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 91
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-GAISTWHITE, JOSEPH, was born in West Hanover township, Dauphin county, Pa., April 9, 1830. He is a son of the late Henry and Christiana (Ricker) Gaistwhite. His father was born in Chester county, Pa. He served in the war of 1812. He was married, in Dauphin county, to Miss Ricker, a native of that county. They had twelve children : John R .; William; Joseph ; Mary M., wife of John R. Lydic; Michacl; Catherine, wife of Reuben Alleman; Sallie, wife of
Henry Chritchley ; Hannah, wife of Isaac Sellers; David, Henry, Daniel, and Frank- lin. Seven of these are deceased.
Joseph Gaistwhite obtained a common school education. After leaving school he learned shoemaking, and followed the trade for twenty-six years. In 1863 he began farming, and has carried on this business to the present time. In 1884 he was elected school director and served with acceptance for three years. He was married, October 11, 1858, to Miss Levina, daughter of John Kelley. They have had twelve children : Sophia; Kate, wife of Joseph Early ; twins, unnamed ; Joseph Grant; Delia; George W .; John C .; Frank M .; Emma, wife of Grant Runkle ; and David R. The father of Mrs. Gaistwhite died aged fifty-two, and her mother aged eighty-seven years. Both were residents of Dauphin county.
MOUNTZ, ADAM, was born in Germany, January 26, 1836. He is a son of the late Leonard and Rosanna (Schanheitz) Mountz. A sketch of his father's life appears in another place in this volume. His parents had four children : Catherine, wife of Will- iam Pentcove, and of George Sluscher; Leon- ard; Adam; and Hannah, wife of Enoch Runkle. His father was a Republican, and a member of the Lutheran church.
Adam Mountz came to America with his mother in 1843. They landed in New York, spent a few days there, and then joined his father, who two years before had settled in West Hanover township, Dauphin county, Pa. He secured a fair education in the public schools. He worked out among the farmers, and in this way made a be- ginning in business for himself. In 1860 he was engaged in the car shops at Harris- burg, Pa. He was married, January 5, 1861, to Miss Martha, daughter of Henry S. and Anna Staut. They have had three children, of whom C. Annie is the only one living. In 1862 Mr. Mountz and his brother bought a farm and began farming, and have continued in the business up to the present time.
MOUNTZ, LEONARD, was born in Germany, September 25, 1832. He is a son of the late Leonard and Rosanna (Schanheitz) Mountz. His father was born in Germany in 1793, came to America in 1840, and settled in West Hanover township, Dauphin county, Pa. His wife, also a native of Germany, fol-
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lowed him two years later. He died in West Hanover at the age of sixty-five. He served seven years in the German army, and par- ticipated in the war with Napoleon. He re- ceived a severe wound in that service, the effects of which he carried to his grave. His wife died in West Hanover township, aged seventy-nine years.
Leonard Mountz came with his mother to America when he was ten years of age. They joined his father, who had settled in West Hanover two years before. He attended the public schools and received a fair education. His first employment was as a farm hand, and he has made farming his occupation. He was married, in 1859, to Miss Harriet, daughter of Henry and Anna (Staut) Staut. They have seven children : Emma, wife of Solomon Buck ; John W .; Alice; Daniel ; Libbie, wife of John Bolton; Sadie, wife of Frank Wolfelsberger, and Hattie. Mr. Mountz was elected supervisor of West Han- over township, and served one year; then school director of the same township, and served five years; after which he was again elected supervisor. In 1863 he was drafted for three years' service in the United States army. His political views are Democratic. Mr. Mountz is a faithful member of the Lu- theran church.
ALLEN, JOHN M., was born in West Han- over township, Dauphin county, Pa., July 3, 1860. He is a son of the late William and Maria (Albright) Allen. His father, William Allen, was born in West Hanover township, in 1809, and was a farmer. His wife, Maria Albright, was born in the same township, in 1826. They had five children, three of whom are living : William F .; Mary Jane, wife of John E. Hetrich ; and John M. In 1840 he was elected captain of a battalion of militia and served for twenty years. He taught for twenty years in the schools of West Hanover and Lower Paxton townships and filled vari- ous other public offices in Dauphin county. He was a Republican. He was a member of the Presbyterian, and his wife of the Lu- theran church. He died July 12, 1880, aged seventy-one, and she died in 1877, aged fifty- one years.
John M. Allen received his education in the public schools. In early youth he learned carpentry, and followed that occu- pation for two years. In 1881 he bought the farm formerly owned ,by John Zeiter,
which he now occupies and cultivates. He was married, November 3, 1881, to Miss Adeline, daughter of John and Sarah (Wit- mer) Umberger. Mr. Allen is one of the successful and prosperous young farmers of the township, and is personally held in high esteem.
-- CASSEL, ELIAS, was born February 15, 1830. He is a son of the late Henry and Eva (Backenstow) Cassel, both of Dauphin county, Pa. Mr. Henry Cassel was a farmer, and was married to Miss Eva Backenstow. They had five children : Lucy, who died aged thirty ; Harriet, wife of Henry Brenneman ; Eliza, wife of John E. Ricker; Elias ; and Rebecca, wife of Henry Bittner. Mr. Cassel was elected supervisor of Susquehanna town- ship and served one year. He was a Repub- lican, and he and his wife were members of the Lutheran church. He died, in October, 1857, aged sixty-one. His wife is also de- ceased.
Elias Cassel received a public school edu- cation. He was his father's assistant on the farm until he was twenty-eight years old. He was married, October 18, 1855, to Miss Susan, daughter of Isaac and Susan (Levan) Biever. They had eight children : Sarah, wife of Calvin Cassel ; Michael ; Laura, wife of Jacob Landis; Agnes, wife of D. A. Brightbill; Ervin, Francis, Rebecca, and Jacob. Mr. Cassel removed to his father's farm in 1861, and cultivated it one year. In 1862 he bought the farm of his father -in-law, Mr. Isaac Biever, on which he still resides. He was elected school director of West Han- over township and served three years. In 1863 he was drafted for the three years' ser- vice in the United States army and furnished a substitute. Mr. and Mrs. Cassel are mem- bers of the Lutheran church.
Isaac L. and Mrs. (Levan) Biever, the parents of Mrs. Cassel, were both natives of Berks county, Pa. They removed to Leba- non county, Pa., about 1845, and later to Dauphin county, Pa. They settled near Jonestown, on the farm where Mr. Cassel lives. Their children were: Julia, Mary, Susan, Isaac, Daniel, John, William, and Amos. Of these two are now living : Susan ; and Mary, widow of John Albright, of Pen- brook. Both parents were members of the Lutheran church, and were worthy people and good citizens. Mr. Biever was a Deno- crat.
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CRUM, DAVID, was born in Dauphin county, Pa., June 17, 1830. He is a son of the late David and Catherine (Cassel) Crum. Both were residents of Dauphin county, Lower Paxton township. His father died at the age of eighty-six years. Both parents were faithful members of the German Baptist church,
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David Crum received a common school education. At the age of eighteen he learned shoemaking and for fifteen years made this his occupation. After that time he engaged in farming. In 1863 he bought the farm of his father and cultivated it until 1884. At this time he retired from active work and bought the house of John Strock, where he now resides. In 1853 he was married to Miss Sarah, daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Shuey) Bolton. 'They had two children : Mary, wife of William Lingle, and Catherine, wife of Samuel Potteiger. Mr. Crum served as tax collector of West Hanover township for the year 1880. In 1883 he was appointed collector of State and county taxes. In his political views he is Republican. He is a faithful member of the Church of God.
- DARE, JAMES M., was born in West Han- over township, Dauphin county, Pa. He is a son of Joseph G. and Giliah (Reinhard) Dare, both natives of York county, Pa., who came to Dauphin county thirty years ago. Ilis father was a farmer. He was elected supervisor for one year and held besides various other county offices. He was mar- ried to Miss Giliah A. Reinhard. They had nine children, eight of whom are living: George M .; Elizabeth J., wife of Michael Straw ; James M., Richard L., Erastus J., Joseph G., William H., and John. Mr. Jo- seph G. Dare's politics are Democratic. He is a member of the Church of God. James M. Dare received a common school educa- tion. He was engaged in farming until he was twenty-one years of age. In November, 1888, he was married to Miss Christie M., daughter of Jeremiah and Savilla (Mar- berger) Forney. Their children are : Charles M., Minnie M., Gertrude M., Annie, and Sherman. In 1891 Mr. Dare bought the farm of the late Michael Stockey, which he has since that time been cultivating. Ilis political views are Republican. He is a member of the Reformed church.
. LINGLE, THOMAS W., was born in West Hanover township, Dauphin county, Pa., January 29, 1859. He is a son of the late Benjamin and Rebecca (Forney) Lingle, na- tives of Dauphin county. Mr. Benjamin Lingle was born May 23, 1811. He was a weaver, and worked at that trade for many years; later in life he became a farmer. He was a Republican, and a faithful member of the Lutheran church. He was twice mar- ried. His first wife was Miss Staute, by whom he had three children : Richard ; Per- cival ; and Lizzie, wife of Samuel Hummer ; all deceased. His second wife was Miss Re- becca Forney, born June 25, 1827. Their children were six in number: Edward L .; Josiah T .; Thomas W .; John B .; Emma, wife of John McDonnel; and Minnie C., wife of Levi Hetrich. Benjamin Lingle died March 9, 1872, aged sixty years. His wife is still living, aged sixty-nine.
Thomas W. Lingle received but a limited education and is a self-made man. His suc- cess in life is principally due to his industry, energy and good sense. His early youth was spent upon the farm. At seventeen years of age he began as a blacksmith's ap- prentice. He has worked at that trade up to the present time. By observation and by natural mechanical talent he was enabled to pick up a knowledge of carpentry and wagon making, and became a good workman in both those trades. He removed to Manada Hill, West Hanover township, and in March, 1888, bought the residence formerly owned by Josiah Peffly, where he has since carried on his business. He was married, February 19, 1879, to Miss Susanna, daughter of John and Sarah (Flory) Mumma. They have four children : Grant E., Minnie R., Sarah R., and John D. Mr. Lingle is a member of Roseville Council, P. O. S. of A. His polit- ical views are Republican. He is a faithful member of the Lutheran church. His en- terprise and energy are recognized in busi- ness circles, and he enjoys the esteem and good wishes of his neighbors.
BUCK, SOLOMON J., was born in Lower Paxton township, Dauphin county, Pa., March 1, 1859. He is a son of Solomon and Sarah (Albright) Buck. The father, Solo- mon Buck, was born in Dauphin county. In his earlier life his occupation was farm- ing. He served as assessor of Lower Paxton township, and in 1890 was elected supervisor of the township. His wife, Sarah Albright,
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was born 1821. They had eight children, of whom seven are living: Jane, wife of Samuel Knubb; Mary, wife of Levi Tittle ; David, John H., Solomon J., Edward, and Sallie. He is a Democrat. He belongs to the Lutheran church. He is now seventy- two years of age. His wife died in 1875, aged fifty-two.
Solomon J. Buck took a limited course in the public schools. He was engaged in farming for some years, and in 1882 went to Springfield, Ohio, and worked for one year in a foundry as a moulder. The next year he came back and worked at Penbrook for six months at plastering. He was married, May 17, 1883, to Miss Emma E., daughter of Leonard and Harriet (Staut) Mountz. They have one daughter, Hattie E. Since his marriage Mr. Buck has devoted his attention to farming. His political views are Demo- cratic. He is a member of the Lutheran church.
- BOESHORE, DAVID H., was born in Union township, Lebanon county, Pa., October 11, 1848. He is a son of the late Thomas and Leah (Shuck) Boeshore. John Boeshore, the . great-grandfather of David H., was a native of Germany. He was a brewer. With two of his brothers he emigrated from Germany. While on the ocean one of the brothers, Au- gust, was drowned. On reaching this coun- try the survivors were disposed of as laborers, according to the terms by which they had se- cured their passage. John brought $11 and William, the other brother, $17. William finally settled in Berks county, and John in Lebanon county, Pa. John married Cathe- rine Hoffman. He became a farmer and continued throughout his life in that voca- tion. He was a Republican and a member of the Reformed church. Jacob Boeshore, grandfather of David H., was married to Elizabeth Kohr.
Thomas Boeshore, father of David H., was born in East Hanover township in 1805. His wife, Leah Shuck, was a native of the same township, born in 1811. In his boyhood he was employed in farming in Union township, Lebanon county. He learned coopering and made it his occupation for some years. His
first wife was Miss Catherine Capenhaver. Two of their four children are living : Peter C. and Catherine M., wife of Daniel U. Ger- berich. Miss Leah Shuck was his second wife. They had nine children, six of whom are living : Mary, widow of Joseph Shuey ;
Levi; William H .; Sarah, wife of William Maturnas, deceased ; David H., and Nathan- iel J. Thomas Boeshore died aged seventy- six ; his wife still survives and is seventy- nine years old. They were both members of the Reformed church. Mr. Boeshore is a Re- publican.
David H. Bocshore made the most of his educational opportunities, which were limited. He attended the academy in Jonestown, Leb- anon county, Pa., when he was twelve years of age. He worked in his youth on the farm and in saw mills. He learned the carpen- ter's trade and worked at it for twelve years. He was married, in November, 1869, to Miss Emma, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Ganby) Porter. Four of their six children are living: Cora L., Katie M., Lillie S., and Harry D. Mr. Bocshore was for a time en- gaged in butchering and huckstering. In 1862 he enlisted in the army as a teamster and served three months. He was on the field after the battle of Antietam and assisted in burying the dead. In 1873 he was appointed school tax collector of East Hanover township for one year ; in 1891 he was chosen judge of elections for a term of two years. Mr. Boe- shore is a Republican. He is a member of the Methodist church.
- SCHUBAUER, JACOB C., was born in Wur- temberg, Germany, February 14, 1857. He is a son of the late John and Catherine (Rabe) Schubauer. His grandparents were born and passed their lives in Germany. His grandfather was a grocer. His grand- mother died aged ninety-six. His parents were both natives of Germany. The father received a limited education in the German schools. At fourteen years of age he learned the blacksmith's trade, at which he worked while he remained in his native land. In 1870 he came to America, lived one year in Lancaster county, and then removed to Dau- phin county, where he resided until his death. He was married to Miss Catherine Rabe. They had fifteen children, of whom five are living : Frederick William ; Rebecca, wife of William Rollen ; John H .; Rachel, wife of Julius Haberstroh ; and Jacob C. Mr. Thomas Schubauer died in Harrisburg, Pa. His wife died aged eighty-one.
Jacob C. Schubauer received a part of his education in Germany. In 1870, when he was thirteen years old, he came with his par- ents to America. He attended school in Dauphin county for one year. After leaving
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school he went to Middletown, Pa. In 1871 he began an apprenticeship of three years at shoemaking. He attended school during part of this time. After acquiring his trade he worked at it in Harrisburg as a journey- man for three years. He next went to York county, Pa., and worked there for one year ; then again in Harrisburg for three months ; then three months more in West Hanover township. Returning to Harrisburg he was for five months employed by J. Simonetti as driver of a huckster team. He then set- tled down in West Hanover township, and opened a shop of his own. He has been en- gaged all the time since 1882 in shoemaking, and in conducting a grocery. He was mar- ried, February 3, 1882, to Miss Caroline T., daughter of John and Sarah (Totting) Rhoads. They have one daughter, Katie J. In his political views he is Democratic. He is a member of the Lutheran church.
- CRUM, DANIEL, was born in Lower Paxton township, Dauphin county, Pa., March 6, 1836. He is a son of David and Catherine (Cassel) Crum. David Crum was a native of Dauphin county. He was a weaver by trade, but was engaged in farming during his later years, and until he retired from active busi- ness. His wife, Miss Catherine Cassel, was the daughter of Emanuel Cassel, resident of Dauphin county. They had nine children, four of whom are living: Samuel, David, Daniel, and Catherine, wife of John Bolton. Mr. Crum was a school director of Lower Paxton township for six years. He was a Republican. Both he and his wife died in Dauphin county ; they were members of the German Baptist church.
Daniel Crum received a limited school education. At eighteen years of age he be- gan' a two years' apprenticeship at black- smithing, and after learning the trade worked at it for fifteen years. In 1883 he abandoned the forge for the plough. He bought the farm formerly owned by George Fackler, which he has cultivated up to the present time. He was married, October 6, 1861, to his first wife, Miss Esther, daughter of John Shope. They had five children, of whom three survive: Catherine, wife of Jacob Shope; Annie, wife of Thomas Ervin, and Alice, wife of Elmer Staute. In his second mar- riage, December 28, 1877, Mr. Crum was united to Miss Harriet Eagle. They have had our children; two are now living: Sadie
and Lavinia. Mr. Crum's politics are Re- publican. He is a member of the Baptist church.
-ALLEN, WILLIAM F., was born in West Hanover township, Dauphin county, Pa., February 5, 1850. He is a son of the late William and Maria (Albright) Allen. His father also was born in West Hanover town- ship, on March 7, 1809. In his youth he was engaged in agriculture. He had re- ceived an education, and taught school in Lower Paxton and in West Hanover town- ships for fifteen years. He was a director of the poor in Dauphin county for two years. He was married in 1848. His wife was a daughter of Henry and Christine (Walmer) Albright, and was born in Dauphin county, September 3, 1822. They had five children, of whom three are living: William F .; Mary J., wife of John Hetrich ; and John M. Mr. Allen died August 13, 1880, in West Hanover township; his wife died in 1873. He was a Presbyterian, and his wife a mem- ber of the Church of God. Mr. Allen's politics were Republican.
William F. Allen received a common school education. In his youth he assisted his father on the old homestead farm. In 1882 he bought the farm of his father, and has since occupied it. He is the fourth in the line of direct descent, all of the name of William Allen, to own and cultivate the farm on which he now resides. He has been twice married ; first, June 6, 1870, to Miss Kate, daughter of John and Mary (Bolton) Hetrich ; they had one son, Milton M. Mr. Allen was married, November 22, 1874, to his second wife, Miss Lavina, daughter of Jared and Mary (Potteiger) Lutz. Their children are: William E. and Charles F. In 1883 Mr. Allen was elected school director of West Hanover township, and served three years. He was re-elected in 1889, and is still in office.
-WOLFERSBERGER, LEVI, was born in Derry township, Dauphin county, Pa., August 2, 1846. He is a son of the late Jacob and Susan (Raser) Wolfersberger. Jacob Wolfers- berger was born in Lebanon county, Pa. He was a farmer and lived for twenty years on his own farm in Derry township. His wife was a daughter of Christian Raser and a native of Lebanon county. They had seven children, three of whom are living: Philip, Levi, and Lavinia, wife of Jacob
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. Walter. Mr. Wolfersberger died in Derry township aged sixty-six, and his wife died in the same township aged sixty-one years. They were both members of the Reformed church. Mr. Wolfersberger was a Repub- lican.
Levi Wolfersberger obtained his education in the common schools of Derry township. After leaving school he was for seven years engaged in farming. From the year 1871, for six years, he was employed in making post fence. In 1877 he went upon the farm of Cyrus Gingerich, which he cultivated for four years. In 1882 he occupied one of Don Cameron's farms and removed in 1883 to the farm of W. Rauch, in. East Hanover township. After tilling that farm for three years he moved to West Hanover township, where he now resides.
He was married, in November, 1871, to Miss Louisa, daughter of Harry and Rosanna (Shadle) McCurty. They have had seven children, six of whom are living : Christian ; Frank ; Susan, wife of Milton Allen ; Harvey, Alice, and David.
HETRICH, JOHN E., was born in East Han- over township, Dauphin county, Pa., Janu- ary 12, 1850. He is a son of Levi and Jane (Early) Hetrich. His grandparents were both natives of Dauphin county, and lived to a great age; his grandmother died aged ninety years. Levi Hetrich, father of John C., was also born in Dauphin county, and was for sixty years a farmer of West Han- over township. He was married to Miss Jane Early, a native of Dauphin county. Their twelve children are all living, and are : Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Ulrich ; Eckih ; Martha, wife of Jacob Clements ; Edward ; John E .; Mary A., wife of John Berry ; Val- entine ; Thomas ; Levi; Sarah, wife of John McCormick; Hiram ; Malinda, wife of Simon Cassel. Mr. Levi Hetrich was a Republican. He and his wife were members of the Re- formed church.
John E. Hetrich received a limited educa- tion. He learned shoemaking in his boy- hood, serving a two years' apprenticeship. After working at his trade for six months he abandoned it, and was for three years en- gaged in farming. He was married, Janu- ary 7, 1874, to Miss Jane, daughter of Will- iam and Maria (Albright) Allen. Their chil- dren are : Robert G., and Clara, wife of David Shope. In 1874 he removed on a farm, and occupied it for ten years. He also farmed
in Lower Paxton township for five years, after which he removed to West Hanover township, Dauphin county. In 1882 he bought the farm of the late Samuel Witten. which he has since cultivated up to the present time. In 1894 he was elected tax collector of West Hanover township, which office he now holds.
KRAMER, GEORGE W., was born in West . Hanover township, Dauphin county, Pa., January 25, 1836. He is a son of the late John and Catherine (Hoffman) Kramer. natives of Dauphin county. John Kramer was engaged in farming until seven years previous to his death, when he retired from active business. His wife was Catharine (Hoffman) Kramer. They had six children, three of whom are living : George W., John H., and Elizabeth, wife of George Knubb. Mr. John Kramer died aged eighty-nine. In his political views he was Republican. He was a member of the Church of God ; his wife belongs to the same church; she still survives at the age of ninety years. George W. Kramer received his education in the public schools. From his youth he was en- gaged in farming. In 1861 he purchased a farm of his own, which he has cultivated for over thirty years. He was married, in 1860, to Miss Catherine, daughter of Michael Cassel. Of their ten children these are liv. ing : Aaron ; Kate, wife of John Brightbill : Annie, wife of John Stoner; Lizzie, wife of Edward Sherk ; Maggie, wife of Harry Bol- ton ; Caroline, and Cora. In 1862 Mr. Kramer was drafted for three years' service in the United States army. In 1885 he was elected supervisor of West Hanover township for a term of three years and in 1892 was again elected to the same office for two years.
-BRIGHTBILL, DAVID W., was born in West Hanover township, Dauphin county, Pa .. September 23, 1838. He is a son of the late Adam and Elizabeth (Lingle) Brightbill. Adam Brightbill was also born in West Hanover township in 1809. He was edu- cated in the public schools. He was engaged in farming until 1861, when he retired from business. He served as school director of West Hanover township for a number of years. He married Miss Elizabeth, daugh- ter of Paul Lingle, a native of Dauphin county. Five of their eight children are living: Benjamin ; Martha, wife of John
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