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 86
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Philip Moser Boyer, the third child of Israel Luther and Elizabeth ( Moser ) Boyer, was born in Fairview township, York coun- ty, on Oct. 23. 1846. He was raised on the farm and educated in the country district school. When yet a mere lad he enlisted as a recruit in Company H, 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry, in which regiment he put in one year of hard service, the regiment being a part of Gen. Kilpatrick's Division in Sher-
man's famous march to the sea. On return- ing home from the war he turned his atten- tion to farming, at which he has continued almost constantly ever since. For some time he farmed in Silver Spring and Monroe townships, then for about seven years in the vicinity of Lisburn. He was then elected steward of the county alms house, which position he held for seven years, from 1888 to 1896. In 1891 he bought a farin 'on the north side of the Conedoguinet creek. di- rectly opposite Meeting House Springs, in North Middleton township, upon which he is now living. In 1865 he married Saralı Jane Hart, daughter of Daniel, and Catlı- erine (Laird) Hart, of near Andersontown, a member of a large representative York county family. To Philip M. and Sarah Jane (Hart) Boyer the following children were born: Charles Sherman, Israel Luther, Henry Moser, Jennie Elizabeth and Wil- liam Herbert and Elsie Vernon.
Henry Moser Boyer, the third child, and the subject of this sketch, was born Oct. 9, 1869. in Silver Spring township. He re- mained at home with his parents during his childhood and youth, working on the farm and attending the district school. When in his seventeenth year he went to Carlisle and entered upon an apprenticeship at printing in the office of the American Volunteer. Upon completing his trade he continued in the same office for several years and attend- ed Dickinson College Preparatory School. He then went to Philadelphia, where he worked as a compositor on the Philadelphia Press. After one year he returned to Car- lisle to again work on the American L'olun- teer, upon which for about two years he held the position of local editor and fore- man. He then took up the study of dentis- try, and in September, 1894, went to Phila- delphia and entered the Pennsylvania Col-
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lege of Dental Surgery, graduating from that institution in the class of 1897. After graduating he opened an office in Carlisle and began the practice of his profession. at which he has assiduously continued ever since with gratifying success.
Dr. Boyer is a busy man, but finds some time to give to civic duties and social affairs. Like his family for generations before him he is a Democrat and acts in harmony with his party. Without seeking it he was elected a member of the Carlisle town council and is now president of that body. He is a miem- ber of the Carlisle Lodge of Elks, is greatly interested in the order, and active and prom- inent in all its fraternal and social functions.
On June 12, 1902. Dr. Boyer married Bessie Irene Stephens, daughter of the late John C. Stephens, of Carlisle, who bore him a son on Sept. 5, 1904. and died twelve hours afterward. The child is named Henry Ste- phens Boyer. Dr. Boyer is a member of the First Lutheran Church of Carlisle, to which his wife also belonged. Mrs. Boyer was buried in Ashland cemetery, at Carlisle.
J. H. HIMES. now engaged in milling at Huntsdale, Cumberland county, has been engaged in that business and in merchandis- ing in different places in the county, and has become widely known all over that section of Pennsylvania as an able business man and upright citizen. He was born in 1846, in York county, Pa., son of George Himes, who was also a native of York county.
George Himes was a miller by occupa- tion, and very skillful in his line, which he followed in York, Adams and Cumberland counties, Pa. His mill in York county was a sixty-horse power establishment, and one of the largest in the State at the time. In 1850 George Himes came to Cumber- land county, looting along the Yellow
Breeches creek. in South Middleton town- ship, where he followed milling for five years. At the end of. that time he bought the old Weakley mills at Huntsdale, which his son, J. H., now operates, as well as a tract of about fifty acres, and here he re- mained for a number of years, taking his place among the enterprising citizens of Huntsdale. When, in 1874, he removed to Kansas, his going away was looked upon as a distinct loss to the community, where he had made many warm friends by his upright life and honorable dealings with all. He lived retired in Kansas for the remainder of his days, dying in 1891. Mr. Himes was married to Catherine Linebaugh, daughter of George Linebaugh, of York county, and she passed away in 1882. They were the parents of children as follows: Mary mar- ried George W. Smizer, who is now de- ceased, and she makes her home at Russell, Kans. Elizabeth married H. M. Cocklin, whose father at one time was judge of the Cumberland county courts. William B. mar- ried Rachel Webbert. of Boiling Springs, Cumberland county, and they reside in Kan- sas, where he is a Dunkard preacher. Catlı- erine married James G. Weekly, of Russell county, Kans., where they reside. George A. J. is married and living in Oklahoma. J. H. is mentioned below. Solomon mar- ried Lena Claussen ; he is a resident of Wil- son, Kans., where he is engaged in the hard- ware business. Jennie married Edward Moore, and they live in Russell, Kansas.
J. H. Himes was but a boy when his father came to Cumberland county, and he received his early education in the district schools. He attended high school at Cen- terville, and acquired a good practical train- ing, subsequently teaching for three years in Penn and Dickinson townships. He learned the milling business of his father,
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and followed it for sixteen years after com- mencing life on his own account. Locating in Bowmansdale, Cumberland county, he then embarked in the mercantile business as a member of the firm of Himes & Goodhart. which continued for ten years. Mr. Himes and Mr. Goodhart then dissolved partner- ship, after which he came to Huntsdale, where he also engaged in merchandising. He carried on the business for six years, and then lived retired for seven years, on Dec. 15, 1903, resuming milling at the old Week- ly mills at Huntsdale. Mr. Himes has been successful in all his business ventures, and has accumulated a comfortable competence, and he is the owner of four fine houses in Huntsdale, in which place he is looked upon. as one of the representative business men.
Though Mr. Himes has devoted himself to business matters he has always found time to interest himself in the various activities of. the community, and local public matters have received considerable attention from him. Realizing that a business man, espe- cially, reaps much benefit from local im- provements, he has encouraged every move- ment looking to the public welfare. He has also been' active in political affairs as a member of the Republican party, has served as clerk of election. and though not an office-seeker has served six years as school director in Penn township and three years in Upper Allen township. He has also taken a prominent part in church work as a men- ber of the Lutheran Church, was superin- tendent of the Sunday-school of that church at Bowmansdale for six years, and is now assistant superintendent of the Lutheran Sunday-school at Centerville, holding mem- bership in the church there.
In 1868 Mr. Himes was married to Miss Lavina Crebs, daughter of Solomon Crebs, of Centerville, Penn township, and
she passed away at Huntsdale in 1881. She is interred in the cemetery of the Dunkard Church, of which she was a member. Four children blessed this union, namely: Wil- liam; Sallie B., wife of W. B. Gumpert, of Harrisburg; Charles D., who married Ma- ria Hosfeld; and Joseph C .. a barber in Car- lisle, who is unmarried. Mr. Himes was married, in 1882, to Miss Clara Williamson, daughter of Jason Williamson, of Hunts- dale, and to this union has come one child, Clarence, who died in infancy, and is buried at Centerville.
ROBERT CORMAN was for many years one of the leading business citizens of Mechanicsburg, where he was regarded as a self-made man of solid worth. He came of a family long settled in this State, being a grandson of Ludrick Corman, a resident of Lebanon county, Pa., who was of Ger- man descent. His wife, whose maiden name was Ninomaker, was also of Lebanon county, and they became the parents of nine children : George, John, Jacob, Abraham, Philip, Henry, Catharine, Mary and Eliza. Ludrick Corman was a farmer by occupa- tion. In political opinion he was a Demo- crat. He enlisted as a soldier in the Revo- lutionary war, serving under Washington, and was one of the brave company who shared the hardships of the memorable win- ter at Valley Forge. He considered it un- patriotic to take a pension from a country then comparatively poor, and many years later, when unfortunate circumstances would have made a pension welcome, it was applied for, but though his name was found on the roll all who knew of his services had passed away, and he could not be identified.
John Corman, second son of Ludrick, and father of Robert, was born April 9. 1778, in Lebanon county, Pa., and lived
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to the age of ninety years. He learned the trade of cooper. and was an industrious, respected man all his days. leading a useful and honorable life. He married Elizabeth Campbell, a native of Cumberland county. Pa .. born June 14. 1788. who was a descend- ant of the famous Campbells of Scotland. a branch of which family had settled in Ire- land. To Jolin and Elizabeth Corman were born nine children, namely : William, Rob- ert. John. Agnes. Joseph, Charles. Eliza. George and Campbell. George served in the Civil war as captain of Company F. 56th P. V. I .. and lost his life in the second battle of Bull Run. His brother Robert went to the battlefield to recover his body. but was unsuccessful, and he rests in the great tomb at Arlington Heights with over two thou- sand other unknown soldiers. Jolin Cor- man was an old-line Whig in political senti- ment. He was a man of wonderful mem- ory, and many remarkable incidents of this faculty were related of him.
Robert Corman was born March 31. 1808, near Warm Springs, Perry county. Pa., and at the age of four years came with his parents to Cumberland county, where the remainder of his long life was passed. He was reared by an unusually conscien- tious mother, and his devotion to her even in youth was remarkable. and it was on her good advice that he laid the foundation of his subsequent success, both from a moral and material standpoint. He remained with his parents on the farm until about nine- teen, when he decided to adopt some voca- tion which brought in better money returns than farming, and he turned to the tanner's trade. Robert Bryson, who then owned and operated a large tannery near Mechanics- burg, had offered to teach him the business, and he went to live with him as an appren-
tice. At that time he had nothing he could call his own but an extra suit of clothes. After three years' service Mr. Bryson of- fered him Sur a month and board, and he continued to work for him as a journeyman tanner for seven years, during which time his wages were increased to fifty cents a day. In this period, by strict economy. he had succeeded in saving $700 out of his scanty wages, and had invested his money with Mr. Bryson at six per cent. interest. But he was not satisfied with the progress he was mak- ing, and thinking he might do better in the West he went to the young and growing city of Cincinnati. His search for employ- ment took him over to Covington. Ky .. where he applied to a Mr. Grant, who ran a tannery. but that gentleman could not en- gage him, as he had only a small plant, and he could attend to the work himself with the assistance of his two young sons, one grind- ing the bark and the other handling the hicles. This Mr. Grant was the father of .Ulysses S. Grant, and it is probable that the General was one of the two little boys as- sisting the father at his work. Though he could not give him employment. Mr. Grant spoke very encouragingly and kindly to the young man, and he did indeed find some work soon. His thrifty habits enabled him to save $675 in gold within two and a half years. His next loca- tion was at Kittanning. Pa., where he con- tinued work at his trade and in about eighteen months he accumulated another $700. Mr. Bryson, his former friend and employer, becoming embarrassed in business about this time, wrote to him, offering him a one-third interest in his tannery, and Mr. Corman, accepting this offer, retained the interest eleven years. During this time, as before, he made his work count, and at the
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end of the eleven years had $12,000, twenty- eight acres and a fine home to show for his industry.
In 1853 the partnership with Mr. Bry- son was dissolved by mutual consent, and as Mr. Corman was to engage in business at Trindle Spring he rented his residence for a number of years to a nephew of Mr. Bry- son. Hiring an old tanyard at Trindle Spring, Mr. Corman carried on his old line of business there for seven years, and during that time also built what is known as the "Florence House," in Carlisle, the first four- story honse in that city. He superintended its construction himself, driving back and forth from the tannery daily: the building was put up in ninety days-a remarkable thing for that period. Meantime his former employer had met with further financial dif- ficulties, and his large property-consisting of a steam tannery in full operation, well stocked with about $40,000 worth of bark and hides, over 200 acres of land, a fine mansion and other buildings-was bought by Mr. Corman at the assignee's sale for $18,000. It was during the war, and no one would bid higher. At the end of three years Mr. Corman wound up the business, selling the property and stock for $59,000, and then moved to Mechanicsburg. In 1866 he took a pleasure trip overland to California, visit- ing the principal cities and places of inter- est, and on his return took a steamer at San Francisco for New York.
Mr. Corman's next venture was an in- terest in the Trindle Spring paper-mill, which proved unfortunate to the stockhold- ers, though no one lost a dollar, and he eventually purchased the property and con- verted it into a tobacco warehouse. He also bought three farms adjoining, which he cul- tivated, raising tobacco quite extensively. In this, as in most of his enterprises, he was
quite successful. Mr. Corman's life was varied and eventful, and he was a self-made man in the best sense of the word. By in- dustry and honorable methods he accumu- lated a fine property, and he always retained the respect of his associates, in every walk of life. He never failed to give credit for his success to the noble mother whose early training did so much to mold his character, and to the friend and employer of his early days, Mr. Bryson, who gave him help and encouragement when he was starting life for himself with little prospect of the pros- perity which afterward came to him, and who always treated him like a son. Mr. Corman passed away March 20, 1896, at his home near Mechanicsburg, to the end a type of the sturdy stock which has given so innich prestige to the stalwart sons of Pennsylvania. He was a Presbyterian in religious connection, and his political sup- port was given to the Whig and Republican parties.
On Oct. 2, 1849. Mr. Corman was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Bailey, daughter of John and Ann ( Blair) Bailey, and to this union came one daugh- ter, Laura, born Nov. 28, 1856, now the wife of Harry C. Gross. of Harrisburg. now of Steelton, Pa., son of Dr. Daniel Gross. Mrs. Elizabeth Corman died in March, 1867, and on Dec. 11. 1884, Mr. Corman married Miss Eliza Bricker, who survives him.
PETER BRICKER, the father of Mrs. Eliza (Bricker) Corman, belonged to one of the foremost families of Cumberland county, coming from German stock which settled in Lancaster county. this State, at an early day. Brickerville, in that county, was named after the family. Jacob Bricker, the father of Peter, was born in Brickerville, and married Miss Mary Fry, who was also
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of Lancaster county, and they had two chil- dren. Lewis and Peter. In 1812, when the latter was about six years old, the family moved to Cumberland county. settling in Newville, where he followed milling. and then moving to Silver Spring township. Before long he purchased the Silver Spring mill, which he owned for over forty years. prospering until he accumulated a comfort- able fortune, his estate consisting of six farms (comprising over 900 acres ), his mill property and a house in Mechanicsburg. whither he removed a few years prior to his death. He reached the great age of eighty- four years, passing away in 1867. Thoughi a large man. he was active and industrious. his prosperity being well deserved. and he had a sociable disposition, with a fund of good common sense, which made him at once popular and reliable. Politically he sympathized with the Republican party.
Peter Bricker, the eldest son of Jacob. was born in 1807 in Brickerville, Lancaster county, and, as stated, came to Cumberland county with his parents when a young child. He learned the business of his father. and by energy and prudence succeeded even bet- ter, his property comprising nine farms be- sides the mill property in Silver Spring township. He raised a large family, giving them all good advantages, and led an up- right, useful life, being in his day one of the most respected citizens of his part of the county. He married Miss Kate Buttorf. daughter of George Buttorf, of Cumber- land county, and they settled on a farm given him by his father, which the latter had purchased of George Bobb in 1829. All his children were born in the old house built by Mr. Bobb in 1817, and here he continued to reside until 1860, when he moved to an- other of his farms, the one subsequently owned by Jacob Mely. To Peter and Kate
(Buttorf) Bricker were born six children, namely: George, Peter, Jacob. Samuel, Mary and Susan. The mother of these chil- dren dying, he married for his second wife Miss Mary Bricker, of Cumberland county, daughter of David Bricker, and to this un- ion came ten children, viz .: David, who is now a resident of Kansas; Lewis, deceased ; Joseph, of Mechanicsburg: John, a farmer of Silver Spring township: Levi, a retired farmer of Silver Spring township: Chris- tian, a farmer of Silver Spring township; Eliza, of Mechanicsburg, widow of Robert Corman ; Catherine, wife of Daniel Musser ; Clara, who married John Maxwell, of Cum- berland county ; and Ella, who died young.
Peter Bricker died July 21, 1875, in Sil- ver Spring township, where he had long been a prominent citizen. He was a Repub- lican in political faith.
SAMUEL HENDRICKS GOULD, who passed away in December, 1889. is well remembered in the city of Carlisle. of which he was practically a lifelong resident. and where for fourteen years prior to his death he was chief clerk of the Indian Industrial School.
Mr. Gould was born in Carlisle in 1828, and was a son of William Gould, also a na- tive of Cumberland county, who died shortly after the close of the Civil war, in 1867 or 1868. During the greater part of his life he was an auctioneer, and at the time of his death, which occurred very suddenly, in the courthouse, he was court crier. His family consisted of eleven children, all now de- ceased, namely: Daniel; Washington, who served in both the Mexican and Civil wars ; Charles, who was wounded in battle while serving in the Civil war, died in hospital, and was brought home for burial; Samuel Hendricks, whose name introduces this
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sketch; William: Edward: Elizabeth, wife of William Cammeron: Mary, who married Adam Senseman: Ann. wife of Robert Alli- son ; Henrietta. Mrs. Gilsen Brandon; and Emeline, Mrs. John Hurd.
Samuel H. Gould received his education in the public schools of Carlisle, principally by his own efforts, and in his early manhood learned the trade of a painter. which he was obliged to abandon because of the bad effect it had upon his health. He then engaged as clerk in stores for a time, and in 1861 be- came attached to the Quartermaster's Depart- ment at Nashville, Tenn .. under Col. Bing- ham, continuing therewith until the close of the war. When the Indian school was started in the barracks at Carlisle he became chief clerk under Capt. Pratt. and continued as such for about fourteen years, until his death, which was sudden and caused by heart disease. Mr. Gould was an able man, and discharged every duty which he undertook with a fidelity and efficiency which won him the esteem of all with whom he was associ- ated in business life, his many good qualities insuring high personal regard wherever he was known. He was a regular attendant of the First Lutheran Church, and in politi- cal sentiment a stanch Democrat.
On July 4, 1851, Mr. Gould was united in marriage with Miss Henrietta Myers, of Carlisle, who was reared and educated in that city. She is a daughter of Henry and Ann Mary (Shetler) Myers, the latter a native of York, Pa., and both of whom are now deceased. Mrs. Myers died in 1862, Mr. Myers passing away in Carlisle in 1887. He was a carpenter by trade. Mr. and Mrs. Myers reared a family of ten children, of whom we have the following record: Eme- line married for her first husband William Skiles, and after his death became the wife of Major A. A. Line, who is also deceased ..
Susan, Mrs. James Gutshall, died in Cali- fornia. Henrietta is the widow of Samuel H. Gould. Luther is deceased. Ann Mary is the wife of Joseph Ogilby, of Carlisle. Louisa became the wife of Samuel Brum- baugh, of Harrisburg, who now resides in Philadelphia. George died in California. Henry died in California. John, who mar- ried a Miss Leigh, died in Carlisle. Wil- liam moved to the West, where he married, and he died at Wellington, Kansas.
JACOB H. DRAWBAUGH. M. D., one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Shiremanstown, was born Aug. 11. 1859, in Monaghan township. York county. When four years of age his father removed the family to Upper Allen township, Cumber- land county, where our subject had an op- portunity to attend school. Later he became a student at the Mechanicsburg Institute, and still later of the Cumberland Valley Normal School at Shippensburg. He then entered the Baltimore School of Physicians and Surgeons, and was graduated with the class of 1886.
Dr. Drawbaugh entered upon the prac- tice of his profession at Robesonia. Berks county, where he remained until 1898. For the following nine months he practiced at Bowmansdale, Pa., and then located at Shiremanstown, where he has established a large and lucrative practice, and is highly regarded also by his brother physicians.
In 1887 Dr. Drawbaugh married Miss Amanda Kunkel. of Lisbon, Cumberland county, a daughter of Jacob S. and Sarah (Laird) Kunkel. One child, Claire, has been born to this union.
Dr. Drawbaugh is a member of the Berks County Medical Society, the Cum- berland County Medical Society, the Penn- sylvania State Medical Society, and the Har-
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risburg Academy of Medicine, taking a deep interest in their work and aims.
Samuel O. Drawbangh. the Doctor's father. was born in Dover township, York county, and was a miller by occupation. He married Elizabeth Ham- aker. of the same county, where both died. They had these children: Dr. Jacob H., of this sketch: Daniel. of York Haven, married Flora Flory: John, a physician, druggist and dentist. a graduate of the Na- tional University at Washington. D. C., and who took special lessons and work under Dr. Kol Penski, of Vienna, Austria, the greatest throat specialist in the world, afterward practicing in Washington, and later in Ashe- ville, N. C., where he died, his wife, former- ly a Miss Iseman, also being deceased ; Tempest. who married a sister of the late Dr. Jolin A. Kilmore, and both are deceased ; Eli, who has been a teacher in the public schools in Steelton, Pa., for the past fifteen years, and who married a Miss Reider ; Sam- uel. of Shiremanstown, who married Emma Myers : and George, who died in infancy.
Dr. Drawbaugh is descended from Rev- olutionary stock in both paternal and mater- nal lines. Both the Drawbaughs and the Hamakers came to America with Baron Steigel in 1730. The latter became known as a pioneer iron and glass manufacturer in the colonies. Members of the Drawbaugh and Hamaker families assisted in the Revo- lutionary war, and the latter family has been conspicuous in military life from then to the last representative in the Philippines. The Drawbaughs have fallen little short of the same patriotic record.
A pleasant little family incident has come down as a testimonial to the grace and beauty of the maternal side of the family. A Miss McGreggor, who later became the great-grandmother of our subject, was one
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