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 33
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At the age of twenty years Mr. Shope was married to Mary, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Litchey) Wenger, who has been an efficient helper and wise counsellor in his parochial work. Thirteen children have been born to thom, six of whom died young. Their living children are: Katie, wife of Elias Kauffman ; Elmer, who married Me- linda Baum; Samuel, who married Ellen Miller; Lizzie, wife of John H. Walter ; Ida, wife of John H. Fackler, and two who are yet single.
SHIRK, SIMON, retired farmer, was born in Lower Paxton township, July 20, 1827. He is a son of George and Mary (Lyter) Shirk. George Shirk was born December 24, 1798; his wife, Mary Lyter, December 18, 1795. They had six children : Sophia, born March 28, 1822, died in 1858 or 1859; Mary Ann, wife of Frederick Reichert, born February 3, 1829; Sarah, wife of Isaac Hoostick, born October 1, 1825; Henry A., who died aged two years and six months. Their living children are Simon and Elizabeth, wife of Amos Houck. The father died May 3, 1862, and the mother November 3, 1883.
Simon Shirk was educated in the public schools of his native township. At the early age of thirteen he was industriously at work on the farm. He attended school during the winter months up to the age of twenty- one. He then made farming his occupation and for four years was engaged in cultivating his father's farm. At the age of twenty-five he began farming on his own account and continued in that business until his retire- ment from active work.
He was married, November 25, 1852, to Sarah Zieter, daughter of David and Sarah Stahl. Their children are three in number : Mary Ann, born March 14, 1854, died Jan- uary 31, 1862; Susan, born November 3, 1856, died September 3, 1866; and Sarah Jane, born November 12, 1862, wife of Michael Farling, has had two children, both of whom died in infancy. Mrs. Shirk died February 6, 1895, after a painful and linger- ing illness. She was a benevolent, hospitable
Christian woman, beloved and esteemed by her many friends and neighbors. Her death will be a loss to those who have enjoyed her gencrous hospitality and her helpful society She lost her mother when she was seventeen days old. Her father died in 1872.
Mr. Shirk has served three terms as school director and is at present treasurer of the school board. In 1866-67 he served one term as road supervisor. He is a member of the Shoop's (Lutheran) church. He is now enjoying at leisure the fruits of his early industry and frugality. He has the confi- dence and esteem of his neighbors.
-WALMER, GEORGE W., retired carpenter, was born in Lower Paxton township, Dau- phin county, Pa., January 17, 1826. He is a son of David and Barbara (Gaverich) Wal- mer. Their six children were: Eve, wife of John Schaffer; George W .; Margaret, wife of William Calderdeck ; John; Lydia, wife of Henry Forney; and one who died in infancy. David Walmer died in August, 1884, aged about eighty-three; his wife died in September, 1889.
George W. Walmer was educated in the public schools of Lower Paxton township. He attended school in the winter, and as- sisted his father on the farm, until he was fifteen years of age. He then went to Jones- town, Lebanon county, Pa., and served a two years' apprenticeship at cigar making; after which he worked at that trade on his own account for about six years. He then removed to Ohio, and was employed in farmi work. . His first year's pay was $140; later, he received $240 per year. Then he gave up farming, and was employed at divers oc- cupations. He lived for a number of years in Indiana. After an absence of fifteen years he returned to his native township. In 1868 he engaged in carpenter work with his brother John, and was employed at that occupation for about fifteen years. He then took up carpet weaving, and has carried it on until the present time.
Mr. Walmer was married in East Han- over township, October .31, 1871, to Miss Sarah, daughter of Adam and Rebecca (Kit- tels) Gaverich. They have no children. Mrs. Walmer was born April 2, 1836, and died October 23, 1885. Her parents are both deceased. They had eight children : Elias, David, John, Andrew, Daniel, William, Sarah, who is Mrs. Walmer, and Elizabeth, Mrs.
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Welpner. Mr. Walmer belongs to Lodge No. 629, I. O. O. F., of Linglestown. He is a member of the Lutheran church.
LAUMAN, HENRY, was born in Swatara township, Dauphin county, Pa., March 3, 1805. He was educated in the district schools of Swatara township. After leaving school he learned the hatter's trade, at which he worked until his marriage. He then took up farming, in which he was engaged for the remainder of his life. He was elected to the office of director of the poor, and served for one term. He was married to Blanche Trewick, born June 10, 1807, and died Jan- uary 3, 1858. They had seven children, all of whom are deceased except one daughter, Anna A. Their children were: Richard T., born November 20, 1830, died August 8, 1892; William, born October 22, 1833, died May 20, 1882; Ellen A., born January 14, 1836, died in August, 1836; Mary H., born December 23, 1838, died November 20, 1839; Anna A., born February 10, 1840, still liv- ing ; Walter T., born May 7, 1843, died Jan- uary 25, 1844; Eliza C., born May 11, 1845, died July 6, 1845.
Mr. Lauman died May 4, 1862. In busi- ness he was enterprising and industrious, prompt, exact and honorable, and from these characteristics it follows that he was also successful. His character and conduct in- spired his neighbors with confidence, and won their esteem. In social circles he was genial and approachable, always courteous, and never lacking in the amenities of inter- course. A strong Christian faith and de- vout piety rounded out his character. His memory is a benediction to his devoted daughter, and is cherished by her as a price- less inheritance.
Anna A. Lauman, daughter of Henry, re- ceived her early education in the district schools of her native township. When she was nine years of age she attended school in Harrisburg. At the age of fourteen she entered the school of Professor Waugh, of Harrisburg, the liberal advantages of which she enjoyed for two years. After complet- ing her education, she lived with her parents until their death, and afterwards remained on the old homestead with her brothers, Richard and William. Later, she removed with them to West Hanover township, and subsequently, with her brother Richard, to Linglestown, where she still has her resi- dence. She attends the Lutheran church.
FOCHT, JOHN, was born in Berks county, Pa., in 1799. When he was yet a boy his parents removed to Dauphin county and settled on the farm which is now the family homestead, near Linglestown. He was one of the pioneers of Dauphin county, and was reared in the ways and customs of pioneer life. IIe early began to work his own way. Since he had no material inheritance, it be- came needful for him to bring into play his native energy and enterprise. He first worked upon his father's farm, and was after- wards industriously employed in various oc- cupations, as opportunities for obtaining em- ployment presented themselves. Among his earlier ventures in business was the trans- portation of produce and merchandise by team between Harrisburg and Philadelphia, and in several other directions as well. Freighting by his line was not as rapid as it is by rail and canal in our time, but it was more satisfactory in other ways. He learned to know every foot of the way and every house of entertainment on the road between the two cities. In good weather the trip was a picnic from start to finish. The company was good, for the best people of the country followed the turnpike for pleasure or profit, as they now follow the railroad. This stream of travel and transportation was also the news nerve of the Nation, for there were few newspapers and no telegraph or fast mail trains. In order to get the news one must be in touch with the turnpike.
What wonder that the jolly freighter was late in settling down at home? He was near the age of forty-five when he married Catherine Buck. They had two daughters. Elizabeth died at the age of twenty-three years, five months and five days. Mary M. is still living. His wife died November 28, 1870, aged about fifty-seven. Mr. Focht died April 15, 1882, at the age of eighty-three. Politically he was a Republican. He was a man of great force of character and of solid worth. The golden rule was his law in business and in social intercourse. With habits of industry and frugality he easily accumulated a competence, and was able to leave a handsome property to his heirs. But his best legacy to them was his spotless reputation and his good name.
Mary M. Focht, sole surviving child of John Focht, received her education in the public schools. She remained with her par- ents until their death. In 1887 she removed to her present residence. Her uncle Jacob
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made his home with her until his death, which occurred January 22, 1887, in the seventy-seventh year of his age. Miss Focht is a member of the Lutheran church.
-FELTY, JOHN SOLOMON, farmer, was born at the old homestead in Lower Paxton town- ship, Dauphin county, Pa., April 9, 1829. He is a son of John Solomon and Mary Ann (Becker) Felty. The elder John Solomon Felty was born February 27, 1799, at the old homestead, Lower Paxton township. He was a farmer and married Miss Mary Ann Becker, born October 6, 1823. They had eight children : Isamiah ; Harriet Ellen, de- ceased; John Solomon, Jr .; Philip; Daniel ; Savina, wife of Valentine Zimmerman ; Annie Eliza, deceased; Ann Caroline, wife of Thomas Crum. Mr. Felty succeeded his father in the ownership and occupancy of the homestead farm, having purchased the interests of his brothers and sisters. Here he spent his life in cultivating his ancestral acres. He died November 17, 1850; his wife October 10, 1883.
John Solomon Felty, Jr., began his educa- tion in the subscription schools. At the age of eight or ten he attended the public school of his native township. At eighteen he en- tered the Lititz Academy, Lancaster county, Pa., and studied there for two terms. He was also engaged in teaching ; he taught his first school in Lower Paxton township, when he was nineteen years of age. After leaving the academy he devoted himself to teaching and was employed in this profession for about eleven years. In 1859 he began active farming on the homestead with his two brothers, Philip and Daniel. This joint en- terprise was continued until the death of his brother Philip, which took place in August, 1864. He and his brother Daniel then as- sumed the interest of Philip, and continued their partnership until the spring of 1888, when Daniel withdrew from the business. While cultivating the land, the brothers were also improving the property, making altera- tions for the better in the buildings and all appurtenances of the farm. The old home- stead, which has been in possession of the family for more than a century, is now in first class condition, and is one of the most thoroughly equipped farms in the township. Mr. Felty is still its occupant, and is farming with skill, and continuing the work of im- provement with skill and taste. He is en- dowed with mechanical genius; his ability
in this line is displayed in the arrangement of the buildings and their adaptation to modern methods in agriculture, and the conveniences and improved implements which lighten and facilitate labor.
Mr. Felty was married, October 2, 1862, to Miss Sara A., daughter of George and Sarah (Fisher) Metz. Of their ten children, six are deceased : Jacob, born July 11, 1863, died August 4, 1863; Franklin and Albert, twins, born and died May 15, 1864; Samuel, born April 26, 1865, died February 29, 1866, George Washington, born August 28, 1869; died March 17, 1870, and Sarah Ellen, born December 26, 1870, died December 14, 1876. Their surviving children are : Luther Daniel, born September 10, 1866; John S., March 24, 1868; Wilson, April 27, 1873, and David August 30, 1876. Mr. George Metz, father of Mrs. Felty, died in November, 1878; her mother is still living. They had four chil- dren : Sara, Mrs. Felty ; David ; Catherine, wife of Jacob Bishop, and Mary, wife of Abraham Witmer. Mr. Felty has served his township two terms as school director. He is a Republican. He and his family are members of the Church of God.
FELTY, JOHN S., farmer, was born on the old homestead in Lower Paxton township, Dauphin county, Pa., March 24, 1868. He is a son of John Solomon and Sarah (Metz) Felty. He was reared on his father's farm, and received his education in the district schools of his native township. He assisted in the cultivation of the farms of his father and of his uncle, Luther D., until he was twenty-six years of age, when he began farming on his own account. Mr. Felty was married, November 25, 1893, to Sarah E. Brightbill. Mrs. Felty's parents are both living; they had six children: George, who was born September 6, 1869, and died aged seven days; John W., Andrew M., David E., Harry L., and Sarah E., who is Mrs. Felty.
-" GROVE, SAMUEL, carpenter and farmer, was born in West Hanover township, Dauphin county, Pa., December 23, 1828. He is a son of Henry and Catherine (Gaunse) Grove, residents of West Hanover township. Mrs. Grove died at about sixty-two years of age, and Mr. Grove at about seventy-four. They had eight children : Mary Ann, John, David, Jacob, Eliza, wife of George Myers, Sarah,
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wife of Peter Shaeffer, Catherine, wife of Benneville Pointer, and Samuel.
Samuel Grove attended the public schools of his native township during the winter months until he was twenty years of age. At the age of eighteen he began to learn carpentry with Barnie Clay, of West Han- over township. According to the terms of his indenture he was permitted to attend school during the winter, and as wages was to receive six dollars per month and board. At the end of his apprenticeship he worked as a journeyman about three years, after which he and his brother-in-law, Peter Schaeffer, formed a partnership for doing carpenter work and building, which continued for one year. He then conducted business on his own account for about eighteen years. In 1867 he began farming, in which he was employed until 1884, when he built the house where he now resides. About 1856 or 1857 Mr. Grove began to exercise his gifts as a local preacher. He preached his first ser- mon in the Church of God at Linglestown, Pa. Since that time he has preached at nu- merous places. He has always generously given his services on the circuit in the ab- sence of the minister in charge.
Mr. Grove was married, January 1, 1852, to Elizabeth Friday, by whom he had three children : Mary Jane, born December 16, 1852, died when about eight months old ; Sarah Ann, born July 30, 1856, died in in- fancy, and Samuel F., born August 30, 1854. Mrs. Grove died about July 1, 1856. IIe was married, the second time, in 1857, to Molly Forney. They have had nine chil- dren, three died early, one being as yet un- named; David and Mary Ellen both died aged about ten months. The surviving children are: John E., born June 28, 1859 ; Christian H., October 18, 1862; Willis Sher- man, August 23, 1864; Lydia K., July 28, 1889; Ellen L., February 7, 1871, and Anna L., July 19, 1873. The parents of Mrs. Molly (Forney) Grove are both deceased. They had six children : Mary Ann, wife of Jonathan Fox; Molly, Mrs. Grove; Cathe- rine, Christine, Henry, Lydia and Jonathan. Mr. Grove has served Lower Paxton town- ship for one term as supervisor. His poli- tics are Republican and he is a member of the Church of God.
-- FELTY, LUTHER D., retired farmer, was born and reared on the old homestead. He is a brother of John Solomon Felty, a sketch
of whom appears in this volume. He re- ceived his education in the district schools and at an academy. When his school edu- cation was finished he assisted with the work on his father's farm. Later he began farmi- ing on the homestead, in connection with his brother John Solomon.
Mr. Felty is industrious and energetic in business, and is not behind any man as to skill and success in farming. He is also a man of good taste and of strong intellectual faculties. He is a great lover of reading, and has found time in his busy life to store his mind with valuable information; he has found his most profitable and entertaining society in good books. He has never mar- ried. He is of a kind and charitable dis- position, and in all business transactions is true to the line of honesty and justice. By true estimate of life he is a successful man. He has by industry and frugality accumu- lated a competence, and looks without appre- hension toward the evening of life. He en- joys the esteem of his neighbors and receives from them the abounding good will which he bestows on all.
- Goss, MARTIN, farmer, was born in Derry township, near Oberlin, Dauphin county, Pa., September 2,1819. He is a son of Jacob and Polly (Eshelman) Goss. They were married March 31, 1812, and had eight chil- dren: Abraham, born January 18, 1813; Jacob, May 15, 1814; Elizabeth, July 15, 1816; Michael, July 15, 1817; Mary, January 13, 1818 ; Martin, September 12, 1819; Mag- dalena, March 20, 1822; and Barbara, Sep- tember 20, 1824. Mr. Goss died aged seventy- four years, and Mrs. Goss aged seventy-five.
Martin Goss, in his boyhood, worked on the farm during the spring and summer months and attended school in the winter. He was employed by John Conrad for five years at farm work, at $11 per month. He also worked nineteen months for George Moon, and then was again employed by Con- rad for one year. He then rented Frederick Kelties' farm and cultivated it for eighteen years. He was all the time accumulating and laying by money. In 1863 he was able to own a farm and accordingly purchased his present homestead where he has ever since been engaged in farming.
Mr. Goss was married, March 26, 1846, to Harriet George. Out of six children of this marriage, three are deceased : Martin and David, who died in infancy, and Susie, who
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lived to be five years old. The survivors are : Harry; Mary, wife of Eli Umberger; and Sarah, wife of Daniel Freinfrock. Mrs. Har- riet Goss died in 1860. In a second mar- riage, April 28, 1861, Mr. Goss was united to Mary, daughter of Jacob and Mollie Peck Garrett, by whom he had these children : Amos, born April 12, 1862, died in 1890; Barbara, born December 28, 1863, wife of David Peters; Jacob, born April 28, 1866; George, born February 28, 1868; Samuel, born April 10, 1870; and John H., born June 14, 1872. The second wife of Mr. Goss died in 1875. He was married again, October 10, 1878, to Ann Whitman. They have had three children : Daniel W., who died in in- fancy; Isaac H., born January 20, 1871; and Annie Elizabeth, October 12, 1884. Mr. Goss is a Republican. He is an honest and charitable man, and a good citizen.
-Fox, WILLIAM L., farmer, was born in Lower Paxton township, September 16, 1859. He was reared on the old homestead, where he now resides. Winter school and summer work is the short story of his education and preparation for making his way in the world. The only variation in his case from the or- dinary course of the farmer boy is that school time was shorter and self-supporting work began earlier than with the majority of boys brought up on the farm. At the age of fourteen he was employed on the farm of Jonas Crum, for whom he worked about five years. He then returned to the home farm, which he worked for his mother about three years. Then, wishing a change of occupation, he went to Steelton, Pa., and found work at the Bessemer Steel Works, where he was employed about thirteen years. One more change he made, which was to return again to the homestead and resume farming, which has ever since been his occupation. He was married, February 3, 1880, to Emma E., daughter of Joseph and Barbara (Fackler) Cassel. They have five children : Miles M., born July 26, 1881 ; Pearl E., June 5, 1883; Edith L., June 16, 1886; Minnie E., March 28, 1888, and Beatrice O., January 28, 1894.
The father of Mr. Fox died in 1865, but his mother is still living. They had seven children : Louis E., Benjamin, Wesley, William, Annie, wife of Henry Wolf, and Christopher and Peter, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Cassel, the parents of Mrs. Fox, are living. Of their ten children, two are deceased : Francis R. and Millard F. The
surviving children are Emma E., Mrs. Fox ; Alice S., wife of John Seiders, Astoria, Ill .; Minnie L., wife of George E. Shurtzer: Fanny L., wife of George Aungst; Wilson J., Lillie B., and Stella O. Mr. Fox is a Republican. His family belong to the Lutheran church. Mrs. Fox's parents are members of the Bap- tist church.
CASSEL, JOSEPH, carpenter and farmer, was born in Lower Paxton township, Dauphin county, Pa., February 18, 1837. He is a son of William and Annie (Hain) Cassel. William Cassel died at the age of seventy- three years, and his wife at the age of seventy- four. . They had thirteen children : Eliza- beth, Sophia, John J., William H., Samuel, who died in infancy, Mary, Hannah, Joseph, Fannie, Catherine, Jonas, a child unnamed who died in infancy, and Samuel B.
Joseph Cassel was educated in the public schools of his native township. At eighteen years of age he began to learn carpentry with his brother, William H. Cassel. He served an apprenticeship of sixteen months and received as his wages the sum of $56. After learning his trade, he worked as journeyman and received $16 as the wages of the first two months. He con- tinued to work at his trade until 1865. He was employed by the United States Gov- ernment in the Construction Corps. He was sent to Nashville, Tenn., and worked on the Chattanooga railroad in East Tennessee, and later at Atlanta, Ga., until the time of Lee's surrender. He then returned home, and worked at his trade for a year and a half longer. He now began business on his own account, and was engaged in building and contracting up to 1890. He built the barns at the county buildings in 1883. He bought his present homestead in 1870, and has had his residence and his principal occupation there up to the present time.
Mr. Cassel was married, June 11, 1857, to Barbara Fackler, born December 4, 1837, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Mumma) Fackler. They have had ten children, of whom two are deceased : Millard Fillmore, born March 8, 1858, died June 6, 1858; Francis R., born May 11, 1862, died May 14, 1862. Their living children are: Fannie L., born November 18, 1856; Emma E., born April 20, 1859; Alice S., November 4, 1860; Minerva L., February 9, 1864; Jennie Nelson, May 10, 1869; Joseph W., June 11, 1872; Lillie B., September 15, 1875, and
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Stella O., October 2, 1880. Mr. Cassel served as school director for one term. He served two terms, in 1871 and 1872, as tax collector in Lower Paxton township; he was also assessor for one term. He is a Republican. The family are members of the German Baptist church. Mr. and Mrs. John Fackler, the parents of Mrs. Cassel, are both de- ceased. Her father died at the age of seventy- three years, and her mother at the age of fifty-six. They had eleven children.
- CASSEL, MICHAEL H., retired farmer, was born on his grandfather's homestead, in Lower Paxton township, Dauphin county, Pa., in May, 1845. He is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Klein) Cassel. His great-grand- father, John Cassel, originally obtained a grant and deed from Thomas and Richard Penn, on October 31, 1765. The original tracts of land have continued in the posses- sion of the family down to the present time. Michael Cassel, grandfather of Michael H., was one of three children, the others were named Henry and Sophia.
Jacob Cassel, father of Michael H., was born in 1800. His wife, Elizabeth Klein, was one of four children; the others were : Esaias, Zephanias and Nancy. The former two are deceased, Nancy in the wife Israel Deckert, of Middletown, Dauphin county, Pa. Mr. Cassel died July 30, 1878. He was a plain man, unostentatious, honest and dili- gent, benevolent and kind. The cordial and generous hospitality of himself and his ex- cellent wife was greatly enjoyed by the many toward whom it was exercised. Mrs. Jacob Cassel is still living. Michael H. Cassel was their only child.
Michael H. Cassel spent his early days on the old homestead, and received his primary education in the public schools of Lower Paxton township. He attended the academy of Prof. Aaron Kemble, at Harrisburg, for a year and a half, entering at the age of twelve. He was then for the same length of time at the Middletown Academy, under Prof. John Ross, uncle of the kidnapped Charlie Ross. After leaving school he was employed upon his father's farm until he was twenty-three years of age. He then began farming on his own account and has made this his business. IIe is also extensively en- gaged in buying and selling live stock. Mr. Cassel was married, August 15, 1869, to Emma C., daughter of Isaac and Mary (Nie- dig) Nissley. They have five children; one
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