USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > Commemorative biographical encyclopedia of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania : containing sketches of prominent and representative citizens and many of the early Scotch-Irish and German settlers. Pt. 2 > Part 14
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SHELLY, J. O., Deodate, Pa., was born No- vember 17, 1893; son of Samuel and Eliza- beth Shelly. The parents were both natives of Lancaster county. The father was born in July, 1SOS, and was a farmer. He re- moved from Lancaster to Dauphin county and settled in Conewago township. He mar- ried Elizabeth, daughter of Christian Over, of Lancaster county. Their children are: Elizabeth, Katherine, Fannie, Mary, Henry,
J. O., and Samuel, deceased. The father filled several township offices. He died in Sep- tember, 1881, aged seventy-eight years, and his wife died, aged sixty-nine years; both were members of the Old Brethren church.
J. O. Shelly attended the public schools of Conewago township and subsequently took a course in Palmyra Academy. He was en- gaged in farming with his father until his marriage. In 1867 he began farming for himself on one of his father's farms, where he has continued to the present time. Mr. Shelly has filled several public offices, that of school director for three years, and that of inspector of elections. He was made the executor of his father's estate, and ably and honestly discharged the trust.
In his political views he is a Republican. His religious fellowship is in the Old Breth- ren church. Mr. Shelly was married, Janu- ary 8, 1867, to Miss Susan Gipple, daughter of Samuel and Lydia (Shenk) Gipple, of Leba- non county. Their children are: Harry, Liz- zie, Samuel, and Isaac. The parents of Mrs. Shelly are natives of Lebanon county. Her father was a farmer, and married Miss Liz- zie Shenk. Their children are: Harry, Sam- uel, Harvey, John, Jacob, Lizzie, Fannie, Leah, Susan, and Joseph. The parents re- side at Palmyra, P.a.
- SHENK, CYRUS G., was born in Derry town- ship, Dauphin county, Pa., May 21, 1839; son of John M. Shenk. Rev. Michael Shenk. the grandfather, was the first of this family to settle in Dauphin county. He was first at Germantown, Pa., removed from there to Philadelphia and later to Lancaster county, where he received his education. The fam- ily were of the class which left Switzerland for good political and economical reasons, removing first to London, England, and later to America. His great-grandfather married Miss Lehman, who bore him a large family.
Christian, the grandfather, was brought up a farmer boy, and had few educational advantages, the lack of which made him a strong advocate for a liberal provision in this respect for the youth of the State. Ile was married in Dauphin county to Miss Martin, by whom he had two daughters and one son, John M. He later married a Miss Lehman, who bore him two daughters and a son. He was a man of great public spirit, an advocate of free schools and all measures promoting the general welfare of society, and
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was a man of prominence and influence whose advice was sought on all matters. IIe succeeded his father on the old Shenk farm which then contained six hundred and forty acres.
John M., the father, was born on the home- stead, November 15, 1814, and was educated in the district schools of that time. He was reared on the farm and became a farmer. He was married, in Dauphin county, in 1838, to Miss Mary Gingrich, born in Derry town- ship, in 1815, daughter of John and Mary (Moyer) Gingrich. After marriage, he settled on a rented farm in Derry township, and · after a short time returned to the old home- stead in Conewago township. Their children are : Cyrus G., Diana, Mary Ann, Christian M., and Elizabeth. His wife died in 1881, after a lingering illness. She was a devoted Christian woman, active in all good works. The father still survives and enjoys good health for his years. He has held several township offices, and has been one of the directors of the Hummelstown National Bank since its organization.
Cyrus G. began his education in the dis- trict schools of Conewago township, and finished at Mt. Joy Academy, when he was about nineteen years of age. He then taught school for four terms, aud later be- came a farmer, and has made this his occu- pation. He has been something of a traveler, having visited various sections of the country, both east and west. He was married, at Mt." Joy, Pa., in 1868, to Miss Annie Herr, born in Lancaster county, in 1847, daughter of Abraham and Ann (Riehr) Herr. After marriage he took up his residence with his father on the old homestead, which, in 1870, he bought from his father, and which now contains two hundred and sixty acres. His children are : Albert, Mamie, John, Herman, Cyrus, and Annie. Mr. Shenk is an inde- pendent voter with Republican preferences. He has held the office of school director for many years, and also that of auditor and other offices. He has never connected him- self with any church, and has always held that people should not be divided by relig- ious prejudices and preferences, and would prefer to call all men brethren. He has taken a deep interest in Sunday-schools, and in early life served as superintendent at the local school. He is treasurer of his district, and is esteemed by all as an upright man.
SHENK, SAMUEL, was born in Conewago township Dauphin county, Pa., February 12, 1849; son of Henry Shenk. John, the grandfather, was born in Dauphin county, and was a farmer. He married a Miss Buck, by whom he had four daughters and two sons. He died in Conewago township, and his wife survived him some years. Henry, the father, was also born in Conewago town- ship, June 18, 1805, was educated in the district school, grew to manhood, and was married, in Derry township, to Miss Mary Kellar, native of Dauphin county. He set- tled on a farm of one hundred and fourteen acres in Conewago township, which he had bought previous to his marriage, and farmed there for some years. His wife died and he went to live with his son, where he died. in 1894. Their children are : Josiah, Columbia, Pa .; John and Henry, died young; Jacob, Lebanon, Pa .; and Samuel R., educated in the district schools of his native township and grew to manhood on his father's farm. He was married, in Derry township, where he was temporarily residing at the time, to Miss Mary E. Shenauer, born in Upper Swatara township, Dauphin county, daugh- ter of George and Kate Gingrich, both na- tives of Dauphin county. To this marriage there is no issue. He had been previously married to Lizzie Farver, who died, having born two children : Kate, died in infancy, and Lavinia Alice. After marriage he took up his residence on the farm of one hundred and fourteen acres, bought from his father, which he occupied for about sixteen years. In 1892 he rented the farm and moved to his present place, which contains seventeen acres of land, and has a fine house, barn and all modern improvements. Mr. Shenk is a strong Republican in politics and has been school director and filled other minor offices. Mrs. Shenk lived at home with her parents until her marriage. She is one of seven children : Mary, Mrs. Shenk; Annie ; Mar- tin ; Emma, died young; Adam ; John, died in infancy ; and Mina.
- WITMER, PETER, Bachmansville, Pa., was born in Dauphin county, Pa., June 25, 1821 : son of Peter and Esther (Burkholder) Wit- mer. He acquired hiseducation in the sub- scription schools of Dauphin and Lancaster counties, and completed his course before the public schools were established. He learned the trade of cooper, at which he
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served an apprenticeship of one year and then worked at the trade in the winter months for ten years, working at farm work in the summer months. He was married, November 20, 1851, to Miss Nancy Lehman, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Lehman, by whom he has four children : Elizabeth, wife of Jacob G. Brandt; John L., married Miss Eliza Shenk, resides in Lancaster county ; Hettie L., wife of Christian G. Brandt; Aaron L., married Miss Elizabeth Lehman, residing on the old homestead. In 1839 Mr. Witmer went to Lancaster county, where he was engaged in farming for nineteen years, and has spent in all thirty-three years in that county. In 1872 he returned to Dau- phin county and occupied the farm on which he has had his residence since that time. Mr. Witmer is a good Republican in his po- litical views, and in 1875 was elected a school director of Conewago township, in which office he has served for nine years. In re- ligious fellowship and faith he is associated with the Mennonite church.
The parents of Mr. Witmer were natives of Dauphin county. His father was a farmer and also owned a grist mill. He married Elizabeth Lehman, daughter of Jacob and Maria Lehman. They had eight children, seven of whom survive: Henry, Nancy, Barbara, Polly, Elizabeth, Katie, Daniel and one child died young. The mother died at the age of forty-two years. The father then married Mrs. Nancy Birks, widow of John Birks, by whom he had eight children : Annie; Sarah, wife of Rev. Henry Bucher ; Daniel; Peter; Susan, wife of Daniel Long- enecker; David; Lydia, deceased; and Mat- tie, deceased. The father died, aged seventy- nine years. His widow still survives and resides in Franklin county.
>BOWERS, ABRAHAM, was born in Lancas- ter county, Pa., January 18, 1820; son of Christopher and Magdaline Bowers. The parents were both born at Wurtemberg, Germany, and came to this country in their youth, the father being a general laborer. He had eleven children, of whom the only survivor is Abraham. The father died at the age of seventy-five years, and the mother at the age of fifty-five years, and both passed away in Lancaster county.
Abraham attended the pay and public schools and worked on the home farm until he was seventeen years of age, when he began
an apprenticeship at the blacksmith trade, in which he served three years, and then worked at his trade until 1891, when he re- tired from business. He was married, De- cember 21, 1843, by Rev. Jacob Stein, to Miss Madeline Sanders, daughter of Fred- erick and Catherine (Beam) Sanders, to whom have been born two children : Israel, born January 15, 1855, and Barbara, died August 1, 1873, aged twenty-five years. Mr. Bowers is a Republican in politics and served as constable of Concwago township one year, and also as inspector of elections. He came to Dauphin county in 1840, and in 1892 moved to the farm on which he . now resides. He is in fellowship with the United Brethren church.
Mrs. Bowers was born August 21, 1821, and died at the age of seventy-six years. Her parents were both natives of Germany, and came to America when young, and reared a family. The father was a farmer ; both are deceased, the mother dying in 1859.
Israel, the only son and living child of Abraham Bowers, has been engaged in farm- ing for the past twelve years, and since 1892 has occupied and cultivated his father's farm. He was married, November 29, 1882, to Miss Amanda Shoemaker, daughter of Charles and Caroline (Yeager) Shoemaker, and they had two children, both deceased, Edward, died October 31, 1895, aged nine years, and Abraham, died October 11, 1894, aged seven years.
Mr. Bowers is a Republican and has been elected to several offices. He served as in- spector of elections two years, and in 18SS was elected tax collector for Conewago town- ship, and served one year, and in 1889 was elected school director and served three years. He is a member of the United Breth- ren church, as is also his wife, Amanda. She was born March 18, 186S, and her parents were both natives of Lehigh county. The father was a hotel keeper in that county, and removed to Dauphin county in 1872, and kept the hotel at Hummelstown for many years. He married Miss Caroline Yeager, daughter of Jacob and Lydia Yea- ger, and they had thirteen children. In 1880 he went on a farm in Derry town- ship and cultivated it for fourteen years, and then retired, and is now living at Hum- melstown. He is a Republican in politics. His wife is a Lutheran and he is a member of the Evangelical church.
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DERRY TOWNSHIP.
WALTON, ALLEN, Hummelstown, was born in Chester county, Pa., August 24, 1835. His parents moved to Philadelphia when he was one year old. He was educated in that city, and learned the trade of machinist. For about ten years he was engaged in plumb- ing and steam and gas-fitting, in Philadel- phia. In 1867 he came to Hummelstown, and was made superintendent of the Penn- sylvania Brown Freestone Company. In 1875 this company was sold out at sheriff's sale. Mr. Walton was the purchaser of the property and business. He made improve- ments in the machinery and enlarged the operations. In 1885 he built the railroad to his quarries, known as the Hummelstown and Brownstone railroad, in which he owns the controlling interest, and is president of the company. He is also a stockholder in the Hummelstown National Bank. and its vice-president. He owns the controlling in- terest in the electric light plant and in the Hummelstown Water Works. He was mar- ried, in 1859, to Miss Emma J. Koehlen- kamp, of Philadelphia. They have two children: Allen K. and Robert J. Mr. Wal- ton was brought up in the Society of Friends. His family are members of the Lutheran church.
NISSLEY, JOHN J., cashier of the Hummels- town National Bank, was born in Derry town- ship, Dauphin county, Pa., October 22, 1832. He is a son of Christian and Nancy (Funck) Nissley. His grandfather, John Nissley, one of the very early settlers of Dauphin county, was a farmer and died in Derry township in 1836. His wife was Estber Ober, who died in Hummelstown in 1867, aged ninety-one years. They had two children : Christian, and a daughter, Francis, who married Dan- iel Neidig, became a widow, and afterwards married Abraham Landis, and settled in Derry township.
Christian Nissley was born in Derry town- ship in 1806, and died in 1847. He was a farmer, miller and distiller. He took an active part in establishing the free school system and was elected the first school di- rector in his township. He belonged to the old Whig party. He married Nancy Funck and had eight children : Mary, wife of Isaac Mumma, of Highspire; Rev. Joseph Nissley, of Derry township ; John J .; Martin F., mer- chant in Hummelstown ; Anna, of Middle-
town ; S. R., practicing physician, of Eliza- bethtown ; Lee II., of Middletown, formerly cashier of the bank of that town; and Capt. C. A., who died December 25, 1887; he was formerly a merchant in Hummelstown, but in 1862 enlisted as private in company C, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh regi- ment, Pennsylvania volunteers. He was transferred to company I, of the same regi- ment, and promoted to its captainey.
John J. Nissley was reared in Derry town- ship and educated in its common schools and at Chamberlain's Commercial College, Baltimore, Md. When he was twenty-one he and his brother, Capt. C. A. Nissley, came to Hummelstown and purchased the mer- cantile business of Col. George T. Hummel, which they conducted until 1868. In the management of this mercantile business Mr. Nissley recognized the need and opportunity of the conveniences which only a good bank can supply to the business community, and impressed with the belief that such a finan- cial institution would be appreciated by business men, and would contribute to the prosperity and growth of the place, he organ- ized a private bank, which became known as the Hummelstown Bank, and which was prosperous from the start. His recognized success in this enterprise convinced the com- munity of the desirableness of enlarging the capacity and scope of the bank, and, conse- quently, in 1882, a national bank was organ -. ized and Mr. Nissley was chosen its cashier. This important position he has filled since that time, having full charge of the business of the bank, and administering its trusts in a manner that has inspired the utmost confi- dence of business men and has insured grati- fying returns to the stockholders.
During his business career Mr. Nissley has found time to look after other commercial and industrial enterprises, which have pro- moted the welfare of the place. In 1856 he became secretary of the Hummelstown Fire Insurance Company, serving as its secretary and manager until 1893, when he was suc- ceeded by his son, and he is also a charter member and a director of the Hummelstown Brownstone Company.
While industriously and intelligently em- ployed in promoting the material prosperity of himself and community Mr. Nissley bas not been unmindful or negligent of his higher and spiritual interests. In 1860 he became a member of the Reformed church on public profession of his faith, and from
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the beginning of his religious life has been active and devoted in the performance of his duties. He was early called into the office of the eldership and for years has been the superintendent of the Sunday-school. He has frequently been the representative of the local church in the higher ecclesiastical bodies and takes an active part in the gen- eral business and enterprises of his denomi- nation, bestowing upon these matters, which are of a business character, the same distin- guished ability and fidelity which havechar- acterized him in his business career. Few, if any, men of his denomination are more widely or favorably known or have been honored with as important trusts as those which have been placed in Mr. Nissley's hands. In 1870 he was made a member of the board of trustees of the Eastern Synod of the Reformed Church in the United States of America and he has also filled the responsible position of treasurer of that synod for twenty years.
Mr. Nissley has been for many years one of the board of trustees of the Theological Seminary at Lancaster. He is a prominent member of the joint Board of Home Mis- sions of the Eastern and Potomac Synod, re- ceiving and dispersing all the money of this board as its treasurer, and has discharged these duties at a cost of much personal care and outlay of money with a willing and cheerful spirit. In early manhood he was a supporter of the Know-Nothing party, but united with the Republican party at its or- ganization.
In 1856 Mr. Nissley was married to Miss Kate, daughter of John Ubil, of York county. They have two children : Annie L., who married Rev. J. F. Moyer, pastor of the Re- formed church, of Altoona, Pa., and has one child, Ruth Nissley ; J. Paul, born May 7, 1869, educated in the borough schools and at Harrisburg, is a clerk in the Hummels- town National Bank, was married in Feb- ruary 1894, to Miss Caroline L., daughter of Dr. Thomas G. Fox, of Hummelstown. The deceased children of John J. and Kate Niss- ley are: Ada Virginia, wife of Burd Zell, died in 1884, and Grace, born September 28, 1876, died June 21, 1879.
ULRICH, WILLIAM H., cashier of the Farm- ers' Bank, Hummelstown, Pa., was born in Lower Swatara township, Dauphin county, June 7, 1844 ; son of Adam and Mary Ulrich.
Ile was educated in the public schools of the township and of Middletown. He prepared himself for teaching and for several years taught school in Lancaster county and after- wards in his native township. For two years he was assistant in the Middletown Academy. He then exchanged the school room for the farm, working for five years at the homestead. While teaching and farming he had been studying civil engineering under Prof. Ross, and having fitted himself for that profession he left the farm and devoted himself to its labors. He was employed at different times as civil engineer by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, the National Pipe Line Company, and Miller, Graff & Co., coal oper- ators. He was forced to suspend his work for the last-named company on account of the disturbances caused by the " Molly Mc- Guires."
In 1885 he became one of the organizers of the Farmers' Bank and in 1892 was elected its cashier, which position he has ever since held. He is a director and the secretary of the Cameron Furnace Company, of Middle- town ; he has been for many years a director in the Annville Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and was one of the organizers and is a director of the Hummelstown Elec- tric Light Company. Mr. Ulrich is also largely interested in agriculture. He is the owner of six farms, lying in Lebanon, Dau- phin and Franklin counties. He is a Republican in opinions and actions. In 1874 he was elected county surveyor and served in that office two terms. In 1886 he was elected prothonotary and clerk of the Court of Quarter Sessions of Dauphin county and was re-elected in 1889, serving six years. At the end of his term of office he took a trip through Florida for his health. Mr. Ulrich is a member of Perseverance Lodge, F. & A. M., of Harrisburg; of the Patriotic Order Sons of America, and Junior Order United American Mechanics. - He was married, in 1869, to Miss Kate E. Bowman, of Lebanon county. They have no children. They are members of the United Brethren church. Mr. Ulrich has been for many years super- intendent of the Sunday-school. He takes an active interest both in the local church and in general denomination work. He has for many years been a trustee of the Lebanon Valley College. He is a director of the Mt. Gretna Campmeeting Association and of the Pennsylvania Chautauqua.
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-- BAKER, W. C., M. D., Hummelstown, Pa., was born in Chester county, Pa., January 10, 1850. He was educated in the public school and in the Millersville Normal School. He read medicine under Dr. Henry Carpenter, of Lancaster, and Prof. Frothingham, of the University of Michigan, where he attended lectures for two terms. He was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1874. He practiced for six months in Mari- etta, Lancaster county. In December, 1874, he came to Hummelstown as successor to Dr. Roebuck, and now has an extensive practice in this part of the county. He is physician for the Hummelstown Brownstone Company and the Brownstone and Middle- town Railroad Company.
He was one of the organizers of the Farm- ers' Bank, and is now its vice-president. He was one of the organizers and is a large stockholder in the Hummelstown Electric Light Company. Dr. Baker is a partner with H. G. Walmer in the milk and cream- ery business. He is a member of Persever- ance Lodge, No. 21, F. & A. M., of Harris- burg. He takes an active part in politics in connection with the Republican party. He was married, in 1875, to Miss Anna, daugh- ter of Diller Bare, of Lancaster county. They have three children : Maude, Gertrude and Zelma.
-WALMER, HENRY G., of the firm of Wal- mer & Fox, carriage and sleigh manufactur- ers, Hummelstown, Pa., was born in Hum- melstown in 1845. He is a son of Samuel and Catherine (Gilbert) Walmer. Samuel Walmer was born in Lebanon county. In 1843 he came to Hummelstown and began the manufacture of carriages, which he con- tinued until his death, in 1872. He was a prominent member of the United Brethren church, and assisted in building the church edifice. His politics were Republican. His wife, who survives him, is a native of Leb- anon county. They have five children liv- ing: Emma W., widow of W. W. Reed, of Hummelstown ; Henry G .; Minnie, wife of S. M. Killough, of Hummelstown ; Clara, wife of Henry Bare, of New York city, and Mary, wife of W. R. Fox, of Hummelstown. Henry G. Walmer was educated in the Hummelstown public schools, the Otterbein College, Westerville, Ohio, and Eastman's Commercial College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Ile entered the counting-room of James Kent, Santee & Co., dry goods, Third street,
Philadelphia, where he was employed for some time. He then returned home and assisted in his father's business until, in 1872, his father died. He was made execu- tor of the estate, and continued the business until 1876. At that date the existing firm of Walmer & Fox was organized. In 1889 he and Dr. W. C. Baker established a " Model Creamery," and built a chop mill in connection with it. In politics Mr. Wal- mer acts with the Republican party. He is president of the borough council. He was married, in 1876, to Miss Anna Elizabeth, daughter of Christian Hoffer. Their chil- dren are : Reed, Samuel R. and Clara B.
CASSEL, DAVID B., tanner and currier, Hummelstown, Pa., was born in South Han- over township, Dauphin county, Pa., Octo- ber 17, 1854. He is a son of Uriah and Bar- bara (Hocker) Cassel. He was educated in the township schools. He learned the tan- ner's trade of his father, and has followed this occupation through life. In 1877 he came to Hummelstown and opened a tan- nery. He was burned out in 1890. After this misfortune he built the currier shop which he now occupies. Mr. Cassel is a member of the Junior Order United Ameri- can Mechanics. He was married, in 1880, to Miss Ida A. Hoffer, daughter of Christian Hoffer. They have five children : Christian Uriah, Agnes Marie, Romaine, George Ed- mund, and Daniel A. Mr. Cassel and his family are members of the Lutheran church.
SIPLE, W. H., lumber dealer, Hummels- town, Pa., was born in Middletown, Pa., January 1, 1844. He is a son of Henry and Susan (Light) Siple. Henry Siple was born in Middletown in 1803. His father was Christian Siple, one of the early settlers of Dauphin county, a gunsmith; he died in Middletown. Henry Siple conducted a store on a canal boat, the business of which was to furnish goods to merchants along the Union canal. Healso boated lumber to Phila- delphia. He afterwards became a partner in the firm of Cobaugh & Siple, Jater Siple & Car- many, dealers in lumber, at Middletown. He was in this business for many years. Ile was one of the organizers and a director of the Middletown Market Company, and a stockholder in the car works, and in the cemetery association. His politics were Re- publican. He was an elder in the Church of God, and a member of its building com-
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