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 61
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John Good was educated in the common schools of his native township. His school days ended when he was nineteen; he then learned harness making with Jonas Schoener, at Linglestown, Dauphin county. After learning his trade he worked at it as a jour- neyman for two years, and then began busi- ness for himself in Jackson towship, Dauphin county. Then for one year he was farming in Lower Paxton, his native township. Re- suming work at his trade he opened a shop at Progress, and continued there until 188-4, when he retired from business. He is now settled in a comfortable and beautiful home adjoining the Church of God, in the village of Progress.
He was married, November 19, 1868, to Elizabeth, daughter of Jonathan and Catho- rine Sheesley. They have one child, Oscar E. Mr. Good is a staunch Republican. He and his family are members of the United Brethren church at Penbrook. Mr. Good enjoys the confidence and esteem of his neighbors. After an active and useful life. he is justly entitled to the rest and happiness of his quiet home.
RUDY, MICHAEL, was a son of Frederick and Elizabeth Rudy. His parents had eleven children, ten of whom are deceased : John ; Daniel; Catherine, wife of William Orth ; Elizabeth, wife of Daniel Plause; Frederick ; Jonas; Michael ; Maria, wife of Joseph Me Ardle; Jacob, and a child who died un- named. The one living is Jacob.
Michael Rudy was an enterprising and successful farmer in Susquehanna town- ship. He succeeded his father on the old Rudy farm, which has been owned and oe- cupied by the family for ninety-five years. He continued to occupy and cultivate the farm until 1884, when he removed to the homestead where his widow now resides.
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and where he died, January 27, 1894. He was married, October 4, 1847, and had a family of five children ; one died in infancy, unnamed, and Rebecca E. died January 25, 1857, aged two years and nine months. Their living children are : Sarah Jane, wife of John W. Smith; Mary E., wife of John Snoke, and Martha Alice, wife of William Forbes. Mr. Rudy was a successful business man and was highly respected by his neigh- bors. He was a firm adherent to the Re- publican party. He was a member of the German Reformed church, to which his family also belong.
Mrs. Rudy was born in Susquehanna township, Dauphin county, Pa., February 26, 1827, and educated in the public schools of Upper Paxton township. Her parents had twelve children, seven of whom are de- ceased. Two died in infancy, unnamed ; Jacob died aged sixty-nine years; Isaac, aged five, and Jane, aged twenty-six ; Joseph died from the effects of typhoid fever, while serving in the United States army, at the age of forty ; he enlisted March 18, 1865. The last who died was Mary, wife of John Moyer. The surviving children are : Cathe- rine, wife of Abraham Mader ; Susan ; Eliza- beth, wife of Emanuel Walburn; John, and George. Mrs. Rudy's father died March 9, 1868, aged seventy years; her mother died June 19, 1884.
-SMITH, DAVID H., was born in Lower Paxton township, Dauphin county, Pa. He is a son of Samuel and Mary (L ngenecker) Smith. He was brought up in. Dauphin county, and educated in the district schools. At the age of eighteen, prompted by patriotism, he enlisted in the army, and fought in de- fense of the Union. He enlisted August 22, 1861, in company H, Forty-seventh Penn- sylvania volunteers, under Capt. James Kacey and Col. T. H. Good. He served the full term of his enlistment, three years, with valor and distinction. He rose from the ranks to be first sergeant, under Capt. Reuben S. Gardner. He was honorably discharged, December 25, 1865, at Charleston, S. C. He remained in Camp Cadwalader, at Philadel- phia, until January, 1866, when he received his bounty in full. Returning to his home in Linglestown, he began as a farmer, but has since been engaged in various occupa- tions. He is a member of Post No. 116, G. A. R., Harrisburg; of Dauphin Castle, No. 250, K. G. E .; and Mt. Vernon Council, No.
333, Jr. O. U. A. M. Mr. Smith is a staunch Republican. During his service in the army, he took part in nine fiercely contested battles and was twice wounded.
He was married, May 30, 1873, to Matilda J. Saul, born in Susquehanna township, Sep- tember 22, 18440; daughter of Joseph and Mary (Garevick) Saul. Their children were : Sallie J., wife of Rev. J. A. Detter, of Hunt- ingdon county, Pa., and Edith E.
The parents of Mrs. Smith had ten children, four of whom are deceased: Josiah and Fannie died in infancy; Lydia at the age of eight years and nine months; and Mary Barbara at the age of thirty-five years; she was married, and resided in Germany, where she died. The surviving children are : Will- iam S., of Perry county, Pa .; Margaret S .. wife of Austin McGraw, of Jefferson City, Mo .; Catherine A., wife of W. W. Morrow ; Mrs. Susan E. Putnam, of St. Louis, Mo .; Matilda J., and Joseph S. Her mother, Mrs. Mary Saul, died August 17, 1868; her father died March 18, 1887, aged eighty-three years and nineteen days. He was born February 27, 1804, either in Lebanon or Dauphin county, probably in the former, near Jones- town. While he was a child the family re- moved to Lower Paxton township, where they remained until his father died; Joseph was then about eighteen. He remained with his mother, and was her main support until he was twenty-four, when his mother and brothers, except the eldest, with his sisters, removed West.
He married shortly after, and removed to Susquehanna township. He removed from place to place until 1848, when he purchased a small tract of land, the site of his late house in Progress. There he built the second or third house erected in the town, in which he ended his days. He was a good citizen, and respected by all. He was cordial and prompt in all neighborly offices, giving counsel and aid in various ways, and always by safe and judicious methods. His disposition, uni- formly cheerful, endeared him to everybody. In some respects he was peculiar. He never rode in a railroad car. When a young man he went on foot from the vicinity of Lingles- town to Gettysburg, and returned in the same way; this distance was the farthest he ever went from home. He was a consistent and devout Christian. At the age of twenty-one, he was converted and connected himself with the Methodist church. In later years he be- came a member of the United Brethren in
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Christ, in his native town. He was twice married, and the father of ten children, named above. In his declining years ho made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Smith, who tenderly cared for him ; here he passed away from earth. There are in all thirty grandchildren of his family.
-WIRT, CHARLES L., harness maker, was born at Linglestown, Paxton township, Dau- phin county, Pa. He is a son of Jeremiah and Hannah (Forney) Wirt. His parents had eight children, two were twins and died in infancy. The living children are : Sarah, wife of David Smeltzer; Lizzie, wife of Dan- iel Longenecker; Charles L .; Katie, wife of Alfred Enders; Susan, wife of William Muenich, and John F. Mr. Jeremiah Wirt was drowned at Harrisburg, in Paxton creek, July 4, 1873, aged forty-three years; Mrs. Wirt died in July, 1893, aged sixty-three years.
Charles L. Wirt was educated in the com- mon schools of Lower Paxton township. At the age of seventeen he began an apprentice- ship of three years at harness making with John Good, at Progress. He afterwards worked one year as journeyman, and then began business for himself, succeeding his former master and employer. He was for two years at Progress and then removed to Penbrook, where he conducts a large and profitable business. Being enterprising and . reliable, he not only meets with success, but enjoys the respect and esteem of his patrons and neighbors.
He was married, July 30, 1890, to Lula, daughter of Henry and Mary Sherk. Their children are: Emma Sherk and Lydia For- ney. Mr. Wirt is an active and efficient member of the board of health of Penbrook. He has served one term as borough auditor, and also as election inspector. He is a staunch Republican. He and his family are members of the Church of God.
Mrs. Wirt's parents had six children; those deceased are: Emma E., wife of Noah Wal- mer, and William H. The living children are: Mary E., Henry A., and Lula, Mrs. Wirt.
- MADER, DANIEL E., gardening farmer, was born in Lower Paxton township in 1842. His parents, Amos and Elizabeth (Zarker) Mader, had seven children, two of whom are deceased; Susan, who died in in- fancy, and Mary Ann, wife of Samuel Cas- sel. Their living children are: Daniel E .;
Benjamin; Harriet, wife of Hiram Wilt; William H., and Catherine, wife of AAndrew Poffenberger. Daniel E. Mader was edu- cated in the public schools of Lower Paxton township. After leaving school he began business for himself as a gardener and farmer, and has thus been occupied up to the present time.
He was married at the age of twenty-one. December 13, 1862, to Fannie, daughter of Jacob and Rebecca (Young) Warner. They have had ten children; four are deceased : David, born March 9, 1866, died July 13, 1866; Clara, born August 3, 1875, died January 21, 1876; Eddie, born August 26, 1884, died September 12, 1884, and one in- fant unnamed. Their living children are : William, born June 8, 1867; Henry, born September 3, 1869 ; Elizabeth, born July 4, 1872; Cora, born September 16, 1877 ; Lydia, born May 1, 1887, and Emmet, June 8, 1889.
Mr. Mader has served as road supervisor of Susquehanna township for two terms. He is a staunch Republican. He and his family are members of the United Brethren church. He is consistent and earnest in his Christian life and fills the full measure of good citi- zenship. In social life he is agreeable and popular, and is an embodiment of the do- mestic virtues.
Jacob and Rebecca (Young) Warner, the parents of Mrs. Mader, had a family of nine children. Four are deceased : Jacob, died aged two years; John, had served in the army, and after the war went West and is supposed to be dead; William, died at the age of fifty-four, and Sarah, who died aged forty four. Their surviving children are: Samuel: Christian, who resides in Missouri : Elizabeth, wife of John Blessley, of Lebanon county ; David, who resides at Penbrook, Pa., and Fannie, who is Mrs. D. E. Mader.
. HOUCK, GEORGE A., dealer in agricultural implements, Penbrook, Pa., was born in Lower Paxton township, Dauphin county, Pa. He is a son of Amos and Elizabeth (Shirk) Houck, both living at this writing. They had three children, one of whom, Fi- delia, died aged nineteen. The surviving children are Henry Oliver and George .1.
George A. Houck was educated in the public schools of Lower Paxton township. and after leaving school worked on the farm with his father until he was twenty-two years old. He then began farming for bim-
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self, and made it his sole occupation for five years. Later he engaged in the dairy busi- ness, which he conducted for about two years. For the ensuing two years he was in the em- ployment of Robert B. Mateer, of Harris- burg, dealer in hardware. He then removed to Penbrook, Pa., and opened a, store on his own account, which he has managed since that time. He deals in general hardware, and is specially engaged in the sale of agri- cultural implements.
He was married at the age of twenty-two, on October 17, 1880, to Minnie J., daughter of Jonas and Maria Crum. They have two children, Harry Edward and Russel Amos.
At the present time Mr. Houck is a mem- ber of the school board of Penbrook. He is a staunch Republican. He and his family attend the Lutheran church at Penbrook. His religion is of the practical kind. In business he is enterprising and energetic, and keeps in the lead. He is public spirited and social, and in all relations faithful and just. Jonas and Maria Crum, Mrs. Houck's parents, are both living. Their children are : Minnie J., who is Mrs. Houck ; Emma, wife of Alfred Hoostick ; and Edward.
"HARGEST, JOHN JAMES, gardening farmer, was born in Baltimore county, near Balti- more, Md. He is a son of William E. and Rachel A. (Taylor) Hargest. William Har- gest died November 11, 1872, aged fifty-two years and three months. His wife is still living, and resides in Harrisburg, Pa. They had eight children, five of whom are de- ceased : Henry C .; William E .; Taylor Fill- more; Mary, wife of Charles H. Kemp; and Rose Alba, wife of Charles Raymond. Their living children are : John J., Jefferson S., and Thomas S.
John James Hargest received his primary education in the public and private schools of Baltimore county, which he attended until he was twelve years old. His parents then removing to Newcastle county, Del., he at- tended the public schools of that county for two years; then, removing with them to Harrisburg, he finished his studies in the public schools of that city. At the age of sixteen he entered the Quartermaster's de- partment, United States army, and was stationed at Stephenson's depot, near Win- chester, Va., for about nine months, after which he was discharged. He then returned to his home in Harrisburg, engaged in gar- dening and farming, in which he has ever
since been occupied. For twenty-four years he owned and resided upon the island known as Bridge Island, which later was called Hargest Island. In October, 1889, he sold this island and located in Susque- hanna township, where he has since been a continuous resident.
He was married at the age of twenty years, in May, 1869, to Susan E., daughter of David and Sarah Zarker. They have had five children, one of whom, John Herman, died at the age of four months. Their living children are: Mary K., Catherine B., Bessie M., and Jennie R. Mrs. Hargest died Feb- ruary 2, 1880. Mr. Hargest was again mar- ried, to Mary K., daughter of George and Jane E. Whiteman. They have had six children, two of whom are deceased : Clara V., born June 15, 1893, died August 28, 1894, and Thomas J., born August 27, 1894, died September 16, 1894. Their living children are: George W., Rachel T., Helen B., and John J.
Mr. Hargest is a, staunch Republican. He served with efficiency and credit in the city council of Harrisburg, and was the president of that body for the year 1881. He is now a member of the school board of Susquehanna township. He belongs to Robert Burns Lodge, No. 464, F. & A. M., at Harrisburg; he was a member of Persever- ance Chapter and Pilgrim Commandery. Mr. Hargest and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is suc- cessful in business and enjoys the good will and confidence of his neighbors.
George and Jane E. (Harman) Whiteman, parents of Mrs. Hargest, had five children : Mary K., Jacob N., George W., Charles C., and Edna H.
HARGEST, JEFFERSON S., gardening farmer, was born at Wilmington, Del., August 25, 1860. He is a son of William E. and Rachel A. Hargest. His parents removed to Har- risburg when he was five years of age, and he was educated in the public and private schools of that city. At eighteen years of age he began gardening and farming, and has been continuously engaged in those oc- cupations up to the present time.
He was married at the age of twenty-two, April 2, 1882, to Clara Reese, daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Reese. They had no children. His wife died April 25, 1895. She was a consistent and earnest Christian woman. Iler home was attractive and always shone
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with the light of a warm and generous hos- pitality. By her many virtues she drew around her a circle of devoted friends and admirers who deeply mourn her loss. Her parents had seven children, five of whom are deceased : Clara, Mrs. Hargest; Mattie, wife of Jacob Whiteman; Maggie, and two chil- dren who died in infancy. The surviving children are Harry and Jennie. Mr. Har- gest is a staunch Republican. He is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church. As a business man he is characterized by strict integrity, industry and enterprise. He is genial in social life, interested in church matters, and prompt and faithful in the per- formance of duty.
MOODY, WASHINGTON, gardening farmer, was born in Washington township, York county, Pa., in 1839. He is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth Moody. They had seven children, all boys; one of them, Thomas, died aged about twenty-six years. Those living are: William, Henry, David, James, John, and Washington. The father died at the age of eighty, and the mother four years later, aged seventy years.
Washington Moody was educated in the public schools of his native township. After leaving school he was for ten years engaged in farming and then added gardening. In 1865 he removed to Dauphin county and lo- cated on Sheesley's Island, where he pur- sued his vocation of gardening and farming. He subsequently removed to Susquehanna township, and in 1875 purchased his present homestead, where he continues to conduct the same business.
On February 24, 1864, Mr. Moody was married to Adeline E., daughter of John and Sarah Fleisher. They had ten children, three of whom are deceased : George Wash- ington, died August 8, 1871, aged four years and thirteen days; Albert, January 8, 1875, aged three days; Annie Margarette, Feb- ruary 3, 1882, aged four years and three months. The living children are: Sallie Florence, wife of Samuel Bankes, born Jan- uary 2, 1865; William Henry, November 29, 1868; Ada Elizabeth, born August 25, 1870; Mary Catherine, February 5, 1872; Charles Wesley, born August 20, 1874; Re- becca Jane, June 10, 1880; Miriam, June 18, 1884.
Mr. Moody is a staunch Democrat. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Moody has been
diligent in business, and as the result of his skill, energy and industry he stands in the lead of men in his line of business. Ile isa reliable and worthy man and has been true to all the obligations of duty.
Mrs. Moody's parents, John and Sarah Fleisher, had four children, one of whom, William, went West in 1865 and is supposed to have died. Their surviving children are : Milton, John, and Adeline E., Mrs. Moody. The father died at the age of thirty years : the mother is still living.
HUMMEL, SAMUEL WESLEY, gardener and farmer, was born in Halifax township, Dau- phin- county, Pa., February 17, 1837. He is a son of Samuel and Catherine (Bowman) Hummel. They had seven children, of whom two died in infancy; Joseph died at Harrisburg, aged about thirty; and George died at the age of seventeen years. The surviving children are: Samuel W .; Susan, wife of Sampson Bogner, of Steelton; and John F., residing in Dauphin county. Sam- uel Hummel died in 1867, aged fifty-nine; his wife died at the age of thirty-two.
Samuel Wesley Hummel was educated in the district schools of his native township. After leaving school he was variously em- ployed until the spring of 1866, when he removed to Susquehanna township, and en- gaged in gardening and farming; he has ever since resided in the vicinity of Harris- burg and carried on the same business. Mr. Hummel has served as judge of elections, and as election inspector. He is a staunch Democrat. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Ile is prominent and successful in his line of busi- ness, is regarded as a good citizen, and is faithful and agreeable in all the relations of life.
IIe was married, September 19, 1865, to Catherine, daughter of Jacob and Catherine Huggins. They have seven children: Cora L., born January 27, 1866, wife of Henry Reichert; Ida May, October 17, 1867; Jacob L., May 28, 1870; Susan L., November 4. 1872; Katie Alice, April 30, 1875; Anna Mary, February 3, 1878; and John W., April 20,1881.
Jacob and Catherine (Deckard) Huggins. the parents of Mrs. Hummel, had eleven children. Four are deceased. The survi- vors are : Mary, wife of Samuel Bowers, of Harrisburg ; Susan, wife of John Thompson ; Charles; Ellen ; Alice, wife of Edward Gil-
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BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
lan, of Harrisburg; Catherine, Mrs. Hum- mel; and Jacob. Mr. Huggins died at about eighty years of age; his wife is still living.
-BERRY, ROBERT, gardener and dairyman, was born in Dumfries, Dumfriesshire, Scot- land, July 27, 1862; son of William and Sarah Ann (McCullongh) Berry. His parents had three children ; one of them, Mary, dicd March, 1879, aged eighteen. The surviving children are Robert and John; the latter resides on the homestead in Scotland, the parents having their home with him.
Robert Berry was educated in the schools of his native town. He was a bright and ambitious boy, full of energy, and made the best use of the advantages within his reach. At the age of seventeen he was well qualified for ordinary business. His first employment after leaving school was farming. But, find- ing that his home did not offer him the op- portunities which he sought for business and for rising in the world, he looked to the newer countries of the Western Continent as affording a wider field for his activities. In 1881 he embarked for America, and landed in New York July 4. He was attracted to Chicago, Ill., where he engaged in the cattle business. After trying various occupations he finally settled in Dauphin county, Pa., in the spring of 1889, and engaged in farming and gardening, in connection with the dairy and milk business; in these occupations he has continued up to the present time. With his natural energy and his enterprising and progressive spirit, he has found success within his reach. He already stands among the leaders in his line, and commands the respect of his neighbors.
- STUTSMAN, JOHN P., freight conductor, was born in Perry county, Pa., July 26, 1847. His father was a carpenter, contractor and builder. He was cut off in early life, dying at the age of twenty-nine years; his wife, who was Miss Mary D. Poole, is still living, and makes her home with her daugh- ter Mary, wife of William Huston, of Har- risburg. Their children were five in num- ber; the living ones are John P., David, and Anna, widow of Cyrus Lowe.
John P. Stutsman was only eight years old when his father died. Ifis schooling was just begun, and after this sad loss had to be carried on amid many hin- derances. While attending school he found
time to do many odd jobs, by which he aided materially in the maintenance of his mother and the other children. At sixteen he found regular employment on the North- ern Central railroad, and has been con- tinuously in the employ of the Pennsylvania railroad since that time. All his wages, during his youth, were turned over to his mother, for whom he cherished the fondest regard; and he was rewarded by her love and confidence. In this way a peculiar in- timacy was established between mother and son, which has continued through life. He is one of the oldest employees in this capa- city in the service of the railroad company. His long continuance in their employment and confidence demonstrates his ability and faithfulness.
He was married, December 24, 1871, to Jane E. Rudge. They have five children, two of whom are deceased : Myrtle A., born December 1, 1872, died May 1, 1873; Jonas R., born in November, 1875, was drowned while bathing in the old Price basin at IIar- risburg, August 7, 1882 ; his brother James, who was with him, was not able to render him any assistance. The living children are : James O., Catherine L., and John L. Mr. Stutsman resided in Harrisburg until 1894, when he purchased his present resi- dence in Susquehanna township. He is a member of Lodge No. 160, I. O. O. F., Har- risburg. Politically he is a Democrat. He and his family are members of the Presby- terian church. .
Mrs. Stutsman's parents are both deceased. Her father died June 14, 1879, aged seventy- three; her mother in June, 1881, aged eighty years. They had eight children, one of whom, Edward, was in the Union army, in company B, Eighty-seventh Pennsylva- nia volunteers. He was taken prisoner and died of starvation in Andersonville prison. Their surviving children are : Adam, David K., Darius, Annie, widow of George Neuer, William, Jonas, and Jane E., Mrs. Stutsman.
HOLTZMAN, HARRY B., dairyman and farmer, was born at Matamoras, Dauphin county, Pa., August 28, 1858. He is a son of Isaac and Annie (Hocken) Holtzman. Isaac Holtzman was born August 31, 1832; his wife, Annie Hocken, February 20, 1835. They had seven children : John S., born February 11, 1854; George, June 10, 1856, died Sep- tember 6, 1858; Henry B., August 28, 1858; Joseph M., September 8, 1860; Andrew J.,
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December 22, 1865; Oscar J., November 27, 1872, and Anna M., January 24, 1880. Both the father and the mother are deceased ; the latter died October 9, 1890. They were con- sistent Christians, dutiful and faithful in the home, in society, and in the church.
Harry B. Holtzman was educated in the public schools of Susquehanna township and attended an academy in Harrisburg for one term. He selected the dairy and farm busi- ness as his vocation, and has no cause for re- penting his choice, having met with satisfac- tion and success.
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