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 90
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Their children were : George, born January 14, 1816, moved to Indiana, and died there ; John, born April 4, 1818, died in Wayne township; Susanna, born April 27, 1820, died aged four years ; Christian ; Margaret, born September 12, 1824, wife of Jonathan Spate, Jefferson township; Sarah Ann, born February 14, 1827, wife of Thomas Lebo, residing in Perry county, Pa .; Josiah, born
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May 10, 1829, died in Halifax township ; James, born February 25, 1831, farmer in Jackson township; Peter Albright, born August 8, 1833, died in February, 1896, in Wayne township; Lidian, born May 3, 1839, died in Wayne township. Mr. Hoff- man served in the war of 1812.
Christian received his education in the schools of Halifax township under his teacher, Daniel M. Minich. He was fourteen years old when his parents removed to Hali- fax township, where he was brought up, on the farm. He and his brother John carried on the farm, while his older brother and his father worked in the shop. In 1844 he was married, in Jefferson township, to Miss Susanna Enterline, daughter of Peter Enter- line, a prominent man in the township at that time. They had twelve children, of whom the survivors are: Peter Franklin, farmer in Wayne township ; Hannah Mar- tha, wife of Romanius Zimmerman, residing in New Holland, Pa .; Thomas Jefferson, at home; Samuel W., at home, married to Mary Hartman, and they have one child. Mr. Hoffman is a Democrat, and has served as assessor of the township one term, school director for several terms, and as supervisor of the township. He is a member of the Re- formed church, and has held many offices in that connection. In 1849 he bought ninety- six acres of land, mostly brush land and very little cleared, which is a part of his present place, and has since added seventy-four acres to the original purchase. He also owns an- other tract of one hundred and one acres.
- LEBO, WILLIAM H., farmer, Wayne town- ship, was born in Mifflin township, Dauphin county, Pa., August 19, 1841; son of Joseph and Sarah (Shepley) Lebo. The father was born in Upper Paxton township. He was a shoemaker, and followed that occupation until 1849, when he came to Wayne, then Jefferson township, and bought fifty acres of land, to which he later added many more. Ile removed to Halifax township and oc- cupied a tract of twenty-two acres of land, on which he died in 1893, his first wife having died in 1860. His second wife was Mary Shepley, by whom he had no children. The children by his first wife are: Elsie, resides in Nebraska ; Elmira, died in 1859; William Il .; John, in Illinois; Samuel, deceased ; Mary, in Harrisburg; Sarah, in Kansas; Charles P., in Illinois; Susan A., in Ne-
braska; Joseph, Wayne township, and three children who died young.
William H. was eight years old when his parents removed to Wayne township, where he received a common school education. He worked at home on the farm until he was eighteen years old, when he learned the trade of carpenter, and followed that occupation for twenty years or more, doing contract work at times. In 1864 he enlisted at Har- risburg in company A, Two Hundred and Tenth regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, in which he served until the close of the war, and was discharged at Arlington Heights in June, 1865. He participated in the battles of Hatch's Run, Muddy Run, Gaines' Mills, Five Forks, and was present at Lee's sur- render. . After his discharge from the army he resumed work at his trade, and followed that occupation until 1878, when he took up farming, and has been employed in agricul- tural pursuits since that date. He cultivates two farms, one of seventy-five acres and the other of eighty-one acres, both in Wayne township, and also owns twenty-six and a half acres of wood land. His first investment in land was the purchase in 1877 of the seventy-five acres which is bis present home- stead. He had previously lived for some years at Fisherville, Pa.
Mr. Lebo's first vote for President was cast for Abraham Lincoln, and he has since adhered to the Republican party. He was reared in the United Brethren church. He is a member of Post, No. 393, G. A. R. IIe was married, in Jefferson township, Novem- ber 4, 1869, to Miss Angeline Tobias, daugh- ter of Daniel W. and Mary Tobias. Their children are: Ellen Louisa, died aged seven- teen months; Thomas Edwin, shoemaker, at Harrisburg, Pa .; Daniel Tobias, a private in the United States army, at Fort Adams, New- port, R. I .; Frank Lewis, farmer, Halifax township; Mary Alice and Harry Andrews, twins; Mary Alice, married A. C. Kop- penheffer, Halifax township; Edward Mor- ris, at home ; Bella Elsie, at home ; Katie K., died young; William Joseph, at home ; James, died in infancy ; Carrie Angie, at home; Sadie Estella, at home; Vergie Ann, died in infancy.
-- LEBO, JOSEPHI A., farmer, Wayne town- ship, was born in Jefferson, now Wayne, township, Dauphin county, Pa., April 23, 1853; son of Joseph and Sarah (Shepley) Lebo. A sketch of the parents appears else-
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where in this volume. Joseph was educated in the schools of his native township, and worked at home with his father until he was seventeen years of age, when he went with his brother William H., at Fisherville, to learn the carpenter trade, with whom he remained about two years and then went to Harris- burg, where he was employed about two months as clerk in the grocery and liquor store of J. T. Lynch. After this he returned and resumed work with his father, and re- mained with him until he was twenty-six years of age. -
On September 1, 1878, he was married, at Berrysburg, Pa., to Miss Sarah C. Hoffman, who was born in the house in which she now lives, February 21, 1857, and is a daughter of John and Mary Enterline Hoffman. After marriage they were located on the father's farm for three years, after which they occu- pied the Sawyer farm for six years and then located on the present farm and later bought the place at the death of Mrs. Lebo's father, and this has since been their home. He has one hundred and eighty-five acres of culti- vated land and one hundred and twenty- four acres of wood land. Their children are: J. Howard, Fred E., and Sarah Irene. In politics Mr. Lebo is a Republican on na- tional questions, but in local and minor mat- ters is a liberal. Since May, 1895, he has held the office of justice of the peace. In religious faith and fellowship he is a Lu- theran and is a deacon in the church. He is a member of the Order United American Mechanics.
NACE, ENOCH, farmer, Wayne township, was born in Jefferson township, now a part of Wayne township, Dauphin county, Pa., September 2, 1848; son of Joseph and De- lilah (Yeager) Nace. The father was born in Halifax township, Dauphin county, Pa., August 23, 1814. He was a farmer and fol- lowed that occupation till his death in the fall of 1891. In 1878 he removed with his family to the place now occupied by his son Enoch. His wife was born August 31, 1819. Their children are: Sarah A., born January 25, 1840, died young ; Susan, born December 24, 1840, wife of Samuel Gilbert, Lykens Val- ley ; Catherine, born in August, 1842, wife of Philip Lebo, residing in Washington State ; Elizabeth, born June 18, 1844, died aged four . years; Mary Jane, born February 2, 1846; John W., born October 25, 1847, died in in- fancy; Enoch ; Sarah Frances, born June
24, 1851, wife of Samuel Sweigard, Millers- burg, Pa .; John Benjamin, born April 25, 1853. The father was prominent in town- ship offices and was a Republican.
Enoch received a common school educa- tion in his native township and lived at home, working on the farm with his father. In 1885 he went to Carroll county, Ill., where he was variously employed, working on the farm, in the tile mill, and tending saloon, until December, 1890, when he returned to his home, where he has since remained. He was first married to Miss Viola Arndt, by whom he had three children: Harry O., Morna E., and Dorothy D. He was married, secondly, March 25, 1893, to Miss Sarah A. Bowerman, daughter of Levi and Elizabeth Bowerman, and they have one child, Merle Edward. In politics Mr. Nace is a strong Republican. He was reared in the United Brethren church but holds no membership in any denomination.
-SHEETZ, WASHINGTON, farmer, Wayne township, was born on the old homestead in Wayne township, Dauphin county, Pa., June 15, 1846; son of William and Barbara (Zimmerman) Sheetz. The parents are re- ferred to in connection with the sketch of George Sheetz in another place in this volume. Washington was reared on the farm and attended the common schools of his township. He remained at home and worked on the farm until the fall of 1875. At this date he was married, in Wayne township, to Miss Mary E., daughter of John Hoffman, by whom he had two children : Sarah and Carmeata. His wife died in
August, 1883, and is buried in the Bower- man church cemetery, in Wayne township.
Mr. Sheetz was married again, September 25, 1884, to Miss Agnes Hoffman, who was born in Washington township, December 20, 1860, daughter of Cornelius and Mary Ann Hossinger, by whom he has three chil- dren : Charles Edgar, born November 25, 1885; Mary J., born in May, 1887; Carrie Agnes, born August 22, 1893. Mr. Sheetz located on this homestead in 1875, and at the death of his father in 1879 he bought the place, consisting of one hundred and thirty-seven acres, which is almost all under cultivation and on which he has made many improvements. In his politics Mr. Sheetz is a Democrat, but has never sought any office. He is a member of the Lutheran church.
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DAUPHIN COUNTY.
- SHEETZ, SAMUEL, farmer, Wayne town- ship, was born in Wayne, then Jefferson township, Dauphin county, Pa., July 30, 1836. He is a brother of George Sheetz, and his parentage and family are given in con- nection with the sketch of his brother in this volume. He attended the common schools and was reared a farmer boy, but can readily turn his hand to almost any kind of em- ployment. He was put to work quite young and has been an industrious and hard-work- ing man. He bought his present place be- fore his marriage and after that important event he located on the place and has made substantial improvements on the same. He was first married, near Harrisburg, April 8, 1873, by Rev. Edward Doren, to Miss Mary E. Stephenson, born June 4, 1847, and died September 21, 1883, and by this marriage there is one child, Emma Blanch, at home. In his second marriage, which occurred in Halifax township in 1885, he was united to Miss Rebecca Hough, by whom he has three children : Harry Samuel, born in Wayne township; Sarah Ellen, born August 10, 1887; Chester Alvin, born January 25, 1896. In his political views Mr. Sheetz is a Demo- crat, while in religious faith and fellowship he is a Lutheran.
"" SHEETZ, GEORGE, farmer, Wayne town- ship, was born in Jefferson, now Wayne township, September 15, 1832; son of Will- iam and Barbara (Zimmerman) Sheetz. The parents have twelve children : Josiah, Mary, George, Samuel, Washington, John Eliza- beth, Julia, Malinda, William, Margaret, deceased, and Emma. George was edu- cated in the common schools, was brought up on the farm and has always followed farming as his occupation. He was married, in Lykens Valley, in 1860, to Miss Margaret Snyder, who was born in Lykens Valley. Their children are: Annie, wife of Cedora Lebo, Wayne township ; Hannah, deceased, wife of Samuel Lebo; Mary, wife of Jere- miah Riegle, Halifax township ; Amanda, wife of William Litzel, Wayne township.
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Mr. Sheetz remained at home and worked on the farm until his marriage, when he bought his present place of about one hun- dred and ten or one hundred and fifteen acres, on which he has since built a fine residence, barns, outhouses, and has other- wise substantially improved the farm. In his polities he is a Democrat, but has never sought any political office. He is a member
of the Lutheran church. Mr. Sheetz has made his own way in life and is a good type of the self-made man. He is well-known and highly esteemed and is liked by all.
ETZWEILER, SAMUEL, farmer, Wayne town- ship, was born in Jefferson township, Dau- phin county Pa., April 12, 1846; son of Jonathan and Mary (Hoover) Etzweiler. George, the grandfather, was a native of Germany ; came to America when a young man, and with his family settled in Snyder county, where he spent his life and is buried. He was scalped by the Indians on one of their attacks and incursions.
Daniel, the grandfather, settled in Lykens Valley, Washington township, where he cultivated a large farm until his death, which occurred in the seventy-sixth year of his age. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. His wife was Christina Smith, by whom he reared eight sons and three daugh- ers. Three of the sons, Daniel, Michael, and Elias, served in the Union army during the war of the Rebellion, and he also was a member of the Home Guards. Being at Millersburg on one occasion when a com- pany of Indians were exhibiting their mode of warfare, he became enraged at the mem- ory of what his father had suffered at the hands of Indian warriors, precipitated a fight with them and drove them out of town.
The father was born in Washington town- ship, is a farmer by occupation, and now lives on a farm of one hundred and two acres in Wayne township. His children are : Samuel, Susan, Daniel, Elias, Catherine, George W., David H., John, and Ellen. In politics he has always been an ardent and active Democrat.
Samuel was educated in a little log school house in his native place and was put to work in his boyhood, doing a man's work on the farm when he was thirteen years of age. He remained with his father on the farm until he was eighteen years of age, when he enlisted, in 1865, at Harrisburg, in company D, One Hundred and First regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, and served until the close of the war. Ilis regi- ment was stationed first at Norfolk, Va., and later at Roanoke Island, and was finally mustered out at Newberne, N. C., in July 1865. After his discharge he came home and for some time was employed in build- ing post and rail fences, for which he ro-
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ceived fair compensation. Mr. Etzweiler was married, in June, 1867, in Middle Pax- ton township, to Catherine E. Mader, daugh- ter of John P. Mader. After his marriage he farmed on the shares in Middle Paxton township for two years, and then bought his present place of one hundred and twenty- three acres in Wayne, then Jefferson, town- ship, on which he has made many improve- ments. His children are: John P., died aged fourteen years; Mary Alice, at home, and Katie Ellen, at home. In his politics Mr. Etzweiler is a Democrat. He is at pres- ent tax collector and for three years has been elected constable, and has served several terms as supervisor. He is a member of Miller Post, G. A. R., at Fisherville. His religious fellowship is with the Reformed church, in which he was a deacon for eight years.
WEST HANOVER TOWNSHIP.
- RAUCH, JOHN M., postmaster at Manada Hill, Pa., was born in West Hanover township, Dauphin county, Pa., December 25, 1833. John Rauch, the father of John M., was born May 28, 1774. He was for many years an honored resident of West Hanover town- ship, and married Mary Miller. They had these children : Elizabeth, wife of Jonathan Kelchler, deceased ; Mary, widow of the late Martin Brenner; Rebecca, wife of Peter Krautzer; John M., Samuel, and William. Mr. Rauch died July 25, 1851.
John M. Rauch had only slender educa- tional advantages in his early life. He learned the trade of painting, and followed this occupation for about thirty-five years. He was also employed to some extent in carpentry and farming. In addition to his duties as postmaster he still devotes his spare moments to painting. In 1870 he was elected tax collector, and served in this capa- city one year. In 1884 he was elected super- visor and served one year. In 1889 he was elected school commissioner and efficiently performed the duties of the office for three years. In 1891 he was appointed postmaster at Manada Hill. By his fidelity and his obliging disposition he has made himself a very popular official. He was married, in Dauphin county, December 29, 1859, to Catherine Brenzinger. They had these chil- dren : Curtin Ann ; Mary L., wife of Irwin Moyer, died June 3, 1882; William F .;
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John Henry ; Annie M., died July 9, 1880 ; Laura E .; Emma R., wife of Reily S. Cramer ; and Norman B. Mrs. Rauch died June 23, 1883, aged forty-one years.
BELLMAN, SAMUEL, was born in Berks county, Pa., June 30, 1854. He is a son of the late Simon and Elizabeth (Brown) Bell- man. His parents had eight children : Mary, wife of Samuel Brandt ; Hannah, wife of Frank Hain; Samuel; Rebecca, wife of Charles Kenney ; Elizabeth, wife of Ezra Struhower; Daniel; Sarah, wife of Peter Hartman; and David, who died in infancy. The parents of both Mr. and Mrs. Bellman were well known throughout Lebanon, Berks and Dauphin counties. Mr. Bellman, the father of Samuel, was born and reared in Berks county.
Samuel Bellman- had a common school education. He lived out as a farmer's boy, and thus learned the business which he car- ried on through life. He was married, in Lebanon county, Pa., September 3, 1876, to Miss Catherine, daughter of Solomon and Fannie (Keiter) Cassel. They have two children : Michael and Agnes. When Mr. Bellman moved to West Hanover township he began farming there, and in this vocation he is still engaged. He is a self made man, having early learned to depend upon his own efforts. He is estecmed by all his ac- quaintances.
-- KRAMER, JOHN H., was born in West Hanover township, Dauphin county, Pa., on the old homestead where be now resides, June 11, 1837. He is a son of the late John and Catherine (Gerberich) Kramer. His parents were both residents of Dauphin county. Two of their children died in in- fancy, and Katie died aged fifteen. Their living children are: Josiah, George W., John H., David, and Mary E., wife of George Knubb. The father died aged seventy-nine; the mother is still living and in good health at the age of eighty-two.
John H. Kramer was educated in the pub- lic schools and in the St. Thomas Institute at Linglestown, Pa. He taught school for twelve consecutive years. At the end of this time failing health compelled him to aban- don teaching ; he has since that time made farming his occupation. In 1869 he was elected school director for West Hanover township and served continuously and ac- ceptably for twelve years. He was also
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elected tax collector, and served two terms. In 1886 he was elected township clerk, which office he still holds. He was married, in West Hanover township, October 13, 1859, to Miss Lizzie A., daughter of Samuel and Susan Hassel. Of their nine children eight are living: Ira W .; Calvin A .; John E .; Laura E., wife of Jacob Meyers ; Frances B., wife of Samuel Witmer; Samuel ; Harvey F .; Katie G., wife of Jacob J. Eshenaur, and Susan M. The parents of Mrs. Kramer had ten children, of whom eight are living : Emanuel, Samuel, Susan, Wilhelmina, Liz- zie, Edward, Elias, Katie, Harriet, and Emma. Both families are worthy and highly respected.
DEMMY, DAVID, was born in Dauphin county, Pa., August 4, 1840. He is a son of the late David and Catherine (Siler) Demmy. Christian Demmy, grandfather of David, was born in Lancaster county ; he removed to Dauphin county and was a farmer. He married Catherine Hoover, and they had eight children, five sons and three daugh- ters, and all lived to a ripe old age. David Demmy, Sr., was the youngest son of Chris- tian Demmy. He was born in Dauphin county, and he, too, was a farmer. He was twice married. His first wife, Catherine Siler, was the mother of David Demmy, Jr. His second wife was Polly Fox ; her chil- dren were: Johnson and John H. David Demmy, Sr., died at the age of sixty-three.
David Deminy, Jr., took a partial course of study in the common schools; but for the most part he is self-made, being indebted for his success to his own efforts. He learned farming in boyhood and it was his occupa- tion till he attained the age of twenty- eight years. He also learned carpentry, and worked at this trade for twelve years. In August, 1862, he enlisted for the nine months' service in company C, One Hun- dred and Twenty-seventh regiment, Penn- sylvania volunteers. He was honorably discharged on account of ill health, which obliged him to return home. He then took up agricultural work, and was occupied with his farm until within a few years. Not being strong enough for farming he has given up active employment. He was mar- ried, December 24, 1864, to Miss Lydia, daughter of Jacob and Lydia (Leob) Stahle. Their children are: Noah E .; William F .; Agnes ; Clara, wife of Grant S. Wagner, and two who died in infancy. Mr. Demmy is a
Republican. In 1879 he was elected super- visor of West Hanover township, which po- sition he held for three years. He is a mem- ber of the Lutheran church.
Jacob Stahle, father of Mrs. Demmy, was a native of Germany, born in 1804; he came to America at fourteen years of age. JIe was a farmer and shoemaker, and an hon- ored resident of Dauphin county for over seventy years. He died in East Hanover township, October 23, 1895. In 1829 be married Lydia Leob, a native of Dauphin county. They had ten children, of whom eight are living : John, residing in Palmyra, Pa .; Amanda, widow of the late Jeremiah Gastrock; Louisa, wife of James Witman, of Swatara township ; Henry ; William ; Lydia ; Noah, and Sallie, wife of Josiah Lingle, of South Hanover township.
MILLER, JACOB F., justice of the peace, was born in West Hanover township, Dauphin county, Pa., December 14, 1834. He is a son of the late Jacob and Sarah (Fackler) Miller, both natives of Dauphin county, where they spent their lives. His father died at the age of seventy-one, and his mother at the age of sixty-two years. They had six children, of whom Jacob F. is the only one now living.
Jacob F. Miller was brought up on the farm, and received the advantages of a common school education. For fifty years he has de- voted his attention and his efforts to agricul- tural pursuits. In 1869 he was elected a school director and filled the office for three years. He was assessor of the township for eight years. As a justice of the peace he has been honored by the citizens of the town- ship with an unusually long term of ser- vice. He was first elected in 1869, and was kept in office ten years. In 1884 he was again elected and has held the office continu- ously since that date. He is universally recognized as an able, faithful, and impartial officer. Mr. Miller was married, December 8, 1853, to Caroline, daughter of the late John and Elizabeth (Strohm) Forney. They have had five children : Monroc, John J., Alfred J. S., Robert S., and Emma, wife of James M. Rauch. Monroe died December 5, 1854, and John J. August 21, 1869. Mr. Miller's politi- cal opinions are Republican.
-MUMMA, JOHN, was born in West Hanover township, Dauphin county, Pa., December 26, 1827. Ile is a son of John and Catherine (Ormond) Mumma. His father was born in
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BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Lancaster county, and came to Dauphin county in 1825. He was twice married. His first wife was Catherine Ormond; of their two children, John Mumma, Jr., is the only one living. The second wife was a Miss Weller, by whom he had six children, two of whom are living. The father died at the age of seventy-five. John Mumma obtained a common school education. In his boyhood he learned carpentry, which was his occupa- tion for about ten years. He then bought a farm in Fishing Creek Valley, which he has cultivated up to the present time. Mr. Mumma was married, May 27, 1856, to Sarah Flory, daughter of the late Henry and Susan (Look) Flory. Of their thirteen children, eleven are living : Harriet, wife of John Sei- bert; Isaiah; Emanuel; Susan, wife of Thomas Lingle; John H .; Elias; Priscilla, wife of John Hoover; David; William; Sarah, wife of William Rhoads, and Emma.
-MUMMA, ISAIAH, was born in Fishing Creek Valley, West Hanover township, Dau- phin county, Pa., February 3, 1859. He is a son of John and Sarah (Flory) Mumma, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. In his boyhood he had opportu- nity for securing an education in the public schools. But he was a very industrious helper in farm work, and was in haste to be engaged in the actual business of life. He tried farm work until he was twenty years old, and then concluded it would be better to learn a trade. Accordingly, in 1880, he went to learn the business of a carpenter and continued in it for three years. He afterwards resumed farming. He was mar- ried, April 18, 1880, to Miss Mary, daughter of Thomas and Kate (Raver) Shellahamer. They have had three children, two of whom are living : Stella M. and Gilbert. Mr. Mumma is now managing one of his father's farms. He is a promising young farmer and esteemed by all who know him.
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