Biographical annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settled families, Part 81

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 81

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In 1886 Mr. Lay married Rose Smarsh, daughter of V. A. Smarsh, and when he took his bride to Plainfield he purchased the home they now occupy, a pleasant dwelling upon which they have made many improve- ments. They have become the parents of the following children: William. born in 1887 in Carlisle, died in 1889 at Plainfield;

Ella, born in 1889, is attending the Ship- pensburg State Normal School: Elmer M., born in 1890, and Frank F., born in 1892, are attending school. The family attend the Lutheran Church of Plainfield, and are im- portant factors in the social life of the com- munity. Mr. Lay votes the Democratic ticket, and has served as assessor and upon the election board of his township.

IRA S. EBERLY, one of the well- known business men and representative cit- izens of Mechanicsburg, a member of the well-known lumber firm of L. F. Eberly Sons, was born Dec. 8, 1847, in Upper Allen township, Cumberland county, son of Levi F. and Eliza (Shuey) Eberly, the latter a daughter of Christian and Magdalena (Mily) Shuey, of Lebanon county.

The Eberly family is of Swiss origin, and its founder in Pennsylvania was Johannas Eberly, who settled in the Pequea Valley, Lebanon county, in 1730. He was the father of a son, John, born about 1745, who, in 1771, married Elizabeth Bricker, of Lan- caster county, and they had a family of eight sons and four daughters, namely: Jacob, John, David, Benjamin, Samuel, Henry, Joseph, Peter, Sarah, Elizabeth, Nancy and Mary.

David Eberly, son of John, married Catherine P. Frankenberger, and they had nine children, namely : Levi F., father of Ira S., born in 1818; David, born in 1820; Jacob; Nancy; Mary; Katherine; Saralı; Rebecca and Fannie, all deceased with the exception of David, who resides in Mechan- icsburg. The Eberly family became firmly established in Cumberland county in 1791, and its members brought with them the quiet, peaceful ways of the Mennonite Church, in which religious body many of the family have been prominent.

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CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

On Oct. 24, 1839. Levi F. Eberly was married to Eliza Shuey, and with his wife removed to Lebanon county where he en- gaged in farming for several years, when he sold his property there, and removed to a fine farm in Upper Allen township, Cum- berland county. In 1859 he came to Me- chanicsburg, and established the Eberly Lumber Company, in which business he has been succeeded by his sons. The four sons of Mr. Eberly were: Harrison W., David H., Edward M. and Ira S.

Harrison W., born Nov. 16, 1840, now deceased, was long one of the leading citizens of Mechanicsburg; on May 25, 1863, he married Mary C. Power, of Perry county. David H., born Oct. 14, 1842, married Kate A. Waidley, of Cumberland county. Edward M. Eberly, born April 1, 1845, married Margaret Zacharias, of Cum- berland county. Ira S. is the subject of this sketch.

In 1873 Ira S. Eberly married Laura Meloy, daughter of the late James Meloy, of Cumberland county. The three children born to this marriage are: Guy, engaged with his father in the lumber business; and Bessie and Miriam, at home. In politics Mr. Eberly is a Republican. He is a prominent business man, on the directing board of the First National Bank, and one of the city's sound financial citizens. He is the director and leader of the Singer Band, and belongs to the Washington Fire Company, of Me- chanicsburg. He has a host of friends, and is very popular.

JOHN A. COOVER. Cumberland county, Pa., is noted for the beauty and fertility of its farms, the land lying along the Cumberland river having attracted in- dustrious, home-making men in the pioneer days, men who toiled to garner from their

farms a rich return for their labors. In this case, as in many others, they "builded better than they knew," and not only succeeded in enriching themselves, but left to their poster- ity very valuable inheritances of farms in this favored locality. Among the families notably identified with the history of the county is that of Coover, and a leading rep- resentative of the name to-day is John A. Coover, of Upper Allen township, son of Jacob H. Coover.

Jacob H. Coover after a long and in- dustrious life died at the age of eighty-four years. He was one of the following fam- ily: William, living near Shepherdstown ; David, who died at the age of seventy-nine years; Catherine, who died at the age of eighty-two years; Levi, who died at the age of seventy-three years; John B., who died at the age of seventy-three years; and Frances, who died at the age of forty-two years.

Children as follows were born to Jacob H. Coover and his wife, Rachel (Strock) : (1) Emma married John J. Zacharius, a farmer in Upper Allen township, and they have children-Ida, Harvey, Walter, George, Edward, Alfred, Grace and Mag- gie. Of these Ida married Melvin Speak- man, of New Cumberland, now living in Williamsport, engaged in an electrical busi- ness; two children have been born of this marriage, Catherine and Harvey. Harvey married Catherine Haferly, of Harrisburg, and now lives at Camp Hill, engaged in an agency business. Walter married Annie Koderer, is farming in Upper Allen town- ship, and has two children, Emma and John. George is unmarried, and engaged in farm- ing. Edward, unmarried, is a clerk in a bank. Alfred, also unmarried, lives in Maryland, where he is manager of a 1.500-acre farm for his uncle, Samuel Zacharius, of Phila-

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CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

delphia. Grace and Maggie are unmarried. (2) Frances E. married Adam Beelman, a contractor and builder living near Mansfield. Ohio. and died after bearing him these chil- dren-William. Geary, Mary and Ella, all of whom are married and live in Ohio. (3) Kate married Israel W. Miller, a farmer of Upper Allen township, and their children are Coover. Ruth, Theodore (deceased), Is- rael and Merwin. of whom Ruth married Edward Gross, a farmer of Lower Allen township, and has two children, Catherine and Israel. (4) Mary, unmarried. is living in Upper Allen township. (5) Clara mar- ried George W. Best, a farmer living near Carlisle. (6) John A. is the youngest of the children born to Jacob H. Coover.

John A. Coover was born near Shep- herdstown March 29, 1854. After attend- ing the Graham school, in Upper Allen township. he worked with his father on the latter's farm until he was twenty-three years of age, and at that time began business for himself. In 1892 he bought his present fine place of ninety acres, formerly known as the Senseman farm, and has brought it into an excellent state of cultivation. He is a farmer thoroughly abreast of modern meth- ods. and takes a pride in having one of the finest and most productive farms in the val- ley. His house is a model farmer's resi- dence, and often resounds to the merriment oi guests, he and his wife being very hos- pitable.

On Dec. 7. 1877. Mr. Coover married Emma Landis, daughter of Jacob Landis, of Upper Allen, and one son, Clayton, was born to them. On Dec. 12, 1901, he mar- ried Carrie Shelly, daughter of Samuel Shelly, of Silver Spring township, and their one child is named John, after his grand- father.

In politics Mr. Coover is a Republican,

and stanch in his support of party principles, although he has not identified himself prom- inently with local affairs, his time being fully occupied with his private business. Enterprising, thrifty, a good citizen, an ex- cellent farmer, kind neighbor and model family man, Mr. Coover enjoys in unlimited degree the confidence and respect of his neighbors, and is undoubtedly as good a representative of a modern farmer as can be found within the confines of Cumberland county.

JOAB MARTIN, in his lifetime a prom- inent citizen and well known coal and grain operator of Shippensburg, was a descendant of worthy Scotch-Irish ancestry.

Paul Martin, great-grandfather of Joab was one of eight brothers, who came to this country from the North of Ireland in the year 1725, and settled in Delaware county, Pa. In 1730 a part of the family of eight brothers moved into the Cumberland Val- ley. Four of the brothers were United Presbyterian ministers and about the year 1727 left Delaware county, Pa., and settled in North and South Carolina.

Paul Martin, father of Joab, was one of the first settlers of Shippensburg, Cumber- land county, where he was born. In 1812 he was married to Mary Fry. To this union were born eleven children, six boys and five girls. Of these but two sons were married. Paul Martin was an extensive ironmaster, owning and operating the forge near Rox- bury, Franklin county, Pa., and the furnace at the Big Pond, Cumberland county, Pa. He established and maintained a line of freighting teams from Pittsburg to Balti- more via Gettysburg, previous to the days of railroads. He won distinction as a sol- dier in the war of 1812, and his father, Col. Thomas Martin, and grandfather, Paul Mar-

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tin, both served with much honor in the Rev- olutionary war.

Joab Martin was born in Shippensburg, Nov. 17, 1828. His educational opportuni- ties compared favorably with those of the average boy of the time and locality. As he was energetic and cautious his business ven- tures met with abundant success. He was a man of integrity and unblemished character, cultured by extensive reading and reflection. and was endowed with all the graces of affec- tion and charity. He was an extensive coal operator, and at his death, which occurred July 15, 1888, was succeeded in the manage- ment of his affairs by his very capable daugh- ter, Miss Mary O'Brien Martin. Mr. Mar- tin was a pronounced Republican in his polit- ical views, and in religious matters was a member of the Presbyterian Church, taking an active part in all its work.

On Nov. 22, 1863, Joab Martin was united in marriage with Lucinda Olivia Hos- tetter, who was born in Manheim, Lancas- ter county, Oct. 15, 1840, daughter of Abra- ham and Lydia (White) Hostetter. The former was a native of Switzerland, and the latter of Scotland. The Hostetters lived for many generations in Switzerland, and the Lancaster county branch is descended from the Swiss Hostetters. They were extensive land owners and builded and operated the first gristmill at Manheim, Lancaster county. Mrs. Martin was raised in the Lutheran Church, to which all her ancestors belonged. Since her marriage she has united with the Presbyterian Church, to which all their chil- dren belong. She is a cultured woman, hav- ing every advantage socially and education- ally. Her education was finished at the Mo- ravian Seminary, Linden Hall, Lititz, Pa. She was a devoted mother, companion and friend and to all her life will ever remain truly luminous with love and noble deeds.

Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Mar- tin, as follows: Thomas Paul, a physician and surgeon, is located at Taos, N. M .; Mary O'Brien is at home: Rosanna Harriet is the wife of Bert G. Phillips, the noted Indian painter of New York: Nancy is at home; Margaret is the wife of William J. Yorke, a prominent attorney of Philadel- phia, and now assistant city solicitor ; Dor- cas Lucinda is the wife of Arthur R. Iliff, of Germantown, who is engaged as buyer for the John Wanamaker store.

MISS MARY O'BRIEN MARTIN was born in the city of Shippensburg, and there attended the public schools and prepared for college. She then entered the Cumberland Valley State Normal School, where for sev- eral terms she continued her studies. She had always been of great assistance to her father in his business, and when he died she assumed the management of his affairs, con- ducting the same in a highly creditable and business-like manner. She is very practical in her work, and did she choose to enter the business world for herself would no doubt win a high place. In the spring of 1903 she retired from the management of the busi- ness, and now with her mother and sister occupies the old family home on Normal avenue. This home has been the scene of many pleasant events, for the Misses Martin are very popular among their friends at home and abroad. They have traveled exten- sively.

WILLIAM J. MARTIN. When the country now known as the State of Penn- sylvania became a haven of refuge for the persecuted and oppressed, she so endeared herself to these home-seeking emigrants that their children and their children's chil- dren have been content to find their homes within her borders. Wendell Martin was

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born in Germany in 1749, came to Amer- ica. and died in 1825, leaving a son John, whose third son was Philip.

Philip Martin was born in Franklin county, four miles southwest of Shippens- burg. Sept. 13. 1812. His active years were devoted to farming, and he became a large land holder. He did not, however. confine his interests to agriculture, but was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Shippensburg, and was one of its di- rectors at the time of his death, which oc- curred March 31, 1885. He was a faithful member of the Church of God. His poli- tical views coincided with the principles ad- vocated by the Republican party. He mar- ried Elizabeth Crall, who was born in Franklin county in 1813, and died Feb. 5. 1842. After her death Mr. Martin was twice married. Of his children four died in infancy. Among the others were: Mrs. Charles Clippinger ; William J .; John W., deceased; George Crall, deceased: Henry, deceased ; and Mrs. Annie Bown.

William J. Martin received a good prac- tical education, attending school until he was eighteen. From his early boyhood he had assisted his father on the farm, and he con- tinued at home until August, 1862. when he enlisted in the Union army. He became a member of Company D, 130th P. V. I., Col. Zinn commanding the regiment, and Capt. Kelso the company. They were or- dered to the front, and after a short service Mr. Martin returned home, and resumed his farming. Soon after the organization of the Rummel, Himes Co., for the manufac- ture of pants, working coats, overalls and shirts, he became one of the stockholders, and during the years of his active connection with the firm acted in the position of ship- ping clerk.

In 1869 Mr. Martin was united in mar-

riage with Ann B. Garver, of Cumberland county, a daughter of Jacob D. and Sarah (Mentzer) Garver, formerly of Washing- ton county, Md., and five children have blessed this union : Ida M., wife of Samuel Shover, of Shippensburg; Elva M., who married F. G. Etter; H. Elmer, of Ship- pensburg ; William O., at home; Mertie A., wife of Edward Stevick, of Shippensburg. Both Mr. and Mrs. Martin are active work- ers in the Reformed Church, in which for a number of years he has held the office of deacon. Mr. Martin is a man of unques- tioned integrity, and is an earnest supporter of all measures that have for their object the uplifting of humanity. He is an advo- cate of a clean government, and of men of honesty and morality for the office-holders.

EDGAR L. KLINEDINST, one of the honorable and highly esteemed citizens of Mechanicsburg, Pa., and one of the lead- ing magistrates, was born Dec. 29, 1855, in this city, son of William and Harriet (Weibley) Klinedinst.

The Klinedinst family is of German or- igin and one of the oldest settled families of York county, while the Weibley family is one of the old ones of Cumberland county. Our subject's great-grandfather, Jacob Weibley, was an early settler at Carlisle Springs, and in 1820 was proprietor of that justly celebrated health resort.

William Klinedinst was born in 1819, in the city of York, Pa., and died at Me- chanicsburg, in 1901, after living a long and useful life. By trade he was a machin- ist and a skilled workman. He was mar- ried, in 1848, to Harriet Weibley, born at Carlisle, in 1825, who still resides in Me- chanicsburg, daughter of John and grand- daughter of Jacob Weibley. After their marriage they settled about 1850, in Me-

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chanicsburg. They had these children : Charles W., who died and left one son, Joseph; John, deceased, who left four chil- dren, Bertha, Romaine, Weibley and How- ard; David, of Mechanicsburg, who mar- ried Ida Mohler, daughter of David Mohler, and has one son, Rex : Edgar L. ; and Mary, who died in childhood.

Edgar L. Klinedinst was born and reared in Mechanicsburg. and attended the public schools and academy there. Later he attended school for two years in Harris- burg, and then entered the State book bind- ery where he learned the business during a four years' apprenticeship. Upon his re- turn to Mechanicsburg he went into the grocery business with his brother David, and continued for the succeeding twenty years. In 1893 he was elected justice of the peace on the Republican ticket, and was re-appointed by Govs. Hastings and Stone. He is well equipped legally for this position, and has made a reputation for incorruptible integrity which reaches all over Cumber- land county. He takes an active interest in politics, and zealously supports the Re- publican party.

AUGUSTUS HORNER, one of the prominent business men of Mechanicsburg, a leading builder and contractor, was born April 18, 1849, son of Samuel and Anna (Baker) Horner, both deceased.

Samuel Horner was a prominent farmer of Silver Spring township, son of George Horner, who also followed farming in the same locality. The latter was the father of five sons and three daughters, seven of whom grew up, namely: Jeremiah, George, Wil- liam, Andrew, Samuel, Polly, Sarah and Ann. Samuel of the above family was born in 1816 and died in 1881. In 1844 he mar- ried Annie Baker, daughter of John Baker,

of Cumberland county, and this marriage was blessed with four children, as follows: George, of York county; Augustus; Amanda, wife of William Rhodes, a farmer of Cumberland county; Samuel J., of Me- chanicsburg. The mother of this family was born in 1821, and died at Mechanicsburg in 1894.

Augustus Horner was reared on his father's farm in Silver Spring township, and obtained his education in the public schools. He continued on the farm until the age of twenty-four years, and then engaged in farming in Upper Allen township for five years. Although considered a good farmer, Mr. Horner decided to learn the carpenter's trade, which he completed at Mechanicsburg, and followed the same as journeyman some time, when he began contracting and build- ing, a business in which he has been very successful for the past fifteen years.

Mr. Horner married Mrs. Mary (Cad- walader) Fishel, and two sons have been born to them, Augustus and William. Both Mr. and Mrs. Horner are consistent mem- bers of the Reformed Church at Mechanics- burg. Fraternally, Mr. Horner belongs to the I. O. O. F. and the K. of P. He has been prominent also in politics, and has served most usefully as chief of the fire de- partment, and also as a member of the coun- cil of Mechanicsburg. The success which Mr. Horner has met with in business, and the high measure of esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens, are the direct re- sults of an industrious, temperate and honest life, one which may be emulated by others.

NELSON A. WADE, one of the well known and much respected citizens of West Pennsboro township, and the leading mill owner and operator in this section, is also an honored survivor of the great Civil war.

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CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

He was born in 1842. in Dauphin county, Pa., son of Jacob Wade.

Hugh Wade, the grandfather of Nelson A. Wade, was also born in Dauphin county, where he married, and where both he and wife died, as did also his brother, Richard. His children were: David died in Michigan ; Jacob: Samuel died in Iowa: Amos died in Indiana : Benjamin died in Michigan ; Sarah and Martha both died in Indiana; and Mary still lives in Indiana.

Jacob Wade was born in 1819, in Dau- phin county, and was reared to agricultural pursuits. In 1841 he married Mary Ann Straw. daughter of John and Bessie Straw, all of Dauphin county, and they had these children born to them: Nelson A., of this sketch ; Jefferson, who lives at Harrisburg ; John, who is a resident of Dauphin county; Franklin, who lives in Indiana; Jacob, also living in Indiana; and William and Alice who still reside in Dauphin county. Jacob Wade died there in 1897, but his widow still survives and resides with her daughter Alice.

Nelson A. Wade attended the schools of his neighborhood until he was sixteen years of age, and then chose milling as his voca- tion. He worked in a Dauphin county mill for three months, and then spent six months at the old Cumberland mills in Cumberland county, completing his apprenticeship in 1862, at the mills in New Cumberland.

In 1863 Mr. Wade entered the service of his country, enlisting in Company F, 20th Pa. Cavalry. He accompanied his regiment first to Harrisburg, then to Maryland and six weeks later to Berkley Springs, Va., where the regiment was stationed three months. On Sept. 7, 1863, he engaged in a skirmish in which he lost his horse, and was one of the seven men then on picket duty at that point, who escaped capture. Mr. Wade's term of enlistment expiring, he worked one

year in a railroad roundhouse at Marysville, Perry county, Pa., but in February, 1865, he re-enlisted, the rest of his service until he was honorably discharged in August, 1865, being spent in the Shenandoalı Valley.

After his return from the army, Mr. Wade worked at his trade at Fort Hunter, near Harrisburg. In 1884 he came to Cum- berland county, and settled at Big Springs, in West Pennsboro township, where he en- gaged in milling for seven years, coming then to his present home, on Conedoguinet creek. Mr. Wade bought the old Shellen- burger mill property, consisting of nine acres of land and the mill. The latter was in a dilapidated'state when he took charge of it, but through improvements in every part he has now one of the most valuable mill prop- erties in the county, and he enjoys a fine trade.

In 1866, Mr. Wade married Lydia Straw, daughter of Benjamin Straw. of Dauphin county. She died in 1876, leaving a daughter, Maggie, who married Alfred Nell, of Big Springs, and has four children, Gertrude,' Nelson, Arthur and Earl. In 1880 Mr. Wade married Lizzie Spong, daughter of John and Frances (Brandt) Spong, of West Fairview, Cumberland county. To this union has come one daugh- ter, Annie. In politics, Mr. Wade is identi- fied with the Republican party. He has served on the election board in his township, and is considered one of the reliable, repre- sentative men of the locality. With his family he attends the Lutheran Church at Newville.

WILLIAM H. LEHMAN, SR., one of the very progressive farmers of Cumberland county, owning a fine farm in West Penns- boro township, is one of the highly esteemed men of his locality.

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CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

Henry Leliman, his father, was born in York county, Pa., in 1818, and in 1828 he came to Cumberland county, locating near Hogestown, where he was reared to farming pursuits. He died in Hopewell township, Cumberland county, in 1889. He was twice married. He first wedded Mary Ann Moltz, and second, Louisa Davidson, both of this county. Mr. Lehman became the father of six children : William H., Mary and Cath- erine (twins), Jacob, Samuel and Elmira, all but William H. being now deceased.

William H. Lehman, Sr., was born in Hampden township in 1842, and he received the advantages of the district schools until he had reached the age of nineteen years. The school he attended was known as the Old Church School, and was one of the old- est in the county. When young Lehman left the school-room he began to work for his father at farming. For fifteen years he farmed for himself in Hampden township, and then, in 1882, he purchased the old Tobias Seitz farm of eighty-two acres, near Mount Rock, about two and a half miles from Newville, in West Pennsboro town- ship, where he has made many fine improve- ments. His farm is one of the best in the township, and he is looked upon as one of the substantial men of his township.

In 1868 Mr. Lehman married Susan Smith, daughter of William Smith, of Cum- berland county. The following children have been born of this marriage: Frank married Emma Wolf, and lives in Hopewell township; William H., Jr., is. at home; Elmer is at home; Mary married Samuel Kitzmiller, and lives at Mount Rock, this county ; Ira is engaged in farming in South- ampton township; Romaine and Ralph are in school. In his politics, Mr. Lehman is a Republican, and he has been honored with a number of offices of trust within the gift

of his townsmen, among these being school director and assessor. The family are all connected with the United Brethren Church of Newville, where Mr. Lehman has held all the offices.

JOHN STROHM is descended from an old family of Cumberland county, and was born in that county, near Shippensburg. Dec. 26, 1858. He is the third son of Philip and Catherine (Noaker) Strohm, who are men- tioned elsewhere.

Mr. Strohm grew up on a farm and re- ceived his education in the local district schools, which he attended during the winter season, and a private school which he at- tended later on. Returning to the home place, he remained until his twenty-first year, at which time he began farming on his own account. Not long after his marriage he settled on what is known as the McLean farm, in Southampton township. near Ship- pensburg, where he had his home until re- cently. The place comprises 142 acres of excellent land, on which Mr. Strohm made numerous improvements during his owner- ship, increasing its value yearly. He kept the place well stocked, and the buildings, which include a good dwelling, bank barn, and substantial outbuildings, are all in good order. His equipment consists of the latest and most improved machinery, and his in- telligent methods and systematic industry have told well, bringing him more than average success.

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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 81

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