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 75
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100
.
HENRY FARNUM.
-
1045
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
Post, No. 351, G. A. R .; Royal Arcanum, regent and past regent; State Capital Lodge, No. 70, I. O. O. F., Harrisburg. He is a Republican in politics and has been president of the city council, and also been on the school board. He is president of the board of trustees of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a member. His father was a physician and practiced in Northamp- ton county, where he died. His brother Robert is attorney for the Eastern Transfer Company and has been a United States bank examiner. He is a Democrat and a leader of the party in his district.
MEYERS, JOHN, JR., Enhaut, Pa., was born in Dauphin county, Pa., September 7, 1842; son of John Meyers. The grandfather, Abra- ham Meyers, was the first of the family to settle in Dauphin county, he having removed at a very early day from Lancaster county to Harrisburg, where he died when John was nine years old. His wife died when John was three months old. John Meyers, the father, was born at Harrisburg in 1818, and having lost his parents by death, was reared by Abraham Weitzel, on the Cameron farm. He learned the trade of a miller, and was also engaged in farming. His first wife was Susan Miller, and they had six chil- dren : John, Harry, Thomas, Joseph, Mary, and Susan. For his second wife he married Catherine Wade, and they had three chi !- dren : Amos, Katie, and Charles.
John Meyers, Jr., attended the common schools of Dauphin county until his four- teenth year, after which he was employed by Martin Good, of Lower Swatara township, in the fulling mill for fourteen years, with the exception of one year spent in the army. On September 7, 1861, he enlisted in com- pany I, Ninety-third regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, under Colonel McCarty and Cap- tain Boynton, of Middletown, in which he served until May 30, when he was wounded at the battle of Fair Oaks, Va., and was con- fined to the hospital three months, after which he was discharged. After leaving Mr. Good he entered the employment of the Pennsylvania Steel Company, in 1871, where he remained cight years, since which time he has been engaged in weaving carpets. Since 1873 he has lived in Enhaut. He was married first, in 1865, to Miss Pathmore, by whom he reared three children : Solomon Goshen, died; Elizabeth, wife of John Ober; and John, living in Chicago. He was mar-
ried, secondly, in 1879, to Miss Smith, daugh- ter of John Smith, of Union Deposit, by whom he had two children: Katie and Miles, both living at home.
" MUMMA, CHRIST NISSLEY, of the firm of Keller & Mumma, Steelton, was born on the homestead farm near Highspire, Dauphin county, Pa., July 5, 1857 ; son of Isaac and Mary (Nissley) Mumma, both natives of Dauphin county. The father was born at Highspire, where he spent his life, and was engaged in farming. At the age of twenty- eight years he was elected commissioner of Dauphin county, and filled that important office with the utmost satisfaction to the citizens for two terms. For about twenty years he was associate judge of the county, and at the time of his death had been serv- ing as sheriff for twenty-six months. He was a charter member and director of the Hummelstown National Bank. He married Mary Nissley, a native. of Hummelstown, who survives him. Their children are: Emma J .; Annie E .; Mary F., wife of Edgar C. Hummel, deputy sheriff, residing in Hummelstown ; Christ N .; Alice E .; Blanche B .; Ralph I., postal clerk, and Opal H.
Christ N. was reared on the farm and at- tended the schools in Highspire. For eight years he was teller in the Hummelstown National Bank, after which he served for four years in the same position in the Steel- ton National Bank, which he resigned in July, 1887, to engage in his present business. Mr. Mumma was married, at Hummelstown, February 22, 1883, to Miss Aggio M. Shope, daughter of Dr. Jacob and Esther (Mann) Shope. Their children are : Charles S., died in 1889; Robert W., Walter M., and Harold. Mr. Mumma is a member and for six years the treasurer of Steelton Lodge, No. 184; of Steelton Encampment, No. 278, and of Evangeline Rebecca degree Lodge, I. O. O. F. In his political views he is a Republican. He attends the St. John's Lutheran church, Steelton, and is secretary of the finance committee of the Y. M. C. A. He is also the agent at Steelton for the Adams Express Company.
MILLER, CHARLES R., M. D., Steelton, was born in Walker township, Schuylkill county, Pa., February 7, 1858; son of Eli and Mary (Koch) Miller, both deceased. Ile was reared in his native township, and his primary edu- cation was received in the district schools of
65
1046
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
that township and McCainsburg. Subse- quently he took a normal and scientific course at Easton Normal School, from which he was graduated in the class of 1883. While securing his education he was also employed in teaching public schools for ten years, and from 1882 to 1887 was occupied in the study of medicine. He entered the Hahnemann Medical College at Philadelphia, in 1885, from which he was graduated in 1887. Three months later he entered upon the practice of his profession at Steelton, in which he has been continuously engaged since that time. Dr. Miller was married at Orwigsburg, Schuylkill county, January 14, 1888, to Mary A. Hoy, daughter of Thomas Hoy, by whom he has one daughter, Maud H. He is a member of Camp No. 102, P. O. S. of A., and Steelton Lodge, No. 184, I. O. O. F. Dr. Miller is also a member of the Central Pennsylvania Homopathic Medical Society. In political views he is a Republican. He attends St. John's Lutheran church.
MOYER, ELKANAH D., general secretary of the Y. M. C. A., Steelton, was born in Robisonia, North Heidelberg township, Berks county, Pa., September 24, 1869; son of Jer- emiah E. and Melinda S. (Wenrich) Moyer. The father was a native of Berks county, and the mother of Lebanon county, both living and residing in Berks county, where the father is engaged in agricultural pur- suits. His children are : Rufus E., Orlando C., Herbert C., Stella G., and E. D. Elkanah D. received his primary education in the public schools of his native township, and later attended the Keystone State Normal School, from which latter institution he was graduated with the class of 1889. He also took a course at the Inter-State Commercial College at Reading, and the Palmer's Short Hand College of Philadelphia, after which he taught one year at the Inter-State College and four years in the public school of his native county. He then attended the Y. M. C. A. Training School at Springfield, Mass., and completed a course there, and on August 1, 1895, was appointed to his present position. Mr. Moyer is unmarried. He is a member of St. John's Lutheran church.
- NELL, LEVI H., Steelton, was born in Adams county, Pa., June 17, 1850; son of Abraham Nell. He attended the common schools of his county, and worked on the farm with his father. He began an apprenticeship at the
carpenter trade with Michael Ebersone, with whom he served one year, after which he served three years with Daniel Meyers. In 1871 he came to Steelton and entered the employment of the Pennsylvania Steel Com- pany, and worked in the Bessemer depart- ment for three years, when he was trans- ferred to blooming mill No. 1, in which he remained until 1891. In that year he was elected to the office of commissioner of Dau- phin county, and performed the duties of the office for one term, with satisfaction to the citizens, who elected him in 1893 for a second term. He also served as State and county tax collector in 1889. He is active in political matters in connection with the Re- publiean party. Mr. Nell is a member of Lodge No. 184, and of Encampment No. 278, I. O. O. F., at Steelton, and is also a member of Susquehanna tribe, No. 298, I. O. R. M. In 1874 he was married to Miss Sarah A. Angeny, daughter of William Angeny, by whom he had three children, two of whom are living: Harry A. and William H .; Jennie May died at the age of two months. Mr. Nell was married, secondly, in 1884, to Miss Lorada Mabel Brown, daughter of David Brown, by whom he had three children : John E., Zelma, and Katie.
NISSLEY, FRANK, secretary and treasurer of the Capital Shirt Company, Steelton, was born in Middletown, Dauphin county, Pa., June 10, 1856; son of Jacob and Lydia (Croll) Nissley. He was reared in Middle- town and received his education in the pub- lic schools of his native place. He also took a course in the Iron City Commercial Col- lege, at Pittsburgh, Pa. His first business engagement was with the Middletown Fur- niture Company, where he served as ac- countant for six years, after which he served in the same capacity for two years with R. I. Young. He was then seven years as ac- countant with the Conewago Iron Company, at Middletown. In May, 1SSS, he was ap- pointed secretary and treasurer of the Capi- tal Shirt Company, since which date he has acceptably filled the position. Mr. Nissley was married, at Middletown, Pa., April 15, 1880, to Miss Julia Rambler, daughter of M. B. and M. J. Rambler, of Middletown. Ile has served as school director at Middle- town. He and his family attend the Lu- theran church, of Middletown, where they have their residence.
1047
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
PETERS, BENJAMIN SNYDER, son of Will- iam and Elizabeth (Snyder) Peters, was born March 19, 1834, in Londonderry township, Dauphin county, Pa. His grandfather, Ja- cob Peters, was a native of Lebanon county, and died there. He married Barbara Beeley, of Lebanon; she died at Altoona. Their son, William Peters, was born in London- derry township, now Conewago township, October 27, 1811, and is still living. His wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Abraham Snyder, a native of Switzerland. She was born April 15, 1812, in Londonderry town- ship, and is living. Benjamin S. Peters re- ceived a common school education, and at the age of sixteen entered a store at Kelly's Corners, Lebanon county, to learn merchan- dizing, and afterwards at Meyerstown. In 1858 he commenced business at Palmyra Landing, Lebanon county, where he re- mained until 1862, when he removed to Middletown, where he entered into partner- ship with his uncle in the mercantile trade. At the dissolution of the firm he purchased the store of Yetman Eves, and for several years was the senior partner of the firm of Peters & Bro. He retired from business in January, 1883, and when the Farmers' Bank was established was made a director and chosen president, which position he now fills. Mr. Peters married, in November, 1855, Sarah, daughter of John and Polly (Beane) Rupp, of Lebanon county, and their children were: Emma, Jerome G., and Eliza- beth.
PETERS, SIMON C., president of the Capital Shirt Company, Steelton, was born in Lon- donderry township, Dauphin county, Pa., June 15, 1846; son of William and Elizabeth (Snyder) Peters. Both parents were born in Dauphin county. The father was a weaver by trade but was for the most part engaged in farming. He died at the age of seventy-one years. The wife survives him at the age of eighty-three years and resides on the old homestead. They had nine chil- dren, of whom five are living : Benjamin S., president of the Farmers' Bank and the lead- ing merchant at Middletown, Pa .; Catherine, wife of Joseph Felser, residing in London- derry township; Simon C .; Mary, married, Londonderry township; Samuel S., a prom- inent grocer of Middletown.
Simon C. lived on the farm and attended the public school of his native township until he was twelve years of age when he re-
moved to Middletown and was employed as a salesman in a general store. About twelve years later he and his brother, Benjamin S., of Middletown, purchased this store and con- ducted it for eighteen years under the firm name of Peters & Bro., after which, on ac- count of failing health, he was obliged to abandon the business and sold his interest to his nephew, Jerome G. Peters. For the next year and a half he was not in any ac- tive employment, but in 1886, in connection with I. B. Keller, he engaged in the manu- facture of shirts at Lebanon. In 18SS the Capital Shirt Company was formed and in- corporated with Mr. Peters as president, Mr. Frank Nissley, secretary, and Mr. Isaac B. Keller, superintendent. Mr. Peters was married, at Middletown, Pa., May 15, 1873, to Miss Rachel S. Nissley, daughter of Jacob L. and Lydia (Croll) Nissley. Their children are : Marion Nissley, Lydia Croll, and Simon C., Jr. Mr. Peters is a director of the Far- mers' Bank at Middletown, and also one of the organizers and treasurer of the Mid- dletown Drainage Company. He is prom- inently connected with the Masonic fratern- ity, being a member of Prince Edwin Lodge, No. 486 ; Perseverance Chapter, No. 21, and Pilgrim Commandery, No. 11, K. T. In his political views Mr. Peters is a Republican. He and his family are members of St. Peter's church, at Middletown, where they reside.
- PROWELL, DR. WILLIAM R., pharmacist, Steelton, was born in Fishing Creek Valley, York county, Pa., March 20, 1854; son of Samuel L. and Sarah (Reeser) Prowell. The father was born in York county, July 25, 1813, and died July 18, 1871. Ilis life was spent in agricultural pursuits, and he took an active interest in all measures calculated to better the condition of his fellow-men and to promote the growth and prosperity of the community. He was much in public life, and filled efficiently several offices of trust. The mother was also a native of York county, and died in 1858, at the age of thir- ty-eight years. They had twelve children, eight of whom are living: Henry, residing in New York; Silas, living on the home- stead ; Prof. George R., principal of Hanover high school ; Dr. William R .; Eliza, wife of Martin Bare, Hummelstown, Pa .; Jane, wife of Jacob Berger, Goldsboro, York county ; Elmira, wife of Samuel G. Detwiler, Steel- ton; and Susan, wife of Henry Miller, York, Pa. Of their deceased children, two died in
--- -
1048
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
infancy ; Dr. Andrew R. died at Manchester, Pa., in 1872, and Franklin R. died at Golds- boro, Pa., in 1886.
William R. was reared on the homestead farm, and received his primary education in the district schools of his native township. In 1869 he entered the State Normal School at Millersville, in which he took a three ยท years' course, and in 1872 taught in the pub- lic schools of York county. During the follow- ing year he read medicine with Dr. W. E. Sweiler, of Yocumtown, and in the fall of 1874 entered the Jefferson Medical College, at Phil- adelphia, from which he was graduated in March, 1876, and at once began the practice of medicine, at Siddonsburg, York county, in which he continued until July, 1889, when he removed to Steelton, where he has since been a continuous resident, devoting the greater part of his time to his pharmacy. Dr. Prowell is at present filling the office of tax receiver in the internal revenue department, and his term of office continues until 1897. He was married, at Siddonsburg, October 5, 1876, to Miss Jennie E. Elcock, daughter of John and Christy Ann Elcock, to whom have been born four children, of whom the sur- vivors are : Tolbert, Nellie, and Jacob Henry. Viola May died September 13, 1882, at the age of four years; Ella died March 26, 1886, at the age of six months. Dr. Prowell is a member of the Heptasophs, and of the State Pharmaceutical Society. In his political views he is a staunch Republican. He at- tends the Presbyterian church.
- PAGE, S. S., Oberlin, Pa., was born in Pax- tang township, Dauphin county, Pa., in 1856; son of Daniel and Mary Ann (Over- cash) Page. He attended the schools in Dauphin county, and at Palmyra, Pa., and was employed on the farm until seventeen years of age, when he became an apprentice at the carpenter trade with J. B. Dunkle, upon completion of which he engaged in contracting and building. Subsequently he took up the real estate business at Steelton, in which he has continued until the present time. In his political views Mr. Page is a Republican, and takes an active part in pub- lic matters. He was elected justice of the peace in 1877, and served until 1892, when he was elected a member of the Legislature, and in 1894 was re-elected to the same office. He has been a delegate to county conven- tions, and has served on the Republican County Committee. Mr. Page was instru-
mental in the organization of the Citizens' Passenger Railway Company, and was one of the directors of the company up to 1895. He is also a director in the Dauphin County Fire Insurance Company, and is the presi- dent of the Guarantee Fire Insurance Com- pany, of Philadelphia. Mr. Page was mar- ried, in 1876, to Miss Lizzie Brehm, daugh- ter of Dr. Samuel Brehm, of Hummelstown, by whom he has six children : Anna Mary, Jennie Pearl, Arthur Levan, Louman Brehm, Edgar Sylvester, and Faith G. Mr. Page has been an honored citizen of Oberlin since 1876, and has contributed largely to the growth and prosperity of the place.
RUTHERFORD, JOHN, teacher and farmer, was born November 9, 1840, and is a son of John B. and Keziah Rutherford. The grandfather, Samuel, was a native of Dau- phin county and was engaged in farming, which occupation he pursued all his life. He had a family of six children. The par- ents also were natives of Dauphin county and were engaged in farming.
John was one of a family of eight chil- dren and received his education in the pub- lic schools of Swatara township until he was sixteen years old, when he attended the academy for a year and a half. In 1864 Mr. Rutherford enlisted in company G, Two Hundred and First regiment, and served for ten months. Since that time his time has been divided between teaching and farming. He was married, December 10, 1868, to Miss Margaret B. Elder, daughter of Joshua and Nancy (Brown) Elder. Their children are: Howard A., Ralph B., Elenora V., Isabella P., John, Margaret B., Matthew R., Ruth, and Vancy B. The latter died in her infancy. Mr. Rutherford is a Republi- can and served as school director for six years. He is a member of G. A. R. Post No. 58, and is also a member of the Pres- byterian church.
RUTHERFORD, FRANCIS W., farmer, was born December 4, 1845, and is a son of John B. and Keziah (Park) Rutherford. The grandfather, Samuel, was born July 16, 1769, and his wife, Miss Elizabeth Bronson, in October, 1770. The maternal grandfather was born in Dauphin county, and married Miss Margaret Ainsworth. Their children were: Thomas, Samuel, Matthew, Eliza, Mary, Margaret, William, Margaret Long, and Ma-
1049
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
tilda. The grandfather was a director of the Harrisburg Bank.
The father was born in Dauphin county, while the mother was a native of Chester county. His wife's maiden name was Miss Keziah Park, and their marriage occurred March 19, 1833. Their children were : Mary L., Eliza J., Adaline, Samuel, John A., Fran- cis W., K. V., and Mamie G. He was en- gaged in farming until he retired in 1878. He filled a number of township offices and served in the State Legislature, and also for one term as State senator. He died October 10, 1892, and his wife July 2, 1885. They were both members of the Presbyterian church, of which Mr. Rutherford was an elder for many years.
Francis W. received his education in the public schools of Swatara township until he was seventeen years of age, when he attended the Millersville State Normal School. In 1864 he enlisted in company D, One Hun- dred and Ninety-fourth regiment, and served until honorably discharged. After the war he engaged in farming with his father. He was married, February 14, 1878, to Miss Ella S. Elder, daughter of Joshua and Nancy (Brown) Elder. Their children are: Joshua, Thomas M., Norman, Francis W., Samuel B., Jane W. Mr. Rutherford is a school director and a member of Post No. 58, G. A. R., Har- risburg, Pa. In politics he is a Republican and he and his family are members of the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Rutherford's father was born January 18, 1802, in Swatara township. He first married Miss Elenora Shearer, by whom he had three sons : Joshua R., David R., and John. He married, sec- ondly, Miss Mary Gilmore, and they had one daughter, Elizabeth M., wife of William K. Cowden. His third wife was Miss Nancy Brown, daughter of Thomas and Margarette (Ainsworth) Brown. Their children are : Margaret, Matthew, Eleanor, Matilda, and Mary Ada, deceased. The father died August 25, 1888, at the age of eighty-two years, and the mother October 4, 1887, aged seventy years. Both were members of the Presby- terian church.
- RICKER, GEORGE T., farmer, was born in Swatara township, July 13, 1839, and is a son of Frederick and Catherine (Backstoe) Rieker. The great-grandfather was a native of Germany, and served in the Revolution- ary war. The paternal grandparents were natives of Lebanon county and were en-
gaged in farming. They reared a family of seven children, of whom William alone sur- vives. The maternal grandparents were also natives of Lebanon county and engaged in farming. They had six children, and were members of the Lutheran church.
The father was born in Dauphin county, October, 1790, and received his education in his native county. He lived on the farm until he was thirty years old, and then, in 1826, engaged in the hotel business for twenty-seven years in Swatara township. He then began farming again, and contin- ued a number of years in that occupation. He finally retired to Hummelstown, where he died in May, 1872. In politics he was a Whig; and served as school director for six years in Swatara township. He was a member of the Lutheran church. His wife died in October, 1888, at the age of eighty- seven years. He was married to Miss Catherine Backstoe, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Hoover) Backstoe, in Derry town- ship, Dauphin county, February, 1821. They had thirteen children, of whom five are living: Elizabeth, Catherine, Frederick, Mary, and George T.
George T. received his education in the public schools of his native county, and lived with his parents until twenty-seven years of age. In 1866 Mr. Ricker began farming for himself on the old homestead, which he bought from his father's estate in 1873, where he has since resided. He was married, at Hummelstown, November 19, 1865, to Miss Catherine Hetrick, daughter of Adam and Margaret (Albright) Hetrick. Their children were: Maggie C .; Edwin S .; William H., who graduated from the Phila- delphia School of Pharmacy in 1895, and is now clerk for Dr. Meade, in Philadelphia; Harry C., who died September 1, 1879. In politics Mr. Ricker is a Republican, and has served as school director for six years, and held the office of tax collector one year. He is a member of the Lutheran church.
Mrs. Ricker was born May 28, 1843. Her parents were natives of Dauphin county, her father being born January 11, 1803, the mother July 11, 1798. Her father was a farmer by occupation, and married Miss Margaret Albright, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Walmer) Albright. Their chil- dren are: John H .; Adam ; William ; Cath- erine; Caroline, deceased; Margaret, de- ceased ; Amos, deceased ; and Samuel, de- ceased. The father was a tanner and died
-
--
1050
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
in 1865, and the mother in 1870. The former was a member of the Reformed church, the latter of the Lutheran.
SPITLER, ADAM G., shoemaker, was born in Jonestown, Lebanon county, October 30, 1818, and is a son of Adam and Elizabeth (Gosserd) Spitler. The grandfather was a native of Lebanon county, as were also the father and mother. The father was a weaver by trade, and followed that occupation all his life. He married Miss Elizabeth Gos- serd, and their children are: Adam G .; John, deceased ; William, deceased ; Samuel, also deceased. He filled various offices in Lebanon county, serving as constable for a number of years, and as tax collector, and for fifteen years was assessor.
Adam G. received his education in the public schools until he was sixteen years old, when he secured employment on the Union canal for two years, and then began the trade of hat manufacturer, but was com- pelled to quit because of ill health. He next learned the trade of shoemaking, and has spent most of his time since in that occupa- tion, but for a time was engaged in boating along the canal above Hummelstown. He resided for thirteen years at the old lock- house, and then built the home he now oc- cupies. He retired from work in 1894. He was married, April 18, 1842, at Jonestown, to Miss Rebecca Swartz, daughter of Andrew and Mary (Cauffer) Swartz. Their children are: Jacob, Alfred, Pollie, Benjamin, Sam- ucl, Adam, deceased, and Emma, deceased. Mr. Spitler is a Republican, and a member of the Lutheran church. Mrs. Spitler was born February 28, 1825, in Berks county, of which her parents were both natives. Her father married Miss Mary Cauffer. Their children are: Absalom; Susan; Rebecca ; Elizabeth ; Peter, deceased ; Israel, deceased ; Reuben, deceased ; Leah, deceased ; and Adeline, deceased.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.