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 89
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buying the property and putting in a new general stock of goods, and has since con- tinued the business. He was appointed Gov- ernment store keeper and gauger and had the position until a change of administra- tion, during which time he sayed from his income $27,000. But he later met with ad- versity, losing in 1876 and 1877 $21,000. which did not discourage him, but impelled him to renewed energy and enterprise.
Mr. Stine was married, in Upper Paxton township, December 17, 1850, to Miss Eliza- beth Buffington, a native of Gratz, Pa., and a daughter of Maj. Jacob Buffington. She died May 15, 1893. She was a devout mem- ber of the Lutheran church and much in- terested in all charitable work, and a loving and faithful wife and mother. Their children are : Ellen R., Mrs. George Diebler ; Sarah L., wife of D. J. Diebler; Isaac F .; Cathe- rine, deceased; Peter; David; John J .; Harry W .; Carrie, Mrs. Charles E. Cooper ; and Samuel J. Mr. Stine is a Democrat and is serving as a school director. In 1875, and again in 1877, he was elected county com- missioner, but was counted out both times. He was an elder in the Reformed church for many years and takes an active interest in Sunday-school matters.
- STINE, JOSIAHI P., farmer and tanner, was born in Lykens township, Dauphin county, Pa., September 9, 1837. He attended schoo! only ten days in all his life. He worked at home for his father until he was sixteen years of age, when he and his brother went West in search of employment, in 1855, and rented a farm in Ogle county, Iil. They were soon discouraged and remained only two months, returning home in May. On the way his pocket was picked of $32. He then served an apprenticeship of two and a half years at the tanner's trade at Gratz, Pa., after which he bought the home tannery and eight acres of land in Washington township, where he has continued for thirty-seven years. He has added to the original pur- chase forty-nine acres and has conducted farming operations in connection with the tannery.
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He was married, at Gratz, Pa., February 16, 1857, to Miss Catherine Louisa Good, born in Lykens township, November 5, 1837 : daughter of Daniel and Margaret (Rudy) Good. Their children are: Franklin Peter. born August 6, 1858, in Lykens township, educated in the township school, Berrysburg
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Academy and Millersville State Normal School, and has taught six years in Wash- ington township and three years in Upper Paxton ; Daniel M., born in Washington township, February 24, 1860, educated in home schools and Millerstown Academy and is now assistant in the high school at Will- iamstown, married to Mary C. Frank ; Mary J., born January 9, 1863, wife of Samuel W. Cooper. Mr. Stine is a Democrat in politics and an active worker in the Reformed church.
WEBNER, AARON, farmer, Washington township, was born in Washington town- ship, Dauphin county, Pa., October 2, 1853 ; son of George and Hannah (Longabach) Webner. He attended the common schools in his native township during the winter months and worked on the home farm in the summers, and remained at home till his marriage, which occurred in Washington township, December 2, 1876, when he was united to Miss Mary Jane Sulzbach, daugh- ter of Joseph and Hannah (Landis) Sulz- bach. His father having returned to Eliza- bethville, he located on the old homestead, and has since bought the place, which con- sists of fifty acres with good buildings and other improvements. His children are : Hannah Nora, born September 2, 1877, at home; George Joseph, born December 28, 1879; Annie M., born October 5, 1883, at home; Edward Allen, born July 2, 1887. Mr. Webner is a Democrat in his political views. He is a member of the Lutheran church, and has served as elder, deacon and trustee for some years.
BOYER, WESLEY, farmer, Washington township, was born on his present farm, in Washington township, Dauphin county, Pa., November 14, 1856; son of Gabriel and Maulda (Ginler) Boyer. The father was born in Berks county, Pa., in 1823, and when a boy removed with his parents to Lower Mahanoy township, Northumberland county, where he was reared and educated. In 1842 he came with his parents to Dauphin county and learned the miller's trade near Loyalton, at which he worked for a short time. When his father died he took the old Lowe farm at Millersburg, which he worked for a year or two, and subsequently gave his attention to farming until his death, October 14, 1887. He is interred in the Berrysburg cemetery. Ilis wife survived him, passing away in May,
1892. She was of the Lutheran faith, and active in Christian and benevolent affairs. Mr. Boyer was a Democrat in politics.
Wesley was the only child of his parents, and they afforded him the most liberal edu- cational advantages. They planned to give him a collegiate education, but he preferred business to study, and desired to be a mer- chant. His father did not deem it necessary for him to go into business, as he was the only child and heir and would succeed to the homestead. He developed unusual me- chanical ability, and has constructed several farming implements and does all his own repairing. Mr. Boyer was married, in Washington township, in 1880, to Miss Lydia Ann Row, daughter of John M. and Lizzie (Wolf) Row. After the death of his parents he occupied the old homestead, to the owner- ship of which he succeeded. Their only child, Frances Ellen, was born October 15, 1880. Mr. Boyer is a Democrat in his po- litical views.
ARNTS, JACOB, creameryman, Elizabeth- ville, Pa., was born in Bainbridge, Lancaster county, Pa., January 13, 1858; son of John and Barbara Arnts. The grandfather, Garret Arnts, was a lumberman and died in the lumber regions. The father was born in Clearfield county, Pa., and is a day laborer. He was reared in Bainbridge, Lancaster county, where he resides at the present time in the enjoyment of good health. His chil- dren are : Lizzie, Mrs. Sears, Harrisburg, Pa., Mahata, Mrs. Eners, York, Pa .; Jacob; Gar- ret, merchant in Lebanon; Harry, cigar maker, York, Pa .; Samina, Mrs. Addick, re- siding near Harrisburg. In politics the father is a Republican, and entered the army in 1861 and served until the close of the war.
Jacob received his education in the com- mon schools of his native place. At the age of twelve he began work as a farm hand and used his earnings for the support of the family. He was married, in Mt. Joy, Lancaster county, October 9, 1881, to Miss Labina Fack, who is a native of Lancaster county and was born in 1862. Their children are: Norman F., Elsie, Clara, and Howard. After his mar- riage, Mr. Arnts first settled on a farm near Mt. Joy, and worked by the day for two years, when he went to Lancaster and was engaged in a creamery for one year; at the end of which time he returned to Mt. Joy. He next went to Bird-in-Hand, Lancaster county, and worked in a creamery for five years. From
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here he moved to Millerstown, Perry county, where he established a creamery, which he operated for some time, then came to Eliza- bethville and began business with Messrs. Mittis & Speck. Firm continued thus for three years, when Mr. Speck sold his interest to Arnts and Mittis, under which name the firm now does business. In 1892 a branch creamery was started at Gratz. In politics Mr. Arnts is a Republican and has never sought any office.
WAYNE TOWNSHIP.
SPONSLER, JOSEPH D., was born in Halifax township, Dauphin county, Pa., September 28, 1844. He is a son of Andrew and Ann (Sweigard) Sponsler. The Sponslers are of German ancestry and were all staunch Dem- ocrats. Andrew Sponsler was born in Middle Paxton township and grew up in his native place. He was a wagon maker. After his marriage he settled in Halifax township and was engaged in farming until he went West with his daughters. He died in the West about 1890. His wife had preceded him to the grave by about fifteen years. Their chil- dren are : Michael W .; Harriet, wife of Harry Northhammer, Harrisburg, Pa .; Mar- garet, wife of Wesley Stover, resides in the West; John A., died aged about thirty-five years; Joseph D .; Susan, married to a Mr. Black, resides in the West; Henry, died aged twenty-two years; and William, mar- ried and resides in the West.
Joseph D. Sponsler attended the common schools of Matamoras, Halifax township. After finishing his school education he re- mained with his father on the farm until he was twenty-one. He then began an appren- ticeship of three years at blacksmithing with Leonard Poffenberger at Dauphin, Pa. He was to receive $36 per year for his services, and at the end of three years he had $36 due him. From Dauphin he went to Millers- burg and worked at his trade for Theodore Jury at $50 per month. At the end of four months he went to Halifax and worked for Christian Lyter at $40 per month. A few months later he began business for himself in Halifax and continued there for several years. Hle then opened a shop below Mata- moras, where he remained for about three years. After this he bought his present place of Jacob Stansbury, consisting of a shop and about eight acres of land, for which he
paid $700. Ife has since built a new house and barn and made other improvements. About 1870 Mr. Sponsler began to offer his services as an auctioneer, and he has been widely employed in this capacity. In both branches of his business, as blacksmith and as auctioneer, he is successful. In the latter vocation he is brought into contact with the people of this and adjacent counties, and being a close observer, with a keen apprecia- tion of the humorous phases of human na- ture, he has many interesting and amusing things to tell of his experiences.
Joseph Sponsler was married, in Halifax township, September 26, 1867, to Miss Sarah A., daughter of Jacob Knauff. They have five children : Jacob K., married Annie Lebo. resides in the borough of Halifax ; Laura, wife of Thomas Lebo, Harrisburg, Pa .; John N., operator at Burlingame, Pa .; Harvey, and Sylvia, at home. Mr. Sponsler is a strong Republican. He was for four years constable in Halifax township. He and his wife were reared in the United Brethren church. Mr. Sponsler is a self-made man. He is a good talker, intelligent and sociable, and enjoys the esteem and good will of his neighbors.
-ENDERS, JOHN, was born in Jefferson town- ship, now Wayne, Dauphin county, Pa., Au- gust 26, 1837. He is a son of Philip and Nancy (Sheetz) Enders. Philip Enders was born in Jackson township, Dauphin county, May 22, 1805. He grew up and married in his native place. After his marriage he sue- ceeded his father on the place where his son, John Enders, now resides; he remained upon this place until his death, which occurred December 14, 1859. His wife died January 9, 1891. Their living children are: Sarah, widow of Benjamin Radel, Wayne township ; Mary, wife of Samuel Coogley, Logansport, Ind .; Peter, farmer in Jefferson township; John; Elizabeth, widow of John Lebo, Wayne township; Amanda, wife of Elias Rettinger, Wayne township. Mr. Enders was a Democrat.
John Enders was educated in the common schools of his native place, and left school at about eighteen years of age. He was reared as farmer's boys usually are. Hle succeeded his father on the home farm in 1859, and since that time, with the exception of two years, he has always farmed the place. In 1865 he went West on a tour of inspection, seeking a favorable place to locate. He was accompanied by his wife, visited Indiana and
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Illinois, and was absent seven months. He rented his farm for two years, and left his live stock in care of his neighbors while he was on his journey. He bought a home in Armstrong Valley, Jackson township.
Mr. Enders was married, in Jackson town- ship, October 9, 1859, to Miss Amanda, daughter of John Grimm. They have five children : Charles, merchant at Logansport ; Clara, died aged three years; Alice, wife of Abel Palmer, Washington township; Har- vey and Katy, at home. Mr. Ender's is a strong Democrat. He is a member of the United Brethren church, is a trustee of the church, and treasurer both of the church and of the Sunday-school. In December, 1895, Mr. and Mrs. Enders paid a visit to their son, who was sick at Logansport, Ind.
HOFFMAN, CORNELIUS, was born in Mifflin township, afterwards Washington township, Dauphin county, Pa., April 24, 1831. He was a son of Christian and Sarah (Tobias) Hoffman. His great-grandfather, John P. Hoffman, came from Germany when a young man, and located in Berks county, Pa., whence he later removed on horseback to Lykens Valley. The country at that time was wild and occupied by Indians, numer- ous and savage, from whom the travelers were often compelled to flee. When Mr. Hoffman reached Lykens Valley an old rooster crowed, and he took that as a sign to stop and make a home there. He died in Lykens Valley at the advanced age of ninety. Christian Hoffman, grandfather of Cornelius, succeeded his father, John P., on the home- stead in Lykens Valley, and died there. His son Christian, father of Cornelius Hoff- man, was born in Lykens Valley, near Short Mountain, Dauphin county, Pa., July 30, 1799. He grew up in his native place, was married there and there died, June 1, 1870. He was fairly educated and was a farmer. He was a member of the Reformed church. His wife Sarah was born in Berne town- ship, Berks county, Pa., October 5, 1802, and came with her mother in early youth to Lykens Valley, her father having lost his life by falling from his barn. She died Sep- tember 5, 1870. Their children are: Will- iam, born August 5, 1823, resided in Lykeus Valley until he was forty-seven years old, then removed to Illinois, and finally located at Victoria, Cass county, Neb., where he died in 1894, leaving a daughter and three sons ; Sarah, born December 5, 1825, mar-
ried Benjamin Swamp, resided in Mercer county, Pa., until 1884, since which date they have been residents of Kansas; Mary M., born April 12, 1828, widow of John Um- holtz, of Halifax township, Dauphin county ; Cornelius; Peter, born February 22, 1833, died of apoplexy in Lykens Valley, Febru- ary 15, 1895; Rebecca, born November 13, 1834, widow of Emanuel Forney, living with her son, near Fisherville, Pa .; John T., born July 12, 1837, resides in Upper Paxton town- ship; Henry H., born December 16, 1839, since 1870 a resident of Republic county, Kan .; Susan, born December 27, 1842, mar- ried John Knoll, removed to Mercer county, Pa., later to Cincinnati, Ohio, and died there in the fall of 1895; Emma J., born April 22, 1846, married Joseph Tyson, who died in Powell's Valley, she went to Kansas about 1872, and married a Mr. Rowe, witli whom she lives in the Indian Territory ; and Sallie C., born November 4, 1847, wife of George Dunkle, removed to Mercer county, and later to Butler county, Pa., where they now reside.
Cornelius Hoffman first attended the schools of his native place, and afterwards was a pupil at the Berrysburg Seminary for two years. He was twenty-three years old when he left the seminary; he afterwards taught school for twelve winter terms in Jefferson and Washington townships. He was brought up a farmer's boy, and never served an apprenticeship at any trade, yet he was skillful in the use of tools, and could accomplish good mechanical results in carpentry and other branches of work- manship. He made himself a gun. While teaching school during the winter seasons, Mr. Hoffman would work for wages as a farm hand in the busy months for farm work; thus he obtained the means for a more liberal education. He literally edu- cated himself by the labor of his hands.
Cornelius Hoffman was married, in Jack- son township, November 4, 1856, to Mary Ann Hassinger, born in Lykens township, Dauphin county. When about eight years of age she removed with her parents to Washington township, where she resided until her marriage. She died August 29, 1895, aged sixty years, eight months and twenty-three days. Mrs. Hoffman was the daughter of Jeremiah and Esther (Smells) Hassinger. In carly infancy she was ad- mitted to the membership of the Reformed church, through the rite of baptism, by
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S. J. M. MCCARRELL.
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DAUPHIN COUNTY.
Rev. Isaac Steiley. She was buried in the cemetery of St. Paul's (Bowman's) church, August 31, 1895. She was an estimable lady, a kind mother, and a faithful and loving wife; she was loved and honored by all for her many virtues. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman are: William H., born in Washington township, February 26, 1859, attended school there, and now man- ages the home farm; Agnes Rebecca, born December 20, 1860, wife of Washington Sheetz, Wayne township; Lucy Ellen, born December 20, 1862, at home; Margaret E., born November 4, 1864, wife of William Dempsey, Wayne township; John C., born May 19, 1867, went to Cass county, Ind., February, 1895, now a farm hand there; Charles D., born September 16, 1869, gradu- ate of Ada College, Ohio, school teacher in Jefferson township; Jacob T., born Novem- ber 9, 1872, at present teaching school in Wayne township; he is a graduate of Berrysburg Seminary, and is now taking a special course in Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pa .; Aaron M., born December 23, 1874, at home; Albert H., born August 16, 1876, went to Cass county, Ind., February, 1895, is a farm hand there.
After their marriage Mr. Hoffman and his wife went to housekeeping on his father's farm; they soon after purchased the farm, and in 1879 sold it and removed to Wayne township, and located in their pres- ent home. Mr. Hoffman has a farm of seventy-six acres under high cultivation. Since 1860 Mr. Hoffman has been a Repub- lican. He was for three years assessor, and school director for four years; he has held several offices in Washington township. He is not a politician, and has never sought elevation to office. Mr. Hoffman is a mem- ber of the Reformed church. He is intelli- gent, a good talker, genial and sociable, and is highly esteemed.
HOOVER, HENRY, was born in Lykens township, Dauphin county, Pa., in 1833 ; son of John and Margaret (Lebo) Hoover. His grandfather, Jacob Hoover, was a farmer. He was a man of large size. He settled in Lykens township, where he died nearly a hundred years old. His son, John Hoover, was born in Lykens township, and was a farmer and miller. He was twice married. By his first wife his children are: John, Elias, Josiah, Daniel, Henry, Thomas, Su- sanna, Polly, and Rebecca. He had no chil-
dren by his second wife, who preceded him to the grave. He died in Lykens Valley, aged seventy-two. He was a Democrat.
Henry Hoover was educated in the schools of Lykens township and reared a farmer; he remained on the home farm until his mar- riage. He was married, in Lykens township, in 1859, to Miss Amanda Ricard, born in Lykens township. After his marriage he resided with his father seven years and then came to Wayne township, then Jefferson, and bought one hundred and eighteen acres of land, upon which he has since made sub- stantial improvements, and now has a good house and barn and all other needful or de- sirable structures. His children are : John H., farmer, Halifax township; Tobias, now at home sick ; Priscilla, deceased ; Kate, wife of Aaron Riegle, Lebanon county, Pa .; Louisa, deceased ; Isaiah, deceased ; Emma J., Lean- der, Alfred and Amanda, all deceased; Rose Ann, wife of Charles Palmer; Ida Rebecca ; Isabella, deceased ; Sadie Ellen. Mr. Hoover is a Democrat. He is a school director, hav- ing been elected in 1895. He is a member of the Reformed church.
MCLAUGHLIN, ALEXANDER, merchant and postmaster, Enterline, Pa., was born in Jef- ferson township, Dauphin county, Pa., Octo- ber 13, 1841 ; son of Archibald and Rebecca (Wells) MeLaughlin. His grandfather, the elder Alexander McLaughlin, was born in Ireland in 1770, and came to the United States in 1788, landing at.Philadelphia, Pa. Here he was married and resided for a num- ber of years, and then removed to Lancaster county, and later to Dauphin county, where he settled in Jefferson township, and re- mained there until his death in 1857. He was a farmer. His wife was Catherine Fitz- patrick, widow of Daniel Frazier. Their children were: Alexander, born 1807, died September 24, 1828; Catherine, married Archibald McMichaels, removed to Iowa about 1840, both died there; Rosanna, mar- ried, first, Mr. McFarland ; they removed to Iowa, where he died, and she afterwards married a Mr. Colby.
Alexander McLaughlin, father of Alex- ander (3), was a native of Lancaster county, Pa. He was a farmer, and was one of the first settlers in Jackson township, Dauphin county, where he died in October, ISSS. His wife preceded him in death. Their children are: Samuel, died aged sixteen years ; Mary, deceased, wife of John Garner ;
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BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Hannah, died aged thirteen years ; Alexan- der. Mr. Mclaughlin, the father, was a pleasing public speaker and took an active part in politics.
Alexander McLaughlin (3) was educated in the common schools of his native place, and was reared a farmer boy. He remained and worked at home until he was nineteen years old. He then engaged to work as a farm hand at $9 per month for Amos Fisler, near Harrisburg. Mr. MeLaughlin enlisted, September 4, 1861, at Camp Curtin, Harris- burg, for three years, as private in company A, Fiftieth Pennsylvania volunteers. After serving thirteen months he was transferred to battery E, Second United States artillery, in which he served twenty-three months, and was discharged at Washington, D. C., Sep- tember 5, 1864. The engagements in which he took part are : Pocalogo, N. C .; the fight- ing along the Rappahannock, followed by the second Bull Run ; Chantilly, where he was slightly wounded in the left shoulder ; South Mountain, Antietam, and Fredericksburg. In the spring of 1863 he was ordered to Lex- ington, Ky., whence his regiment proceeded South and took part in the siege of Vicks- burg, thence to Jackson, Miss., skirmishing all the way. From Jackson they moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, thence to Lexington, Ky .; the next battle was Cumberland Gap, fol- lowed by the siege of Knoxville, Tenn. Re- joined the Army of the Potomac in the spring of 1864, and with that army engaged in the battles of Spottsylvania, the Wilder- ness, Cold Harbor, Mine Run, then Peters- burg; thence they were ordered to Washing- ton, D. C., where Mr. Mclaughlin received his discharge on account of the expiration of his term of service. He lay in the hospital at Cincinnati, Ohio, over six weeks with fever. After his discharge from the army Mr. Mclaughlin returned home and went to work; assisting in building the Cove furnace in Perry county, Pa.
In the spring of 1866 Mr. MeLaughlin re- moved to Cass county, Ind., but not liking the country, he returned to Dauphin county in the next fall, located in Jefferson township, and engaged in huckstering. After a few years at this business he removed to Will- iamstown and opened a restaurant, which he conducted one year. He then returned to Jefferson township and farmed for two years in connection with huckstering. In the spring of 1893 he purchased the John Enter-
line stock of goods, at Enterline, Pa., and has conducted the business up to date.
Mr. MeLaughlin was married, in Jefferson township in the spring of 1866, to Miss Amanda Spade. Their children are: Ida Alice, widow of Mr. Snyder; Minnie F., died aged four years; Robert B., miner at Tower City, Pa .; William E., deceased ; Sam- uel C., deceased ; John H., Harry E., and Curtin, all at home; Harvey O., deceased.
Mr. Mclaughlin is a Democrat. Ile has been justice of the peace for five years, con- stable four years, school director eight years and postmaster at Enterline since 1893. He is a member of Heilner Post, No. 232, G. A. R., at Lykens. Mr. Laughlin is of fine build and military bearing. He is a promi- nent and honored man.
HOFFMAN, CHRISTIAN, farmer, Wayne township, was born in Lykens township, Dauphin county, Pa., November 11, 1821; son of John B. and Barbara (Bowman) Hoff- man. Christian Hoffman, the grandfather, was a native of Lancaster county, and came with his parents when a boy to Lykens Valley, where he grew up on the farm. He married Susanna Diebler, and shortly after- wards moved to Halifax township, where he died about 1845. His children are: Ann Mary ; John Peas; John B .; Daniel G .; Peter ; Christian ; Jonas; Philip ; Simon ; Susanna, married Philip Shutt ; and Cathe- rine, married Jonathan Novinger.
The father was born in Mifflin township, September 17, 1793. The mother was born in Halifax township, May 19, 1795. The father early learned the trade of a black- smith, and made the irons for Buchanan's forge, Carton's furnaces and forges in Clark's Valley, and also the irons for the Poor House mill. He came to Halifax township with his family about 1831, and bought a small farm, and also worked at his trade in a shop of his own. Later he removed to Powell's Valley, where he died April 30, 1875, his wife having died October 12, 1860.
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