Biographical annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settled families, Part 75

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 75

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The patriotism of the Kleffman family is of a genuine type, as was evinced by the number of representatives they had on the side of the Union in the Civil war. The father of our subject served as a private in Company H, 200th Regiment, P. V., in 1864 and 1865; an uncle, Casper H. Kleff- man, was in the service earlier, participating in many important engagements, and was wounded in the battle of Chancellorsville. The other uncles, Charles Oerman and Fred- erick W. Kottcamp, also battled bravely in that great struggle for the nation's life. The citizen's devotion to his country is measured by his willingness to suffer and die for it.

J. D. REA, who has lived retired on the old homestead in West Pennsboro township, Cumberland county, for about thirty years, was born on that place in 1840, son of George and Isabella (Dunlop) Rea. His father was reared in Bedford county, this State. and came to Cumberland county about 1830. His family consisted of seven chil- dren, four sons and three daughters, of whom J. D. is the only survivor.

Mr. Rea began his education in the public school of the home district, later attended the academy at Newville for three years, and then went to a school at Plainfield. He taught one term, in West Pennsboro town- ship. However, he had been trained to farming and decided to adopt that calling,

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looking after the cultivation of the old Rea homestead, in which work he was very suc- cessful. However, he has long since re- linquished active labor, his youngest son now managing the place, our subject giving his attention to the business connected with his various interests. He has taken the interest of a public-spirited citizen in the welfare of his locality, and has been honored with election to most of the local offices, having served acceptably as school director, town- ship supervisor and member of the election board of his township. His leisure has given him the opportunity to indulge his tastes, and he has traveled extensively over both the United States and Europe. The farm on which Mr. Rea makes his home comprises 135 acres of valuable land, and he also has other holdings.

On Feb. 10, 1861, Mr. Rea was married to Miss Elizabeth Mccullough, by whom he had three children : G. Arthur, who operates the Big Spring Mill; Charles E., who is en- gaged in the United States mail service as mail carrier in Harrisburg; and Mary, who is the wife of Samuel Stuart, and lives in Car- lisle, Cumberland county. The mother of these died in 1871, after a few days' illness, and in 1874 Mr. Rea married Miss Annie H. Hall, of Jersey City. Of the children born to this union one survives, Dudley, who mar- ried Mattie Searight, of Cumberland coun- ty, and has two children, Glen and Searight. Mrs. Annie H. Rea died in 1883, and in 1885 Mr. Rea married Miss Annie E. Shel- ler, daughter of Dr. Adam Sheller, a prom- inent physician of Mt. Joy, Lancaster Co., Pa. The family is identified with the United Presbyterian Church at Newville. No man in the community has higher standing among his fellow citizens than J. D. Rea, and his family does credit to excellent home training and Christian influences. In 1868

he became connected with Big Spring Lodge, No. 361, F. & A. M., of which he is now past master, and he is past high priest of St. Johns Chapter, of Carlisle; past eminent commander of St. John's Commandery. Philadelphia Consistory. About 1870 he represented his lodge at grand lodge.

JACOB M. GOTTSHALL. Among the representative residents of Boiling Springs, South Middleton township, is Jacob M. Gottshall, who springs of old, sub- stantial stock, long associated with the growth and history of this section of country.

Peter Gottshall, his father, was born in South Middleton township, in 1814, and un- til he was eighteen years of age, he alter- nately attended school and worked upon his father's farm. At that age he began to learn the trade of a carpenter at Boiling Springs, and when he had completed his apprentice- ship, he went into business with his brother Adam at Boiling Springs, and for forty years these two did a flourishing business as builders and contractors. Peter Gottshall was forced to retire on account of ill health, and he died at Springville, South Middle- ton township, in 1886, aged seventy-two years. He married Elizabeth Gross, and they had children as follows : George: Jacob M .; Henry; John; Daniel; Willis; Peter ; Mary and Alfred. The wife and mother died, and he married (second) Rebecca Shupp, and they had two children, Annie and one that died in infancy.

Jacob M. Gottshall was born in 1839, in Monroe township, but attended school in South Middleton township, and when six- teen years of age, he began learning the shoe- maker's trade at Boiling Springs. In two years he was able to do journeyman work, and for three years he worked at his trade,

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and then embarked in business for himself at Boiling Springs. For forty-nine years he has been one of the prominent shoe men of Boil- ing Springs, and has occupied his present lo- cation on Third street for fifteen years.

In 1875. Mr. Gottshall married Fanny Harnish. daughter of Jacob and Susan Har- nish, and one child was born to them, Her- man, who married Catherine Deitch, of Boil- ing Springs, daughter of John and Barbara Deitch. He is employed in Plank's depart- ment store at Carlisle, as head of a depart- ment. and is a very enterprising young man. Mr. Gottshall had two children by a former marriage : Charles H., living in Philadelphia ; and Elmer F., who married Ella Sparrow, and is employed in Harrisburg as a moulder. Mr. Gottshall is a very highly respected bus- iness man. and has many friends in Boiling Springs, and throughout the county.

Jacob Harnishi, father of Mrs. Gottshall was born in Lancaster county, Pa., in 1799, and was there educated in the public schools. He followed farming until his death. The following children were born to himself and wife: Christian, who lives in Perry county. Pa .; George, who is at Boil- ing Springs; Mary Ann, who died at Boil- ing Springs; Catherine, who died in Lan- caster county ; Jacob, in California; Susan, in Carlisle: Elizabeth, who lives in York county ; Fanny, who became Mrs. Gottshall. The family is an old and highly respected one in both Lancaster and Cumberland coun- ties, and its representatives are numbered among the leading citizens in the several communities where the name is found.

GEORGE M. HOFFER. The Hoffers are among the old and honored families of Cumberland county and supposed to be of Swiss origin. The first of the family of whom we have authentic record is George

Melchior Hoffer, who died at Carlisle, Pa., about 1842, aged eighty-one years. He had spent many years of his life here, had wed- ded his second wife here, and for a long period had an extensive coopering trade. He was active in the M. E. Church, in which he was a distinctive figure, and so thoroughly did his views perineate his fam- ily that they belong still to that religious body. By his first marriage he had one son, William, who in young manhood left Car- lisle and was ever after lost to the ken of his family. The second marriage brought Mr. Hoffer a family of seven children, as fol- lows : Melchior, father of our subject, and a resident of Carlisle; John, engaged in a coopering business at Pittsburg ; Joseph, en- gaged in the hat business at Pittsburg; Jacob, who remained at Carlisle until his family was almost grown and then removed to Bucyrus, Ohio, where he died (he also carried on a cooper business) ; James, who passed all his life at Carlisle, dying aged fifty years (he was a butcher by trade and was elected for one term as sheriff, on the Whig ticket ) ; Catherine, Mrs. Bell, who . died at Carlisle; and Ann, Mrs. Reed, whose husband is a cabinet-maker at Newville, this county.

Melchior Hoffer, the eldest son in the above family, was born in 1797 at Carlisle and died in 1849. He followed the cooper trade through life. He was a good and pious member of the M. E. Church. He married Catherine Zellinger, who was born at Leb- anon, Pa., and died at Carlisle, aged eighty- six years, and the twelve children of this marriage were as follows: (1 ) John when a boy started to learn the hatter's trade at Pittsburg, ran away on account of accident- ally breaking a piece of crockery, and later had an adventurous life, boating on the Mis- sissippi river and becoming a member of the

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famous Texas Rangers, under Capt. Bell. In a fight at Mere Mux the whole command was captured and taken to the City of Mex- ico, and later escaped to the swamp, where, after starvation for a week, they were re- captured. In barbarous fashion, each tenth man was ordered shot, John Hoffer escaping and being sent again to Mexico City, where he was released through the intercession of Gen. Andrew Jackson. The courageous youth immediately rejoined the Rangers, participated in the Mexican war under Gen. Taylor, and finally died on the march through Texas, of yellow fever, an enemy all his courage and daring could not con- quer. (2) James, the second son, learned the carpenter's trade and followed same for years, becoming an extensive contractor and builder in Carlisle. Later, during the Civil war, he engaged in a coal, lumber and feed business. At his death, at the age of forty- one years, he left a widow and two daugh- ters. (3) Jacob became a dentist and re- sided at Columbia, Lancaster county, where he died in the spring of 1901, leaving a wid- ow and five children. He also served through the Mexican war, under Gen. Win- field Scott. (4) Catherine, wife of Freder- ick Swartz, of Harrisburg, died leaving four children. (5) George M. is a retired resi- dent of Carlisle. (6) William learned the business of stonecutting and after some years that of butchering, which latter he fol- lowed until his death, in 1896, leaving four children. (7) Elizabeth (deceased) was the wife of John N. Armstrong, a late ex- tensive lumber dealer at Carlisle. (8) Charles followed the trade of painter through life, and died leaving a widow and two children. (9) Miss Charlotte lives in Carlisle. The other three members of this family died in infancy.

George M. Hoffer was born Oct. 29,

1829, in Carlisle, in which city his life has been passed. After his school days were over he learned the carpenter's trade and worked some years at the same, and then en- gaged in a butchering business which he con- tinued until 1898, when he retired from act- ive business life. In 1896 he erected liis handsome private residence, one of the fine homes of the city, situated at No. 150 West South street, Carlisle, a very pleasant portion of the city.

In 1857 Mr. Hoffer married Sarah E. Weaver, a daughter of James Weaver, a well-known cabinet-maker of Carlisle. She died in August, 1896, at the age of sixty- two years. Three sons were born to this marriage, viz. : James, of Steelton, foreman in the signal shop of the steel company, mar- ried Emma Taber, and they have children- George, Bessie, Frank and Margerie; Frank, who succeeded his father in the butchering business is unmarried and resides at Carlisle ; Charles, who is also in the butchering busi- ness at Carlisle, married Lela Lease.

Another member of this family, J. Edgar Hoffer, is a son of Dr. Jacob Hoffer, de- ceased, of Columbia, Pa. He is a graduate of West Point and is now stationed at Frankfort Arsenal, Philadelphia, as a cap- tain of artillery. The family all through is noted for sterling worth and high character.

JULIUS B. KAUFMAN, a capitalist and representative citizen of New Cumber- land, Cumberland county, was born Oct. 29, 1843, in Newberry township, York county.

Mr. Kaufman attended school up to the age of twelve years, in Newberry township, when his parents removed to Fairview town- ship, and there he completed his education, at the age of eighteen years. He followed the life of the usual intelligent young farmer

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CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

of his locality, teaching school during the winters. and other work through the sun- mers. for two years. In 1864-65 he at- tended the Eastman Business College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and in the spring of 1865 came to New Cumberland and went into the office of the Musser & Coover Lum- ber Co., remaining with this firm and its successors for twenty-two years. In 1888 he engaged in the lumber business with Henry R. Musser, his former employer, lo- cating at Steelton, and they operated in the lumber regions of Tioga county with great success. In 1891 he bought Mr. Musser's interest and continued the business at Steel- ton until 1900, when he closed it out. Since that cate Mr. Kaufman has devoted his time to looking after other interests, as he owns much real estate and is a stock-holder in the Susquehanna Woolen Mill.

On Feb. 4. 1869, Mr. Kaufman was mar- ried to Miss Susan R. Bigler, who was born in Lower Allen township. Her father. John Bigler, spent the greater part of his life in Cumberland county, where he was reared a farmer, and there married Sarah Wagoner. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Bigler settled in Lower Allen township, Cumber- land county, and reared the following chil- dren : Simon, who is a resident of Carlisle; Rebecca, Mrs. Samuel Weaver, of Shire- manstown; Jacob, of Mt. Pleasant, York county ; Elizabeth, Mrs. Shedrick Stevens, of Shiremanstown; Caroline, widow of James McGrannagan, of Harrisburg ; Susan R., who became Mrs. Kaufman; John, of Sanford, Fla .; Priscilla, who died unmar- ried; and Ira, who married a Miss Bowman and is a railroad employee at Lemoyne.

Mr. Bigler was an active Democrat, but not as a seeker for political honors. He was deeply interested in the cause of education and gave his children the advantages which

he had never enjoyed in his youth. His death occurred in 1894, on his farm, when he was aged about ninety-one years. His wife died in 1889. Both were worthy men- bers of the religious body known as the Church of God.

Mr. and Mrs. Kaufman had two children born to them, Charles and Edith, both of whom died in infancy. They adopted a child, but it died at the age of six years. Both Mr. Kaufman and his wife are consis- tent members of the Methodist Church at New Cumberland, of which he is a trustee and treasurer, while Mrs. Kaufman is a leading spirit in the local and foreign mi's- sionary societies and the Epworth League. Politically Mr. Kaufman is identified with no particular party, for although he takes a deep interest in public matters he finds it more satisfactory to cast his vote independ- ently, and he has never accepted any public office except a position on the school board. Fraternally he is a member of the Hep- tasophs.

Samuel Kaufman, the father of Julius B. Kaufman, was born in 1818 in Fairview township, York Co., Pa., and was a son of parents of very modest means. His educa- tion was the best afforded by the public schools of the locality, which he attended until he was old enough to work, after which

he made his own way in the world. After his marriage he located on a farm in Fair- view township, York county, and he died in Lewisberry, York county, in 1879. His widow survived until July, 1903, dying in New Cumberland. The children of Samuel Kaufman and his wife were as follows : Jul- ius B. has already been mentioned. Lydia Ann died aged three years. John married Rebecca Keister, and is a merchant in New Cumberland. William married Sophia Haines, and died in 1901, in New Cumber-

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land, leaving two children. Hattie married Lilburn Miller, of New Cumberland. Al- bert died at San Bernardino, Cal., where he was engaged in mining for the past eighteen years; he was unmarried. Levi married Sarah Weigle and died in 1889 in New Cumberland, and his wife later became Mrs. Irving Bates, of that city. Joseph L. mar- ried Letitia McCarthy and resides in Har- risburg. Samuel, who married Ella Davis, lives in New Cumberland. The members of this large family are all prominent and have made the name honorably known in several localities.

John Kaufman, the grandfather of Julius B., was probably also born in Fairview township, where he was a farmer all his life and died aged eighty-three years. The great-grandfather was Jacob Kaufman, who was born in Germany and came to America with his two brothers, settling first in Lan- caster county, Pa., but Jacob located perman- ently in York county, and later one brother went to Franklin county. The early Kauf- mans took part in the Revolutionary war, and they have always been honorable men and useful citizens. Julius B. Kaufman is a worthy descendant of such ancestors.

GEORGE WERTZ, one of the prosper- ous farmers and reliable residents of Hamp- den township, was born in Monroe township. Jan. 16, 1833. The family originally came from York county, and located in Monroe township during the early part of the last century.

George Wertz, Sr., father of George, came to Cumberland county with his father when a boy, and after receiving a common school education, engaged in farming. He married Mary Low, daughter of Jacob Low, of York county, and five children were born to them: Elizabeth married Simon Nes-

linger, and had eight children, Hiram, Sam- uel, George, James, Mary, Elmira, Jane and Ermina. Solomon married (first) Mary Lininger, daughter of John Lininger, and had one child, Mary Ellen, wife of Edward Witters, of Hampden township; he married ( second) Susan Reed, and they had one child, Dorothy, at home. George is our subject. Carolus married Catherine Trim- mel. Mary Ann married John Shaeffer, and has four children, Gertrude, Martha, George and Mervin.

George Wertz, Jr., attended the schools of his township until he was twenty-one years of age. After leaving school, he worked upon a farm, and later at the trade of a carpenter, following the latter line for about six years. When he was twenty-five he began farming for himself upon his pres- ent property, which consists of nearly two hundred acres, the greater portion of which is under cultivation, and very well improved. He carries on general farming and is very successful.

On Dec. 4, 1856, Mr. Wertz was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Custer, daughter of Israel and Maria (Adams) Cus- ter of East Pennsboro township, and three children were born to them: Israel C. mar- ried Miss Olive Pearl Shettel, daughter of Jacob Shettel of Upper Allen township, and has five children, Nevin Milton, Alice Kath- erine, Ellen May, Olive Pearl and George Jacob, all at home attending school. George MI., married Clara E. Bates, daughter of Daniel Bates, of Upper Allen township. and has two children, George Wilbur and Har- old Daniel. Alice Lavina who died at the age of five years.

Mr. and Mrs. Wertz are consistent mem- bers of the Lutheran Church, in which they take an active part. Mr. Wertz has held the office of supervisor one term; that of audi-

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tor nine years, assessor four years, and been a school director fifteen years, and he has al- ways voted the ticket and supported the prin- ciples of the Democrat party. His popular- ity in the township is great, and he is a very highly esteemed citizen, who has many warm, personal friends.

JAMES DUNLAP. Honored and re- spected, with his eighty-five years resting very lightly upon him. the venerable James Dunlap, a retired farmer of Cumberland county. is living at Newville, Pa., sur- rounded by the comforts provided by ample means, and enjoying a well-earned peace, although he still retains his interest in some of his business affairs, and is a director of the First National Bank of Newville.

The Dunlap family is of Scotch-Irish ex- traction, and the original American ancestor settled near Princeton, N. J. John Dunlap, grandfather of James, married a Miss Arm- strong.

William Dunlap, son of John and father of James, was born in Upper Allen town- ship, this county, in 1781, and he died in 1826, in his forty-fifth year. He was an en- terprising farmer. and was a successful man. His religious relations were with the United Presbyterian Church, of which his wife was also a devout member. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Sproat, was born in Penn township, Cumberland county, in 1785, daughter of William Sproat, one of the earlier settlers of Cumberland county, and she died in 1839, and was buried in the new cemetery northwest of Newville. After their marriage, William Dunlap and wife set- tled on a farm in Upper Allen township, where he resided for a few years, then moved to Penn township, and purchased a farm of 300 acres, becoming one of the most pros- perous men of that township. This farm

was formerly the property of his wife's grandfather, John Sproat, who in 1763 purchased the warrant from a Mr. Robinson, and had it patented. He and his wife be- came the parents of six children : John S., deceased; William, deceased; Sarah Ann, also deceased; James: Isabel, and Miss Nancy E., the last named a resident of New- ville.

James Dunlap, our venerable subject. was born in Penn township, Feb. 20, 1819. He spent his youth upon the farm, and at- tended the pay school at Palmstown, after- ward the free school, but as his father died when the lad was only seven years of age, he was deprived of his care and advice. He re- mained upon the farm with his mother until his twentieth year, when he began farming on his own account, on the homestead. After his marriage he continued to reside upon the homestead, which later on he bought from his brothers and sisters, and he added to this farm until he had 200 acres. Upon this property were good buildings, which he kept in excellent repair, and engaged actively in farming, stock raising and wheat raising. He continued to reside upon this farm until 1887, when he removed to Newville which has since been his home.

In 1846 Mr. Dunlap married Lucetta Hays, who was born in 1825, daughter of Patrick and Margaret ( Mickey) Hays, and the following children were born to this union : William S., a successful farmer in Cumberland county ; Robert, a farmer of West Pennsboro township; J. Armstrong, a farmer and resident of Newton township; Fred S., on the old homestead in Penn town- ship; J. Wallace, at home; Margaret, who married William H. Mccullough, and re- sides in West Pennsboro township; and Lillie B., at home.

Mr. Dunlap is a Republican, but while

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always taking a lively interest in good gov- ernment, never sought office. He is a di- rector, as before stated, in the First National Bank at Newville. Mrs. Dunlap passed away in April, 1903, in her seventy-ninth year. She was a devoted wife and mother, and a consistent member of the United Pres- byterian Church, of which Mr. Dunlap him- self has been a member for a number of years, and has served as trustee for the past ten years. By close observation of the rules of health, and being temperate in his habits, he has reached his present age, in possession of all his faculties, and is a fine representative of the vigorous, enterprising, mien of his time. He is well read upon general sub- jects, and keeps pace with the present stren- nous age.

HENRY C. BABBLE, one of the sub- stantial men of Middlesex township, Cum- berland county, owning here a fine farm of 138 acres, comes of German ancestors who settled in York county at an early day. Mr. Babble was born May 12, 1829, in Dover township, York county.

In every sense Mr. Babble may be termed a self-made man, and his successful career may well be cited as an example of what may be secured through honesty, perseverance and energy. When he was six years old his parents moved to Cumberland county, and he was sent to a German school in Silver Spring township, later to a school in Shire- manstown, but as soon as he was old enough he was put to farm work. His father owned no machinery, and he remembers when he rode the horses over the wheat on the barn floors to trample out the grain, which later had to be separated from the chaff. On the odd days when it was impossible to work, he went to school. In 1848 he entered the tannery of Samuel Fought in Silver Spring

township, and remained there three years, being paid $5 a month. He still continued to work on farms, earning from forty to seventy-five cents a day, and in harvest time getting $1. He kept at work with these wages until he had saved $200 with which, in 1857 he purchased the Fought tannery with one acre of land. He was obliged to borrow $100 to get a supply of hides with which to work, and he then began tanning, all that the business brought him during the first year being put back into it in improvements and additions. He built also a house and barn, cautiously advancing step by step, working hard and being as economical as possible.

When the Civil war broke out, what was a disaster for some lines of business, proved a boom for the tanning industry, and Mr. Babble found it necessary greatly to increase his accommodations. He built a new tan- nery with dimensions of ninety feet. and two years later added fifty-seven feet and two stories, operating this large plant for thirty-four years. In 1881 he bought the Sample tannery at Sulphur Springs, operat- ing both plants for three years, when he sold the first for $4,200. On Oct. 1, 1881, he removed to the tannery at Sulphur Springs. and operated it until 1893, selling it and buy- ing his present farm. In 'consists of three tracts, thirty-one acres in the home farm, and 138 in the other farm, and 117 acres of mountain land.

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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 75

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