Biographical annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settled families, Part 91

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 91

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the organizer of the first Sabbath-school in Fairview township, in which he taught for some time. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton had children as follows: ( 1) John S., the oldest, is mentioned below. (2) William, born March 18, 1835, married Miss Fanny Warner, who is now deceased, and he re- sides in New Cumberland. (3) .Andrew, born Nov. 6, 1836, married Mrs. Martha E. Carothers, and in 1865 they went to Illi- nois. In 1902 they moved to Kansas, where they now live in Oswego. (4) Keziah, born May 31, 1841, died in infancy. (5) Mary Ann, born Nov. 15, 1843, is unmarried. (6) Elizabeth Hamilton, born Aug. 13, 1846, became the wife of Zaccheus Spong, of Cumberland county, who enlisted June 15. 1863, becoming a private in Company D. 20th Pa. Cav., for six months' service. He died Nov. 2, 1896, and his widow lives in Wormleysburg, Cumberland county. (7) Hugh, born April 25, 1849, died in infancy. (8) Catherine Salome, born Feb. 5. 1852, married David Eshelman, of Lemoyne.

John S. Hamilton commenced his educa- tion in the public schools of Fairview town- ship, first attending three months a year, and later four months a year. After reaching his twelfth year he commenced to work as farm boy during vacations, at first earning two and a half dollars a month, with Adam Zinn, of Fairview township. The next year he received five dollars a month, and the year following he received nine. He did farm work for four years, after which he worked at the carpenter's trade_one year with his father. For the next two years he continued his apprenticeship under Philip Shell, of Mifflin township, Cumberland county, fin- ishing his trade the following year with his brother David Shell. The first house he put up on his own account was in Fairview township, and he continued contracting for

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fifty years, doing mill work as well as car- pentering. for the mills along Yellow Breeches creek. He put in many overshot wheels, and did other mill work, proving as able in that line as in the work that belonged strictly to lis line of business. In 1855 he helped to build the Samuel Hertzler home, which stands next to his present home, and many other fine residences and barns in this section testify to his skill and to the large patronage he enjoyed. In 1868 Mr. Hamil- ton was appointed whiskey gauger by the United States Government and served as such for two years and ten months; his ap- pointment was received from President Johnson, through the influence of Henry G. Moser, Associate Judge of Cumberland county, and Richard Halderman, Congress- man at that time. For six years he was a member of the township school board, dur- ing five years of the time serving as secre- tary of that body. In 1890 he was elected justice of the peace, and he has held that office continuously ever since, the present year being the fourth of his third term. He has found time for public service in spite of his active business life, and has been a lifelong member of the Democratic party, in whose interests he has worked hard and late from early manhood. His first vote was cast for President Pierce. He has been county committeeman, has missed but few primaries, and has missed only one election since he reached his majority ; that was dur- ing the Civil war. He enlisted at Harris- burg March 15, 1865, for one year, in Com- pany D. Io1st P. V. I., and was mustered out in Newbern, N. C., after five months' service; he received his discharge at Harris- burg. In 1869 Mr. Hamilton joined Bethel Church, in Fairview township, York county, and has retained his membership with same to the present.

On Nov. 12, 1854, Mr. Hamilton was united in marriage, in Mechanicsburg. with Miss Elizabeth Frysinger, who was born in Monaghan township, York county. daugh- ter of Daniel and Susan Bishop (Vorther) Frysinger, farming people. To Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton have been born children as follows: ( 1) Clara, born Oct. 6, 1855, mar- ried William Naylor, and died in Fairview township. (2) Agnes, born April 21. 1857. died in infancy. (3) Thomas, born Jan. 8. 1859, married Mary Feese, and they live in Steelton, Pa. (4) Melissa, born No :. 6. 1861, is the wife of John Noel, of New Cumberland. Pa. (5) Martha E., born June 13. 1862, died in infancy. (6) Corde- lia F., born Sept. 26, 1863, married Eli Thorley, and they live in Chicago, IlI. (7) Daniel, born Oct. 19, 1865, married Mary Prowell, and their home is in Riverton. Cumberland county. (S) Jennie M., born Aug. 16, 1867, died in infancy.

ALFRED B. COMMINGS. The an- cestors of Mr. Commings were of German and Scotch birth, and settled in Bradford county. His grandparents lived and died there, and among their children was Harvey Commings, father of Alfred S., who during the early part of his life followed the oc- cupation of farming. He afterward en- gaged in the manufacture of woolen goods, and followed that occupation until his death. which took place in 1888, when he was sev- enty-four years old. He married in early life Almira Stedman, a descendant of the well known Stedman family of Lycoming county, and she died at the age of forty-two years.

Harvey Commings was a Conservative Democrat during his manhood, and both he and his wife were active members of the Methodist Church. To them were born

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children as follows, besides Alfred B. : Ophelia married Burton Scouton, moved to Missouri in 1871. and engaged in farming : Juliet (deceased) married John Annis, of Monroeton, Bradford county: Charles R. (deceased), a jeweler at Harrisburg, married Emma Funk, of Rockville, Dauphin county, and they had four children; Plumey (un- married) died at the age of eighteen years ; Ella is living in Bradford county ; Frank E. married Ella Walfinger, and is engaged in the jewelry business at Harrisburg.

Alfred B. Commings was born Oct. 16, 1849, at Holland Hill, and received his early education there. When only twelve years of age, fired with patriotism, he ran away from home and enlisted at Harrisburg, as a drummer boy, in the 194th P. V. I., Company K. Capt. Clarence Updegraff com- manding. The child-soldier participated in the battles of Gettysburg. City Point, Petersburg, and numerous smaller engage- ments, and when his term of service had ex- pired he joined the 18th Pa. Cavalry. This command was sent to pursue the famous guerrilla Gen. Moseby, and needless to say had some very thrilling experiences. When Mr. Commings returned from the war, al- though still a boy in years, he was a seas- oned veteran, and began the life of a man by engaging in the lumber business at Williams- port. There he remained for two years, and the following two years ran the stage lines from Troy. The following seventeen years he operated a successful livery, sale and exchange business, into which he drifted naturally through his connection with the stage lines, his stables being located at Har- risburg. From the expiration of the period above mentioned until now Mr. Commings has been closely identified with the hotel .business, though he still deals in fine-bred horses. For nine years he conducted the

popular cafe at Harrisburg known as the Hershey Cafe. He has successfully con- ducted hotels at Carlisle, Lancaster, Read- ing, Lebanon, Millersburg and Elkton, Md., and at the present time he is the proprietor of the well known "American House" at Me- chanicsburg. Mr. Commings is recognized as one of the best judges of horseflesh in the eastern part of the State. No horse show or race meet is complete without him. He has probably entered more horses in races than any man in Pennsylvania to-day, and he has a long list of victories to his credit. Mr. Commings is a true lover of horses, and his stables contain some of the best bred horses in the State.

Mr. Commings married Gertrude Hil- lier, who was born at Jersey Shore, Lycom- ing county, and is a descendant of an old English family. One son, Frederick, has been born to them, and he is at present man- ager of the "American House" at Mechan- icsburg.

JOSEPH SADLER, night yardmaster for the Northern Central Railroad Co., at Bridgeport, was born Sept. 9. 1844. in East Pennsboro township, Cumberland county, a son of Samuel and Hettie (Tate) Sadler, and a grandson of Joseph Sadler. The latter died on his farm at Camp Hill, an old and respected resident of that locality, belonging to the same branch of the family as does Judge Sadler of Carlisle.

Samuel Sadler was born in Cumberland county and was a farmer until he retired, in 1867, to Shiremanstown, where he died in 1869. His wife passed away at Pitcairn, Pa., in 1898. They had children as follows : Sue, Lewis G., Benjamin, Joseph, Ada G., John A. and Samuel.

Joseph Sadler was educated in the dis- trict schools and at Hogestown, Cumber-

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land county, where he finished his schooling at the age of nineteen years. Until his fath- er retired he assisted on the farm, and then went to Shiremanstown. following butcher- ing for three years. His entrance into rail- road work as lineman for the Northern Central Railroad Co., after which he was brakeman in the Bridgeport yards, and in 1896 he was promoted to be night yard- master. a position which carries with it a great deal of responsibility.

In 1868 Mr. Sadler was married to Miss Catherine Nelson, and they have two chil- dren : Robert N. of Wormleysburg, who married Bertha Bixler : and Mabel, at home. Mrs. Sadler is a most estimable lady and a valued member of the Bethel Church.

In politics Mr. Sadler is a stanch Re- publican. Fraternally, he belongs to the Knights of Pythias at Shiremanstown, the Knights of the Golden Eagle and the Rail- road Men's Relief Society. He is one of the highly respected citizens of Wormleysburg and a valued employe of the company he has served with so much fidelity.

JAMES H. WALKER, engineer witlı the Heat, Light & Power Co. of Mt. Holly Springs, Cumberland Co., Pa., was born at Carlisle July 10, 1855, a son of James R. Walker and a grandson of Richard Walker.

Richard Walker came to America and to Frankford township, Cumberland county, early in the seventeenth century, from his native Ireland. He followed farming and trucking all his life, married and reared the following children: Peter, who died in Frankford township; Thompson, who lives In Frankford township; James R., deceased ; Nancy, who died in Philadelphia; Sarah, who lives in Plainfield, West Pennsboro township; Mrs. Neff, who died in Newville; Margaret, who died at Philadelphia; and

Mary, who died at Carlisle. Richard Walker and his wife died in Frankford township, where they were inferred.

James R. Walker, father of James H., was born Feb. 12, 1825, in Frankford town- ship. He assisted his father on the farm for some time and attended the local schools, and then went to Carlisle, where he learned shoe- making, at which he worked until the death of his wife, when he sold out and moved to Bloserville. He lived in Carlisle some forty years and then bought a farm of thirty acres in North Middleton township, where he engaged in the trucking business for eight years. After selling that property he bought eighty acres in Frankford township, where he lived until moving to Bloserville. Here, at a later date, he married the widow of James Logan and removed to her farm until her death, when he went to the home of his son. James H., where he died July 22, 1903, at the age of seventy-eight years.

James R. Walker first married Catherine Trough, who was born July 6, 1829, at Car- lisle. and became the beloved mother of these children : Mary E., born Oct. 16, 1850; Charles W., Jan. 7, 1852; Alfred T., March 10. 1853; James H .; William M., Sept. 15, 1857: George N., Jan. 23, 1860; Walter, Aug. 30, 1862; Charles W., Nov. 30, 1864; and Richard T., Sept. 8, 1868.

James HI. Walker was educated at Car- lisle and adopted engineering as his pro- fession. After marriage he located for two years at Millerstown and then followed his business in North Middleton township for several years, finally coming to Mt. Holly Springs, South Middleton township. Here he was associated with the Mt. Holly Paper Co. for twenty years, since when he has been connected with the Heat, Light & Power Co., of this place. An experienced man in his line of work, his services are much apprec-

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iated by his employers and his competency has resulted in the good service furnished the citizens in what are considered the neces- sities of life in these modern days.

Mr. Walker married Mary Keckler, the estimable daughter of Christian Keckler, of Adams county, Pa., and children as fol- lows were born to them: Nannie B., born Feb. 18, 1875, died March 15. 1875; Harry Elmer, born May 4, 1876, died Oct. 8. 1876; Lizzie B., born Feb. 13. 1878. is the wife of G. Kunkle, a farmer in South Middleton township.

In politics Mr. Walker is identified with the Democratic party. Fraternally he is a member of Mt. Holly Lodge. I. O. O. F .. Mt. Holly Lodge, K. P., and the Order of American Mechanics. The religious con- nection of the family is with the Lutheran Church at Mt. Holly Springs.

WILLIAM H. EBERLY. who was long one of the leading business citizens and prominent men of Mechanicsburg. a mem- ber of the well-known lumber firm of L. F. Eberly & Sons, was born Nov. 16. 1840, on a farm in Cumberland county, and died at his home in Mechanicsburg April 1, 1902. His parents were Levi F. and Eliza (Shuey) Eberly, extended mention of the family being found elsewhere.

William H. Eberly attended the public schools in his youth and was considered com- petent to teach at the age of sixteen years. While he was teaching others he was pre- paring for entrance to the Cumberland Val- ley Institute, which he attended two years later, going from there to Otterbein Uni- versity, at Westerville, Ohio. He was thus well equipped for the appointment which he soon afterward received. that of teller for the banking firm of Michael Mumma. a po- sition which he ably filled through the var-

ious changes through which the institution passed. His ability brought him into the notice of prominent citizens and in 1864 he was appointed clerk in the Quartermaster's department at Annapolis. In 1876, during the Centennial celebration at Philadelphia, he was financially interested in the West End Railway. Soon afterward he became as- sociated with other capitalists and organ- ized and put into operation the Dime Ex- press Company, of Philadelphia. In 1878 he sold his interest in this enterprise and re- turned to Mechanicsburg, becoming associ- ated with the firm of L. F. Eberly & Sons, which is widely known in lumber circles, and with which he was connected until his death. Other business organizations in which he was interested were of local char- acter, and he was one of the directors of the First National Bank and of the Singer Band, and also of the Chestnut Hill cem- etery.

In March, 1863, Mr. Eberly married Katherine Power, daughter of John and Elizabeth ( Barnes) Power, of Perry county. Her sister, Emma, is the wife of Harry Git- tinger, of the Lebanon Trust Co .. of Leb- anon.

Mr. Eberly was a stanch Republican. He was the leader of the excellent choir of the U. B. Church. His talent in music was great, and he was a composer of no little merit. Possessing a genial manner and a very lovable disposition. he was universally popular. His friends could not be numbered and his death was was not only a sad bereave- ment to his widow, but also to those who had known and loved him from boyhood.

DAVID G. BAER, one of the most prosperous and highly respected citizens of West Pennsboro township, Cumberland Co., Pa., son of John Baer, and grandson of

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Samuel Baer, was born in West Pennsboro township Nov. 20, 1844.

Samuel Baer was born in Lancaster county. Pa .. and came to Cumberland county when a boy, more than a century ago. John Baer. the father, was born in West Penns- boro in 1811, and was educated in the public schools of his day, after which he engaged in farming. In 1835 he married Martha Diller, daughter of Francis and Elizabeth (Bowman) Diller, of Frankford township, and they had nine children : Francis: Sam- uel : Sarah. who died in infancy : David G .; William, who died Dec. 26, 1865, in his nineteenth year : Elizabeth, now Mrs. Joseph Leidig. of near Chambersburg ; Mary, Mrs. Hiram Ditlow. living on the family home farm at Hertzler's Bridge; Joseph, who died Sept. 15. 1902, aged fifty years ; and Anna, Mrs. William Black, of West Pennsboro township. John Baer died on the home farm Jan. 29, 1879, in his sixty-seventh year, and his wife passed away Jan. 18, 1890. in her seventy-fifth year.

David G. Baer alternately attended the public schools of his district and helped his father upon the farm until 1873, when he married Miss Elizabeth Doner, daughter of David and Susan ( Miller) Doner. Mr. and Mrs. David Doner had children : Daniel H., born Sept. 24, 1847, who died Feb. 15, 1851 ; Joseph C., born Jan. 15, 1849, who died Sept. 20, 1872 ; Elizabeth, born July 5, 1851, and Alfred, born Nov. 25, 1853. David Doner died April 1, 1892, in his seventy- second year, and Mrs. Susan (Miller) Doner passed away April 5, 1885, in her seventieth year. Mrs. Baer's ancestors on her father's side came from Germany and settled in Lancaster county, where Daniel, her grandfather, was born and grew to manhood. He married Miss Elizabeth Musser, also of Lancaster county, about the

year 1802, and sometime after this he moved to Cumberland county, on a farm purchased by him in Frankford township, where he lived for some years. He then purchased a fine farm in West Pennsboro township, one mile north of Kerrsville, which is still owned and occupied by his descendants. Here he and his wife lived retired in their old age. Daniel Doner died Feb. 25. 1853. in his seventy-second year ; Elizabeth ( Musser) Doner died March 7, 1875. in her ninety-seventh year.

Henry Miller, Mrs. Baer's great-grand- father on the mother's side, with his brother Abraham, came from Wales about the year 1780, Abraham settling at Huntingdon and Henry near Lewisberry, York county. He was married to Eve Herman June 8. 1785, and they had ten children. Henry Miller was born Aug. 16, 1764, and died Oct. 27, 1843, in his eightieth year ; Eve ( Herman) Miller was born May 3, 1764, and died June 21, 1825, aged sixty-one years.

Henry Miller, the third child, and grand- father of Mrs. Baer, was born March 16, 1792. He married Elizabeth. Brookhart, Jan. 17, 1815, and to them were born three children, Susan ( Mrs. Doner), Daniel and Eliza. Sometime after this Mrs. Elizabeth (Brookhart) Miller died, and Henry Miller afterward married Catherine Rhoades, also of York county. To this union were born nine children. He was engaged in farming on his father's farm until about the year 1835, when, with his family, he moved to Cumberland county, settling several miles west of Newville, on the north bank of the Conedoguinet Creek in Mifflin township, where he had purchased a farm. Here he and family lived until his death, which oc- curred Aug. 22, 1848, when he was aged fifty-six years.

David G. Baer engaged in farming for

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his father-in-law until 1892, when Mr. Doner died and the farm fell to Mrs. Baer. Mr. Baer has greatly improved the place, until it is now one of the most valuable and well tilled farms in Cumberland county. Children as follows have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Baer: D. Edgar, at home; Alvin H., who married Alys Weldy Nov. 11, 1903, and lives at Waynesboro; S. Maud at home; Bessie I., at home; S. Herman and Mae E., attending school; and Bertha F. and Emma R., both of whom died in infancy.

Mr. Baer is a Republican in politics, but never aspired for public office. The family attend the United Brethren Church at West Hill and are active in its good work, and are prominent in the township as well.

J. CLARK STUART, a well known farmer and fruit grower of Cumberland county, located near Shippensburg, was born near Carlisle, Pa., and comes of Scotch- Irish ancestry. He is a grandson of the late Judge John Stuart of Cumberland county, who was born there in pioneer times, and spent all his life there. He married Miss Barbara Stein.

John Stuart, father of J. Clark, was born in Carlisle in 1821, and died in 1875. He was a successful business man, and became widely and favorably known in Cumberland county. He married Miss Elizabeth Sea- right, daughter of Francis and Anna (Clark) Searight, who came of an old and much re- spected family.

J. Clark Stuart was born near Carlisle. Pa. After receiving his primary education in the public schools of his native county he attended the Fayetteville Academy, Franklin county, and State College, Pa. After leav- ing college he engaged in farming near Mt. Holly, having had careful training in that vocation. In 1867 he removed to his present

home, near Shippensburg, Pa., where he is engaged in agriculture and fruit growing. He is an intelligent man, and takes an active interest in all that pertains to the welfare of the community, where he is recognized as a public-spirited citizen. His services have been solicited for various positions of trust in the county and township in which he .re- sides. His political sympathy is with the Democratic party. His only sister. Mrs. Anna Heagy, lives in Harrisburg.

On Feb. 14, 1867, Mr. Stuart was mar- ried to Miss Helen J. McCune only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. McCune, of Mid- dle Spring, Pa. Mrs. Helen Stuart was born in the beautiful country home in which she still resides. She was educated at Har- risburg, Pa., in Mrs. LeConte's Ladies Sem- inary, completing a course of study at Sun- nyside Seminary, Newburg, Pa., and gradu- ating with the highest honors of her class. She is a fine musician, and was organist of the Middle Spring Presbyterian Church for thirty-four years. She has one brother, Eugene McCune, Esq., of Chicago. Ill. Mrs. Stuart is of Scotch-Irish ancestry. her people being among the first settlers of that part of Cumberland county. Her great-grand- father was an officer of rank in the war of the Revolution. Her parents, Robert Ster- rett and Jane (McCormick) McCune, were both born in Cumberland county. Mr. Mc- Cune in his early years was engaged in mer- cantile pursuits in Cincinnati, Ohio, but most of his long life was spent in the im- provement and management of his estate, leading the life of a retired country gentle- man. He was a ruling elder in the Middle Spring Church, both he and his wife being active in every good work. Much of their ample means was devoted to objects of char- ity and benevolence. Their useful lives will long be remembered in the community in

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which they lived. Their married life ex- tended over a period of fifty-four years. They died in 1874. dying within a few weeks of each other.

Mr. and Mrs. J. Clark Stuart have two sons : ( 1) Robert McCune Stuart is a com- mercial traveler ; he married Miss Caroline B. Simpson, youngest daughter of the late Col. Simpson. of Constantine. Mich., and they have one child. Robert McCune Simp- son Stuart. Their home is in Washington, D. C. (2) John Howard Stuart is a grad- ulate of the Cumberland Valley State Nor- mal School. class of 1901, and has held the position of principal in the Johnstown ( Pa.) Schools for the past twelve years.

REV. GEORGE KEISER, a native of Perry county, Pa., and son of Jacob and Catherine ( Ritter) Keiser, was born March 6. 1822. When he was eight years of age his parents came to Cumberland county, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The father died. however, in Perry county, in 1833. Jacob and Catherine Keiser had children as follows: Leali ( deceased) was the wife of John Swartz. George is the sub- ject proper of this sketch. Susan, de- ceased ) was the wife of Jacob Kochender- fer. David is a resident of Cumberland county : his deceased wife in maidenhood was Annie Bender. Rachel, widow of David Kochenderfer, resides in Carlisle. Jacob re- sides in Omaha, Neb .; his wife, now de- ceased, was Sophia Edgington. John C. is deceased; his wife, who was Sarah Humer, lives in Carlisle.

George Keiser has been twice married, first, on Feb. 13, 1845, to Rachel Bear, who bore him five children, three of whom reached maturity; David B., of Houston, Texas; Catharine, deceased wife of Jacob Brown; and Emma, wife of Frank Lang-

heine. The mother of these children died in March. 1863. The present wife of George Keiser was before marriage Mary Steiner, and they were married April 21, 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Keiser are the parents of three children: Edwin S. resides in Lancaster, Pa. : Ella M. is at home ; George W. is liv- ing in Carlisle.

George Keiser united with the Reformed Mennonite Church in the year 1857, and was ordained a minister in the year 1860. A ref- erence to the year of his birth will remind the reader that Rev. George Keiser has rounded out his four score years, and dur- ing this time he has for more than half a century devoted himself to the cause of Him "with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."

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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 91

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