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 92
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Runkle; David W .; Melinda, wife of Jacob Kauffman ; Adeline, wife of Philip Moyer.
David W. Brightbill received a limited education. In his youth he assisted upon his father's farm. He was married, March 8, 1860, to Miss Mary J., daughter of John and Sidney (Heckert) Buck. They have had five children, of whom four are living: Lizzie, wife of Frank Hicks; John Adam, Joseph M., and Mary M. He bought the home farm of his father's estate in 1874. After having been a farmer for about fifty years, he retired in 1892, and moved to the residence he now occupies. He served effi- ciently and acceptably for three years as school director in West Hanover township. In 1895 he engaged in the shingle business, which is his present occupation.
John Buck, father of Mrs. Brightbill, was born in Lower Paxton township, June 27, 1811, and was a farmer. Beginning in 1825 he carried the United States mail between Harrisburg and Hamburg for many years. He was married, December 26, 1836, to Miss Sidney Heckert, born in Lower Paxton town- ship, December 26, 1814. They had ten children, of whom these are living : Mary Jane; John J .; Lucy Alice, wife of Charles Greenawalt; Margaretta, wife of Joseph Early ; Caroline H., wife of Jacob Snyder ; Amos C., and George H. In his later years Mr. Buck was engaged in hotel keeping. He was for two years proprietor of the Pax- tonia Hotel; he also had the Fairbill Hotel for ten years, after which he retired from business, and settled at Hummelstown, Pa., where he died June 10, 1882. He was Democratic in his political opinions. He and his wife were members of the Reformed church, and they are interred in Mt. Zion cemetery, Lower Paxton township.
Mr. John Brightbill, son of D. W. Bright- bill, is engaged in the management of his father's farm. Mr. Joseph Brightbill, an- other son, taught school two years in Eliza- bethtown, and two years in West Hanover township, Dauphin county. Since 1890 he has been a clerk in Sible's lumber and planing mill. He is known as a man of integrity and is universally esteemed.
BUCK, SOLOMON C., was born in West IIan- over township, Dauphin county, Pa., Feb- ruary 21, 1844. He is a son of John and Sophia (Cassel) Buck. His grandfather, Christian Buck, was married, in 1808, to
Rebecca Zarker. They had seven sons: John and Jacob, who were twins; David, Andrew, Christian, Daniel, and Solomon. Christian Buck died in Dauphin county. His wife died March 9, 1874, aged eighty- seven.
John Buck, son of Christian and Rebecca (Zarker) Buck, and father of Solomon C., was born in Lower Paxton township, Dau- phin county, Pa., March 13, 1810. He spent his boyhood on the farm. Ateighteen years of age he learned the miller's trade in a flouring mill, and was for seven years en- gaged in that occupation. He was then cm- ployed in farming, until he was twenty-nine years old. He held various offices in West Hanover township, and was among its prom- inent and honored residents. Sophia Cassel, to whom he was married, January 27, 1837, was the daughter of John and Christina (Smith) Cassel, and was born in Swatara township, April 7, 1805. They had four children, of whom the only one now living is Solomon C. The father died in Sep- tember, 1891, aged eighty-one; the mother died June 9, 1895, aged ninety years. They were both members of the Lutheran church.
Solomon C. Buck received his education in the common schools. Working out among the farmers he was busily employed until he was of age. For one year, 1865, he attended bar for Mr. John Stemler in his hotel in Harrisburg. The next year he began farm- ing on his own account. He was married, February 17, 1870, to Miss Kate A., daugh- ter of Jacob and Mary (Keiffer) Jones. They have no children. In 1877 Mr. Buck bought the farm formerly owned by Samuel and Catherine Glossbrenner, at which place he now resides. In 1889 he was elected assessor of West Hanover township, served one term, was re-elected, and served a second term. For a term of three years he was auditor. In 1892 he was elected inspector for one year. He also held other offices. In 1885 he was appointed agent of fertilizer appraiser for .J. B. Thomas, of Philadelphia, which position he now holds. Mr. Buck is Democratic in his political views. He is a member of the Lu- theran church.
The grandfather of Mrs. Buck was born in England and came to America at the age of four years. Her grandmother was born in Dauphin county and was a daughter of John and Lizzie Keiffer. They had four children : John, Jacob, Daniel, and Catherine, all of whom died in West Hanover township.
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DAUPHIN COUNTY.
Jacob Jones, the father of Mrs. Buck, was born in Dauphin county, Pa., May 15, 1825. Her mother was also a native of Dauphin county and was born March 26, 1828.
- CASSEL, JOHN B., was born in Swatara township, Dauphin county, Pa., June 5, 1838. He is a son of George and Barbara (Horst) Cassel. George Cassel was born in Dauphin county, he was a farmer and an honored resident of West Hanover township. He held various offices, such as supervisor, etc. He was a Republican, and a member of the Lutheran church. His wife also was a native of Dauphin county; she was a daughter of Michael Horst. Seven of their eight children are living: Augustus ; John B .; Ephraim ; Catherine, wife of Levi Bol- ton ; Absalom; George; and Annie, wife of James McCord. His wife was a member of the Baptist church.
John B. Cassel received a limited educa- tion and was employed upon his father's farm until he was twenty-four years old. He was married in September, 1861, to Miss Kate, daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Shuey) Bolton. They had six children ; five are living : Emma J., wife of Levi Ging- erich ; Kate Elizabeth, wife of Henry Cas- sel ; Annie, wife of Jacob R. Sherk ; George E., and John H. In 1862 Mr. Cassel re- moved to his father's farm and cultivated it for four years. In 1872 he bought of his father the farm where he has since resided. In 1862 he worked one year at carpentering but has since devoted his attention exclu- sively to farming. In 1873 he was elected supervisor of West Hanover township and served one year. He was elected school director of the same township and served three years. In 1892 he was again elected supervisor for two years. Mr. Cassel is a Republican.
-BOLTON, LEVI, was born in West Hanover township, Dauphin county, Pa., February 22, 1838. He is a son of Jacob and Cathe- rine (Shuey) Bolton. Jacob Bolton . was born in Lebanon county, Pa. He was a blacksmith, but was principally engaged in farming. He was married to Miss Cathe- rine Shuey. Of their seven children only three are living : Sarah, wife of David Crum ; Catherine, wife of John Cassel, and Levi. Jacob Bolton was a Republican. Both he and his wife were members of the Lutheran church. Both died on the old homestead,
where their son Levi now resides. The father died in 1883, aged fifty-five, the mother died aged seventy-one years. Both are buried in the farm graveyard.
Levi Bolton was educated in the public schools of Dauphin county. After leaving school he worked with his father on the farm until he was twenty-three years old. He was married, in October, 1861, to Miss Kate. daughter of George and Barbara (Horst) Cassel. They had three children : John H .. George E., and Harvey M. Mr. Bolton was drafted in 1861 for the three years' service in the United States army, and paid $300 substitute money. In 1887 he was elected tax collector of West Hanover township for one year. He served eleven years as school director, and in 1895 was elected to the same position for an additional term of three years.
BELL, DAVID B., was born in York county, Pa., March 30, 1827. He was a son of the late Peter and Sarah (Meyers) Bell. Ilis grandfather was born in England, and his grandmother in York county. Peter Bell, his father, was also born in York county, Pa. He was educated in the public schools of his native county. In his younger days he was engaged in farming in York county. He was married, in 1814, to Miss Sarah Meyers, a native of York county. They had sixteen children. Five of these are living : Anna, wife of Fred. Crumlich; Rachel C., wife of John Ferry ; George W., Isaiah, and Lavinia J., wife of Israel Stine. Peter Bell died in June, 1844 ; his wife died at the age of seventy-five. He was a Republican, and a member of the Evangelical church.
David D. Bell received a common school education. He was engaged in farming until he was eighteen. He then learned shoemaking, and worked at it for five years. After this he was for two years employed in broom making. Mr. Bell was married, De- cember 26, 1847, to Miss Rachel, daughter of George and Catherine (Strominger) Traver. Six of their nine children are living: Sarah J., wife of George Herman ; Adam HI .; Amanda E., wife of Benjamin Waltz; George T .; Monroe, and Edward K. From York county, where he was farming, Mr. Bell re- moved in 1868 to Dauphin county, and for six years occupied the farm of Dr. Coover. Ile then removed to West Hanover town- ship and worked the farm of Mr. A. Fackler for seventeen years. In 1891 he bought the
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farm of the late D. Bolton, on which he re- sided at the time of his death.
George Traver, the father of Mrs. Bell, was a native of York county. He worked for many years at shoemaking, and was also engaged in farming. He married Miss Catherine Strominger, daughter of Michael Strominger, of York county. They had ten children, of whom seven are living : Annie, wife of George Woods; David; Rachel, widow of David D. Bell; Rebecca, wife of Joseph Hain; Elizabeth, wife of William Downs; George W., and Daniel. Mr. Traver died in 1878, aged eighty-eight years. His wife died in 1873. Both were members of the Church of God.
-FACKLER, ADAM, was born in West Han- over township, Dauphin county, Pa., De- cember 24, 1851. He is a son of George and Harriet (Fisher) Fackler. George Fackler was born in Lower Paxton township, Dau- phin county ; he was a farmer. His wife was also a native of Dauphin county, and was a daughter of John and Catherine Fisher. Mr. and Mrs. Fackler had twelve children, of whom ten are living: Adam ; Catherine, wife of Bernhard Gastrock ; George W .; Daniel ; Mary E., wife of Jacob Ensminger ; Harriet, wife of Jacob Stouffer ; Sarah, wife of a Mr. Hubbard; David, Emma, and Hoyt. George Fackler was elected supervisor of West Hanover town- ship and served two terms. He also served one year as constable of the same township. For two years he was treasurer of the Dau- phin County Fire Insurance Company. In 1880 he removed to Kansas. He has retired from business and he and his wife are lead- ing a quiet life.
Adam Fackler spent his early life on the farm, and received the education usually ob- tained by farmers' boys in the public schools. He remained upon the farm until he was twenty-two. He was married, in Lower Pax- ton township, to Miss Amelia, daughter of Augustus and' Mary (Ort) Gastrock. They have one son, John A. Mr. Fackler moved on his father's farm in 1873, and in 1875 purchased the place, and has resided on it ever since. He is a good, solid Republican, and a member of the Lutheran church.
The parents of Mrs. Fackler were both born in Germany. They came to America in their youth and were engaged in farming. They had seven children, of whom three are living: Bernhard ; Amelia, Mrs. Fackler;
and Samuel. Her father died at the age of seventy years; her mother is still living, at the age of sixty-five.
John A. Fackler, son of Adam Fackler, received his carly education in the public schools. At the age of fifteen he attended the high school in Linglestown for one ses- sion. When he was sixteen years old he at- tended the Williamsport Business College, and was graduated from that institution at the end of a year, after which he learned short-hand writing. Then, being eighteen years old, he attended the Millersville State Normal School until 1895, after which he began teaching in the public school. He is regarded by all as a young man of probity and ability, whose future carcer is most promising.
RAUCH, JAMES M., farmer, was born in West Hanover township, Dauphin county, Pa., February 17, 1849. He is a son of John and Elizabeth (Shupp) Rauch, both natives of Dauphin county, the former born in West Hanover township, died in Martinsburg, W. Va., the latter born in Susquehanna town- ship, is still living, and resides in Martins- burg. James M. Rauch grew up on the farm in West Hanover township. He ac- companied his parents when they removed to Martinsburg, W. Va., in 1866, and made his home with them for eight years. But a home and a farm in his native township bad stronger attractions for him, and in 1874 he gratified his desires by returning to West Hanover township. He procured the farm on which he now resides, and has found oc- cupation in cultivating it. He was married, June 19, 1880, to Miss Emma J. Miller, daughter of Esquire Jacob T. Miller. They have no children. Mr. Rauch is a good solid Democrat. IIe is a member of the Reformed church.
BROWN, SAMUEL S., was born in West Hanover township, Dauphin county, Pa., January 30, 1846. He is a son of the late John and Margaret (Snoddy) Brown. Itis great-grandmother was born in Germany. She came to America at eighteen years of age, and settled in Dauphin county, where she died. His grandparents were both natives of Dauphin county. John Brown, father of Samuel S., was born in West Hanover township, January 16, 1812. Ile was a carpenter, and followed that busi- ness for many years; but later in life he
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began farming. He married Miss Margaret Snoddy, who was born in 1816, in West Hanover township. They had twelve chil- dren, of whom eleven are living: John; Mary, wife of Amos Cassel; William ; Cal- vin; Samuel S; James; Jacob; Margaret, wife of Anthony Fetterman; Sarah, wife of Isaac Boyer; Lydia, wife of Joshua Boeshore; Gown; and George. Mr. John Brown died in West Hanover township in 1890, aged seventy-eight; his wife died in 1881. Both were members of the Reformed church at Shellsville, Pa.
Samuel S. Brown took only a partial course in the public schools. From the age of fourteen, for four years, he was employed in farming. At eighteen he enlisted at Harrisburg in company B, Tenth regiment, United States infantry. His regiment was part of the Ninth army corps at Petersburg, Va. He served three years. In 1866-67 he served on the frontier, among the Indians. He was discharged from the service Febru- ary 16, 1867, when he returned home and engaged in farming. Mr. Brown was mar- ried, November 10, 1868, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Elias and Sarah (Kauch) Dill- man. They have had twelve children, of whom nine are living : Christian ; Margaret, wife of Elmer Straw; John, Samuel, Elias, Sarah, Mary, Monroe, and Emma. In 1874 Mr. Brown removed to Cornwall, Lebanon county, Pa., where he was employed in fill- ing a furnace. Later he returned to West Hanover township, Dauphin county. In 1888 he was elected supervisor of Middle Paxton township. Since that year he has devoted his attention to farming. Mr. Brown is a Republican, and a member of Hoffman's church.
Elias Dillman, the father of Mrs. Brown, was born in Schuylkill county, Pa. He re- moved to Cornwall, Lebanon county, and for eleven years was engaged in filling a furnace, after which he moved to Lancaster county, Pa., and thence to West Hanover township, Dauphin county, where he is still living, at the age of eighty-one years. He married Sarah Kauch, a native of Schuyl- kill county ; they had six children, of whom the only ones now living are: John, and Elizabeth, wife of Samuel S. Brown. Mrs. Dillman died in 1892, aged seventy-eight.
CASSELL, DAVID, was born in West Han- . over township, Dauphin county, Pa., July 1, 1830. Ile is a son of the late Emanuel and
Hannah (Urich) Cassell. His grandparents were natives of Pennsylvania. Emanuel Cassell, father of David Cassell, was born in Dauphin county, Pa. In his carlier life he was for many years engaged in farming and distilling. IIe was twice married. Ilis first wife was Miss Polly Urich, by whom he bad one son, Daniel. His second wife was Miss Hannah Urich, a native of Dauphin county. They had cleven children, of whom nine are living: Daniel; David; Catherine, wife of James Baker, deceased ; Elizabeth, John, Samuel, Emanuel, William, and Hannah. He died aged sixty-eight. He was a Re- publican and he and his wife were members of the Church of God.
David Cassell was educated in the public schools. His youth was spent on the farm, where he remained until April, 1874. In this year he removed to Harrisburg and was engaged in the coal and lumber business for eleven years. After this he dealt in live stock for four years. From 1885 to 1890 he traveled through the Western States, vis- iting Chicago, St. Louis and other important shipping points, and bought live stock for shipping to Eastern markets. In 1890 he returned to his farm, where he now resides, and which he cultivates. He is a healthy old bachelor and a Republican.
SMELTZER, DAVID M., was born in West Hanover township, Dauphin county, Pa., January 8, 1845. He is a son of the late Peter and Rebecca (Miller) Smeltzer, both also natives of West Hanover township. Mrs. Smeltzer was a daughter of George and Mar- garet Miller. Peter Smeltzer was a farmer. They had nine children, of whom seven are living : George; John ; Rebecca ; Sarah, wifi of Jonathan Zeider; William; David M .; and Rosanna, wife of Martin Hocker. Both parents died in West Hanover township, the mother on December 24, 1884.
David M. Smeltzer was educated in the schools of his native township. He is prac- tically a self-made man. At seventeen years of age he went to learn the trade of miller in a flouring mill and was in this occupation for five years. In 1863 he enlisted for three months' service in the Union army, in com- pany E, Thirty-sixth regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, after which he enlisted for one year in company I, Eighty-seventh regiment. Hle was in the war for three years. After this service was over he worked for three years at his trade. Beginning with 1868 he
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was for three years employed in farming in South Hanover township, then four years in Lower Paxton township, then managed a farm in Susquehanna township for nine years ; during the following two years he was farming in Lower Swatara township ; then again in Lower Paxton township for two years; then in Swatara township, where for six years he operated a dairy in connection with the farm, supplying customers in the city of Harrisburg. At the expiration of this period he removed to West Hanover town- ship and bought the farm of the late Joseph Lingle, which he now occupies and culti- vates.
In August, 1863, Mr. Smeltzer married his first wife, Miss Margaret, daughter of Jacob and Catherine (McCord) Wolly. They had eight children, of whom five are living: Minnie, wife of George W. Miller; Robert ; Samuel ; William ; and Annie, wife of Ehner Zeider. Mrs. Smeltzer's parents were natives of Dauphin county ; her father, Jacob Wolly, taught school in South Hanover township for many years. In January, 1878, Mr. Smeltzer married his second wife, Miss Amanda E. Page, daughter of Elias and Catherine (Zeider) Page, by whom he had two sons; the only one now living is John. The second Mrs. Smeltzer's father, Elias Page is a farmer; he resides in Harrisburg. On May 22, 1880, Mr. Smeltzer married his third wife, Miss Sarah J., daughter of Jere- miah and Hannah (Forney) Wirt. Of their six children five are living: Margaret J., Sadie J., Harry E., Charles L., and Leroy H. The parents of Mrs. Sarah Smeltzer were natives of Dauphin county. Her father was both carpenter and farmer. He died July 4, 1872. Her mother died July 29, 1893, at the age of sixty-two. In 1887 Mr. Smeltzer was elected school director of Lower Paxton township and served two years. He is a good, solid Republican. He is a faithful member of the Church of God.
- BALSBAUGH, CHRISTIAN HERVEY, author, was born in West Hanover township, Dau- phin county, Pa., April 16, 1831. He is a son of the late Peter and Elizabeth (Longe- necker) Balsbaugh. George Balsbaugh, the great-grandfather of Christian H., was born in Pfals, Germany. The family name origi- nated there, from a stream of water, Bach, running through Pfals. By a change of consonants it became Balsbaugh. The grand- father of Christian II. Balsbaugh was born
at Spring Creek, near the old Derry church, in Derry township, Dauphin county ; his grandmother was born in Cumberland county, Pa. They resided on and cultivated the old homestead where Christian II. was born. The grandfather lived to within a few months of ninety-seven years of age. He was for many years a bishop. Ile was in perfect health, and could read without spec- tacles. He died without sickness. The grand- mother died in a similar manner, at the age of sixty-nine years. They are buried in the graveyard at the old homestead farm.
Peter Balsbaugh, father of Christian H., was born in East Hanover township, Dau- phin county. He was a very temperate man ; he was a farmer. He married, on August 29, 1816, Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Abraham and Maria (Musser) Longenecker, who was born in Lancaster county. They had nine children, of whom four are living : Benjamin, Maria, Christian Hervey, and Samuel. He died November 21, 1871, aged seventy-nine. His wife died on New Year's eve, 1874, aged seventy-seven. Both were members of the German Baptist church, and both are buried at the West Hanover church above named.
Christian Hervey Balsbaugh received the ordinary public school education. As a youth he was not physically strong, but was vigorous in mind and robust in his spiritual nature. At nineteen years of age he began teaching school. Having to make his own way, he accomplished his end by teaching during the winter months and studying in the summer. He attended the Harrisburg Academy for one term in the summer of his nineteenth year. In 1851 he attended Penn- sylvania College, Gettysburg, Pa., for one term, and taught school during the winter. In 1852 he attended Freeland Seminary, in Montgomery county, Pa. He began the study of medicine in the autumn of 1852, and in the following year spent one term at the Ec- lectic College, Philadelphia. Here he was broken down by too arduous study and was obliged to return home, where he remained until the autumn of 1854; he then went to New York City, entered the Hygienic Col- lege and pursued a course of study until 1860. This was a most important and profit- able period in his mental growth and de- velopment. He was under the instruction of some of the most talented, skillful, and emi- nent men of the day. The result was a broad, thorough and liberal education.
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In 1860 he began contributing to the press and has published many able and notable articles on a wide range of subjects. In 1895 "Glimpses of Jesus" or "Letters of C. H. Balsbaugh " was compiled by T. T. Myers. The book is having a ready sale and is elicit- ing testimonials of a most gratifying charac- ter. Mr. Balsbaugh is now a contributor to five magazines and carries on correspondence with eminent people around the globe. He administers to the relief of the afflicted as op- portunity and ability permits. He is a prac- tical Christian and a firm believer in the harmony between nature and revelation. To assert this harmony and demonstrate it has been a favorite employment of his facile and able pen for thirty years. He still pursues his investigations, but confines his study mostly to physical matters. He studies his- tory, science, and philosophy only so far as they illustrate the higher life.
He was first married, April 15, 1878, to Miss Harriet, daughter of Peter and Caroline Gipe. They had no children. Mrs. Bals- baugh died January 8, 1887, aged forty-five. His second marriage, May 1, 1890, was with Miss Harriet, daughter of Dr. Elisha and Anna Mary (Mackey) Shelly, who before her marriage had been a teacher.
"." CASSEL, CHRISTIAN, farmer and justice of the peace, was born February 10, 1831, in Derry township, Dauphin county, Pa .; son of Michael and Leah (Mumma) Cassel. His father was born in Middle Paxton township and is a son of John Cassel, who was a na- tive of Pennsylvania and located at Middle- town, this county, about the year 1815, where he became a miller for George Fry, and was subsequently appointed agent to manage Mr. Fry's vast estate. Here John Cassel died. He was the father of eleven children : Fred- erick, Michael, John, George, Katharine, Jane, Sarah, Sophia, Lena, Elizabeth, and Barbara. The mother of these children was Magdalene Smith before her marriage to John Cassel. She and her husband were members of the Lutheran church, and Mr. Cassel was a Whig in his political views.
Michael Cassel married Leah Mumma and followed farming mostly in Derry and Swa- tara townships, and died in West Hanover on the farm now owned by his son, Christian Cassel. The only child born to Michael and Leah (Mumma) Cassel was Christian C. After the death of his first wife Michael was
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