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 82
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In 1903 he purchased of George Stuart 125 acres in Southampton township, the old Brittan farm, which is one of the finely im- proved farms of this part of Cumberland county. He moved to this place in the spring of 1904, and has begun extensive improve- ments on the same.
Mr. Strohm was married, in 1881, to
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Miss Laura Caruthers, who was born near Oakville, Cumberland county, daughter of George and Catherine Caruthers, and spent her early life in her native place. Mr. and Mrs. Strohm have had two children, Flora E. and Lulu M .. both of whom are at home. Mr. Strohm is interested in everything that pertains to the general welfare, and has aided in the local civil administration in the capacity of tax collector and member of the school board. serving three years in the former incumbency and six in the latter. His political affiliation is with the Demo- cratic party.
W. H. WEBER, one of the well-known business citizens of Mechanicsburg, who is engaged in a blacksmith business here, was born Oct. 6, 1855, on a farm at Slate Hill, Cumberland county, Pa., son of John and Sarah ( Springer ) Weber.
Both John Weber and his wife were born in Lancaster county, and they came to Cumberland in their early married life. John Weber was a son of John Weber, Sr., who was born in Lancaster county, of German ancestry, and was a highly respected farmer ; he reared a large family. To Jolin and Sarah (Springer) Weber were born nine children, seven of whom grew to maturity, namely : W. H .; Annie, wife of George Slothour, of Cookstown, Pa .; Jacob V., of Mechanics- burg ; George, of Pennsylvania ; Clayton, of Harrisburg, Pa .; John, of Pittsburg; and Joseph, of Springfield, Ohio. The father of this family died in 1901, at the age of seventy years, and is survived by his widow, who lives in Cumberland county.
W. H. Weber was reared on a farm and received his education in the public schools, and when seventeen years of age, started in to learn the blacksmith business, working at the same in different places in Cumberland
county. For ten years he conducted a shop at Good Hope, for six years one at Roxbury, three years at Trindle Springs, coming to Mechanicsburg in 1900. Here Mr. Weber has built up a very prosperous business, has a large and increasing trade, and is consid- ered a skilled workman in his line.
On Sept. 6, 1881, Mr. Weber was united in marriage with Susan Bretz, of Hampden township, Cumberland county, and nine chil- dren have been born to them, namely: Ma- bel, Harper, Annie, Frank, Leroy, Merl and Mary. the others being deceased. Mr. Weber began life at the bottom of the ladder, and has always been a very industrious man, the result being that he is now in comfortable circumstances, has reared and educated a fine family, and enjoys the respect of all who know him. In politics, he is a Republi- can. Both he and his wife are consistent and valued members of the Lutheran Church.
GEORGE D. FREY, member of the city council, and a successful cigar and to- bacco merchant of Newville, was born in Williamsport, Md., in 1867, son of Capt. Jesse R. Frey, who distinguished himself in the Civil war.
Capt. Jesse R. Frey was born Sept. 1I. 1831, and died June 16, 1893. He enlisted Oct. 14. 1861, from Cumberland, and was mustered into the United States service at Harrisburg, Pa., as first lieutenant in Com- pany D, 77th P. V. I., for a period of three years, under Capt. James Wymer, and Col. Stumbach. The regiment was assigned to the 3d Brigade, Ist Division, 4th Army Corps, of the Army of the Potomac, and Capt. Frey shared the fortunes of his regi- ment in the following movements and en- gagements : From Harrisburg to Nashville, Tenn., and engaged in the battles of Shiloh,
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or Pittsburg Landing. April 6, 1862: Siege of Corinthi. April 30 to May 30. 1862 : par- ticipated in the various operations during 1862, and Dec. 30, 1862, at Stone River ; was at Liberty Gap June 24, 1863. He was also at the battle of Chickamauga: and at Tunnell Hill, May 7, 1864. Later he was at Rocky Face Ridge, May 9-12. 1864: at New Hope Church, May 25, 1864: at Kenesaw Mountain, June 19 and 23. 1864: was at Peach Tree Creek, July 20-27, 1864. When the attack was made upon Atlanta. he was one of those who took part in the siege. July 22, to Sept. 1, 1864, where he was wounded by a gun-shot, in the right knee, and sent to the hospital at Nashville, Tenn .. thence to Louisville, Ky., where he was honorably discharged Dec. 15. 1864, on account of ex- piration of his term of service. On May 25. 1862, he had been promoted to the rank of captain. At the time of his demise he was a member of Colwell Post, No. 201. G. A. R., Carlisle, Pa., and he was buried with military honors by his comrades who so honored and loved him.
Capt. Jesse R. Frey was united in mar- riage with Miss Bella (Davidson) Frey, who was born in Cumberland county and still survives, making her home in Newville, now seventy years of age. Six children were born to Capt. and Mrs. Frey: Ella, now Mrs. Householder : Horace M., a trav- eling salesman ; George D .: Bertha, wife of Frank S. Over, of Newville : Jennie at home in Newville; and Ida B., who died young.
George D. Frey studied in the common schools of Newville, and finished his course at the Newville high school. After leaving school, he learned the tinner's trade with George W. Reeder, of Newville, with whom he remained four years, and then engaged in piece work for different parties. In 1894, he started in business at Newville, opening a
cigar and tobacco store, as well as a news- stand. By close application to business he has greatly prospered, and now is the owner of the building in which he is located, a fine frame structure centrally situated on one of the best business streets in the city. In addition to this, Mr. Frey owns considerable residence and business property in Newville.
Mr. Frey married Miss Lydia Geyer Gibb, of Carlisle, a daughter of Hiram and Margaret Gibb. In politics, Mr. Frey is a Republican, and in 1902 he was elected a member of the city council, being elected by a majority of thirty-five in a Democratic ward, which is certainly evidence of his strong personality and popularity. In the spring of 1904 he was made president of the council. Fraternally, he is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and very popular there- in.
SAMUEL R. COOVER, general mer- chant and postmaster at Shepherdstown. is one of the substantial citizens of his section of Cumberland county, and comes of one of the oldest families in the locality. He is of German descent. his great-grandfather, Ja- cob Kover, as the name was then spelled, having come from Germany in an early day. He first located in Lancaster county, Pa., coming thence.to Cumberland county, where he settled along the Yellow Breeches creek. He died in this county.
George Kover, son of Jacob, and the grandfather of Samuel R., was a prosperous farmer in Monroe township, Cumberland county, where he owned a large tract of land. He lived to the age of seventy-five years, dying many years ago, when Samuel R. Coover was in his infancy, and he was buried in Keller's graveyard, north of Mechanics- burg, where his father's remains were also interred. George Kover married Miss
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Annie Landis, by whom he had the follow- ing children : Elizabeth became the wife of John Brandt. of this county, and died at the advanced age of ninety-five years. John, who was a farmer of Monroe township, reached the age of almost eighty-eight years. Ann. Mrs. Hinney, died when about seventy years old. Sarah died unmarried in 1904, when almost 106 years old. Susan, who became the wife of John Beelman, of this county, died when ninety-six years old. Mary married Jacob Krout, of this county, and died in Mechanicsburg when sixty-six years old. George, father of Samuel R., was almost eighty-eight when he passed away. William, a farmer of Cumberland county, died at the comparatively early age of forty-six.
George Coover, father of Samuel R., was born on the old homestead farm in Monroe township in 1808, grew to manhood there, and received his education in the sub- scription schools which were in vogue at that day. He learned the trade of carpenter, and, removing to New Kingstown, this county, conducted a cabinet and carpenter business there for some years, being successful and prosperous. While residing at that point he had a strong desire to see the West, and in company with some of his friends made the trip to Ohio, which was then the borderland. They traveled on horseback. Mr. Coover made a second trip, having some idea of lo- cating there, but he changed his mind after seeing more of the country. On leaving New Kingstown he moved to Trindle Spring, this county, where he engaged in the hotel business for four years, and thence went to Roxbury, purchasing a small farm which he worked and lived upon till his retirement from active life. He then moved to Mechan- icsburg, where the last few years of his long and useful life were spent, and where he
passed away in September, 1894. Mr. Coo- ver was a man of domestic tastes, preferring his home life to any social or other pleas- ures, but he was nevertheless well known and respected wherever he made his home, and he was always regarded as a reliable and substantial man by all with whom he had dealings.
George Coover married Miss Catharine Reeser, who was born in Monroe township about 1802, daughter of Jacob Reeser, and died about 1875. They had a family of five children, viz .: Sarah, widow of Robert Hood, now residing in Mechanicsburg ; Mary, wife of Isaac Enck, of South Middle- ton township, this county; Elmira, wife of William Gross, of Monroe township; George, a carpenter and builder, who makes his home in York, Pa .; and Samuel R., the youngest, whose name introduces these lines.
Samuel R. Coover was born March 3. 1845, in Silver Spring township, Cumber- land county, and received his education in the schools of Monroe township. When fif- teen years old he began the learn the trade of shoemaker at Roxbury, over in Franklin county, continuing same until eighteen years of age, when, on June 15, 1863, he enlisted in his country's service, joining Company D, 20th P. V. I., for six months. He was discharged at Harrisburg Jan. 6, 1864, with the rank of sergeant, and on the 18th of the following July, re-enlisted, this time for one hundred days, entering his new command as corporal. He was discharged at Mono- cacy Junction, Md., because he wanted to re-enlist for a year, in the 195th Regiment, Company B, as a musician, He was finally mustered out at Summit Point, Va., June 21, 1865. Mr. Coover participated in many light skirmishes during his service.
At the close of his army experience Mr. Coover returned to Cumberland county, lo-
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cating at Shepherdstown, where he has ever since had his home. He opened up business at a shoemaker, and was thus engaged until about 1892, since which time he has con- ducted a general mercantile establishment, carrying a nice, clean stock which is appre- ciated by the townspeople and his customers in the surrounding country. In 1871 he was appointed postmaster of Shepherdstown, an incumbency he has filled continuously to the present day, and he has been a member of the school board of his district for three suc- cessive terms. This evidence of confidence on the part of his fellow citizens is well de- served, for he has always done his utmost to advance the interests of his community and to discharge faithfully the duties which have come to him. In his business life, as a public official, in all his relations with his fellow- men, he is upholding the traditions of the race from which he springs, recognizing the obligations which intelligent society imposes regarding man's duty to his associates. He is a member of the United Brethren Church, in whose work he has taken an active part, and which he still serves as trustee and Sun- day-school superintendent. His political support is given to the men and measures of the Republican party. Socially, he holds re- lations with Col. Zinn Post, No. 415, G. A. R., of Mechanicsburg, and with Lodge No. 331, O. U. A. M.
Mr. Coover was twice married, his first union, which took place in 1868, being to Miss Mary Emma Worst, who passed away Feb. 16, 1882, the mother of five children, viz. : Charlie, Arthur and Ada, all three de- ceased; Emma M., wife of Irvin Nailor, a feed merchant of Harrisburg, who resides, however, in Shepherdstown (they have one child, Evaline) ; and Samuel R., Jr., who is remitting clerk for Witman, Schwarz & Co., wholesale grocers of Harrisburg. In 1891
Mr. Coover married Miss Lida Krall, of Cumberland county, who died in February, 1900. Mr. Coover's home and store prop- erty adjoin, and he has one of the finest pieces of improved real estate in the village, the place showing both taste and care in its arrangement.
GEORGE STROHM, a prosperous farmer of Southampton township. Franklin county, was born July 27, 1857. in Cumber- land county, on a farm northeast of Ship- pensburg and not far from that city. He is the fourth son of Philip and Catherine (Noaker) Strohim, and thus comes on both sides from old families of Cumberland county.
Mr. Strohm passed his boyhood on the Gessenger farm, now owned by George B. Cole, and the greater part of his education was received in the Oak Grove schoolhouse. He lived at home until he reached his major- ity, but meantime began to work on his present place, the old McLean farm, of which he first took charge in 1872, when but a boy. He has been identified with this place, as manager and renter, ever since, and settled on the farm after his marriage. This place contains 160 acres, and is a valuable property, kept up to the top notch under Mr. Strohm's management, for he is intelligent and systematic in his work, employing the latest methods and the latest machinery. He has been especially successful as a wheat grower, having raised as much as 1,200 bushels in a season, but he ranks well in his locality in every branch of his calling.
On Feb. 14, 1889, Mr. Strohm married Miss Carrie A. Cramer, third daughter of George and Anna C. (Long) Cramer, the former of whom is deceased. Mrs. Cramer is still living, hale and hearty, and in the full possession of all her faculties. To this union
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have come two children. Alfred (born in 1893) and Effie Pearl. Mr. and Mrs. Strohm are esteemed members of the Luth- eran Church at Shippensburg. Politically. he is a Democrat of the Jacksonian type, and he has served three years as assessor of Southampton township.
ABRAM ORRIS, EsQ., a justice of the peace and a prominent insurance man of Frankford township. Cumberland county, was born April 1, 1852, on a farm near the Stone Church, in Frankford township, a son of George B. Orris and a grandson of Christopher Orris.
Christopher Orris was born in 1785 and died in 1853. When he came first to Penn- sylvania he settled in Perry county and then came to Frankford township. Cumberland county, settling on the farm above men- tioned. His children were: George B., who died in Frankford township; Christopher, who died in West Pennsboro township; Zachariah, who died in Iowa City. Iowa ; Annie M. and Maria, both of whom died in Frankford township; Catherine, who died in Mifflin township: and Rebecca and Sarah, both of whom died on the farm. The mother of these children was born in 1789 and died in 1878. in Frankford township.
George B. Orris, father of Abram Or- ris, was born Nov. 9. 1823. and died Dec. 7, 1889. He was engaged as a laborer when he was married to Rebecca Shambaugh, who was born April 21, 1832, and they lived one year at Stone Church and then moved to Bowman's Bridge. After living there one year they settled on a farm near Greason, where they remained eight years, coming then to Frankford township. Here Mr. Or- ris bought a tract of 110 acres in 1866.
In 1864 Mr. Orris enlisted for service in the Civil war and he participated in the
battle at Fort Steadman in front of Peters- burg. He returned to his home safely but had a very narrow escape when, on April 2. 1865, a shell from the enemy's battery tore a hole in his trousers and dropped into his boot. He was honorably discharged in 1865, at Camp Curtin, at Harrisburg. Be- fore his return his wife died of typhoid iever. In 1866, as previously stated, he bought the old Jacob Fair farm of 110 acres and settled down to farming there. In 1868 he married Elizabeth Gotshall, who died in September, 1882. The children of the first marriage were: Abram; Anna M., born Feb. 19, 1856, a resident of Frankford town- ship; and Alvina, who died in infancy, Sept. 1. 1859. By the second marriage there were no children.
Abraham Orris was educated in his na- tive township. On Sept. 20, 1874, he mar- ried Jane M. Derr, who was born April 12, 1857, daughter of Amos Derr, of Middlesex township, and children as follows have come to this union: Annie M., born July 22, 1875: George A., Aug. 6, 1877; Bertha E., Dec. 11, 1881 ; Emma E., Oct. 7, 1884 ; Her- man R., July 21, 1889, and Edna, April 20, 1893 all surviving. Annie M. is the wife of Harry Shenk and lives at Newville; George A. married Effie Waggoner in 1899, and located two miles south of Newville; and Bertha married Charles Baughman in 1901 and lives at Kerrsville, West Penns- boro township.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Orris went to housekeeping on the G. B. Orris farm at Frankford, where they remained five years, and then moved to Bloserville, where Mr. Orris bought a half interest in the general mercantile store of L. J. Sham- baugh. After continuing there three years he then sold his interest to Francis Mentzer, Sr., and spent the next year in selling sew-
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ing machines and organs, at Bloserville. Then he bought one-half of his father's farm, and in 1885 he built a fine barn on his property. However, he continued in the agency business. At the February election in 1887 Mr. Orris was elected justice of the peace, an office for which he seems particu- larly well fitted. He is a man of deliberate judgment and of keen understanding. and that his decisions have been in accordance with law and jurisprudence may be indicated by his re-election to this responsible position. He has had many duties to perform as ad- ministrator, and some of the estates have been very difficult to settle up satisfactorily, but in all cases Mr. Orris has brought order out of chaos. Among these may be men- tioned the estates of : James D. Miller, Aug. 24. 1889: Joseph Myers, Dec. 7. 1889: George B. Orris, May, 1892; J. C. Mordorf, Dec. 17. 1895 : executor of Jane M. Brehm. May 30, 1896: executor of Susan Holcomb, May. 1899: agent for the heirs of Israel Koser. deceased. March 5, 1901 : executor of Frederick Myers, April 1, 1901 : admin- istrator of Caroline Minich, April 27, 1901 ; executor for Mary Worst, Feb. 20. 1902: executor of Henry Zimmerman, April 2. 1902: administrator of Mary A. Walter, Dec. 10, 1902; and executor of Sarah E. Arnold, Sept. 3. 1902. Mr. Orris had a very curious case, which gave him much concern, when he was called upon to be ad- ministrator of the late John Myers, who died without kindred except his widow, and with no will. The estate consisted of $3.200 worth of personal property, three farms, three tracts of timber land. and two lots in Bloserville. There was no precedent for action, it being the first case of its kind in Cumberland county. The satisfactory set- tlement of this and other cases has but in- creased the confidence and esteem in which
Mr. Orris has long been held by his fellow citizens.
Mr. Orris has been a very active and prominent member of the Bloserville Luth- eran Church, and was a member of the building committee, in 1891, which raised the funds and erected the present handsome structure. For more than ten years he has been one of the deacons, and for a like per- iod has been the very efficient superintend- ent of the Sabbath-school.
In 1894 Mr. Orris took the agency for the leading fire insurance companies which he still represents : The Mutual of Mow- ersville, Franklin Co., Pa. : Patrons and Al- len & East Pennsboro, of Mechanicsburg ; and the North American Stock Co. He still resides on his fine farm, which is located a mile and a half east of Bloserville. His life has been one unusually full of interest. His many public duties have been performed with fidelity, and the respect in which he is held has been earned by an honest, upright life.
SAMUEL F. MILLER, a leading busi- ness man and grain merchant of Mechanics- burg, was born in that city, Sept. 20, 1856, son of David and Leah ( Forney ) Miller, the former of whom was born May 14, 1825, on the old homestead farm of his father in Windsor township, fourteen miles north of Reading, Berks county.
David Miller was a son of George and Mollie ( Raver) Miller, natives of Berks county, who came of German ancestors. They were consistent Lutherans and very excellent people. Eight children were born to them, of whom David, father of our sub- ject, was second in the order of birth. He remained upon the farm with his father, at- tending public school during the winter, until he was seventeen years of age. At that
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time he went to Leesport, Berks county, Pa., and began learning the trade of a miller. After remaining there three years, he at- tended school for three months. By this time he was twenty years of age, and he rented a water mill on Maiden creek, in the township of that name, Berks county. Oper- ating the mill for three years, he returned to Leesport, and formed a partnership with William Major, but sold his interest in 1853. The same year he located at Mechanicsburg. Cumberland county, and built the first steam mill of the valley. This mill was operated some years with E. Zook, when Mr. Zook sold his interest to Moses Eberly, to whom, in 1861. Mr. Miller sold his interest. He then engaged in handling grain, and some years later added coal.
On Oct. 18, 1852, Mr. Miller married Miss Leah Forney, born in Berks county, daughter of John and Lydia (Hertzler) Forney, natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Miller were consistent members of the Lutheran Church, in which they were very active. David Miller died Sept. 17, 1886, and at that time was one of the wealthy and highly esteemed citizens of Cumberland county. He was one of the stanch Repub- licans of this locality; a member of Eureka Lodge No. 302, F. & A. M., of Mechanics- burg, and a director of the Second National Bank of the city. The children born to him- self and wife were as follows: Samuel F .; Miss Lydia, of Mechanicsburg; Annie M., who married John W. Plank, of the Plank Department Store of Carlisle, Pa .; and ser- eral who died in infancy.
Samuel F. Miller was reared in Mechan- icsburg, and received his education in the public schools and the Cumberland Valley Institute. In April, 1882, he married Miss Sallie Landis, a daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth ( Cook) Landis, well-known peo-
ple of Cumberland county. One child has been born of this marriage: David F., born March II, ISS3. a student of Gettysburg College. Upon the death of his father, Mr. Miller took charge of the business, and is now one of the leading grain and coal mer- chants of the city. His business is in a very flourishing condition, and his field of opera- tion is constantly extending. In politics, he is a Republican, but he has never aspired to public office. For many years he has been a consistent member of Trinity Lutheran Church, in which he has been active in both church and Sunday school work. Frater- nally, Mr. Miller is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the K. of P., as well as of the K. of M. He is a man of excellent business ability, a good manager, and stands very high in the commercial world.
ALTER. Jacob Alter came from France in the ship "Beulah," which arrived at Philadelphia in September, 1753. His father was Swiss and his mother was a na- tive of France. He first settled in Lancaster county, Pa., and remained there about six- teen years. On Dec. 4. 1769, he sold his land in Lancaster county, and on Dec. 29, 1769, purchased land in West Pennsboro township, Cumberland county. The ancestor on the maternal side,-Graeffe, came from Switzerland about 1696 and purchased land near Germantown in 1704. In 1718 he re- moved to what is now Earl township, Lan- caster county, Pa., and took up 1500 acres of land. As indicated by the name, he was an earl and Earl township was named for him. He died there in May. 1746, leaving six sons and three daughters. Jacob Alter married Veronica, daughter of the Earl (Graeffe). He went to Washington county about 1808, and died there about 1812. He was a colonel in the Revolutionary war and
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served eighteen years in the State Legis- lature. His wife, Veronica, was a Men- nonite. He had four sons and three daugh- ters. Susanna, the youngest daughter, mar- ried Gov. Joseph Ritner. Jacob Alter, the second son, remained on the plantation in Cumberland county. He was born in 1773, and served twenty-two years in the State Legislature. He was of Quaker faith. He died in 1839, leaving six sons and three daughters : Jacob, Benjamin, John, Simon, William, David, Susan (married Samuel McCormick), Eliza (married George Gra- ham), and Mary (married Doctor Chig- ston). Jacob was a Presbyterian minister ; David was a physician, and William pur- chased the old home of his ancestry.
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