Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 2, Part 7

Author: Floyd, J.L., & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago, J. L. Floyd & Co.
Number of Pages: 1024

USA > Pennsylvania > Northumberland County > Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 2 > Part 7

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Christophel Witmer (?), son of Christophel. was born in 1762 and died in 1825. He is buried Mathias Witmer, son of Christophel, was born at the Stone Valley Church. He lived near Malta June 10, 1757. and died May 5, 1824. His son (Vera Cruz) in Lower Mahanoy township, own- Johannes, born March 12, 1997, died Oct. 12, ing the farm which is still in the family name, 1823.

it having been acquired after his death by Elias Witmer, whose son Harvey C. Witmer now owns it. The place comprises 136 acres, and Christophel Witmer (?) probably built the present dwelling thereon. It was he who built the old 100-foot log barn, which was razed in 1855, the present barn on the property being the third. He married a Miss Reed, and they had children as fol- . lows: John : George: Michael: and daughters

.Daniel Witmer, son of Mathias, wa's an exten- sive farmer, owning the farm which is now the property of Joel. Lahr, in Lower Mahanoy town- ship. He followed agricultural pursuits all his life. He is buried at the Zion's Stone Valley Church. He was three times married, by his first wife having children as follows: Jacob, Fannie, Daniel and Elizabeth (wife of Elias Hoover). (At the Stone Valley Church is buried Susana. Sally (married Dietrich Snyder). Christiana.

wife of Daniel Witmer, born Oct. 29, 1498, died

Jan. 15, 1831.)

(married Peter Heckert), Elizabeth ( married Casper Heckert ), Mary ( married Nicholas Binge- man), and Catharine (married Samuel Borrel).

Jacob Witmer, son of Daniel, was born Feb. 7. 1807, and died Sept. 23, 1885. He was a black- Jolm Witmer. son of Christophel (?), and grandfather of Hon. Charles B. Witmer, of Sun- bury, was believed to be a lineal descendant of Peter Witmer, one of four brothers-Michael. Ul- smith by trade and also followed farming, living on and. working the place now occupied by his son Isaac, having the forty-acre tract. He held local office, serving as tax collector, and was an rich, Peter and John-who came from the Canton active member of the Reformed Church, which he of Zurich, Switzerland, crossing the ocean in the served in various official capacities. He was twice married, his first wife, Sallie, daughter of Hcin-

ship "Hope of London." which arrived at Phila- delphia in August. 1233. On Aug. 28. 1933, the

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older brothers took the oath of allegiance. All four public affairs, having held the offices of school di- brothers settled in Lancaster county, Peter later rector, supervisor and assessor, his services cor- removing to Lebanon county, where he died. The ering many years. In politics he is a Democrat. He and his family are members of the Uniontown Reformed Church, but he has not been particular- ly active in its work, having declined office. Witmers removed to Northumberland county from Lebanon county, as did also the Lenkers, to whieli family belonged John Witmer's wife, whose maid- en name was Anna Maria Lenker. She was born

On Oct. 9, 1875, Mr. Witmer was married to in 1797, daughter of Adam Lenker, and died in Catharine Hoke, daughter of Elias and Sarah (Goodman) Hoke, of Jordan township. Four children have been born to them : Joseph, unmar- ried, lives at home; Lizzie is the wife of John Adam Snyder, a farmer in Lower Mahanoy town-

1865. John Witmer was born Aug. 2, 1792, in Lower Mahanoy township, and died Dec. 1, 1872. He was a farmer, owning and cultivating a 100- aere place, and was well known in the Reformed Church, being a prominent member of the Zion's ship; Mary Etta married Daniel T. Heckert, son Stone Valley Church, in which he held various of- of Emanuel Heckert, and they live on a farm ad- fiees. His children were David, Isaac L., Polly joining her father's: John E., who married Susan and William. The three sons died within a period Deppen, daughter of Samuel Deppen .- is a stenog- of six months.

rapher and typewriter, and also taught school .

David Witmer, son of John, was born on his a number of years.

father's homestead. In young manhood he was a tenant farmer, but he prospered and died in Isaac L. Witmer, son of John, was born Oct. 21, 1826, and died Oct. 9, 1895. He married Annie Bubb, daughter of Michael Bubb and granddaugh- ter of Philip Bubb, who came to America from Germany when sixteen years old and settled in Mahanov township, Northumberland county. To Mr. and Mrs. Isaac L. Witmer were born thirteen filled other local offices. In politieal affiliation he children, nine of whom grew to maturity. comfortable cireumstances, owning a 191-acre farm in Jordan township. He was a man of in- fluence and intelligence, active in promoting the · general welfare as well as successful in the manage- ment of his personal interests, served twenty-five years as justice of the peace, was supervisor, and was a Democrat. In religion a member of the Re- CHARLES B. WITMER, son of Isaac L. and Annie (Bubb) Witmer, was born April 18, 1862, in Lower Mahanoy township, and there spent his early life on his father's farm, attending school during the winter and helping with the farm work in the student in the Uniontown select school, and the formed Church, he was active in the church at Uniontown, where he belonged, serving as a deacon, elder and trustee, assisting in the erection of the present church edifice, and proving hinself a valuable church worker in many capacities. He summer season. In the fall of 1879 he became a married Polly, daughter of Jacob Hoffman (who married a Weiser), and of the seven children same year was licensed to teach, taking the school born to them five died in infancy or early child- at Georgetown, Northumberland county .. When hood, the survivors being John H. and Jacob F. the term ended he entered the Millersburg high

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JOHN . H. WITMER, son of David, was born May school and also attended the Berrysburg Teach- 8, 1851. on the farm of his maternal grandfather. ers' normal for several weeks. He next taught in his native township, and in the spring of 1881 en- tered Union Seminary (now Central Pennsylvania College) at New Berlin, Pa. Meanwhile he sup- ported himself by teaching and other work until his graduation from that institution, in 1883. The next year he became principal of the Georgetown high school. In the fall of 1884 he took the pre- liminary examination and began the study of law under the tutorage of the late C. G. Voris, who at that time was located at Sunbury. Alternating his studies with educational work, he was in the sum- mer. of 1886 principal of the Snyder County Teachers' Normal Institute. In February, 1887, he was admitted to the Northumberland county bar, and at once opened an office in Sunbury. In the spring of 1889 he was admitted to practice in the Supreme court of the State, and the same year he was appointed solicitor for Northumberland county. On Ang. 20. 1889, he was chosen as the Republican nominee for the office of district at-

Jacob Hoffman. He received his education in the subseription and free schools which flourished dur- ing his boyhood, and was reared to farming from the time he was old enough to work, assisting his parents until he reached his majority. It was in the spring of 1877 that he commenced farming in Lower Mahanoy, the township where he has sinee made his home. His place is a valuable tract of 107 acres located on the road from Vera Cruz (Malta) to Uniontown ( Pillow ), and was formerly the Peter Reitz homestead. after his day having been owned by Michael Radel. who built the pres- ent barn. Mr. Witmer owns a farm adjoining his home place, originally the David Lenker home- · stead and later owned by Henry Lahr, consisting of 143 aeres. His sound business judgment and thrifty management have brought him prosperity, and he has shown an intelligence in conducting his affairs which has won him general respect and confidence among his neighbors. Moreover, he has been a useful man in the administration of local torney. His next honor was as delegate to the

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Constitutional convention from the Twenty-sev- kindliness and hospitable disposition, enjoying the cnth Senatorial District, comprising Northumber- good-will of a host of friends. land, Union and Snyder counties. Following he FRANCIS A. WITMER, son of Isaac L. and Annie served six years. as county solicitor. In 1901 he (Bubb) Witmer, was born Oct. 28, 1877, in Lower was the Republican nominee for president judge Mahanoy township, where he obtained his early education. Later he attended a summer school at Elizabethville, and the Central Pennsylvania Col- lege at New Berlin, and when seventeen he taught for part of a school term at Washington, in Lower Mahanoy township. After the death of his father, in 1895, he came to Sunbury and lived with his brother, Charles B. Witmer, meantime attending the high school, from which he was graduated in 1897. He then took a special course at Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pa., and in June, 1899, registered as a law student in his brother's office, studying law and teaching school, being thus en- gaged for two terms at the Gass schoolhouse in Upper Augusta township. On June 16, 1902, he was admitted to the bar ; on May 22, 1905, to the Supreme court; and he has also been admitted to the United States Superior and Circuit courts. He is now in partnership with his brother as junior inember of the firm of Witmer & Witmer and en- gaged in successful practice at Sunbury. Mr. Wit- mer is a member of the Northumberland Bar As- sociation, of the B. P. O. Elks, Lodge No. 267, and of Friendship Hose Company. He is a member of the Reformed Church and has been active in some of its interests, having been chairman of the publicity committee of the Laymen's Missionary committee of the Eastern Classis held in 1910. Politically he is a Republican. of the Northumberland county courts, but was de- feated by the small majority of 68 votes after a heated contest. This remarkable campaign, low- ever, had the effect of bringing him prominently before the people, and from that time to the pres- ent he has been the leader of liis party in North- umberland county. In 1902 he was appointed As- sistant Attorney in the United States Department of Justice, at Washington, D. C., assigned to the defense of the government against claims arising out of the Spanish-American war, settled by the Spanish Treaty Claims Commission. He held that position until he resigned, in 1904, to assume the duties of chief counsel for the Dairy and Food Department of the State of Pennsylvania, and in February, 1905, he was promoted to the auditor general's department, as special counsel for samc. In 1906 he was appointed by President Theodore Roosevelt United States marshal for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. In 190S he resigned that office, receiving from President Roosevelt that year his appointment as United States district attorney. On the Sth of March, 1911, he was appointed, by President W. H. Taft, United States District judge. It is a generally recognized fact that Mr. Witmer's advancement, professionally and offici- ally, is due to his own efforts, and he is all the more honored because of this fact. He has made his way against obstacles of many kinds, and has In September, 1907, Mr. Witmer married Lula G. Yoder, daughter of Lewis and Elizabeth (Mil- ler) Yoder, of Hegins, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and they have two daughters, Lillian M. and Annie E. The family home is at No. 113? East Market street. pursued his ambitions in spite of the opposition which confronts the self-made man, only serving to stimulate him in following his ideals to their realization. The high position he now holds and which he has long enjoyed in the councils of the Republican party proves that he not only makes friends, but has the faculty of holding .them,. and the ability to make good in whatever position he is placed.

Mr. Witmer is prominent in the Masonic fra- ternity, and is also a member of the Odd Fellows, the S. P. K. and the P. O. S. of A. He has held official position in all the orders to which he be- longs. His religious connection is with the First Reformed Church of Sunbury, which he has long served, as a member of the official board; he also `was formerly prominently identified with the Sun- day school work.

On Oct. 17, 1885, Mr. Witmer married Mollie Beaver, daughter of Isaac Beaver, of Middleburg, Snyder Co., Pa., and they are the parents of three children, namely: John. who is now a college stil- dent ; and Catharine and Isabella, both of whom are attending public school. Mr. Witmer is, de- voted to his home and family, with whom he spends much time, and he and his wife are noted for their

Michael Witmer, son of Christophel (?), was born March 29, 1804, and died Jan. 28, 1842. He is buried at Stone Valley Church. He was a man of large build, weighing ?40 pounds, and was strong and muscular, being, in fact, the physical champion of his district. All his life he followed farming in Lower Mahanoy township. On April 6. 1824, lie married Catharine Phillips, who was born April 9, 1805, daughter of George Phillips, of Berks county, and died Sept. 30, 1889. Their children were born as follows: Anna Juliana, Feb. 23. 1825 (died young) ; Benneville, Sept. 28, 1826; Michael, March 18, 1828 : Anna Maria, Feb. 12, 1830; Elias, Oct. 14, 1831: Sarah, Aug. 25, 1833 (died young) : Edward, Jan. 3, 1836 (died young) : Susanna and Catharine, twins, Feb. 3, 1838 (Catharine died young ) : Ephraim. April 21, 1839 ; Isaac, July 11, 1841 (lives in Perry county, Pa.).

Ephraim Witmer, son of Michael, was born

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April 21, 1839, on the Christophel Witmer home- M. L. Emerick, of Hickory Corners, and works as stead in Lower Mahanoy township. He was an artist during the summer season ; Harriet, un- trained to farm work from his earliest boyhood, married, lives at home; Francis died aged two and engaged in farming on his own account at years.

an early age. During the early sixties he moved to Hickory Corners, in Stone Valley, and there for thirty-two years engaged in farming for his fa- ther-in-law, David Hain, afterward farming the saine place for himself four years. During this period he was also largely engaged in dealing in horses for twenty-five years. He began by buying and selling horses in his home county, but later went West and bought by the carload, disposing of the animals at public sale in lower Northum- berland county, where he was the first to hold a horse sale, being really the pioneer in that trade in his section. He handled as many as 225 head of horses in one year. Though now one of the old- est residents of his district he has a clear mem- dry, and takes particular pleasure in recalling its early days. He is a man of small stature, but re- tains all the energy which characterized his active eareer. In his day he has been active in local religious affairs as well as in business, having long been a member of the Reformed congregation of Zion's Church, to which his children also belong. He has held the offices of deacon, elder and trus- tee, and is now serving as janitor.

DAVID H. WITMER, son of Ephraim, was born May 31, 1860, in Lower Mahanoy township. Like his father he was trained to farm work, and until he was of age he worked for his grandparents, making his home with his maternal grandfather, David Hain, from the time he was three years old, until Mr. Hain's death. After that he bought the property in Lower Mahanoy township, near Dal- inatia, where he has since lived and worked. It was formerly the Charles Brosius homestead, and consists of forty-five acres : the original farm was much larger. Though a highly successful farmer, Mr. Witmer devoted much time in his earlier years to teaching. He received an excellent education, supplementing his public school training by study at Berrysburg Academy and a select school at Georgetown (Dalmatia), at which latter place he was under the instruction of Prof. Charles B. Witmer, now a prominent lawyer of Sunbury and the leader of the Republican party in Northum- berland county. In 1880 David H. Witmer re- ceived his license to teach from William Boal, then connty superintendent. His first experience was gained at the McKee school in Lower Mahanoy township, where he taught in all three successive terms. Then for one term he did not teach, and again attended school, after which he was engaged as teacher for three more terms, all in Lower Mahanoy. He had ungraded schools. Mr. Wit- mer was much esteemed as an instructor, and met with uniform success in his school work. He has been a useful citizen of his community in other ways, having served his township as school di- rector, auditor and treasurer, and he is a Demno- crat in political faith. Socially he belongs to the Patrons of Husbandry, holding membership in Grange No. 1367, at Hickory Corners. Like the members of the Witmer family generally he is a Reformed member of the Zion's Stone Valley Church.

Mr. Witmer married Harriet Hain, who was born May 31, 1841, daughter of David and Re- becca (Dreibelbies) Hain, the latter a daughter of Isaac Dreibelbies, who came from Berks county. Mrs. Witmer died April S, 1899, on the David Hain farm, and was buried at Stone Valley Church. Shortly thereafter Mr. Witmer and his daughters moved onto the Zion's Church prop- erty, where they have made their home since 1900. To Mr. and Mrs. Witmer was born a large family, viz .: David H. is mentioned below; Mary mar- ried Edwin Bademan, and they are farming people in Shamokin township; Jonathan H. is mentioned below; Fietta married William Welker and they , live in the borough of Shamokin; Sallie married Daniel Harris, and they live in Mandata, this coun- ty; William S. died when two years old ; one son JONATHAN H. WITMER, son of Ephraim, now a prosperous farmer of Lower Mahanoy township, was born in that township Dec. 18, 1863. He re- ceived his education in the local publie schools and has always followed farm work, continuing to work for his parents until he was thirty years old, having remained at home for two years after his marriage. In the spring of 1893 he began farming near Dahnatia, remaining there one year as a ten- ant, and was afterward on a nearby farm for two years. His next removal was to the David Hain farm near Hickory Corners, where he farmed six years, thence moving to the Daniel Schaffer farm, in the same township, where he lived for three years. The year before he settled on his died in infancy: Ida married Charles Wiest and they live in Sunbury ; Cora married Rev. George Koppenhaver and they live at Malianoy, where he has charge of the Reformed congregation ; Charles died aged fifteen years ; Wilhelmina Malinda, who is unmarried and keeps house for her father, has been chorister and organist of Zion's Lutheran and Reformed Church, at Stone Valley, since 1900, and is an estimable and intelligent woman, a most useful member of church and society; Lizzie was awarded a teacher's provisional certificate in 1901, and after she had taught three years was given (in 1908) a professional certificate, her school work covering five terms in the publie schools, but she is now stenographer in the office of Dr. present place he and his family lived at Hickory

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Corners, removing to the present home in the modeled the dwelling. having a comfortable home spring of 1906. Mr. Witmer purchased this place and fine property. He has prospered in his ag- in 1909. It was the old George Harris homestead (Mr. Harris being a pioneer from Montgomery county ), and contains 179 acres located near Hick- ory Corners. After the death of George Harris it was owned by his son Martin Harris. The land is fertile, and near the house is a very fine spring.

Mr. Witmer has been quite prominent in the affairs, has been roadmaster for the past five years,

local interests of the Democratic party and lias served a number of years as judge of elections. He has held the office of assessor of his township. He and his family are prominent in the work of Zion's Stone Valley Church as members of the Reformed congregation, which Mr. Witmer has served as deacon continuously since 1898: he has been a member of the church choir for the past twenty-five years.

On Nov. 21, 1889, Mr. Witmer married Lizzie Ellen Koppenhaver. daughter of John and Han- nah (Mover ) Koppenhaver, and granddaughter of Jonathan and Catharine ( Hepner) Koppenhaver. Four children have been born to them: Mark Nevin, who began teaching school, when seventeen years old and is now a student at the West Chester State Normal; May Pauline; Maud Evangeline, and Lealı Charlotte.

ricultural work, and owns the homestead of 136 acres in addition to his fifty-six-acre farm. He is local agent for several fertilizer companies. Though he has given his work all the attention necessary to make it profitable, he lias found time for active and intelligent interest in local public and served seven years as school director. "Hap" Witmer, as he is generally called, is well known and respected in his section. He is a Republican in politics and in religion a member of the Re- formed congregation at Vera Cruz, of which he was deacon eight years. He is a member of the Jr. O. U. A. M. af Dalmatia.

On March 8, 1882. Mr. Witmer married Susan B. Weaver, daughter of Harry and Anna ( Bon- awitz) Weaver, of Lykens Valley, Pa., and eleven children have been born to their union: Annie, who is the wife of John Lahr and has three chil- dren, Mary E., Adda A. and Cloyd A. (they live near Dalmatia) ; William H., who married Grace Deppen : Nora ; Stella; Cloyd, who died young; Harvey : Forest, who died when yonng: Warren ; Mabel Alice; John, and Marlan.

Benneville Witmer, son of Michael, was born

Elias. Witmer, son of Michael, was born Oct. Sept. 28, 1826, in Lower Mahanoy township. He 14, 1831, on the old homestead, and died July 15, was an enterprising business man, and prospered 1909. A lifelong farmer, he obtained the original steadily in his undertakings, acquiring considerable Witmer homestead after the death of his father. and built thereon, in 1893, the present barn. re- placing one that had been destroyed by lightning. The farm consists of 136 acres. Mr. Witmer was a Republican in politics and a Reformed member of St. Luke's Lutheran and Reformed Church at Vera Cruz, which he served many years as trustee. His family also belonged to that church. He was a public-spirited citizen and gave nearly two acres of land near Vera Cruz for park purposes, this tract being now known as Vera Cruz Hill park; it was planted with maple and other trees by the Reformed Sunday school of the place. property by his industrious and thrifty methods. For about seven years he was engaged as a hucks- ter, after that entering the mercantile business at County Line, where he was located for a few years. He then bought what was formerly the Josiah Snyder farin at Vera Cruz, a tract of 146 acres, now divided into two farms, on one of which he lived, and both of which are now owned by his son, Ephraim D. Witmer. One part of this 146-acre farm was at one time the Jacob Witmer homestead. The land is fertile and in a high state of cultivation. equipped with good buildings, and in every way desirable and valuable property. In addition Mr. Witmer owned an adjoining place " of eighty-six aeres, the John Deppen homestead. He was a leading member of the Reformed de- nomination in his district, and was instrumental in the establishment, in 1860, of St. Inke's Luth- eran and Reformed Church at Vera Cruz, serving

Mr. Witmer's first wife, Hannah Mertz, daugh- ter of Jacob Mertz, died one year after their mar- riage, leaving one son, Harvey C. His second mar- riage was to Sarah Oxenreider, daughter of Jacob Oxenreider, and to them was born one daughter. Agnes, now the wife of William S. Engel.

HARVEY C. WITMER, son of Elias, was born tas a member of the building committee at the time June 21, 1863, on the farm where he still lives. the church was erected. He was always one of He, has always followed farming, which he com- the pillars of the congregation, liberal in his sup- menced on his own account after attaining his port of the church and its work. served as an officer many years, and with his family took an active part in furthering all its enterprises and re- ligious work generally. In politics he was a Re- publican, and he served his township as school director. majority, being a tenant on the original homestead for seven years, at the end of which period he moved to an adjoining place, the one on which he has since made his home. This place, which com- prises fifty-six acres, formerly belonged to Harry Weaver. his father-in-law, and Mr. Witmer re-

Mr. Witmer married Lydia Deppen, daughter

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NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

of William Deppen. Both Mr. and Mrs. Witmer during which he was with his family at Sunbury, are buried in the Vera Cruz Union cemetery. he has since had his home. Upon coming to this They were the parents of a large family, namely : locality he began work for his father-in-law, Isaac Fenstermacher, upon the farm, continuing thus for twelve years. At the end of that time he be- gan the manufacture and bottling of soft drinks, for which he found a ready sale throughout the eastern end of Northumberland county. Mr. Wit- mer has prospered to such an extent that he now owns his own home and place of business, his Emma J. married Joseph Hepner; Serenus, who was engaged as a public school teacher, died un- married at the age of twenty-eight; Mary M. mar- ried Elias Kebach : Caroline died aged seven years ; Ephraim D. is mentioned below ; Susan died when thirty-seven years old; William D. is mentioned below ; James, also a school teacher, died when thirty years old, only five days after his marriage ' establishment being equipped with all modern ma- to Lizzie Bingaman, who survives him with their son, James. M. (he had been active in politics, a member of the Republican committee of his town- ship, and had been spoken of for high public of- fice) : Joseph W. is mentioned below; Jennie L. is unmarried : one daughter died in infancy. chinery for the facilitation of the work, which has grown to considerable proportions. He ships his goods to various towns. Mr. Witmer has been much interested in the local public welfare, par- ticularly the matter of public education, and was serving as school director at the time of the erec- tion of the modern two-story, four-room building, in 1894. He has been quite active in the local affairs of the Republican party, and has served as delegate to the county convention. While living at his early home Mr. Witmer served as organist for the Reformed congregation of the Vera Cruz Church, and for some years he was a member of the choir of the Reformed congregation at Dal- matia, of which he is a member: his wife is a member of the Lutheran congregation of the same church.

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Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 2, Part 7

Author: Floyd, J.L., & Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1911 Publisher: Chicago, J. L. Floyd & Co. Number of Pages: 1024

Author: Floyd, J.L., & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago, J. L. Floyd & Co.
Number of Pages: 1024