Biographical annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settled families, Part 85

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 85

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profession and is not only held in high es- teem locally, but by his brethren in the Balti- more Medical Society, and the American Medical Association. and by the leading medical journals to which he is a frequent contributor.

In 18So Dr. Schoch married Sarah J. Matthews. daughter of Ira and Sarah Mat- thews, prominent farming people. Mr. Matthews died in 1865. The two children of this marriage were Edna, now the wife of Gordon Smith, general manager of the New York Life Insurance Co., and Tiffany McClain, who is at home.

WEAKLEY. James Weakley and his wife Jane came to this country from Devon- shire, England, between the years of 1725- 30. They built a log house about one mile north of Yellow Breeches Creek, near the present site of Barnitz Mill, in West Penns- boro township, Cumberland Co., Pa. Later this township was divided, and the part in which the old homestead stood was called Dickinson. Until a few years ago the foundation-walls and some decayed logs still remained of the house, the first home of the Weakleys in America. James settled here in what was then a wilderness of oak. There were other settlers, however, in the Cumberland Valley, but this was a very iso- lated spot, and tradition has it that it was many months before a strange face was seen. In this vicinity were settlements of Scotch- Irish, and from this fact arose the mistaken idea that the Weakleys were also Scotch- Irish. The early Weakleys were staunch Presbyterians, and during the Revolutionary War were mainly on the side of the Colonies. This, in a way, was peculiar, as they were large land-owners, and might have wished to hold favor with the government of the King.

The records in Harrisburg, Pa., show that James Weakley had patented an exten- sive area of land here; in fact, a strip ex- tending from Mt. Holly Springs to the Old Stone Tavern, about seven miles long by three broad. This land was later divided into plantations, in the language of the will (on record in Carlisle, Pa.) and apportioned among his several sons. He and his wife rest side by side in the old graveyard at Meeting House Springs, Cumberland Co., Pa. Their graves are well marked, and they sleep in this quaint old burying-ground, close beside the banks of the Conedoguinet Creek, two miles west of Carlisle, Pennsyl- vania.

This, then, is a brief history of the first Weakley in America. His broad lands have descended to his heirs, their children and their children's children. His descendants have scattered to the south and west, many of them not cognizant of the stock from which they sprung. They have helped fight the country's battles and develop her re- sources, but never proved unworthy of their sturdy father who settled in the wilds of Pennsylvania so many years ago. They have married and intermarried with the old families, until their offspring is as numer- ous as the trees of the forest. Along the banks of the Yellow Breeches creek, on either side lie the farms bequeathed by the fathers to the sons, silent monuments of their thrift, their energy, and their effort. The major part of James's vast estate has passed into the hands of strangers, and limestone farms, the finest in the world, occupy what was once his broad possessions.

Five generations of Weakleys have lived since James settled here, many of them prominent in their day, but now, too often, their deeds are their only monument.

Stephen Foulke Weakley was born Jan.

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3. 1812, on the old Weakley Farm in Dick- inson township. He died Dec. 3. 1884, and is interred in the Mt. Holly Springs Cemetery. His father was James Weakley, son of Edward, who was the son of James the progenitor of the Weakley family in America. His mother was Priscilla Foulke of Carlisle, and of Welsh descent. Mr. Weakley's early life was spent in hard work on the farm in summer, and in winter he gained such education as the country af- forded, which was very meager, but he ap- plied himself to such good purpose that he was soon appointed to teach the school in which he had been a pupil. Desiring to broaden his ideas he made a trip to Ohio, then called the "back woods." This was long before the time of railroads. so he traveled by wagon part of the way and roughed it the rest. After sojourning in Dayton and New Carlisle about two years, during which time he learned the tanner's trade. he returned to the old farm on which he resided the rest of his life, with the ex- ception of two years spent at York Springs, Adams county. He held the office of School Director in Dickinson township for nine years, and was always a zealous advocate for everything that made for the advance- ment in the educational field. Prior to the Civil war he was an outspoken and active Abolitionist, prominent in "Under Ground Railroad" work. By his actions he incurred the enmity of the slave-holders who had him prosecuted in the United States courts, and heavily fined. He never recanted and con- tinued in the work of universal freedom until Abraham Lincoln struck the shackles from the bondmen. He was one of the founders of the Republican party and an indefatigable worker during his long life. but never asked or received a political of- fice for himself or friends. Bred in the

Presbyterian faith and carefully instructed in its tenets he was unable to accept its doctrines, but took a more liberal view of Christianity and was in accord with the Unitarian Church, but was never a meni- ber of any denomination. An ardent friend of justice, truth and right, he was always ready at all times to do battle for these principles, no matter what the consequences might be. He was a radical of the radicals, and always in the advance of the age in which he lived. His life was a stormy one. Mr. Weakley married Harriet Kaufman, of Boiling Springs, in whom he had a noble wife. Their children were: James Abram (died in infancy), Mrs. Minnie Rinker, Willis James, Mrs. Emma L. Harman (de- ceased), Mrs. Phebe W. Weakley, Mrs. Susie Peffer, Louis Oliver, and Stephen Herbert.

WILLIS JAMES WEAKLEY, son of Stephen Foulke Weakley, was born March 24, 1846, in Cumberland county, Pa. He is the eldest son to reach maturity out of a family of eight. His early life was spent on his father's farm, the old Weakley home- stead, near the site of the first settlement of James Weakley. After passing through the public schools of that day he took a course of instruction at the Millersville State Nor- mal School, and on his return began teach- ing in the schools of his native county. For over forty years he was thus employed, and there is no name on the rolls of the teachers of this county more honored than his. His genial personality, his skill, and his culture earned for him this reputation. Not only as a teacher. but as the friend of education, and those employed in her pursuit, was he most active and sincere. In this connection he made many friends, as he was always ready to help any worthy cause or project.

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Politics. too, claimed some of Mr. Weak- ley's attention, and we find him taking part in the councils and efforts of his party for more than thirty years. Being a student and a thinker he was well qualified to defend and battle for his convictions. Always fair to a foe, and true to a friend seems to have been his motto. For almost twenty years he has served in the capacity of Justice of the Peace in Cumberland county with signal honor to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. He has graced the office with his ability and character and has shown the functions of it in its true light. More than this he has shown what it means to be a citizen of integrity and honor. Always of a genial nature, affable and courteous, con- petent and conservative. kindly in manner, and a friend of the oppressed, he has grown old gracefully and lives a retired lite on his property in South Dickinson township. His family consists of two sons, Frank and Bruce, and one daughter, Mabel.

Frank Weakley, born Aug. 23. 1880, began teaching at an early age after going through the country schools and taking in- struction at the Cumberland Valley State Normal School, and has risen to the front ranks in the profession, and is now Ward Principal in Carlisle, Pa. He is magnetic, courteous, resourceful and capable. He has been active, too, in the councils of his party, and has held responsible appointments in this connection. Mr. Weakley is a promi- nent and active member of several secret societies, and is deservedly popular. He has attained some distinction as an orator and speaker, being eloquent and well versed. He is the Historian of the Weakley Family As- sociation and his efforts are largely respon- sible for the publication of a history of The Weakley Family in America. Being ambi- tions and energetic, he has been awake to his

opportunities but has twice suffered from attacks, almost fatal, of disease brought on through overwork.

Bruce Weakley, born June 17. 1882, is a young man of great promise. possessing sterling traits of industry and character. He taught for two years of his life, and is now in the employ of the government, in the capacity of railway mail clerk. He was a clerk in the Carlisle postoffice, too, for more than a year. His genial manner and courte- ous address have won him hosts of friends.

REV. SAMUEL S. WYLIE. Scotland has given to the world a race of persistent, ' steady workers, deep thinkers and logical reasoners, good Christian men and women whose fight for principle has been un- wavering often in the face of defeat, and whose purpose has been change- less whether behind prison bars. or in the bright free light of the sun. Political dis- turbances drove many from Scotland to the North of Ireland. Among these was one William Wylie, a strict Presbyterian in his religious views. He and his relatives came to America, one branch of the family locat- ing in South Carolina, and the other in Washington county, Pennsylvania.

David Wylie, son of William, was born in Washington county, Pa .. in 1807. He became a man of much prominence, and for many years was an employe of the govern- ment, but later he became a farmer. He married Harriet B. Simison, who was born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1816, daughter of James Simison. This marriage was blessed with ten children, of whom five reached maturity : Tappon W., now deceased; Simi- son R., who resides in Washington county, Pa .; Edward Burk, who makes his home near Jackson, Iowa; Robert B .. for a num- ber of years a teacher in Washington Col-

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lege, and now a farmer in Western Pennsyl- vania ; and Samuel S.

Samuel S. Wylie was born in Washing- ton county, Pa., Dec. 2, 1844. His prelimi- nary education was received in the district schools, which he attended until he was six- teen. He then entered Washington and Jef- ferson College, from which he was gradu- ated in 1867. Having determined to enter the ministry, he entered the Theological Seminary at Allegheny' City, Pa., and in 1870 was graduated from that institution. He had, however, in the year 1869, been li- censed to preach by the Presbytery of Pitts- burg. During his entire school period he had given evidence of his natural literary tastes, and his disposition that must master the subject under consideration had made him a constant searcher in the libraries, and he had by that means acquired a fund of knowledge far in advance of the average graduate. After completing his course in the theological seminary he engaged for a time in teaching, and as a supply preacher in Indiana county, Pa. He next went to Scotland, and there entered the Free Church Theological College at Edinburgh, where he remained one year.

Returning to America he was ordained, and received a call to the charge at Middle Spring, Cumberland county, where he is found today, having continued ably to hold that position for over thirty-one years, per- haps the longest term of service in the State with one exception. When he came to Mid- dle Spring, the church was comparatively young, and was sadly in need of the enthu- siasm that is so necessary in building up a good congregation and placing it on a firm financial foundation. This Rev. Wylie has been able to do. The congregation now numbers over two hundred earnest, hard- working men and women, sincere laborers

in the Master's vineyard. The beloved pas- tor is a thorough scholar and accomplished gentleman. whose work has appealed to the deepest impulses of his inherently noble nature. He has succeeded in building up the Sunday School, not only by interesting the children. but by bringing out the fathers and mothers, as well. He has not been afraid to work. Not only has he had the executive ability to tell others what to do, but when helpers were few, he could be found hard at work, himself. Personal feel- ings and interests have been swallowed up in his great efforts for humanity, and the re- ward to him has been the deep and abiding love of his people.

Rev. Wylie is the author of a very able history of the Presbyterian Church in Mid- dle Spring. Among his interests outside the confines of his own parish may be mentioned the Cumberland Valley State Normal School, of which he is a trustee. He is chairman of a committee to erect a monu- ment to the memory of the Revolutionary soldiers, and those of the war of 1812. He is not a man to shirk any duty. When he found he was needed in the great Civil war, he left his school books, and in April, 1864, shouldered his musket as a private under the command of Capt. Stewart, and partici- pated in several engagements in the pursuit of Gen. Early. His regiment was a part of the Sixth Corps, and they were stationed in and around Washington. His brother, Edward Wylie, was also a soldier in that great struggle, being a member of the 34th Iowa, and was with Gen. Sherman in his celebrated March to the Sea. In 1900 Rev. Wylie went abroad, and visited many places of historic interest in the Orient, and spend- ing many pleasant days in Palestine.

On Nov. 24, 1874, Rev. Wylie was mar- ried to Miss Jane McCune, daughter of John

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McCune, of Scotch-Irish descent. She died in IS98. in the faith of the Presbyterian church, in which she was an earnest and active member, both in the church and the Sunday School. This union was brightened by three children : Harriet. A. M., a gradu- ate of Wilson College : Eva Theresa, a grad- nate oi Metzgar College: and Samuel Dun- can, a student at Mercersburg College. In June. 1901. Rev. Wylie married for his sec- ond wife, Miss Salinda C. Ramp, daughter of Jacob and Martha Ramp, prominent peo- ple of Cumberland county. They have a good substantial home in Middle Spring, and there the reverend gentleman and his family delight to welcome their many warm friends.

GEORGE WASHINGTON ATTICKS, for a number of years one of the prominent and representative men of Lower Allen township. Cumberland county, now a resi- dent of New Cumberland, comes from old German ancestry which can be traced back to Rotterdam, beyond the days of his great- grandfather.

Hans Peter Addicks. his great-grand- father, born at Rotterdam, Holland, came on the ship "Friendship." Capt. Vitterly, landing at Philadelphia Sept. 3, 1739. At that time the name was spelled Addicks.

Henry Atticks, son of Hans Peter, spent most of his life in Fairview township, York county, and died there in 1844, aged sixty- eight years. He followed farming and blacksmithing. He and his wife were lead- ing members of the Presbyterian Church. The maiden name of his wife was Heck, and they reared the following children: John, who married Miss Kline, settled in Frank- lin township, where he died, and he was buried at Dillsburg; Henry H. was the father of our subject; Elizabeth was the wife

of James Starr, and died at Lisburn : Peter died young.

Henry H. Atticks was born in Fairview township, on the old home farm near Lewis- berry, York county, in February, 1800, and died in March, 1872. His education was ob- tained in the district schools of his day. He learned the trade of carpenter and cabinet- maker and followed the same in connection with farming, accumulating a large body of land, some six farms, aggregating 378 acres. He was a man of exemplary life, noted for his domestic virtues and quiet, un- assuming manners, and for his unobtrusive interest in all that conduced to the better- ment of his community. For many years he served as school director, and he per- formed all the duties of a good citizen with fidelity.

In January, 1828, Mr. Atticks married Elizabeth Peterman (daughter of Jacob Pe- terman) who died in 1887, aged eighty-two years. She was a member of the Church of God, a good Christian woman and devoted mother and wife. The children of this mar- riage were: Susanna, Mrs. Mathias Betner, of Mechanicsburg ; Henry and Jacob, twins, who died in infancy ; Henry (2), who mar- ried Harriet Greenfield, and died in 1887 in Fairview township, York county, aged fifty-three years ; John, who was accidentally killed in 1860, falling from a load of oats; Sarah, who married John F. Hursh, and moved in 1879 to Kansas, where he died: Catherine, wife of Rev. Samuel Herring, a Lutheran clergyman at York, Pa .; George WV., of this sketch; and Elmira, Mrs. John Sunday, who died in 1865.

George Washington Atticks was born Feb. 5, 1842, in Fairview township, York Co., Pa., and still owns the old home farm where his birth took place, and which has many tender memories for him. It has been

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in the family since 1828, was deeded by his grandfather to his father, and by the latter to his daughter Kate in 1873. The latter sold it to her brother Henry in 1876 and in the spring of 1884 George W. Atticks pur- chased the property for himself, and it is very probable that it will not change hands again during his life. The original tract consisted of seventy acres, to which George W. Atticks has added thirty more of the father's estate.

At the age of six years Mr. Atticks be- came a pupil in the district school, which was in session three months in the year. As he grew older he filled the various round of duties which fall to the share of the "boy" in a family on a big farm, his train- ing resulting, however, in making a practi- cal farmer of him while he was still a youth. He remained with his father until he was twenty-three years old and then started out to see something of other localities, working sometimes on farms in the different States, and for eight months served in the capacity of clerk in a warehouse at Ocoya, Ill. Dur- ing his four years of travel he saw pretty thoroughly the States of Ohio, Indiana, Illi- nois, Iowa and Kansas, and gained much knowledge that could never have been learned from books. In 1869 he returned to Ohio, and in the fall of that year was married at Ashland, Ashland Co., Ohio, to Miss Lucinda Fluke, who was born in Or- ange township. Ashland Co., Ohio; June 8, 1846, was reared in Orange township, and attended the schools of Hayesville. Her parents were David and Anna Fluke, the former of whom died in 1866, but the mother still survives and bears her seventy- nine years well. Philip Fluke, the grand- father of Mrs. Atticks, went to Ohio from Bedford county, Pa., and her maternal

grandfather, Jacob Stein, also settled in Ohio, migrating from Montour county, Pa. Both families belong to the most respected residents of Ashland county.

After his marriage Mr. Atticks located on the old home farm which he operated for his father for three years, and then bought a farm of fifty acres, in 1874, from Dr. George Hursh. In 1884 he sold this farm back to Dr. Hursh and bought the old home farm, as mentioned above, where he re- mained until December, 1901, since when he has been a resident of New Cumberland.

Mr. Atticks was reared in the soundness of the principles of the old Democracy and could scarcely be anything but a stanch Democrat. He has been called upon many times to fill official positions and has met the expectations of his friends in a very satis- factory manner at all times. For six years he has been a school director in Fairview township, and for two years was assessor. While a resident of the farm he served three years as county commissioner of York coun- ty, and it was during his term that the im- posing county court house was erected, a building which was completed at a cost of $426,197.47. He has served as president and secretary of the Fairview Fire Insur- ance Co., and has other financial interests.

Mr. and Mrs. Atticks have two sons, both prominent business men, Lee F. and Kelcey. The former is a graduate of the Millersville Normal School and for some years was prominent as a teacher and in newspaper work. He is now connected with the York Gas & Water Co. He mar- ried Dolly Gardner. The latter son attended the Millersville Normal School, graduated at the Columbus (Ohio) Art School, and is now a member of the faculty of the Balti- more Business College, filling the chair of

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penmanship, bookkeeping and mathematics. He married Grace Sweeney, of Fairview township. York county.

Mrs. Atticks is a member of the Church of God, to which Mr. Atticks gives liberal support.

ROBERT PEEBLES. one of the sub- stantial men of Hopewell township, was born in that township in IS19. Nathaniel Peebles, the great-grandfather of Robert, and founder of the family in the New World, was born in the southern part of Scotland. irom whence he went to Ireland, and then to America, carrying with him four boys and as many girls. He at once settled in Hopewell township, where he bought a tract of land, following farming, and there died.

(II) Robert Peebles, the grandfather of our subject and son of Nathaniel, was born in Scotland, or Ireland, and was brought by his father to Hopewell township, where in time he became a very successful farmer, and died there, leaving one son.

( III) William Peebles, only son of Rob- ert and father of Robert, was born in Hope- well township, where he followed farming on his father's farm. He married Ellen Nickey, a daughter of James and Nancy Nickey, of Cumberland county, and locating on the old Peebles farm, in Hopewell town- ship, reared his family, and lived until his death at the age of fifty years. His widow survived him until she was seventy-one years, and both are interred in Hopewell township. Four sons were born to these worthy people: Robert; William David died when fourteen years of age; James married a Miss Ferguson, and died on a portion of the old farm; Benjamin died in Newburg, and he was married to Martha Burr.

(IV) Robert Peebles. the eldest of the family received a good common school edu- cation, attending school until he was twenty years of age, when he began farming in his native township. At his father's death, le inherited a portion of the farm. later he bought his brother's share.

In 1859 Robert Peebles married Sarah Barr, a daughter of Hugh Barr. of Upper Mifflin township. Mrs. Peebles died on the old homestead, and is buried in the Hopewell graveyard. For thirty years Mr. Peebles remained upon his farm, then moved to Newburg, but after a few years he returned to the farm. When his wife died he re- turned to Newburg, and, purchasing a pleas- ant home on High street, there lives a re- tired life. His children were as follows : A son who died in infancy; and Martha Ellen, Hugh and William, who all three died in infancy. Mr. Peebles has reared a daughter of his brother Benjamin's, Anna Jane, who, having entered the family of Mr. Peebles while very young, regards him with the affection of a daughter. Benjamin Peebles was thrown from his buggy July 4, 1877, and was killed.

For many years Mr. Peebles was a Re- publican, but is now a Prohibitionist. For a long time he served as school director of Hopewell township, and has also served upon the election boards. Religiously, he is a member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he is very active, holding all the lead- ing offices, and he is held in great esteem.

HENRY MOSER BOYER. D. D. S. On Dec. 14, 1754, there was born in the vicinity of Boyertown, Berks county, one Philip Boyer. History and tradition are silent as to who his parents were, but he was probably one of the numerous descendants of a Jacob Boyer who in 1728 came from

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Alsace, France, and settled in that part of Pennsylvania.

Philip Boyer and his wife Christina had among other children a son Michael, born Jan. 15. 1787, who married Helena D. Luther, a daughter of Peter Charles and Wilmina ( Mayberg) Luther. Michael and Helena (Luther) Boyer had a son named Israel Luther Boyer, born July 15, 1817, who married Margaret Moser, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Gresh) Moser, who bore him one child. His first wife dying he mar- ried, second, Elizabeth Moser, her sister, by whom he had eight children, among whom was Philip Moser Boyer, the father of our subject.

About the year 1840 Israel L. Boyer moved from Berks county to the Yellow Breeches creek, a short distance below the town of Lisburn, in Cumberland county. Here he assisted his brother-in-law, Henry G. Moser, in the management of Liberty Forge for a number of years. In 1852 he bought a half interest in the forge and after that he and Mr. Moser jointly operated it very successfully for many years. They prospered and made money, and both subse- quently moved to Mechanicsburg, where they spent their declining years. Israel L. Boyer died Jan. 4, 1891 ; his wife, Elizabeth Moser, died on Dec. 30, 1902, and both are buried in the cemetery of St. John's Church near Shiremanstown.

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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 85

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