- tive farmers of his section. He is intelli- gent, and well-directed efforts have brought deserved prosperity, until he is now ranked among the substantial agriculturists of his section. His business ability has been recog- nized by his fellow citizens, who have chosen him to various positions of trust, in which he has proven himself worthy of every honor bestowed upon him. He has served two terms as supervisor, six years as school
503
CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
director, is now auditor of the county (which office he has held since 1902), and is also acting at the present time as member of the board which urged the building of a high school in Centerville. Mr. Myers's political connection is with the Democratic party, of whose principles he is a stanch supporter.
On Dec. 27, 1870, Mr. Myers was united in marriage with Miss Frances J. Eyster. and to this union have come eight children, as follows : Laura H., who is the wife of Elmer Evans, and lives at Hockersville; Nora E., who was accidentally killed by fall- ing off a load of corn in 1875, when two years and ten months old; William Oliver, who married Lillie Adams and is living in Penn township, where he engages in farm- ing: Josephine C., who married Ezra J. Brandt, and is living in Iowa, where he is engaged as a fireman on the Northwestern railroad : Nettie May, at home ; Harold, who died when ten years old: Frankie, who died in infancy ; and John C .. at home. Mr. and Mrs. Myers are members of the Lutheran Church.
The Eyster family, to which Mrs. Myers belongs. has long been known in Pennsyl- vania. Her grandparents, John and Susan (Booz) Eyster, were natives of Berks and Adams counties, Pa., respectively, and after their marriage moved West to Ohio, being pioneers in Columbiana county. There Elias B. Eyster, father of Mrs. Myers, was born July 16, 1809, and there he was reared and educated. When twenty-one years of age he left Oliio, coming to Berks county, Pa., where he was married Dec. 5. 1835, to Helena Drescher. In 1837 they settled at Oyster Point, Cumberland county, which is within two miles of Harrisburg, and there they kept the "Oyster Point Hotel" for five years. At the end of that time they moved
up the Cumberland Valley to Penn town- ship. where they purchased the "Long Meadow Hotel," carrying on that place for forty years. This building was erected in 1780. and is still standing and occupied. Mr. Eyster became very well known in his capacity of host throughout this section of Pennsylvania, and as his hostelry was a favorite stopping-place for travelers in its day he prospered in the business. In 1855 he purchased the mill on Yellow Breeches creek which was afterward known as Eys- ter's mill. and his acquisitions also included five fine farms, comprising some five hun- dred acres of fine land, which is now owned by his children. Mr. Eyster was a promi- nent man in the community in public as well as business life, and filled most of the town- ship offices with characteristic ability, among them that of director of the poor from 1870 to 1873. Mr. Eyster passed away in August. 1887, his wife, who preceded him to the grave. dying Sept. 20, 1878, aged sixty- six years, six months, eight days. She was a member of the Lutheran Church for the greater part of her life, and Mr. Eyster also held membership in that denomination. They were the parents of the following named children: Thomas Jefferson (de- ceased ). Angelina (deceased), Elias G., Helena Jane, Sarah Ann ( Mrs. Moore, de- ceased ), Charles J. (deceased), Frances Josephine (Mrs. Myers), Laura Elizabeth (deceased), Margaret M. (deceased), and William L.
Elias G. Eyster, son of Elias B., was born March 27, 1840, at Oyster Point, and was but two years old when the family set- tled in Penn township, where he has ever since had his home. In May, 1861, he left school to join the Union army, in response to the first call for troops. The company was not accepted at that time, but later, in
504
CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
August, on the first call for three years' troops. the command was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. and Mr. Eyster took part in the historic campaigns in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, participating in the engagements at Williamsburg. Malvern Hill. Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg. Mine Run, and the battles of the Wilderness, up to Petersburg. besides many skirmishes. At Hartford Church. in February, , 1863. he received a gunshot wound through the neck which prevented him from being present at the battle of Chancellorsville. On the last day of the battle of Gettysburg he was cap- tured. and was confined for one month in Libby Prison and Belle Isle. He was hon- orably discharged Ang. 6, 1864, with a fine army record.
SAMUEL O. ROLAR, one of the well known citizens of Hopewell township, was born in 1859. in Ambersons Valley, Frank- lin county, Pa., son of Jacob Rolar.
Jacob Rolar was born in 1829, in Leb- anon county, and later came to Cumberland county, and learned the shoemaking trade at Newburg. After completing his appren- ticeship he removed to Ambersons Valley. Franklin county. where he worked at his trade. and bought a farm of forty acres, and where he died at the age of sixty-seven years. Ile married Isabella Shields, who was born near Orrstown, Franklin county, and she died also on the home farm in Am- bersons Valley, aged sixty-eight years. They are both buried there. Their children were: Margaret married Solomon Piper, and re- sides in Ambersons Valley: Mary married Charles Burk, and resides in the same val- ley : William married Mary Burkholder, and diedl in 1871. aged twenty-two years: Simon married Catherine Price, and resides at Ship- pensburg ; James married Jennie Shoemaker,
and lives in Ambersons Valley; Samuel O .; and Amanda married Harvey Lytle, and they live on the old homestead in Ambersons Valley. Mr. Rolar was a Democrat, but nothing of a politician. He was a consistent member of the Reformed Church.
Samuel O. Rolar attended the township schools until the age of eighteen years, com- ing to Cumberland county at the age of eleven years, and residing with his brother until the age of fourteen. During the next three years he hired out with Robert Shulen- berger, of Mifflin township, a short time with Adam Heberling, later with John Heb- erling and with Simon Heberling. Follow- ing this Mr. Rolar spent the summer of 1877 in Missouri, returning for two years to Am- bersons Valley. He then located in Hope- well township, Cumberland county.
In ISSo Mr. Rolar married Mary Eliza- beth Heberling, daughter of John and Mar- garet ( Mowery) Heberling, of Mifflin town- ship, and then located on a farm belonging to his father-in-law, which he has operated and improved until the present time. This is a tract of 199 acres of fine land, and six acres of woodland. In 1904 Mr. Rolar bought a tract of fifty-eight acres of land adjoining the other farm, making it 257 acres. Few farms in this locality are in better condition, or grow finer stock. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Rolar are: Lillie Margaret, who resides with her grandmother at Newburg; Bertha May, John Heberling, Myrtle B., Roy and James Mark, all at home.
Mr. Rolar is a Democrat. Both he and wife and two oldest daughters are members of the Zion Church, of Hopewell township, in which he is deacon.
John Heberling, father of Mrs. Rolar was born in 1824, and remained with his father until marriage. He was a son of John, and grandson of Rudolph Heberling.
505
CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
He married Margaret Mowery, daughter of Solomon and Catherine Ann (Corper) Mowery, natives of Mifflin township, but residents of Hopewell township. Mr. Heb- erling located in Mifflin township, and bought a farm of 222 acres from his father- in-law, on which he remained for thirty-five years. He then removed to a comfortable home in Newburg, where he died in 1901. aged seventy-six years, eleven months and twenty days. He was a worthy member of Zion Church, in the shadow of which he is buried. He was a prominent man in his township, and at various times served as school director and as assessor. His widow still survives, and lives at the home in New- burg. The two children of John Heberling and wife were: David, who resides with his mother at Newburg: and Mary Eliza- beth, who became the wife of our subject.
D. G. BOWMAN, one of the substan- tial farmers and formerly one of the promi- nent educators in Monroe township, was born July 28, 1854. in that towirship, an only son of Henry and Barbara (Goodyear) Bowman.
The Bowman family is of Swiss origin, but settlement was made in Lancaster coun- ty. Pa., prior to the birth of John Bowman, the grandfather of D. G. On reaching man- hood John Bowman married Martha Herr, daughter of Christian and Fannie ( May- nard) Herr, of Lancaster county. He fol- lowed a milling business for about fifteen years. Shortly after marriage, he bought a farm about two and a half miles from Dills- burg, York county, consisting of ninety- four acres. There he built a barn and made improvements, and there his last years were spent, his death occurring in 1861, after several years of retired life. His widow survived until 1871, and both were buried
at Cochlin's Church, Cumberland county. They had children as follows: Christian, who married (first) Susan Coover, and (second) Peggy Asper, and who lived a few years retired before his death in York county; John, who married Maria Kroft, and died in Cumberland county : Abraham, who married Mary Hart, and died in Me- chanicsburg : Henry, who was the father of D. G .; Frances, who married John Baker, and died in Mechanicsburg; Martha, who married Aaron Firestone, and died in York county ; Miss Mary, who died in Monroe township, aged sixty-one: Annie, who mar- ried Joseph Plough, and lives at Church- town, and who is the only survivor of the family; and Hettie, who died unmarried, in Monroe township, aged sixty-seven years.
Henry Bowman, father of D. G. Bow- man, was born April 6, 1817, in York county, and had the best educational advan- tages afforded in the agricultural districts. He was reared a farmer, and in 1854 he married Barbara Goodyear, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Goodyear. In 1853 he bought a fine farm, located one mile north- east of Churchtown, and engaged in a butch- ering business, with John Paul, carrying on this business some fourteen years. In 1868 he bought another farm in the same town- ship, but never removed to that place, having a tenant settle there. Mr. Bowman did con- siderable live stock dealing, both in buying and selling. He was a man of ample means and much business ability. His life was ended by accident, a tree falling on him, while in the forest in South Mountain. He was survived by his widow and his one child, D. G. Bowman, of Monroe township.
After completing the educational course presented in the district schools of Monroe township. Mr. D. G. Bowman spent one term at the Shippensburg Normal school,
506
CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
going from there to the "Oaks." a well- known school of the time in Cumberland county. At the age of sixteen years he be- gan teaching, and followed the profession in Monroe township, more or less continui- ously, for twenty-five years. He was one of the youngest teachers ever given a certificate in the county, and probably one of the most successful. After his marriage, he settled on the home farm and became its owner at the death of his father. This property he has continued to improve, in 1880 erecting a fine barn. This was destroyed, but he re- built it in 1899, and in 1901, he built his handsome residence.
Mr. Bowman married Elizabeth Strock, daughter of George and Margaret ( Bricker) Strock, and they have five children, namely : Ethel Strock, born in 1880; Guy, born March 1. 1883; Reba. born Feb. 4. 1885; Dortha R., born Nov. 4, 1893; and Meade, born May 24, 1895, died April 7, 1904. Mr. Bowman is a deacon in the Church of God, and his family has been reared in the faith of that religious body.
In politics Mr. Bowman is identified with the Republican party. His fellow citizens have honored him with election to various local offices, on many occasions, and for the past two years he has been auditor of Mon- roe township. He is a man of integrity, one of the leading and representative citizens in this part of the county. He is a director of the Dillsburg National Bank, succeeding his father in that institution at the death of the latter, who was one of the organizers of the bank. This bank was a private institu- tion, and was later made into a national bank. The elder Mr. Bowman was one of the board of directors most of the time from its organization until his death, and he was also a director in the Second Na- tional Bank of Mechanicsburg. Our sub-
ject was one of the organizers of the Allen Knitting Company. located at Churchtown, being secretary of same. This company was organized in 1902, for the purpose of manu- facturing hosiery, and gives employment to twenty people. It is expected that the plant will be greatly increased in the near future.
JAMES KLINE is a highly respected representative of good English and Welsh stock.
Jacob Kline, his paternal grandfather, was born in England. and upon his arrival in this country settled below Lisburn Forge, on the York county side, where he followed the occupation of shoemaking. All shoes at that time were hand made, and the old lap stone used by Jacob Kline is in the pos- session of his grandson at the present time, and it is regarded as one of the most valua- ble of the many relics in the family home- stead. Edward-Jones, grandfather of James Kline on the maternal side, was a veteran of the war of 1812. He was a farmer, and lived at the foot of Round Top, York coun- ty, and there he died at a ripe old age.
Jacob R. Kline. father of James, was born near Lisburn Forge, in York county, Dec. 23, 1799. Upon reaching manhood, he, for twenty-three years, taught school in that vicinity. In politics he was noted for being a strong Whig, and he was ready at all times to champion the principles of the Whig party. He died in 1841. His wife, Nancy Jones, was born in 1799, and died in 1854.
James Kline was born in Andersontown York county. After a few years schooling, at an early age he started to work for Robert Bryson, making bricks and digging wells, at which he continued for three years, when he went to farming. For a period of about sixteen years he worked on various farms,
507
CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
and then bought a farm of 110 acres near Siddonsburg, York county, which he culti- vated for three years, and then sold it to John E. Kraybill. After the sale of his farm he moved to Lisburn, and engaged in the general merchandise business. At the end of one year he sold out. and moved to Bow- mansdale, and engaged in the same business. In 1880 he bought a fine farm of 108 acres, a short distance from Bowmansdale, and in 1883 he moved from Bowmansdale, and lo- cated on his farm on which he still resides.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.