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 77
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ELDER W. SHARPE, a prominent retired farmer of Newton township, was born Oct. 5. 1829, and is a descendant of an old family of Scotch-Irish extraction.
Benjamin Sharpe, the grandfather of Elder WV. Sharpe, was born in Scotland, and settled. in Cumberland county about 1776, where he purchased large tracts of land.
John Sharpe, son of Benjamin, was also born in Newton township, Cumberland county, Pa., and married Jane McCune, a member of an equally prominent family. They had a family of seven children, namely : Margaret married a McKeehan; Hannah married Robert Hayes; Isobel married John Gracey: Samuel is deceased; Alexander is deceased; Elder W .: and John is a retired farmer at Chambersburg. Only two of this family survive. The father died in 1832, and the mother in 1847.
Elder W. Sharpe was left fatherless at
the age of four years. He was educated in the district schools, and later attended the old Rhoads school and the Stoughstown school, his education being completed in his nineteenth year. Until his marriage in 1853, he remained on the homestead, settling then on a farm on the Harrisburg & Chambers- burg pike road, on a property known as the old Sharpe homestead. Here he engaged in general farming and afterwards bought 130 acres, which he put under a fine state of cultivation and improved with good build- ings. Mr. Sharpe has been one of the good wheat farmers of this section, often raising as much as 1,000 bushels of this grain a year. He has always believed in good stock, and has fully tested the different kinds on his farm, and has always been recognized as one of the intelligent and prosperous farmers of Newton township. In 1897 he rented his farm and retired from active labor, settling in & very pleasant and comfortable home in Shippensburg.
In 1853 Mr. Sharpe married Elizabeth Kelso, of Newton township, daughter of James and Mary Kelso, a prominent pioneer family of this locality. They have had the following children born to them: John Sharpe, principal of the Blairstown Acad- emy, at Blairstown, N. J., a very scholarly man; James A., on the old Sharpe home- stead; Sarah, wife of William Gracey, of Centerville; Brady, a resident of Nebraska ; Edgar, deceased; Jane S., wife of Jolin Woodburn, a farmer of Newton township; Rev. Robert, who is a Presbyterian minister stationed in New Jersey; Wallace, a farmer in Nebraska ; Mary at home ; and Elder W., deceased.
In politics Mr. Sharpe is affiliated with the Republican party, and has always taken considerable interest in local, state and na- tional politics, but has always steadily re-
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fused political preferment. Both he and wife are consistent members of the United Presbyterian Church at Newville. Mr. Sharpe is held in high esteem in his commun- ity, possessing the sterling traits of character which make of him a devoted husband and father, a good neighbor and a first-class citizen.
JACOB EICHELBERGER, one of the prominent farmers and respected citizens of Lower Allen township, and a descendant of an old and honorable family of this locality, was born Dec. 20,; 1835, in East Pennsboro township, this county, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Spong) Eichelberger, and is of German ancestry.
Jacob Eichelberger, father of our sub- ject, was born in East Pennsboro township, on a farm which adjoined one he later owned. He was a son of well-to-do parents and en- joyed the advantages of a district school education, but was also taught all the prac- tical details of a farmer's life. He cleared up many acres of timber land and dealt ex- tensively in cattle. In young manhood he married Miss Elizabeth Spong, sister of Jo- seph Spong, who was the father of Lemuel R. Spong, of West Fairview, of whom a sketch will be found elsewhere. M :. Eichelberger continued to farm up to within ten years of his decease, and then moved to Wormleys- burg. where he died in the summer of 1889. His first wife died on the farm many years before and Mr. Eichelberger subsequently married Mrs. Elizabeth Rodabough, who also precedled him to the grave. Our sub- ject's parents were both devout Lutherans and the father was a liberal contributor to St. John's Church, at Shiremanstown, to which he willed a large amount at his deathi. In politics he was a supporter of the Re- publican party.
The children of Jacob Eichelberger, Sr., by his first marriage, were as follows: Adam (deceased), who married Susan Wormley; Sarah, Mrs. John Rodabough, of East Pennsboro; Jacob, Jr., of this sketch ; Mary, Mrs. John Bixler, of Wormsleyburg; Joseph, a farmer of East Pennsboro town- ship, who married (first) Jane Fortney, and (second) Elizabeth Miller; Martin, who married Mrs. Kate Phillips and resides in Sunbury; and Katherine, Mrs. John Ken- more, of Wormleysburg.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was born in Germany and died in East Pennsboro township. His children were as follows: Adam, a farmer, died near Camp Hill; George resided near Hogestown, in this county; Jolin resided near Slate Hill, this county ; Jacob became the father of our subject ; Jonas is deceased; Mrs. Neilhorner is deceased; Mrs. Fred Sheely is deceased; David married Susanna Sheely and died in East Pennsboro township .
Jacob Eichelberger grew up on the farm and attended what was known as the Bow- man district school, his remembered instruct- ors being of this neighborhood, and one of them was the well known Bailey Mateen, a favorite and successful teacher of that time and locality. His father believed in early industry and he was put to farm work young, assisting his father in clearing up many acres of timber and in the cultivation of much land. He remained with his father until his marriage, which took place in 1854, in East Pennsboro township, and was to Miss Susan Rupley, of East Pennsboro township, a daughter of George Rupley, who was a prosperous farmer of that section. After his marriage the father divided the farm be- tween himself and his brother Joseph and generously built the former a home on his half of the 100 acres. Mr. Eichelberger
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continued here, actively engaged in farming until 1903, and engaged in wholesaling milk for twelve years. Here his first wife died Aug. 12, 1887, a devout member of St. John's Lutheran Church, of Shiremanstown, and in 1889 he married (second) Miss Annie Danner, who was born near Lewis- berry York county. In her infancy her par- ents removed to East Pennsboro, where she grew to womanhood, and in Middleton township she went to school to Miss Isabella Benner, now Mrs. J. Zeamer, and later was instructed by Jere Zeamer, in the old oak schoolhouse in North Middleton township. Mrs. Eichelberger was a daughter of Peter G. and Anna ( Brady) Danner, both of whom were born and reared in York county. Her father died at the home of his son Lewis C., keeper of the toll-gate at Bridge- port, the mother passing away a few months previously. The children of Peter G. Dan- ner and his wife were as follows: Reuben married Adeline Nisley, and died at New Cumberland in May. 1903; Abraham mar- ried Rebecca Hess, and lives at Riverton ; Charles died young; Eliza Mary, deceased. was Mrs. Harry Lewis: Jolin. of Riverton, married Rachel Garret; Lewis C., toll-gate keeper and merchant, married Carrie Nay- lor; Tillie is Mrs. Charles Green, of Steel- ton; Annie is Mrs. Eichelberger; Clara is Mcs. Benjamin Eichelberger, of Lemoyne ; and James, of Allegheny City, married Christina Hostetter. The paternal grand- father of Mrs. Eichelberger was Tobias Danner, who married Elizabeth Groff. of German parentage. Her people were wealthy and left a large estate, but owing to lack of legal evidence those most interested , have never been able to secure it.
Mr. Eichelberger had the following chil- dren by his first marriage: John, deceased, married Hannah Martin; Jacob, of Spar- 35
row's Point, married Mary Good; Harry, of Wormleysburg, married Kate Lucas ; Flora, deceased, was the wife of John Orris; George, of Lemoyne, married Fanny Eshel- man ; Fanny married J. D. Hipple, of Worm- leysburg; Frank, deceased, married Jessie Albright; Milton, of Wormleysburg, mar- ried Susan Brown; Benjamin, of Lemoyne, married Clara Danner. The children of the second union are Charles, Walter, Paul, Nestor, Verna, Robert and Lena.
JOHN P. WISE, one of the much re- spected citizens and substantial farmers of West Pennsboro township, was born in Cumberland county, a son of John Wise.
Jacob Wise, grandfather of John P. Wise, was born in Virginia, and came to Cumberland county' in young manhood. After a residence of ten years he went to Ohio. and died in the city of Dayton. His children were: Mollie died in Dickinson township, Cumberland county; Annie died in Illinois ; John ; and Joseph, Rebecca, Han- nah, Susan and Hettie, all of whom died in Ohio.
John Wise, son of Jacob, was born in Cumberland county, and followed an agri- cultural life in Dickinson township, and later in Pennsboro township. He married Rebecca Goodhart, and they had a family of three children, viz : Harriet A., born in Penn township, married Peter Hess, of Cumber- land county, who died in Ohio, and she has since resided with our subject in West Pennsboro township; Jacob, born in 1832, died in West Pennsboro township, at the age of nineteen years; and our subject, the youngest of the family.
John P. Wise received his education in Penn and West Pennsboro townships. At the age of twenty years he embarked in a mercantile business in Penn township, and
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three years later he was drafted into the army for service in the Civil war. He en- tered Company F. 158th Regiment, under Capt. Dielil. as a private, and was promoted to be sergeant. After being stationed six months at Newbern. N. C .. the regiment was ordered to Washington. During the battle of Gettysburg. Mr. Wise was on guard duty along the river. In 1863 he was mustered out of the service at Chambersburg. 'and returned to Cumberland county. He ac- cepted a clerkship in a store at Newville, where he continued twelve years, when he bought the old Hefileboro farm, consisting of 100 acres of good land. Here he has engaged in farming ever since his widowed sister came to live with him. He never married. He and sister reared a girl named Katie Steel, who grew to amiable young womanhood with them and married John Trego, and they now have one son, Melvin Wise, and reside in West Pennsboro town- ship. Mr. Wise is a Republican and has taken a very lively interest in political mat- ters in his section. He served on the jury commission of Cumberland county for three years, lias been school director, and has been offered all. and served in, a number of other local offices.
Both Mr. Wise and sister are members of the United Presbyterian Church of New- ville, in which he has been a trustee for fifteen years. He is also superintendent of the Sunday-school. A life of integrity and devotion to duty has made him a most highly considered citizen of this community and he numbers his friends by the number of his acquaintances.
JAMES K. KLINK. One of the large property owners, a justice of the peace and notary public, as well as a leading citizen of Newville, is James K. Klink, who was born
Dec. 30, 1830, on the old Klink homestead, which is now a portion of the town site of Newville.
George Klink, the grandfather, was a native of Germany, but upon coming to the United States, he made this his adopted country, and served in the army for some time. He worked at day's labor.
George Klink, Jr., son of George and father of James K., was born in Pennsyl- vania in May, 1792, but came of German descent. By occupation he was a shoe- maker, and he followed that trade all his life, which was passed in his native county. He died in 1869. He married Elizabeth Holmes, who was born in Cumberland county, in 1788. She died in 1875, in the faith of the Lutheran Church. Thirteen children were born to this devoted couple, seven boys and six girls, eight of whom lived to be grown, James K. and two sisters being now the only survivors.
James K. Klink was liberally educated, as, after he attended school in the old Luth- eran Church at Newville, he was sent to a select school taught by Professor French, and from it he was graduated. After com- pleting this school course, the young man returned home, and before he was of age, he embarked in the dry goods business in Newville, which he established, later ad- mitting his brother, Willis F Klink, under the firm style of Klink & Bro. Later on, however, he disposed of his interest to his brother, and since then devotes his atten- tion to the management of his real estate, and the conduct of his duties as justice of the peace and notary public.
In January, 1854, Mr. Klink married Miss Mary M. Schwartz, of Lewistown, Mif- flin county, Pa., daughter of Frank Schwartz and Eliza (Kohler) Schwartz. Four chil- dren have been born to them : George F., de-
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ceased: Elizabeth M., a widow residing at home with her parents; James Foster, a printer ; and Joseph F., of Oregon. Mr. Klink casts his vote for and supports the candidates of the Democrat party. For a number of years he has served very ably as justice of the peace, and for over ten years as notary public. In every respect he is an honorable, popular and able man, whose list of friends is a long one, and whose position in the community is unquestioned.
JOHN KELLEY, a highly respected citizen of Mifflin township, Cumberland county. and formerly of Newville, Pa., was born Dec. 30, 1837, near Green Springs, Newton township, Cumberland county, Pennsylvania.
Little is known of the family beyond his father, but it is probable that his grandfather was of Scotch-Irish descent. William Kel- ley, his father, came to Cumberland county in boyhood and lived in Newton township, near Green Springs. Later he removed to Newville, and there learned the painting trade. There he married Jane Stewart, who was born in 1804 in Scotland, and after his marriage he located in Newton, then Hopewell, township, along the Conedo- guinet creek, and followed distilling for fifteen years. Later he removed to Newville, where he met with an accident on a trip to Johnstown, which caused the breaking of his leg and ulti- mately his death, at the age of sixty-three years. He was a worthy member of Bethel Church. His burial took place in Jolinstown, and his widow died Jan. 1, 1846, in New- ville, where she was interred. Their chil- dren were: Alexander married Susan Linn, of Huntsdale, where he died and is buried; Mary A. married Abraham Reeder, and was accidentally burned to death April 17, 1902,
and was buried in the Zion cemetery ; Emme- line married William Sanderson, and died and is buried at Stoughstown ; William mar- ried Caroline Cox, and both died and are buried in Harrisburg; Sarah Jane died un. married at Mansfield. Ohio : Samuel married Sarah Duffey and died in West Pennsboro township, and was buried in Prospect cent- etery: Margaret married George Yocum, and died and is buried at Newville; John is the subject of this sketch; Joseph left Cum- berland county at the age of seventeen years and later was killed in Arizona, where he was in the mining and cattle business; and Elizabeth died at the age of two years.
John Kelley attended the schools at New- ville until he was about seventeen, and then learned the shoemaking trade, which he fol- lowed there until he enlisted for service in the Civil war. Mr. Kelley is an active Re- publican and he has held several local offices. among them having been judge of elections. He is a member of thé Reformed Church at Zion.
On Jan. 31, 1860, Mr. Kelley married Elizabeth Carl, who was born May 15. 1838, daughter of George and Margaret Carl, of Philadelphia. In 1882 Mr. Kelley settled in Mifflin township, buying a snug little place of four acres on which he has built a fine home. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Kelley are: (1) Annie, who married Sol- omon Gotshal, resides in Mifflin township. (2) John Alexander, born Dec. 13, 1862. died March 14, 1864. (3) James Tracy married Elizabeth Gabel, and after a res- idence at Peoria, Ill., located at Hummels- town, Dauphin Co., Pa. (4) Joseph Alfred, born May 10, 1869, died Feb. 12, 1871. (5) Ida married William Smith and they reside near Shippensburg. (6) Nora B. married John C. Coover, and they live at Peoria, Ill. (7) Bertha Jane, born March
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24, 1875. died March 3. 1876. (8) Albert F., who married Mary Hamacker, is a farmer in York county. (9) Clarence C., unmarried. is a farmer in Illinois. (10) Vernon Heberlig is a resident of Peoria, Illinois.
Mr. Kelley served as a soldier in the Civil war, enlisting Sept. 15. 1862 in Company F, 17th Regiment, Pennsylvania Cavalry, for three years or during the war. The regiment formed part of the 2d Brigade. Ist Division Cavalry, and took part in some of the operations of the Army of the Poto- mac. Mr. Kelley was discharged on June 26, 1865. His health is in a shattered con- dition, but his memory is as bright and re- tentive as ever, and often recalls to his mind many of the sad and sickening scenes and incidents that he witnessed during his army life. But nevertheless he rejoices to know that he lived at a time when he was per- mitted to help uphold civil and religious liberty, and to help continue free government on the face of the earth.
JOHN DEITCH, one of the leaders in the Democratic party at Boiling Springs, South Middleton township, and a very highly respected business man, is a son of David and Catherine Deitch.
David Deitch was born in Germany in 1821, and there he learned the trade of miller. In 1842 he married Catherine Lutch, and in 1845 brought his family to America, landing in New York. That same year Mrs. Deitch's mother also came to America. David Deitch first settled at Car- lisle, Pa., and after a short stay in that city came to South Middleton township, pur- chasing a small farm of ten acres. After ten years he bought a place in Monroe town- ship, and the next five years he passed in that township, when he sold his tools, stock
and other possessions, and bought a home at Boiling Springs, where he lived retired until his death, which occurred in 1895. His widow died Dec. 19. 1903. The following children were born to these parents : Mar- garet, born in Germany, married Philip Ha- man, and lives at Carlisle: Christopher mar- ried Mary Nailor, daughter of David Nailor, and lives at Carlisle: Charles married Sarah Baker, and lives at Carlisle: Caroline mar- ried Jacob Nailor, and died in 1903, at Boil- ing Springs : Catherine married John Brown and they live at Sulphur Springs: John ; Christine married Harry Fernbaugh, and they live in Upper Allen township, this county ; Mary married Samuel Leib, of Mon- roe township, this county; Jacob married Sallie Smea, and lives in West Pennsboro township: Levi married Rebecca Noffsinger, and lives at Carlisle: William died at the age of seven years; David is deceased; Beckie married John Wise, and they live in Monroe township.
John Deitchi was born in IS48, in Frank- ford township, Cumberland county, Pa., and attended the public schools in this county, and then followed farming. After his mar- riage he remained with his father for three years, and then went to Monroe township, where he engaged in farming for four years, after which he moved to Middlesex town- ship, and remained on the Frank Bosler farm for nineteen years. During all this time he saved sufficient money to buy a farm of fifty- one acres in South Middleton township, known as the Jacob Herr farm. This was in the spring of 1899. After three years, however, he came to Boiling Springs, and is renting his farm at present.
In 1873 Mr. Deitch married Barbara Brechbill, daughter of Henry and Maria Brechbill, of South Middleton township. The following children have been born to
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this union: Fannie B., who married John Raudabaugh, and lives in . South Middleton township; Katie, who married Herman Gottshall, who is in charge of a department at Planke's store at Carlisle, although they reside at Boiling Springs ; Frank, who mar- ried Mona Richter, lives at Carlisle, and who is a conductor on the trolley line from Carlisle to Harrisburg : James, who is a con- ductor on the trolley from Harrisburg to West Fairview; Annie, at home attending school.
John Deitch is a self-made man, and all he possesses has been earned by hard work and great thrift. In politics he is a Demo- crat, and he was school director of his town- ship for a number of years. He and his family are members of the Lutheran Church. and are active in the good work of the church.
JAMES McCALLISTER RALSTON, who for many years was one of the honor- able, upright and much esteemed citizens of Mechanicsburg, passed away in 1903, leav- ing behind him the record of an exemplary and useful life. Mr. Ralston was born Jan. 14. 1823, a son of David and Leacy (McCallister) Ralston, both members of old settled families in these parts.
David Ralston, the grandfather of Mr. Ralston, was a son of Andrew Ralston, who emigrated to Cumberland county from the north of Ireland, about 1728, being among the very first settlers of the Cumberland Valley. Andrew Ralston had six children, one of these being David, who, in turn became the father of David Ralston ( father of James McCallister Ralston), who was born on the old home near Newville, in 1783, and died March 14, 1848. His four children were: James McCallister: David, who died in 1902: Andrew, deceased; and Mary Ellen.
who married David Line, and both are de- ceased. The family has always been a stronghold of the Presbyterian Church. In early days Mr. Ralston was a Whig, but be- came identified with the Republican party on its formation.
James McCallister Ralston was educated in the public schools, and settled down to farming, which he followed all his active life. The family has been noted among the agriculturists of the Valley, and his industry and excellent management kept up the old reputation for excellence. In 1870 he re- tired from activity on the farm and removed to Mechanicsburg, where his last years were passed in the comfortable enjoyment of ample means and pleasant surroundings. In politics he ardently advocated the principles of the Prohibition party. In 1849 he was made an elder in the Presbyterian Church, and his orderly life until his death gave honor to his religious office. Mr. Ralston was frequently called upon to serve in various township offices, and on numerous occasions he was sought as a guardian of minors and as administrator of estates. His death removed an honored and trusted cit- izen.
In December, 1868, Mr. Ralston married Margaret J. Dunlap, daughter of James and Margaret (Mateer) Dunlap, whose two other children were: Dean, deceased; and Mary E .. wife of J. O. Saxton, both de- ceased. The Dunlaps and Mateers settled in the Cumberland Valley in 1737. and have been prominent in this county for 150 years.
JACOB R. ELM, whose death occurred Aug. 25, 1893, was long a well known and highly respected citizen of Shippensburg, and was one of the survivors of the great Civil war, in which he was wounded while serving in the defense of his country.
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Mr. Ehm was born in 1841, at Pleasant Hall, Franklin Co., Pa .. a son of John and Elizabeth (Myers) Elm. natives of Ger- many and residents of a farm near Orrstown, Franklin county, where they died. Jacob R. Elm was educated in the local schools and was fourteen years old when he was appren- ticed to the cabinet-making trade at Ship- pensburg. with David Frantz. Here he served out his apprenticeship and became a skilled workman. He worked as a journey- man until 1862, when he enlisted in the Union army and participated in the battle of Antietam. Here he was wounded in the hand, and this calamity was followed by an attack of typhoid fever, which occasioned his discharge after nine months of service. As soon as he regained his health he re- sumed work, and in 1872 formed a partner- ship with his brother-in-law, Jolin E. Boher, in the manufacture of furniture and the con- ducting of an undertaking business. This grew into a large enterprise, but failing health made it necessary for him to limit his activities, and in 1882 he sold his fur- niture interests to Mr. Boher. He was a man of genial manner and possessed many warm personal friends.
In October. 1866. Mr. Elm was united in marriage with Miss Lottic Boher, daugh- ter of the late Samuel and Mary M. ( Pague) Boher. Mr. Boher died in 1893, his widow surviving until Dec. 3. 1903. Mrs. Boher was a woman well known and much beloved in Shippensburg.' She was born June 12, 1814. in Shippensburg. a daughter of Peter and Katherine ( Weber ) Pague, and a grand- daughter of Capt. Ludwig Weber, who came from Holland early in the settlement of the Cumberland Valley. She was the mother of thirteen children and is survived by the fol- lowing : Samuel C. and David Wilson, of Shippensburg; Mrs. Josephine Deitrich, of
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