USA > Pennsylvania > Book of biographies; This volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of the Seventeenth congressional district, Pennsylvania > Part 70
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REV. JAMES A. HUBER.
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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
also a leading politician, being a Democrat prior to the war, and afterward a Republican. He was a fluent speaker and made many cam- paign speeches. He was remarkably talented and was a bright young attorney when cut off by death just in the beginning of a brilliant career. He died at the age of twenty-five years and his widow still survives him, resid- ing in Sunbury. He was joined in the holy bonds of matrimony with Mary A. Forsyth, a daughter of William T. Forsyth, now de- ceased, who was a prominent citizen of North- umberland. They had one son, Jordan How- ard, subject of this sketch.
Our subject sought for his wife, Edith Ger- trude Hunsinger, daughter of William Hun- singer of Milton, Northumberland County, Pa., and two sons now bless their home: Jor- dan Howard, Jr., and William H. Mr. Rock- cteller is a Democrat and takes a nominal in- terest in party successes. In his religious be- lief he is an advocate of the doctrine of the Presbyterian faith, like all his family.
O EV. JAMES A. HUBER, pastor of St. Hubert's German Catholic Church of Danville, Pa., was born at Lan- caster, Pa., February 15, 1853, and is a son of William and Catherine (Koperle) Huber.
William Huber, now deceased, was a native of Baden, Germany, who, upon coming to this country, located at Lancaster, Pa., where he followed his trade as a builder and contractor. He was united in marriage with Catherine Koperle, and a family of eight children was born to them, who were named as follows: William, Titus, John, Mary, James, Barbara, Harry, and Catherine.
Rev. James A. Huber was a graduate of St. Vincent's College, and was ordained to preach
in 1880, and at once became assistant pastor of St. Mary's Church of Lancaster, from which place he was sent to New Freedom, Pa. Later he became pastor of the Carlisle Catholic Church, then was stationed at Eliz- abethtown, from which place he removed to Danville, and has occupied the pulpit of St. Hubert's German Catholic Church since March, 1895. The handsome church edifice was erected in 1862, is built of brick, and has a large basement, where the German Catholic School is conducted by sisters, Catherine and Huberta, who have some sixty pupils. The church is heated by hot air and lighted by gas; it has a membership of fifty families.
A portrait of Rev. James A. Huber is pre- sented on another page, in connection with the above life history.
ON. ABRAHAM SHIPMAN, de- ceased, who in his day served as asso- ciate judge of Northumberland County, Pa., and also as county surveyor, was a well-known and most influential man. He was a son of John and Mary (Mckinney) Shipman and was born March 6, 1810, in Lower Augusta township, where he resided all his life, passing away August 8, 1878. He was educated in the common schools of his native county and studiously applied himself when not in school, thereby acquiring a good education. He studied civil engineering un- der David Andrews and became a proficient surveyor, entering upon the duties of his pro- fession in March, 1836. He built what is known as the Shipman mill, on the old home- stead in Rockefeller township, and carried on farming and milling in conjunction with sur- veying and conveyancing, doing quite an ex- tensive business. He served as county sur-
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES.
veyor for several years; was associate judge for a period of ten years; and subsequently was justice of the peace in Lower Augusta township for several years. Politically he was an ardent Democrat, active and influential in the councils of his party, and for a long time was its recognized leader in the county.
Harmon Shipman, Sr., the progenitor of the American branch of the numerous Ship- man family, was a native of Germany and was born in 1717. He immigrated to this country about 1740, settling in New Jersey at a place known as Uniontown, in what is now Har- mony township, Warren County; there he purchased 200 acres of land, which was then covered with a dense forest and was a fitting abode for the wild beasts and the native braves whom civilization was slowly but surely forc- ing from their heritage. With characteristic industry this hardy pioneer began the battle with the forces of nature to improve and trans- form the wilderness into productive and fruit- ful fields. . He accomplished his task and lived out his long life on his estate, hewn out by his own efforts from that vast wilderness, and died March 8, 1805, aged eighty-eight years.
During the Revolutionary struggle Har- mon Shipman aided the American cause, in many ways contributing both his time and his means and by sending four sons, William, Nicholas, John, and Christian, to the service, bidding them to fight gallantly for their coun- try's freedom. At the close of the war the patriots found themselves so impoverished by their loyal efforts that the older sons, with their families, moved to other settlements.
William and Nicholas settled in Lower Au- gusta township, Northumberland County, Pa., in the spring of 1794. In 1802 their brothers, Christian and Jacob, settled in the same vicinity, and again a part of the family had been reunited. According to tradition
Harmon Shipman, Sr., was first married in Germany, and his wife came with him to America. They were the parents of five chil- dren, one of whom, William, was the grand- father of our subject. Harmon Shipman, Sr., married for his second wife a Miss Howe, and they had a family of six children.
William Shipman, grandfather of our sub- ject, was born in Harmony township, Sussex County, New Jersey, June 9, 1756. He set- tled in Lower Augusta township, Northum- berland County, Pa., in 1794; there he died June 23, 1841, and his remains were buried in the Mountain Presbyterian burial ground of that township. He married soon after the close of the Revolutionary War, settling in Lower Augusta township, where he purchased 150 acres of land, and subsequently made ad- ditional purchases until he became owner of a large acreage. He and his wife had a family of eight children, one of whom was John Ship- man, father of Abraham Shipman, the subject of this sketch.
John Shipman was born in Sussex County, New Jersey, October 13, 1783, and at eleven years of age accompanied his parents to Low- er Augusta township, where he spent his life in the tranquil and peaceful pursuits of hus- bandry. He died April 8, 1850. He was united in marriage with Mary Mckinney, a daughter of Abraham and Abigail Mckinney. This daughter was born January 25, 1786, and died March 10, 1851. John and Mary Ship- man were parents of eleven children, the eldest of whom was the late Abraham Shipman, the subject of this sketch.
Abraham Shipman was united in marriage February 14, 1837, with Elizabeth Yoxthei- mer, by whom he had eleven children, ten of whom grew to manhood and womanhood. All were born in Lower Augusta township and were named as follows:
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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
(Ist.) Lemuel, who was born December 15, 1838. On September 27, 1860, he married Maria Bloom, daughter of William Bloom. Lemuel received an academic education in New Berlin, and early in life was employed in the saw and grist milling business by his father. October 30, 1862, he enlisted in the Union Army, in Company D, 3rd Reg., Pa. Vol. Artillery. He was promoted to second lieutenant of the same company, May 16, 1864, and served as such until the close of the war. While officer-of-the-day at Fortress Monroe he had charge of a very distinguished prisoner, no less a personage than Jeff Davis, President of the Confederate government. He was register of wills, recorder of deeds and clerk of the Orphans' Court of his native county from 1874 to 1880, and has filled other positions of trust and honor. In 1887 he re- moved to Lewisburg, Union County, where he was prominent in business circles. He re- moved to West Virginia in 1889 and followed the lumbering business; at this writing he is at Meridian, Miss., engaged in lumbering and other enterprises.
(2nd.) Matilda, who was born August 19, 1840. On August 12, 1859, she married John Bloom of Lower Augusta township, now a successful farmer of Rockefeller township.
(3rd.) Mark, who was born April 24, 1842, and died June 22, 1870. He enlisted in the Union Army soon after the firing on Fort Sumter, and remained in active service during the entire war, being stationed most of the time at Key West, Fla.
(4th.) Saul, who was born January 4, 1844, and was married July 13, 1869, to Lucinda Fasold. He also enlisted in the Civil War, served in Company C, 13Ist Reg., Pa. Vol., and was discharged nine months after enter- ing the service. On his return home he took a preparatory collegiate course at Freeburg
Academy. In 1864 he engaged in teaching school, and continued to teach until 1869, when he was elected superintendent of schools of Northumberland County. He was re-elected in 1872, serving six years; was a faithful official and thoroughly posted in the duties of his office. He now resides upon a farm in Rockefeller township, engaged in agri- cultural pursuits and teaching.
(5th.) Ruth, who was born August 6, 1845, and on October 31, 1867, became the wife of Joseph Gass, Jr., a farmer of Rockefeller town- ship.
(6th.) Ann, who was born November 25, 1847, and was married November 15, 1866, to Anthony S. Speece, who is now engaged in the powder business at Speeceville, Dauphin County, Pa.
(7th.) Rebecca J., who was born Decem- ber 27, 1850, and married Franklin Maberry. (8th.) Silas, born April 30, 1853, and died August 14, 1853.
(9th.) Ira, whose life history will be given later.
(Ioth.) Walter, who is also mentioned in this review.
(IIth.) Jefferson, who was born February 24, 1859, read law with his brother Walter, was admitted to the bar and is now a suc- cessful attorney at Mount Carmel, Pa.
Ira Shipman, county superintendent of schools of Northumberland County, Pa., and resident of Sunbury, is a son of the late Judge Shipman, whose history has been given. Prof. Shipman was born in Lower Augusta township, now Rockefeller township, five miles southeast of Sunbury, May 17, 1854. His election to the position of county school superintendent recalls the coincidence of his birth with the creation of the office of county superintendent, which was established in 1854 by an action of the State Legislature of
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES.
Pennsylvania. He received his education and training in the common schools of his native township, at Freeburg Academy, and at the Shippensburg State Normal School. He be- gan teaching school at the age of seventeen years and followed that profession uninter- ruptedly for a period of twenty-two years, having taught four years in his native town- ship and eighteen years in Sunbury. In 1893 he was elected county superintendent of schools and in 1896 was re-elected. In his young manhood he was assistant to his father, who was an expert surveyor and civil engi- neer, and when not otherwise engaged Prof. Shipman follows that calling now and is re- garded as one of the best surveyors in the vicinity of his home. He was civil engineer of the borough of Sunbury for five years, but resigned in 1893, having been elected county superintendent. He served as justice of the peace for a number of years during his resi- dence in Rockefeller township. Upon the death of his father he purchased the old fam- ily homestead, which he remodeled and made his place of residence for eight or ten years.
Ira Shipman has an honest and just pride in the progress and development of his adopted town, and has done much to advertise the advantages of Sunbury. He is a man of fine scholarly attainments; having been the guardian of his own literary pursuits, he de- serves the hearty commendation of all. In the discharge of his official duties he has the repu- tation of being strictly honest and impartial, and is held in high esteem by teachers and all others, who regard him as an exemplary pub- lic servant and a most thorough and deserving gentleman. In his religious views he is an ad- herent of the Presbyterian Church.
On April 26, 1876, Prof. Shipman was united in marriage to Theresa, daughter of Solomon and Caroline (Kline) Miller of Low-
er Augusta, now Rockefeller, township. Unto them have been born three children: Herbert M., deceased; Ralph; and Waldo.
Walter Shipman, a successful attorney-at- law and justice of the peace of Sunbury, is also a son of the late Judge Shipman, whose family is one of the leading ones in the Seventeenth Congressional District. He was born in Low- er Augusta township, August 3, 1856, and re- ceived his primary education in the public schools, which was supplemented by a course in Freeburg Academy and at Millersburg State Normal School. He also became a teacher and followed that calling for a num- ber of years, but finally decided to enter the legal profession. After reading and studying law he was admitted to the bar and has since been actively engaged in practicing his pro- fession in Northumberland County. In 1893 he was elected justice of the peace in Sunbury, and re-elected to the same office in 1898. He is a Democrat; his town has a Republican majority ranging from 150 to 200 votes; the fact of Mr. Shipman's election and re-election to the same office on the Democratic ticket is ample evidence of his efficiency and great pop- ularity with the masses.
April 30, 1878, Mr. Shipman took for his bride Josephine M. Coldren of Lower Augusta township, and three children have blessed their home: Lida M., born April 23, 1879, who is a graduate of the Sunbury High School, and now assists her father in his office duties; Carrie G., born July 15, 1882; and James F., born October 29, 1884.
Walter Shipman is a pleasant, genial gentle- man, of fine mien; a man of exalted character, and has the air of a good politician. He has been very successful in building up a lucrative law practice and his success is the just reward of concentration and perseverance.
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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
R. FREDERICKD. RAKER. Among the many able physicians who are practicing their profession in Sha- mokin at the present time none have met withi greater success than the subject of this sketch, Dr. F. D. Raker. Few are better known or more skilful, and none have a larger practice than that which occupies the entire time and attention of this active physician and surgeon, who owes his prominence in his profession to his own perseverance, which has enabled him to surmount all difficulties and become what the world rightly terms a self-made man. He is a native of Northumberland County. He acceptably filled the office of county coroner for two terms of three years each. Although he takes a lively interest in public affairs and is a good illustration of the representative Sha- mokin citizen, his extensive practice prevents active undertakings outside of his profession.
Dr. Raker was born in Little Mahanoy township, on December 26, 1856, and attend- ed the ungraded district schools when not working on his father's farm. Then he en- tered the Elysburg and Freeburg academies, and at the age of twenty years commenced teaching school in Washington township. In 1877 he went to Wyoming township and be- gan reading medicine with Dr. D. H. Dorn- sife. By 1879 he had saved sufficient money to complete his medical education and he en- tered Jefferson Medical College, from which institution he was graduated two years later. He then began to practice his profession at Beaumont, Wyoming County, but remained there only seven months. On January 10, 1882, Dr. Raker removed to Shamokin, where he has since been in continual practice. The young physician pushed rapidly to the front after locating in Shamokin, his professional skill soon being recognized by all classes of the people. It was not long before he had as
many patrons as he could attend, and the re- sult has been that in addition to acquiring an excellent reputation as an able physician and surgeon he has amassed a goodly share of this world's goods as well. He does not confine his practice to any one branch of his profes- sion. Like all others who have attained suc- cess in his vocation. he has had to pay the penalty in hard work and untiring zeal for the relief of suffering humanity. He still burns the midnight oil in keeping himself well in- formed on all new developments in the med- ical world.
In 1889, in connection with Dr. D. S. Hol- lenback, he established the drug business un- der the firm name of Hollenback & Raker. He carried the Democratic banner success- fully through the election of 1887 as candi- (late for the office of coroner, and again in 1890, and has also served as physician for the Shamokin and Coal township poor district. He has invested his earnings in real estate and owns a number of desirable building lots at Marshallton, which he is now disposing of at reasonable prices.
Frederick Raker, grandfather of our sub- ject, was a native of Little Mahanoy township and a son of Conrad Raker, who was one of the pioneer settlers in the Mahanoy Valley. Frederick Raker spent his life in Little Ma- hanoy township, where he followed both farm- ing and blacksmithing, and died at the age of forty years. He married Elizabeth Hoffman. who lived to the advanced age of eighty-seven years; her family was noted for longevity.
C. H. Raker, father of Dr. Raker, was prob- ably born at Block House, in Tioga County. and has lived at the old homestead all his life, except a short time spent in the West. He learned the trade of a gunsmith and followed that occupation to some extent .. He is an ar- dent Democrat, but not an office-seeker, and
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES.
has never held office other than a township office. In religious matters his preferment is the Lutheran Church, of which he is a useful and active member. He and his wife were parents of a family of eleven children, two of whom died in infancy. Following are the names of those now living: Frederick D., sub- ject of this sketch; Mary Elizabeth, wife of Alvin Raker, residing at Shamokin; Rev. John H., who graduated at Muhlenberg Col- lege at Allentown, and is now a minister at Lebanon, Pa .; Lydia, wife of John Schlegel, of Shamokin, Pa .; Hattie, wife of Samuel Moyer, of Shamokin; Albert, who resides on the old homestead at Raker, Northumberland County; Ida, wife of John Hillbush, of Sha- mokin; and Edward, a student at Muhlen- berg College.
In 1882 Dr. Raker was united in marriage with Alveretta Wirt, who died June 19, 1885. May 27, 1890, he wedded a second wife, being united with Mary Ada Deppen, a daughter of Joseph Deppen, a successful real estate dealer of Mount Carmel, Northumberland County, Pa. Two sons and two daughters now bless their home: Conrad and Ralph; Eva and Al- ma. Mrs. Raker died May 8, 1898.
Dr. Raker is a member of the Columbian Medical Society of Shamokin; the Northum- berland County Medical Society; the Penn- sylvania State Medical Association; the Jef- ferson Medical College Alumni; and the American Medical Association. He is also a member of the P. O. S. of A., and of the I. O. O. F., and an active member of the Trinity Lutheran Church.
AYTON K. LEISERING, the popu- lar and genial proprietor of the Elys- burg Hotel, and one of the best known citizens of Elysburg, Pa., is a son of
Henry B. and Mary A. (Echrote) Leisering, and was born at Bear Gap, Shamokin town- ship, Northumberland County, Pa., August 16, 1859.
Henry B. Leisering, the father of our sub- ject, was born March 20, 1824, in Sunbury, Pa. The greater part of his life was spent at Bear Gap, but in 1884 he moved to Elysburg, Pa. He was a miller by trade and beside fol- lowing that occupation had charge of and worked on the turnpike for many years. He was a stanch Democrat and, while he did not aspire to office, he was a prominent worker in politics. He was a hard working man and by honesty and integrity won for himself a large circle of friends, being widely known. Mr. Leisering married Mary A. Echrote of Allen- town, Pa., who was born July 15, 1819, and lived to reach the age of seventy-nine years. Our subject's father passed away February 22, 1895, at the age of seventy-one years. He left several children, namely: Annie, who died at the age of twenty-nine; Herbert, a livery- man of Shamokin, Pa., who married Kate Lanciscus, and has two children, Malcolm and Lena; Stella, who married Clark Creasy, a farmer in Briarcreek township, Columbia County, by whom she has three children, Day- ton, Clara, and Grace; Tacie, who married Theodore Heck, a butcher and proprietor of a feed store at Shamokin,-they have three children, Irene, Millie, and Harry; and Day- ton K., the subject of this biography. The children were all educated in the public schools at Elysburg, Pa.
On October 14, 1879, Dayton K. Leisering married Mary E. Richard of Shamokin town- ship, a daughter of John and Catherine (Os- tricher) Richard. Mr. Richard's wife was born in Germany, but he was born in Shamokin township, where he lived all of his life work-
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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
ing at farming and as a butcher. They were the parents of three children, as follows: Wil- liam A., who is in the lumber business at Elys- burg, and the father of five children, Harry, Dayton, Florence, Mabel, and Walter; Mary E., the wife of our subject; and Eugene, who is living with his father, who married Ella Lindermute of New Media, Columbia County, and has one son, Earl.
Dayton K. Leisering lived at home, work- ing for his father until he was twenty years old, when he married, and he continued to re- side with him for five years longer. Then he removed to Bear Gap and followed lumbering for one year, when he moved to Elysburg, where he is now engaged in farming and threshing. In 1887 he rented the hotel which he now owns and in 1895 purchased it. He has made many improvements on the build- ing and it presents a fine appearance, being modern in every respect. The Elysburg Hotel is well-patronized and bears a flattering reputation, as it sets an excellent table; a bar is also run in connection with the house. The guests are given every attention and it is al- ways with a feeling of regret that they take their departure from this well-known hos- telry.
For the past seven years .Mr. Leisering has carried on an extensive timber business, get- ting out mine supplies. He is an unswerving Democrat and takes an active interest in poli- tics. In 1898 he was elected school director for three years. With years of hard work has come success to our subject, and he is spoken of by all as a man deserving of great prosperity. Religiously he is a member of the German Lutheran Church, while his wife is a member of the German Reformed Church. His marriage has been blessed by one child, John H., who was born June 8, 1881.
R. P. J. FAUGHNAN, a highly re- spected citizen and well known phy- sician of Locust Gap, Pa., has for many years been one of the most active men in the township, and has built up a large and lucrative practice in the county. He is the son of Francis and Fannie (Cremman) Faugh- nan, and was born February 23, 1865, in Gamble township, Lycoming County, Pa. Francis Faughnan was born in County Lat- rim, Ireland, and he married Fannie Crem- man who was a native of County Cork, Ire- land. They immigrated to America in the early 40's and settled in Lycoming County, Pa., where Mr. Faughnan departed this life. His wife, however, still lives in that county.
Dr. P. J. Faughnan, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the schools of Ly- coming County and also attended the Lycom- ing County Normal School at Muncy, Pa. For three years he taught school, and during the summers worked at carpentering, doing contract work. He then entered the pre- ceptorship of Dr. D. C. Flanagan of Ralston, Pa., and later entered the College of Phy- sicians and Surgeons, at Baltimore, Md., and was graduated from that institution in 1892. In 1893 he successfully passed the state ex- amination and was admitted to practice in Pennsylvania, and at once located at Locust Gap, his present location, and has since en- joyed a large general practice.
Dr. Faughnan married Winifred Mathew- son and their union has been blessed with one child, Marguerite. Politically, Dr. Faughan is a stanch Democrat and while he has never sought political distinction, he has represented his party as delegate to county conventions. Dr. Faughnan has a host of warm friends in the county. He is a man of splendid attainments and fine natural abili- ties and is looked upon as one of the best physicians in the county.
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES.
JOSEPH HARRISON, under whose successful management the Danville Knitting Mill Company has prospered, is a lineal descendant of the in- ventor of the knitting machine, and was born December 17, 1863, in the city of Philadel- phia. He is a son of William J. and Anna (Wrightson) Harrison.
William J. Harrison, the father of our sub- ject, was born in County Derry, Ireland, and early in life came to Philadelphia, Pa., where he followed the trade of a baker and later that of an engineer. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted and rendered valuable aid to the cause of his adopted country. After returning home he carried on a drug business until his retirement, when he returned to his native land and spent the remainder of his declining days, dying in 1896, at the age of sixty-one years. He was united in marriage with Anna Wrightson, a daughter of John Wrightson, who was a native of England, and a grandson, maternally, of Charles G. Shirt- lift, the inventor of the knitting machine. Mr. Wrightson learned the details of the knitting business and came to America, locating in Philadelphia, where he established a knitting mill. He was succeeded as proprietor by his three sons: Henry, deceased; Arthur; and William. The two last named are still in that business. This union of our subject's parents resulted in the birth of the following children: WV. Joseph; Robert C., a spinner of Philadel- phia; Mary J .; John H., also a spinner of Philadelphia; and Oliver T., deceased. Mr. Harrison purchased a fine residence property in Philadelphia, where his beloved wife still lives.
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