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 15
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mittee. He died in 1879. His wife, Susan Light, survives with four of their children : Henrietta, W. H., Nelson W. T., of Phila- delphia, and Henry R., of Chicago, IlI.
W. H. Siple was educated in the public schools of Middletown, where he was reared, and at Mechanicsburg, Pa. He was em- ployed in the lumber business with his father until his father's retirement, and after his death, in 1879, he succeeded to the busi- ness, and became a partner in the firm of Etter, Carmany & Siple, which carried on business for nine years. In 1881 he came to Hummelstown and established the busi- ness in which he is still engaged, known as the Hummelstown Mills and Lumber Com- pany. He is at present the manager and treasurer of this company. He aided in the organization of the Hummelstown Water Company, and is one of its directors and its superintendent. In 1861 he enlisted in company H, One Hundred and Twenty- seventh regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, and served in the army nine months. He participated in the battles of Chancellorsville and Fredericksburg. Mr. Siple is a Repub- lican. He is president of the borough school board. He has served as president of both the Middletown and Hummelstown coun- cils. He is a member of Henderson Post, No. 443, G. A. R., and was the first com- mander of the post. He is a member of the Junior Order United American Mechanics. He was married, in 1872, to Miss Alice E., daughter of George W. Etter, of Middletown. Their three children are: Bertha B., George E., and Willard. Mr. Siple is a member of the Reformed church of Hummelstown.
WALL, RICHARD J., dentist, Hummels- town, Pa., was born in Philadelphia, Pa., May 1, 1865. He is a son of Richard and Elizabeth (Westcott) Wall. His father was a native of county Cork, Ireland. He was a sea captain, and part owner of a merchant sailing vessel, and engaged in traffic in all parts of the globe. While he was yet a young man he became an officer in the British navy. He commanded a battery in the Sepoy Rebellion, and marched from Cal- cutta to Lucknow, a distance of nine hun- dred miles, through a densely settled country, participating in many battles. He came to this country, and in 1867 retired from all marine service, and engaged in business in Philadelphia. In 1869 he came to Ilum- melstown and became foreman in the Brown-
stone quarries, where he was employed until 1893; at this date he retired from active business. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity ; politically, a Democrat; by church membership, a Lutheran. He was married in Newfoundland to Elizabeth Westcott. They have had eight children, of whom seven are living : Cora, wife of Wells Grove, of Harrisburg ; Richard J .; Charles B .; Lillie J., wife of Peter Hummel, of Philadelphia ; Emma J., Archibald, and Florence J., all of ยท Hummelstown.
Richard J. Wall was educated in the Hummelstown schools. He studied den- tistry under Dr. Christ, of Hummelstown, and graduated from the University of Penn- sylvania in 1887; he has since that time been engaged in the practice of his profes- sion. In 1890 he married Miss Elizabeth May, daughter of H. J. Hummel, of Hum- melstown. They have three children : Richard C., Margerie M., and Mary Esther. Mr. and Mrs. Wall are members of the Lu- theran church. In politics he is a Demo- crat. He is a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America and Capital City Lodge, No. 301, I. O. O. F., Harrisburg.
-WALTON, ROBERT J., superintendent of the Hummelstown Brownstone Company, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., June 12, 1863, and is the son of Allen and Emma J. (Koehlen- kamp) Walton. His parents removing to Hummelstown in 1867, he received his edu- cation here, in the public schools. In 1885 he married Miss Carrie, daughter of Dr. Jacob Shope, of Hummelstown. Their chil- dren are: Robert J., Jr., and Emma J. Mr. Walton and his family are members of the Lutheran church. Politically he is a Re- publican.
- SNAVELY, JOSEPH, was born in Lebanon, Pa., June 4, 1793. He was the son of John and Gertrude (Boehm) Snavely, Pennsylva- nians, of German ancestry, and was one of four children born to these worthy parents. Joseph Snavely attended the subscription schools of his birthplace and worked on his father's farm until he was twenty-one years of age. His father then purchased a farm and hotel near Annville, and put him in charge of them, thus starting him in busi- ness for himself. Ile conducted this busi- ness for a number of years, making much im- provement in the property, and was reason - ably successful. He was a very popular
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landlord and surrounded himself with many warm friends. After selling the farm and hotel he removed io Annville, where he spent several years. Finally he removed to Dauphin county and located in Derry township, where he bought a farm of fifty acres; this he improved and cultivated until his death. He was married, in Lebanon, June 15, 1820, to Catherine, daughter of Abraham Light, a prominent farmer of Leba- non county. She was born in Lebanon, De- cember 12, 1800. They had ten children: Edward, deceased, who was a soldier in the Mexican war; Amanda, died young; Melinda, deceased, wife of Simon Mutch, of Lancaster county ; Peremilia, deceased, wife of Isaac Wolfberger, of Kansas; Moses, died young; John H., killed July 9, 1894, in Wisconsin ; Orpha L., wife of Thomas Lyons, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume, and who resides on the homestead; Peninah, wife of Solomon Bechtel; Joseph, resides on the homestead; IIannah, wife of Dr. Ellinger, of Topeka, Kan. Mr. Snavely died in Au- gust, 1873, his wife May 3, 1874. He was widely and favorably known and universally esteemed as an honest and upright man. He was industrious in his business, very genial and kindly in his manner, and easily approachable by all. His politics were Democratic. He was a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal church.
LYONS, THOMAS, husband of Orpha Snavely, daughter of Joseph Snavely, was born in county Cork, Ireland, in 1860. He is a son of John and Mary (Keller) Lyons. He at- tended school in Cork. At the age of twenty he came to America and located in the State of New York, where he found employment, and remained there until 1884. He then came to Hummelstown, and was employed for a year or more by the railroad company. In 1885 he married Miss Snavely and located upon the farm; he is now devoting his atten- tion to its cultivation and improvement; he conducts his business with energy and in- dustry, and is very successful. He is an hon- orable man, social in his intercourse with others and has made many friends in the community in which he resides.
- SHOPE, DR. JACOB, Hummelstown, was born in Lower Paxton township, Dauphin county, Pa., September 6, 1819. He is a son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Wasser) Shope. Abraham Shope was born in the same town-
ship. He is a son of Jacob Shope, also a native of Lower Paxton township, and of German descent. Abraham Shope was a weaver and farmer, a Whig in politics and a member of the Church of God, and sub- sequently of the Evangelical church. He died in Lower Paxton township in 1854. His wife was born in Lower Paxton and was a daughter of John Wasser, a surgeon in the Swiss army. Their children were: John, Abraham, Jacob, David, Elizabeth, and one who died in infancy. Elizabeth (Wasser)
Shope died in 1826. Abraham Shope's second marriage was with Elizabeth McFad- den, born in Dauphin county, and of Scotch- Irish descent. They had eight children : Elisha, George, Mary, Cornelius, Priscilla, Adam, Susanna, and one other who died young. The second Mrs. Shope died in Oberlin, Pa.
Jacob Shope attended the district and sub- scription schools of his township until be was fourteen years old. He then went to Harrisburg, and learned printing with the Gospel Publishing Company, at the head of which was John Winebrenner. He was with this company for three years. Having learned his trade he went to Philadelphia, and was employed for six months on the Morning Star, a newspaper edited by John Bausman. He then returned to Harrisburg and worked for one year on the Telegraph.
At the earnest request of his uncle, Dr. David Shope, a prominent and successful physician, he removed to Hummelstown in 1840, and began to study medicine with his uncle as his preceptor. After two and a half years of hard study, under the able instruc- tions of his uncle, he was prepared to begin practice; he then went to Middletown and opened an office. His uncle having died, he was earnestly solicited by that physician's patrons to return to Hummelstown and take his uncle's practice. To this request he ac- ceded and has been continuously in practice there forthirty years. IIe has been eminently successful and has gathered around him a host of warmly attached friends. In 1860 he determined to enter the army and went to Harrisburg to enlist, but the citizens of Hummelstown so urgently entreated him not to abandon his practice, that he reluc tantly gave up his intention and returned. In 1861 he engaged in the drug and hard- ware business, which he has since carried on with a fair share of success. He has also been interested in agriculture, having bought
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two farms which, after cultivating and im- proving them, he sold again.
Dr. Shope was one of the founders of the National Bank of Hummelstown, is a direc- tor and has been its president for the past five years. He was the originator and for a number of years president of the fire depart- ment. He was the organizer and is presi- dent of the Hummelstown Cemetery Asso- ciation. The Doctor was one of the foremost promoters of the grading of the streets of Hummelstown, and also one of the promoters of the incorporation of the borough. He was treasurer of Derry township in the putting in of substitutes for the army during the late Rebellion. For twelve years he served as school director and has always been active in matters pertaining to the welfare of the county, and during his early years was an active politician.
He was married, in Hummelstown, in 1843, to Esther Mann, a native of Hummelstown, and a daughter of Charles E. Mann, a butcher and a native of Germany. They had eight children : Charles D., killed in the war of 1861-65, a sergeant major in the One Hundred and Seventh regiment, Pennsyl- vania volunteers; Elizabeth, widow of Sam- uel Bear; Ernest, a quarryman, living in Hummelstown; Addie E., living at home ; Agnes M., wife of C. Nissley Mumma, hard- ware merchant of Steelton ; Carrie M., wife of Robert J. Walton, a sketch of whom ap- pears on another page; Sophia M., and Alice, who died in infancy.
Dr. Shope has been for half a century a resident in his present home. He has seen vast improvements in the town and much advancement in the elements of refinement and civilization. Of this progress he has been not only an observer but an active promoter. He is both prominent and pop- ular, being a man of kind, genial manners. In politics he is Republican. He is a mem- ber of the Lutheran church.
Fox, THOMAS G., M. D., was born in Hum- melstown, Pa., July 19, 1827, and is the son of George and Elizabeth (Eshenour) Fox. George Fox was born in Derry township, Dauphin county. He is a son of John and Margaret (Rupert) Fox, the former a native of Devonshire, England, the latter of IIol- land. Ile was reared on the farm and be- came proprietor of the Golden House, in Hummelstown. He was a Whig, and was
postmaster of Hummelstown for thirty-five years. He was an exemplary citizen, ac- tive in all reformatory and progressive move- ments. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran church. He died in 1856, and his wife, who was a native of Dauphin county, died in 1862. They reared a family of sons, who all became useful and notable men. They are : Richard, farmer and dealer in stock; John E., deceased, a successful banker in Philadelphia, died leaving an ex- tensive estate; James, a prominent lawyer in Harrisburg, district attorney, member of the Legislature for three terms, a brilliant orator ; George, deceased; Abner, farmer at Danville, Ill., and Thomas G.
The latter attended the subscription school in Hummelstown until he was fourteen. when he went to Harrisburg to learn print- ing. He spent four years in the office of the Telegraph; at the end of this time he went to Philadelphia and was employed for two years as clerk in the Exchange Bank. The next three years he spent in the study of medicine, taking the regular course in the Jefferson Medical College, from which insti- tution he was graduated, with honors, in 1852. He returned at once to Hummels- town and opened an office for the practice of medicine. He was a skillful physician, and met with gratifying success. He con- tinued in practice until 1873, when he re- tired from active professional duties. Dr. Fox has been somewhat conspicuous in poli- tics in connection with the Republican party. He was a member of the Legislature for two years; was elected prothonotary of Dauphin county for two terms; served as school director of Hummelstown and Derry township for sixteen years.
He was married, in Hummelstown, May 11, 1852, to Diana, daughter of Henry and Mary (Landis) Hershey, born July 12, 1832, in Derry township. They had nine chil- dren : Dr. L. Webster, a very prominent ocu- list of Philadelphia; Elizabeth ; James G., farmer, of Chester county, Pa .; John E., a well-known attorney in Harrisburg ; Addie, wife of J. H. Gay, carpet manufacturer, of Philadelphia; Mary H .; Caroline, wife of John P. Nissley, of Hummelstown ; George H., medical student in Philadelphia, and one child who died young. Dr. Fox has substantial interests in real estate. He is the owner of six hundred acres of land. He is enterprising and progressive and is highly esteemed. Mr. and Mrs. Fox are popular in
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social circles, are active in promoting the welfare of the community, and are members of the Lutheran church.
NISSLEY, MARTIN F., general merchant, Hummelstown, was born in Derry township, Dauphin county, Pa., September 18, 1837. He is a son of Christian Nissley, a sketch of whom appears with the sketch of John J. Nissley in this volume. He took the usual course in the schools of his native township. His business was that of farming and he re- mained on the homestead farm until 1863. He then enlisted in company E, Thirty- sixth regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, and served three months. When discharged from the army he returned home and re- mained for two years upon the farm. In 1865 he removed to Hummelstown and dealt in live stock for four years. . He finally went into the butchering business which he car- ried on successfully for ten years. In 1883 he bought the interest of his brother in a general store and has continued in this bus !- ness to the present time: His marked suc- cess in establishing and enlarging his trade demonstrates his ability as a merchant. He is well informed as to the needs and demands of his patrons, is a skillful buyer, progressive, enterprising and genial. To name these qualities of the man and the merchant is sufficient to account for his success.
Mr. Nissley is also public-spirited. Al- though not an active politician, he is will- ing, as a good citizen, to render such services as his fellow-citizens may ask of him. His political preferences are with the Republican party. He was a school director for six years and a member of the town council for two terms. Heis a member of the United Brethren church. He was married, in Hummelstown, in 1865, to Maggie Greenawalt, of Hummels- town, a daughter of Samuel Greenawalt, pro- duce dealer of that town. They had three children : Clara, wife of George P. Huffer, implement dealer of Hummelstown ; Harry, clerk in his father's store; and one child who died young. His wife died in 1872. He was married again, in Hummelstown, in 1879, to Mary, daughter of William Shatters, blacksmith, of Hummelstown. They have three children : Ross, Grace and Bernicia, all attending school. Mr. Nissley is a mem- ber of State Capital Lodge, No. 70, 1. O. O. F., of Harrisburg.
CURRY, JOHN B., grain and coal dealer, Swatara, Pa., was born in Derry township, Dauphin county, Pa., December 29, 1856. He is a son of Conrad and Catherine (Ba- shore) Curry. Conrad Curry also was born in Dauphin county, the son of Samuel Curry, a carpenter of that county, of Scotch-Irish descent. He was brought up on the farms of his neighbors until twenty-one years, when he learned the milling trade and made it his occupation, up to the year 1884; he then transferred the business to his son, John B. He was married in Derry township, where his wife, Catherine Bashore, was born. They had. three children ; John B., Samuel B., grain dealer and miller, of Lebanon, Pa., and Mary, who died young. Mr. Curry is a Republican and a member of the United Brethren church. He resides with his son, John B. He is a genial man and much respected.
John B. Curry attended the schools of his native township in winter, and worked on the farm in summer, until he was twenty years old. He then learned the milling trade with his father, and worked with him until 1884, when his father relinquished the business, leaving it solely in his manage- ment. He met with reasonable success, but being desirous of extending his operations, he took the warehouse at Swatara, owned by Isaac Erb, and traded in grain and coal. He was married, in Lebanon county, Pa., in 1880, to Emma, one of the six children of John Kreider, of Lebanon county. They have seven children : Irwin, Ammon, Amos, Mary, Henry, John K. and Catherine, all attending school. Mr. Curry is a Republi- can in politics. He is a member of the United Christian church. He has from his youth been a hard working and very busy man. He has always been recognized as a man of sound judgment in business matters, and is prudent, careful and enterprising. His business capacity, coupled with strict integ. rity, have made him a successful and an honored man.
KLEINFELTER, JOSEPH, proprietor of the Keystone Hotel, Hummelstown, Pa., was born in Kleinfeltersville, Lebanon county, Pa., October 4, 1854. He is a son of John and Elizabeth (Behm) Kleinfelter. John Kleinfelter is well and widely known in Lebanon and Dauphin counties. He bas been a farmer and stock raiser, and has been
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successful in his business. His present resi- dence is at Annville, Lebanon county, where, retired from business, he and his estimable wife are quietly enjoying the fruits of their labors in other days. He is a Republican. Both Mr. and Mrs. Kleinfelter are members of the Evangelical church. He married Elizabeth Behm, a native of Lebanon county. They had seven children: Sarah, wife of U. S.Carpman, of Lebanon county; Joseph; Katie, wife of Jacob Winters, farmer, of West Han- over; John, farmer of Berkeley county, W. Va .; Lizzie, wife of David Shank, farmer, of Annville; Mary, wife of John Walbrun, farmer, of Lebanon county; Rebecca, wife of Samuel Imboden, school teacher, of Ann- ville.
Joseph Kleinfelter attended the schools of his district. His beginning of the work of life was on his father's farm ; after two years there he rented a farm in Lebanon county, owned by G. W. Shenk ; this farm he culti- vated for three years, and then rented and worked another farm in the same county for four years. After this he came to Dau- phin county, and rented a farm owned by J. M. Sbenk, which he worked for six years. In 1890 he bought the Keystone Hotel, at Hummelstown, of which he is still owner and manager. Mr. Kleinfelter is well adapted to this business. He keeps a first- class hotel; his house is furnished with all modern improvements, such as electric light and steam heat. Here he dispenses enter- tainment with a bountiful hand and in a cordial manner, which makes his guests feel at home, and in friendly and hospitable hands. His accommodations are unsur- passed by any hostelry in this section of the county, and his hotel is deservedly popular. Mr. Kleinfelter is a great lover of good horses, being a good judge of them, and the owner of some that are able to make good speed on both road and track.
Mr. Kleinfelter was married at Union De- posit, Dauphin county, by Rev. Brownmil- ler, August 16, 1877, to Miss Emma R. Al- bright, who was born in Lower Paxton town- ship, February 3, 1858, a daughter of Melus and Margaret Albright. The former still survives, and resides near Hummelstown, the latter is deceased. To their union was born seven children: Coria, born July 2, 1878; Emma, born July 16, 1881, and died November S. 1892; Joseph, born June 11, 1883; Landis, born March 23, 1886; Clay- ton, born February 7, 1888; Edwin, born
May 24, 1889, died June 18, 1896; Anna, born March 24, 1891, died February 19, 1894. Mr. Kleinfelter is a member of the Junior Order United American Mechanics. In his political views he is a Republican and the family attend the Lutheran church.
KARMANY, WILLIAM, furniture manufac- turer, general house furnisher and under- taker, Hummelstown, Pa., was born in Pal- myra, Lebanon county, Pa., May 26, 1853; son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Strock) Karmany. Jacob Karmany was born in Lancaster county and was of German descent. He was a carpenter and joiner and followed this trade all his life ; he was a Republican ; he and his family attended the Lutheran church ; he died in Palmyra in 1891. His wife, Eliza- beth Strock, was born in Belle Grove, Leb- anon county, Pa .; she survives him and resides in Palmyra. They had five children, of whom three, Daniel, Edwin, and Alfred, died young ; the two living are: Jacob, gen- eral merchant in Lancaster county, Pa., and William.
William Karmany was educated in the public schools of his native place. He served a three years' apprenticeship at cabinet mak- ing and worked at that trade as journeyman for ten years more. After this he removed to Hummelstown and began the manufacture of furniture on his own account. In 1882, finding his trade increasing, he built a fac- tory and warehouse, and manufactured furni- ture on a large scale, giving employment to a number of men. In his large show room he displays for sale a large stock of all kinds of furniture, carpets and house furnishing goods. He not only draws trade from the surrounding territory, but also ships furni- ture to Harrisburg, Middletown and other points. As another branch of his business, he is well equipped as an undertaker, and receives his full share of patronage in this department. The establishment of Mr. Kar- many is one of the solid concerns of the town and is of large advantage to the place. In the employment of labor and the outlay for materials, as well as in the trade brought to the town, the business is no small contribu- tion to the activity and prosperity of the place. Mr. Karmany votes with the Repub- lican party. He was elected to the council of Hummelstown on the ticket of his party. He was married, in Lebanon county, in 1872, to Sarah Reed, born in Annville, Pa., in 1857. They have two children: Clarence and
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George W., both attending school. Mr. Karmany belongs to the Sons of America and to the Junior Order United American Mechanics. He is an honorable business man and a genial gentleman. He attends the Lutheran church.
-STRICKLER, JOSEPH, S., farmer, stock raiser and lime manufacturer, of Hummelstown, Pa., was born on the old Strickler home- stead, in Derry township, Dauphin county, Pa., September 1, 1834. -
It is pleasant to write and profitable to read the simple chronicles of a family like the Stricklers. They display those virtues which are developed and strengthened and bequeathed to succeeding generations in the lines of those who till the soil and live in the country. Such families are the strength and glory of the nation, and the promise and potency of its enduring prosperity. Mr. Strickler is a representative of the fourth generation of those of his name and line who have lived and labored and rested where he now has his home, his occupation and his enjoyment. His great-grandfather, Abraham Strickler, who was of German an- cestry, bought this farm, now known as the "Strickler Homestead," about 1766. The Stricklers throughout the county spring from that owner of the Derry township farm. Abraham Strickler bequeathed the farm to his son, Henry Strickler; for easy identification, let him be called the first Henry Strickler. He married Miss Fronica Ziegler, and they occupied and cultivated the homestead farm. They had four children. One of these children was the second Henry Strickler, the father of Joseph S. The second Henry Strickler was a noted farmer and stockman. He occupied and tilled the homestead farm for the greater part of his life. In 1831 he married Eliza- beth Shanks, who was born in Lancaster county, Pa. They had eight children : Joseph S .; John, living in Cumberland county ; Fannie, wife of J. Lowe, of Cumber- land county, Pa .; David, died young ; Sam- uel, farmer, of Cumberland county ; Henry, railroad engineer, Fort Wayne and Chicago railroad, residing at Ashtabula, Ohio; Abra- ham, died young; Annie, unmarried, living in Cumberland county. In 1859 he re- moved from the old homestead, in Derry township, to Cumberland county, Pa., where he engaged extensively in farming and stock raising, and where he died in 1886. His
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