History of Cumberland and Adams counties, Pennsylvania. Containing history of the counties, their townships, towns, villages, schools, churches, industries, etc.; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies; history of Pennsylvania, statistical and miscellaneous matter, etc., etc, Part 101

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Publisher: W. Taylor
Number of Pages: 1280

USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > History of Cumberland and Adams counties, Pennsylvania. Containing history of the counties, their townships, towns, villages, schools, churches, industries, etc.; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies; history of Pennsylvania, statistical and miscellaneous matter, etc., etc > Part 101
USA > Pennsylvania > Cumberland County > History of Cumberland and Adams counties, Pennsylvania. Containing history of the counties, their townships, towns, villages, schools, churches, industries, etc.; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies; history of Pennsylvania, statistical and miscellaneous matter, etc., etc > Part 101

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CAPT. J. S. SPONSLER, farmer, P. O. New Kingstown. The Sponslers, of Scotch- Irish origin, first settled in New Jersey. The great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch came to Cumberland County at a very early date, and his son George was born in this county in 1785, and owned a farm in North Middleton Township, on the Harris- burg Pike, two miles east of Carlisle. George Sponsler married Miss Jane Mortier, of this county, by whom he had six children: George, Jane, Margaret, Oliver, Jesse and Alexan- der. His wife died, and he afterward married her sister, Mrs. Margaret Ruperd, a widow, and to this union were born three children: Sarah, Frank and Alfred. After the decease of his second wife Mr. Sponsler married Miss Susan Harman, of this county. He was a Presbyterian in religious belief; in politics an old-line Whig. He was a man of strict business habits, and bore an excellent reputation. His son George (father of our subject) was born on the old homestead in 1810; married Miss Sarah Coover, of Mahoning County, Ohio. To them were born five children: Eliza, William. Joel S., Harriet, Marilla. When a young man of but sixteen, George Sponsler went to Ohio, and returned to Cumberland County when about forty years of age. He is a member of the Evangelical Church; in politics a Republican. Our subject was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, in 1837, and came with his parents to Cumberland County when a lad of ten years. He received a common school education, and in 1856 married Miss Annie, daughter of John and Mary (Gruver) Dull, of Franklin County, Penn. This union was blessed with six children: John O., William S., Annie K., Robert P., George F. and Julia M. In September, 1862, Mr. Sponsler enlisted in Company F, Seventeenth Regiment Pennsylvania Cavalry. He left his quiet home, wife and family of small children to fight the battles of his country, went to the front, and served with honor to the close of the war. His regiment, the famous Seventeenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, was one of those which won imperishable renown, and its gallant deeds are memorialized on every field of battle, from the Rappa- banock to the James, and in all the battles (57) in which this regiment engaged Mr. Spon- sler was present, among which Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Winchester, Appomattox and the Wilderness were the most prominent. He was promoted for gallant services from pri- vate to first sergeant, second lieutenant, lieutenant and captain. He was mustered out June 20, 1865. After the close of the war Capt. Sponsler returned to Cumberland County and settled down to the peaceful pursuit of farming in Silver Spring Township, and here has remained on the same farm twenty years, and is well known throughout the county as an honorable and industrious man. He is a Republican in politics.

SAMUEL VOGLESONG, farmer, P. O. New Kingstown. The grandfather of this gentleman immigrated to this country and settled in York County. John Voglesong, his son (father of subject), was born in York County about 1783. He was a farmer and land- holder, and married Miss Mary Lichty, of York County. To them were born ten children: Henry, John. David, Samuel, Elizabeth, Susan, Benjamin, Sarah, Thomas F. and Mary F. (twins.) About 1809, John Voglesong moved to this county and settled in Silver Spring Township. He died in 1849 at the age of sixty-four years. Samuel Voglesong was born in 1819, on his father's farm in Silver Spring Township. He remained at home after the death of his father until he was thirty-two years of age. In 1851 he married Miss Eliza- beth Hartman, daughter of Christian and Annie (Gontz) Hartman. Both Mr. and Mrs. Voglesong are devout members of the Lutheran Church. In politics he is a Democrat. By industry and thrift he has accumulated a handsome property, consisting of 279 acres of land in this township, and is greatly respected by all who know him.

HENRY ZIMMERMAN, farmer, P. O. Mechanicsburg, Cumberland Co., Penn. The ancestors of this gentleman emigrated from Switzerland on account of religious per- secution, and were glad to seek an asylum in the land of William Penn, where they could worship God after the manner of their own conscience. These Mennonites Penn received kindly, allowing them full liberty, and land to settle on in Lancaster County, Penn. Christian Zimmerman, the great-grandfather, was a powerful man physically, and weighed over 400 pounds. His son, Peter, married a Miss Martin, and had twelve children: Christian. Henry, Peter, Esther, Mary, Barbara, Annie, Martin, Samuel, Yontz, Elizabeth and

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Emanuel. In 1812. Peter Zimmerman moved to Cumberland County, buying 300 acres of land in Lower Allen Township. He died, aged eighty six years. Christian Zimmerman (father of our subject) was born in Lancaster County. He came with his father to this county when a lad of thirteen years. He married Miss Lizzie Weaver, of this county. The Weavers came from Switzerland at the same time as the Zimmermans, and were noted for their longevity. To Christian Zimmerman and wife were born nine children: Henry, Peter, Christian, Isaac, Solomon, Elizabeth, and three who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Christian Zimmerman were devout members of the Mennonite Church. Ile died at the age of seventy-two years. respected by all as an upright, honorable man. Henry Zim- merman, our subject, was born in Lower Allen Township, this county, February, 17, 1824, and lived with his father until he was thirty years old. In January, 1855, he was married to Miss Mary Ann. daughter of William and Mary (Houst) Tate, and to this union was born one son, David L., who remains with his parents. Mr. Zimmerman began farming on one of the McCormick farms, and ren ained there for twenty-five years, and in 1879 he bought his present homestead. The family is well known for industry and honesty, and need no higher praise.

CHAPTER LVII.

SOUTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP .*

JEREMIAHI ALLEN, SR., retired farmer, P. O. Shippensburg, was born in Lehigh County, Penn., April 4, 1818, son of Americus and Rachel (Swigert) Allen, natives of Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, respectively. Ilis grandfather. Jeremiah Allen, was a captain in the artillery during the Revolutionary war, and received a slight wound at the battle of Bunker Hill. Our subject's father, who was a farmer, and came to Pennsylvania in an early day, enlisted in the war of 1812, but was never called into active service. Jer- emiah Allen is the second child in a family of eight, seven of whom survive. His elder brother, Samuel, is a farmer in Southampton Township, this county, and is three years, three months and three days older than Jeremiah. Our subject was reared on the farm, and attended the common school in this county. He chose farming as his occupation, and is now owner of 133 acres of well improved land, on which he resides. He was hap- pily married. in 1844, to Angeline, daughter of Jacob and Lydia (Line) Myers, who were of English descent, former of whom, a farmer, was born and reared in this county. To our subject and wife were born eight children, seven of whom are now living: Eveline, wife of Iames Waddle; Americus M .. a farmer, and married; Isabella M .. widow of Ira Long (deceased): Margaret E., wife of Cyrus Railing; Jacob, married and a farmer; William L., married, and manages the home farm; and Jeremiah F., married and a farmer. In 1844 our subject and wife united with the Lutheran Church at Newville, Penn. He takes an active interest in the Sabbath-school, and has been superintend- ent, and for many years he was deacon and trustee of the church. He has served nine years as school director. In his younger days he took an active interest in the I. O. O. F. He was a member of the old-fashioned State militia, and has taken part in many parades, sometimes using a cornstalk as a substitute for a gun.

WILLIAM II. ALLEN, dealer in horses, P. O. Lee's Cross Roads, was horn near Carlisle, this county, February 14, 1834, son of Americus and Rachel (Swigert) Allen; former, a native of Massachusetts, of English descent, and latter a native of Lancaster County, Penn., of Dutch and Welch descent. Americus Allen, who was a farmer, came to this county in an early day. He was a captain in the war of 1812, but was never called into active service. His parents were Capt. Jeremiah and Abigal (Putnam) Allen (Gen. Putnam, of Revolutionary fame, was her great uncle), former of whom was a captain in the lleavy Artillery, under Gen Putnam, during the Revolutionary war. The maternal ancestors of our subject were generally farmers, and his paternal ancestors were generally active and successful business men. Our subject's uncle, Samuel R. Allen, was a trader, and dealt largely in merchandise in the West Indies islands: he was a native of Massa- chusetts, and at the time of his death was a wealthy citizen of Boston. William H. Allen, the subject of this sketch, the youngest in a family of eight children, was reared on the farm, in this county, and attended the district school, also the academy at Ship- pen-burg. He has resided on the farm all his life, but his principal business has been dealing in horses. He has bought, imported, shipped and sold, and traded in horses very extensively for a number of years, and is an excellent judge of such stock. William H.

*For borougb of shippensburg, see page 412.

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Allen was married, October 14, 1859, to Anna, daughter of William Clark, and of Irish and English descent, her grandfather, James Clark, was a wealthy pioneer farmer of this county, owning several hundred acres of land at the time of his death. To Mr. and Mrs. Allen have been born nine children: Americus R., Abigal P. (wife of James Lamond), William C., Albert E., Emma C., Daniel L., Annie A., Nellie and J. K. F. Mr. Allen is a Democrat in politics; has been school director of his district.

G. EDGAR BEATTIE, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Oakville, was born in New- ton Township, this county, January 17, 1852, son of Samuel and Lucinda (Allen) Beattie, natives of this county and of Scotch-Irish descent. Our subject's grandfather, James Beattie, came from Ireland in an early day and settled on a farm.

HON. JAMES CHESTNUT, farmer, P. O. Cleversburg, was born in Southampton Township, this county, September 30. 1818, son of John and Charity (Kelley) Chestnut, natives of Pennsylvania, and of Scotch-Irish and English descent. John Chestnut came from Philadelphia, Penn., to this county, in 1766 and settled on a farm in what is now Southampton Township, and here passed the remainder of his days. Hon. James Chest- nut, the youngest in a family of eight children, was reared on the farm, attended the com- mon school, and afterward the Washington Medical College, at Baltimore, Md. He prac- ticed medicine for two years in this county, but, on account of his business relations, he gave up his profession and devoted most of his time to farming and other husiness. He is well known as "Col." Chestnut, having been elected colonel of militia, when quite a young man, and served as such for six years. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. In pol- itics he is a Democrat; has served as school director in his district, and justice of the peace in his township, and has represented this district (comprising Cumberland and Adams Counties) in the State Senate for two terms, from 1876 to 1880. In 1846, our sub- ject married Auna Eliza, daughter of George Maxwell, and a native of this county, of Scotch-Irish descent. Of nine children born to our subject and wife eight are now living -two boys and six girls.

GEORGE CLEVER, farmer, P. O. Cleversburg, was born in this county January 4, 1819, son of Conrad and Catherine (Walters) Clever, natives of Lancaster County, Penn., of German descent. Conrad Clever was brought to this county when he was six years of age, and was raised here. He chose farming and lumbering as his occupation, and was very successful. He died in 1861, at the advanced age of eighty-one years. He had filled most of the town offices. He was a man of large stature and noted for his great strength, a man of unblemished character. Of his four sons George is the youngest. Our subject was brought up on the farm; has made farming and lumbering the principal business of his life, and has also engaged largely in the manufacture of iron and in shipping iron ore. In 1850 George Clever laid out the town of Cleversburg, this county, and in the same year he embarked in mercantile trade, in connection with his other business. He now owns several stores in different parts of Pennsylvania, and also several farms, as well as real estate in Cleversburg and other places. Mr. Clever was married, in 1845, to Miss Isabella Kelso, a sister of Maj. Kelso, of Shippensburg, Penn., and a daughter of Samuel and Catherine (Stough) Kelso, who were of Scotch-Irish descent. To Mr. and Mrs. Clever have been born eight children, of which four are living: Conrad, a minister of the Reformed Church, in Baltimore, Md .; Samuel K., residing at home; George G., married and a resi- dent of Southampton Township, Penn .; and Jennie S., residing at home. Our subject and wife are members of the Reformed Church, Shippensburg, in which he has been deacon and trustee for many years. In politics he-is a Republican, but not a politician. He has served one term as jury commissioner.

GEORGE H. CLEVER, retired farmer, P. O. Cleversburg, was born in this county on the farm where he now resides, son of George and Elizabeth (Hippenstell) Clever, natives of Southampton Township, this county, of German descent, former a farmer. Our subject now owns the farms where his parents were born. Our subject's father was born in 1790, and his mother in 1800. His grandfather, Barnhart Clever, was an early pioneer farmer of this county, and the deed given him by William Penn, in 1788, is now held by George H. Clever. At the time this deed was made out Southampton Township was called Hope- well Township. Our subject, the fourth child and only son in a family of six children, has followed farming as an occupation, and now owns 621 acres of land. He was married, in 1849, to Sarah, daughter of Adam Warner, who was a farmer and of German descent, a native of Pennsylvania. The children of this marriage are Elizabeth, wife of George Miller; Cyrus, a farmer in Franklin County, Penn .: Emily, wife of William B. Bowers; Susan, wife of John C. Raybuck (he is a farmer in Franklin County, Penn.); Henry E., married and a farmer, and Samuel A., attending school. Mr. and Mrs. Clever are mem- bers of the United Brethren Church, of which church be has been class-leader and trustee and has been superintendent of the Sabbath-school. He has also been an exborter for several years. Mr. Clever is an earnest advocate of the cause of Christ, and has done much good. He votes the Democratic ticket, and has served his township as justice of the peace for fifteen years.

JOSEPII CLEVER, farmer, P. O. Lee's Cross Roads, was born in Shippensburg in October, 1835, son of Henry and Elizabeth (Buehman) Clever, natives of Southampton

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Township, this county, and of German descent, the former a farmer by occupation. Jo- seph's grandfather. Barnhart Clever, was an early pioneer of this county. Our subject, the third in a family of thirteen children, eleven of whom grew to maturity, received his education in Southampton Township, this county, and has made agriculture his business. Hle has resided on his present farm since he was two years of age, and is now the owner of 182 acres of land. Mr. Clever was married, in 1859, to Georgianna, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Dice) Waddle; the former was a farmer by occupation, and both of Irish descent. Mr. and Mrs. Clever have eight children: Clara E., John D., Martha C., Julia E., Harry W., Franklin E., Charles C. and Nellie M. Our subject and wife are members of the Reformed Church. In politics he is a Democrat. He has served nine consecutive terms as school director in his district.

JOIIN COFFEY, farmer, P. O. Shippensburg, was born in Southampton Township, this county, February 9, 1830, son of James and Mary (Highlands) Coffey: former a native of Delaware County, Penn., of Irish descent, latter of this county, of Scotch-Irish descent. James Coffey, a farmer by occupation, served as a soldier in the war of 1812. He was a strict Presbyterian Church member, a man of large stature, and was noted for great strength. Ile lived to the advanced age of eighty-four years, dying in 1879. He was three times married, and reared a family of ten children, our subject being by the second wife. John Coffey was reared on the farm; a strictly self-made man. He only attended school six weeks in his life, and chose farming for his occupation. When first starting out for himself he rented a farm, and has since resided on the same for thirty-two years. Ile was married, in 1854, to Elizabeth Rank, daughter of Samuel Rank, of German de- scent. Mr. and Mrs. Coffey have five children: Ella, wife of George A. Reese; J. B. and W. J .. partners, carrying on a clothing store in Shippensburg, this county; Della C. and Charles. Mr. Coffey is a Democrat in politics; is the present assessor of Southampton Township, a highly-respected citizen.

G. W. CRESSLER, farmer and stock-grower, Shippensburg, was born in Southamp- ton Township, this county, February 22, 1844, son of John H. and Elizabeth (Clippenger) Cressler, natives of this county and of German descent. John H. Cressler was a black- smith by trade, but in later life followed farming, in which latter occupation he met with marked success and owned, at the time of his death, which occurred in 1885, nearly 300 acres of valuable land in Southampton Township, this county (his widow still resides on one of the farms). He was a member of the Lutheran Church, and a captain in the old- time militia of Pennsylvania. His family consisted of seven children, four now living, G. W. being the fourth. Our subject was reared on the farm, and attended the common schools in Southampton Township, this county, and has made agriculture the principal busi- ness of his life. Ile was married, in 1869, to Henrietta, daughter of Isaac Ilannah, and a native of Canada, of English descent. Mr. and Mrs. Cressler have five children: Charles E., John H., Clarence C., Myrtle and an infant not yet named. In politics Mr. Cressler is a Democrat

D. S. CROFT, retired merchant, P. O. Lee's Cross Roads, was born in Southampton Township, this county, October 7, 1816, son of George and Susan Croft, natives of Penn- sylvania and of German descent. the latter of whom (whose maiden name was Susan Ruply) was the widow of Dr. Fahnestock, of Carlisle, Penn., at the time of her mar- riage with Mr. Croft. George Croft was a saddler by trade, but in later life he fol- lowed the occupation of farmer. Ile was three times married, and reared nine children, D. S being his sixth. Our subject was reared on the farm and attended the common school, in early life he accepted a clerkship in the iron works, and, afterward, tanght school for several terms; then obtained a position as clerk in a store in 1838, and was em. ployed in that capacity until 1852, when he embarked in business for himself, in Leesburg, this county, where he kept a general store until 1857. when he was elected clerk of the county courts, and served in that capacity until 1861, and was then appointed deputy clerk, a position he filled for five years. Returning to Leesburg in 1866, he carried on the general store until 1885, when he sold out and retired from active business. Mr. Croft is a highly respected citizen and has many warm friends. He was married, in 1841, to Jane, daughter of George Maxwell, and of Irish descent. Mr. and Mrs. Croft are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is a Democrat in politics, and has been school director.

HIRAM IHGHLANDS, grain and coal dealer, and ticket agent for the Harrisburg & Potomac Railroad Company, at Lee's Cross Roads, was born in Southampton Township. this county. November 12, 1850, son of William and Maria (Clever) Highlands, natives of this county and of Scotch Irish descent, former of whom was a farmer all his life, and died in 1866. Of their family of nine children, eight of whom are still living, Hiram is the ehlest. Our subject was reared on the farm, attended the common school, and followed agricultural pursuits until 1884. He is owner of a well improved farm of sixty-four acres. Mr. Ilighlands embarked in his present business in 1884, and is an energetic, successful busi- ness man. He was married, in 1873. to Cora Foreman, daughter of Jacob Foreman, a prominent farmer in Southampton Township, this county. Our subject and wife have five sons now living: William, Milton, Joseph, Calvin and Jacob. Mrs. Highlands is a member of the Evangelical Association. In politics Mr. Highlands is a Republican.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

WILLIAM D. McCUNE, retired farmer. P. O. Middle Spring, was born in Soutli- ampton Township, Cumberland Co., Penn., December 19, 1823, son of John and Sarah A. (Duncan) McCune, natives of Pennsylvania, of Scotch-Irish descent. John McCune was born on the farm where his son William D. now resides, which farm was purchased in an early day by John McCune's father. John McCune, our subject's father, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was a farmer of Southampton Township, this county. William D. McCune, the eldest in a family of nine children, was reared on the farm, received a common school education, and has made farming his business. He is owner of 200 acres of land. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and has been elder and trustee and for many years a teacher in the Sabbath-school.

SAMUEL TAYLOR, retired farmer, P. O., Lee's Cross Roads, was born in Franklin County, Penn .. October 15, 1815, son of John and Mary (French) Taylor, former of whom was born in Adams County, Penn. His grandfather, John Taylor, a native of northern Ireland, immigrated to Pennsylvania and was the first settler in Southampton Township, he served in the war of the Revolution. Our subject's father was a cabinet-maker by trade, but his later years were passed in farming. He reared nine sons and two daughters, all now living except two. Samuel Taylor learned the wagon-maker's trade, in Franklin County, Penn., and followed it for forty-five years. In 1835 he was married, and by this marriage had five children; John (deceased) was a practicing attorney in Pittsburgh, Penn .; Philip I., married and a farmer; Ringold, married (he is a carpenter and resides in Columbus, Ohio); Francis A., a wagon-maker by trade, is married; and George E., a wagon- maker. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of the Sab- bath-school of which he has been superintendent, and has been class-leader in the church for twenty-two years. He is a Republican in politics; has served six years as school director. Mr. Taylor is a kind-hearted gentlemen, always ready to assist those who are in sickness.

WHERRY. The origin of this family in America was Samuel Wherry, who emi- grated from County Antrim, Ireland, in April, 1762; settled in what is now known as Hopewell Township, Cumberland County, Penn., and married Elizabeth Ewing in 1776. Both were Scotch-Irish. Samuel Wherry died in 1825, and Elizabeth (Ewing) Wherry died in 1779, leaving one child, John Wherry, who was born July 2, 1777, married Mar- garet Mitchell in 1801, and died April 8, 1827. Margaret (Mitchell) Wherry, his wife. died June 23, 1837. These last-named left offspring: Samuel, born July 22, 1804; John Mitch- ell, February 10, 1806; Isabella Mary, April 7, 1808; William, February 11, 1810, and Elizabeth Wherry, July 22, 1813.

HON. SAMUEL WHERRY was the first child of John Wherry and Margaret (Mitchell) Wherry, born July 22. 1804; married Margaret McCune February 9, 1832, and died April 2, 1861. Margaret (McCune) Wherry died May 23, 1877. Mr. Wherry was a man of marked nobility. His distinguishing qualities were purity, truthfulness. unaffected simplicity, clearness of intellect with unbiased judgment, decision of character beneath the mildest manner, modesty scarcely to be paralled, charity that knew no bounds but prudence, a lifetime integrity without one stain, Christianity, not of sentiment merely, but of the highest practical type, and conscientiousness in the discharge of duty that often brought him the deepest pain by exposing him to the censure of men who were not worthy to loose the latchet of bis shoes. He was a notable farmer. He took a deep interest in educatiou, public and private. All his children received a thorough seminary and collegi- ate education. He filled a large space in his church (Presbyterian). In 1853 he was elected to a three-year term in the Senate of the State, and filled the office with credit to the district and honor to himself. In 1860 Gov. Packer appointed him to the bench at Carlisle, to fill a vacancy caused by the death of Judge Woodburn. While yet holding that commission he died, in his fifty-sixth year, leaving children: Eleanor S., Margaret J., Rev. John, Samuel M., Alexander S., Robert S. and William R. Wherry.

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Author: Publication date: Publisher: W. Taylor Number of Pages: 1280

Author:
Publication date:
Publisher: W. Taylor
Number of Pages: 1280