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 102

Author:
Publication date:
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 102
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 102

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).

HON. S. M. WHERRY. the fourth child of Hon. Samuel Wherry, born January 5, 1839, graduated from Princeton June, 1860; completed the usual course of legal studies in the office of Judge Watts, Carlisle; relinquished his chosen profession from necessities growing out of his father's death; became a practical farmer April 1. 1863; married Esther A. Stuart, daughter of Hon. Hugh Stuart, of Carlisle, January 27, 1864, and still resides at the homestead. S. M. Wherry is best known as a progressive and successful farmer. as the instigator and promoter of many educational schemes. as the quiet benefactor of many who came to him in their distress, as the unseen helper of youths of both sexes, who, without money or friends, were also without hope of a fair start in life. He was elected to the Constitutional Convention of 1872-73. from the district of Cumberland and Franklin Counties, served through the entire term of that distinguished body, and has left his record in its printed debates.

REV. SAMUEL S. WYLIE, pastor of Middle Spring Presbyterian Church, was born in Washington County, Penn., December 2. 1844, son of David and Harriet B. (Simison) Wylie, of Scotch-Irish descent, latter a native of Ohio. David Wylie, a native of Penn- sylvania, was a Government officer in early life, and in later life became a farmer; their family consisted of six children, Samuel S. being the fifth. Our subject was reared on the

549

SOUTII MIDDLETON TOWNSHIP.

farm, and attended the common school until he was sixteen years of age : afterward he en- tered Washington and Jefferson College, from which he graduated in 1867. He entered the theological seminary at Allegheny City, Penn., in 1867, and graduated at that institution in 1870. Ile was licensed to preach in 1869, by the Pittsburgh Presbytery. After graduating in his theological course, in 1870, he spent one year in teaching and as supply preacher, in In- diana County, Penn. He then went to Scotland, where he entered the Free Church Theo- logical College at Edinburgh, and remained one year. On his return to America he was ordained, and accepted a charge at Middle Spring, this county, where he has remained for the past fourteen years. Rev. Samuel S. Wylie is a thorough scholar and an aceom- plished gentleman, and his efforts in his profession have been attended with marked suc- cess in winning souls to his Master and gathering in his church and Sabbath-school many individuals and families. He has written a very authentie history of the Presbyterian Church at Middle Spring, this county. This church was one of the first established in the Cumberland Valley. Our subject was married, November 24. 1874. to Miss Jane M. Me- Chuc, daughter of John McCune, and of Scotch-Irish deseent. They have been blessed with three children: Two daughters, llarriet and Eva Theressa, and one son, Samuel D. Mrs. Wylie is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

CHAPTER LVIII.

SOUTH MIDDLETON TOWNSHIP AND BOROUGH OF MOUNT HOLLY SPRINGS.

C. W. AHL (deceased) was born in Franklin County, Penn., February 22, 1811, son of Dr. John Ahl, an eminent physician in that county, and who moved toNewville, this coun- ty, where our subject received his education and, when but seventeen years of age, ob- tained a certificate to teach, which profession he followed five years; then commenced farming and dealing in real estate. Ile was a man of great executive ability and was very successful. In 1859 he embarked in the iron business, opening mines on his lands in Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland, all of which proving successful he bought exten- sive tracts of land, and, at his death, in 1885, was owner of prosperons mines, iron fur- naces and valuable town property and 10,000 acres of land. Mr. Ahl was a man of more than the ordinary ability. He was elected president of the Harrisburg & Potomac Rail- road in 1879. He was married, in 1839, to Catharine, daughter of James Williams, and of English origin, and to this union were born six children, four of whom are living. Mr. Ahl. a Democrat in polities, was an enthusiastic politician but would never accept office. The responsibility of conducting his large property was confided to his son Thomas W., five years before Mr. Ahl's death, and he succeeded to the presidency of the larris- burg & Potomac Railroad. Thomas W. Ahl, was born in 1848, in Churchtown, this county, and is the next to the eldest in his father's family; he received his education in Dickinson College, Carlisle, whence he graduated in 1867; then embarked iu the iron- manufacturing business at Boiling Springs, and has proved himself to be a thorough busi- ness man. In polities he is a Democrat.

GEORGE BISHOP, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Carlisle, was born in Monroe Township, this county, October 5, 1831, son of Jacob and Margaret (Swisher) Bishop, who were also natives of this county and of German descent. (Jacob Bishop was a tailor in early life but in later years a farmer.) They reared a family of eight children-four boys and four girls. Our subject, the third born in the family, was reared on the farm, acquiring a common school education in his native county. He chose farming as his avo- cation, has met with more than average success, and is the owner of a well improved farm, on which he now resides. He was married, October 18, 1855, to Elizabeth H., daugh- ter of James and Sarah Armstrong. natives of Pennsylvania and of English and German origin. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Bishop was blessed with two children, both of whom are now deceased: Margaret A., wife of Daniel B. Hoerner (had one child also de- ceased) and Sarah Jane, who died at the age of two years and ten months. Mr. and Mrs. Bishop are members of the Church of God, and they are numbered among the best citizens of the township. In politics Mr. Bishop is a Democrat. He has served as school director. I. E. BRECHBILL, farmer, Boiling Springs, was born at Boiling Springs, Cum- berland Co., Penn., April 29, 1836, the eldest son in the family of five children of Philip and Clarissa (Gitt) Brechbill. The former, a native of Lebanon County, Penn., was of German origin, and the latter, born in Adams County, Penn., was of English de-

550

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

scent. Philip Brechbill, who spent most of his life in Cumberland County, was a farmer by occupation and one of the first residents of what is now known as the village of Boil- ing Springs. Our subject was reared on the farm and received a good English education. In early life he clerked in a dry goods store, and also farmed for a time in South Middle- ton Township; in later years he engaged in farming and milling, and was at one time a merchant. Mr. Brechbill has been financially successful, and at the present time is owner of a flouring-mill in South Middleton Township and of a farm and considerable real estate in Boiling Springs, where he still resides. He was united in marriage, in 1866, with Martha J., daughter of Joseph and Mary Brandt, a native of Pennsylvania and of German and Irish origin. They have two children: Philip, in school, and Mary Emily Brandt, attending the female seminary at Hagerstown, Md. Mr. and Mrs. Brechbill are consistent members of the Lutheran Church, in which he has been elder and Sabbath-school super- intendent since its organization, in 1873, and was one of the prime movers in organizing the society, taking an active interest in the church at Boiling Springs. He is a Republican in politics. He is of a literary turn of mind, and supplies himself and family with the best literature of the day.

ELI BUSHMAN, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Carlisle, was born in Carroll County, Md., January 19, 1826, son of Henry and Mary (Starr) Bushman, natives of Adams County, Penn., and Maryland, respectively, and of English origin. Henry Bushman, who is a farmer, resides on a farm. near Carlisle, and is eighty-five years old. He reared two chil- dren: Eli and Louisa, wife of Mr. Lepperd. Our subject received his education in the common school, and early in life learned the blacksmith's trade, at which he worked, however. but two years; since when he has devoted himself to agriculture, and now owns a farm of over 103 acres, on which he resides. Eli Bushman was married, in 1847, to Eliza Jane Adams, of Irish origin, and this union has been blessed with ten children, all of whom are living: Theodore (a farmer, is married), Harry, Rebecca, John Scott, Sarah Ann, George, Mary, Kate, Ida aud Calvin. Mrs. Bushman is a member of the Lutheran Church. In politics Mr. Bushman is a Republican.

G. A. BUSHMAN, farmer and stock-grower, P. O. Carlisle, was born in South Mid- dleton Township, this county, January 21, 1860, son of Eli and Sarah (Stevick) Bushman, natives of Pennsylvania and of German origin. Eli Bushman, who was a farmer, a mem- her of the Lutheran Church, died in 1880. Of the family of eight children born to this couple G. A. is the fifth. Our subject was reared on the farm, receiving a common school education, and wisely chose the occupation of his father, that of agricultural pursuits, though he spent two years working on the railroad, with headquarters at Grand Rapids, Mich. He was married, in 1884, to Gertrude, daughter of John Park, of German descent. Mrs. Bushman is a member of the Lutheran Church. Our subject is owner of 107 acres of Iand, on which he resides; his mother, who is still living in Carlisle, is also a member of the Lutheran Church.

ISAAC A. CHRONISTER, farmer and stock-grower, P. O. Uriah, was born in Adams County, Penu., but grew to manliood in York County, same State, and there ac- quired his education in the common schools. His parents. Levi and Catharine (Asper) Chronister, were uatives of Pennsylvania and of German origin; the former a blacksmith in early life, and in later years a farmer. Isaac A. Chronister, the third in a family of seven children, learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked several years, but now devotes his time to agriculture. He owns the farm on which he resides in this township. He was united in marriage, in 1875, with Leah, daughter of Joel Griest, a farmer and mil- ler by occupation, and of English origin. To Mr. and Mrs. Chronister have been born three children: Charles, Della and George Levi. Mr. and Mrs. Chronister are members of the Lutheran Church.

JAMES COYLE, farmer, P. O. Carlisle, was born in South Middleton Township, this county, July 13, 1822, son of Joseph and Calista (daughter of Thomas Thompson) Coyle, of English and Irish origin, and who were the parents of three children. Joseph Coyle, a farmer, an early settler of Cumberland County, died in 1833. James, the eldest of the children, was reared among strangers, in South Middleton Township, this county, and here received a common school education. At the age of seventeen he commenced to learn carpentering, and soon became a thorough mechanic; he has followed the husi- ness of carpenter and contractor for forty-five years, building bridges, houses and barns, and it is safe to say that he has erected more houses than any other man in this county. lIe has now retired from active labor and resides on a fine farm of 100 acres. He is a self-made man in every sense of the word, having acquired, not only his worldly possessions by his own exertions, but his education. He states he has never drank any intoxicating liquors nor used tobacco in any form. He is a remarkably well preserved man for his age. Our subject was married, in 1846, to Mary Ann, daughter of Benjamin and Rebecca (Dixon) Johnson, natives of Pennsylvania and of English descent. Mr. and Mrs. Coyle have five children living: Jeunie A., William G. (a contractor and builder), Rebec- ca (wife of Christian Leib), James A. and Charles T. The sons are all carpenters and farmers, and all the children have been given the benefits of good schools. Mr. Coyle and his wife are members of the First Presbyterian Church in Carlisle, in which he takes

551

SOUTII MIDDLETON TOWNSHIP.

an active interest, and for years has been ruling elder. Our subject, in politics, is a Dem- oerat; has been auditor and supervisor, also school director in the township, and, in 1885, was elected by a large majority a director of the poor in this county. He is a member of one of the oldest families here, his great-grandfather. Thomas Thompson, having enlisted in the Revolutionary war from Cumberland County.

1. C. DAVIS, M. D., Mount Holly Springs, was born in Cumberland County, Penn., April 16, 1818, son of John P. and Catharine (Shipp) Davis, also natives of this county. John P. Davis, a farmer by occupation. at present resides in Penn Township, this county; his family consists of four children. J. C., the eldest, was reared on the farm and at- tended common school in his native county and Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg. Penn., and after graduating taught school three sessions.

He commenced the study of medieine in 1873, afterward attended the Jefferson Medical College, and graduated thence in 1875. Since completing his medical course the Doctor has built up a large and exten- sive practice. Ile was united in marriage, in January, 1879, with Ella C., daughter of Benjamin K. Peffer, and of German origin. To this union have been born two children: Anna Zoe and John Keller. Dr. Davis and wife are members of the Lutheran Church. The Doctor, who is a Republican in politics, has served eight years as school director in Mount Holly Springs, and while a member of that body was instrumental in getting free text books introduced into the public sebools at Mount Holly. December 2, 1885, the Doctor was called before the Teachers' Institute of Cumberland County, Penn., and deliv- ered an address in favor of introducing free text-books in all the public schools in the county. He is a member of the K. of P.

CAPT. CHARLES S. DERLAND, merchant, Boiling Springs, was born in Blair County, Penn., October 16, 1840, son of John and Mary (llarpst) Derland, natives of Pennsylvania and of German origin. John Derland was a book-keeper by occupation, and was engaged nearly all his life in the employ of iron mannfacturing companies. His family consisted of three children, of whom Charles S. is the youngest born. Our subject was reared and educated in his native county. In 1861 he enlisted, at Carlisle, in what is known as " The Anderson Body Guards," and was successively promoted to be corporal, sergeant, orderly sergeant, second heutenant, first lieutenant and adjutant, and afterward captain, in which capacity he served until the close of the war, receiving an honorable discharge in November, 1866. His military record is truly a noble one; he participated in several noted battles, the most severe one being that of Pittsburg Landing. Returning home, after the war, Capt. Derland embarked in his present business. Ile was married, in 1864, to Sarah, daughter of John Embick and a native of Franklin County, Penn., of German origin. To this union have been born two children: Mary and Blanche. The family are all members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Derland is a Republican in politics.

SOLOMON DEWALT, retired farmer, P. O. Carlisle, is a native of Perry County, Penn., where he was born May 12, 1818. His father, John Dewalt, a prominent farmer, was a native of the Keystone State and of German origin. His mother, Margaret (Beard) Dewalt, was a native of this county and of English lineage. They reared six children, of whom Solomon is the second born, Our subject grew to manhood in his native county, acquiring bis education in the district school. At the age of eighteen years he commenced to learn the tanner's trade, and in 1842 embarked in business, having for a partner IIon. Jesse Miller, who was then Secretary of State of the State of Pennsylvania. This partner- ship continued for three years, when Mr. Dewalt sold out and followed farming in Perry County, Penn., until 1866, when he came to this county, where he has since resided and is owner of a fine farm. Mr. Dewalt has been twice married; first to Jane McKinley, who lived only one year and died in 1842, leaving one child, Mary Isabella, now the wife of John W. Lindsey: and he was married, on second occasion, in 1845, to Susannah, daugh- ter of George Shibley, and of German origin. Of the five children born to this union three are now living: Joseph A., a farmer; John S., a carpenter; Eliza Jane, wife of M. B. Ocker; and George S., and Harry E., deceased. Mr. Dewalt is a Democrat in politics; has been assessor and supervisor of North Middleton Township four years. He was first lieutenant of the Landisburg Guards, of Perry County, Penn.

R. M. EARLEY, editor, publisher and proprietor of the Mountain Echo, Mount Holly Springs. was born in Leesburg, Penn., February 11, 1846, son of Robert and Jane (McCormick) Earley, natives of Pennsylvania and of English descent; former a blacksmith by trade, in later life a farmer. R. M. Earley, next the youngest in a family of six chil- dren, received his education in the Williamsport Seminary. and then taught school for one year. In 1871 he established his present enterprise in Mount Holly Springs, and in the same year married Martha Fishburn, of German lineage, and daughter of Philip Fishburn, a farmer. To this union have been horn two children: Frank Norman and Barton. Mr. and Mrs. Earley are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Re- publican.

HI. M. EVANS, freight agent for the Harrisburg & Potomac Railroad Company, Boiling Springs, was born in Carroll Township, York Co., Penn., December 31, 1851, son of John and Elizabeth (Miller) Evans, also natives of York County. Our subject's mother

552

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :

was of German descent; his father, of Welsh lineage, was a land surveyor, and for many years followed his profession in York County. He, John Evans, moved to Newville, Cum- berland County in 1863; was justice of the peace, and held several other offices of trust. He died in 1883. II. M. Evans' paternal grandfather was an officer in the war of 1812. Our sub- ject is the elder in a family of two children, and grew to manhood in Cumberland County, attending the school in Newville and afterward Dickinson College, whence he gradu- ated in 1874. He then studied surveying, and worked at it with his father for a time, but at the age of twenty-three accepted the position of freight agent, and has served in that capacity ever since. He was married, in 1881. to Laura E., daughter of John Beetem, and a native of this county, of German origin. To this union has been born one child: Maud Elizabeth. Mrs. Evans is a member of the Lutheran Church. In politics Mr. Evans is a Democrat.

W. F. GARDNER, merchant, P. O. Uriah, was born in South Middleton Township, this county, September 15, 1856, son of Barney and Agnes (Day) Gardner; the former of German origin, born in Adams County, Penn., in 1810, the latter also a native of Pennsyl- vania, of English lineage. They were married in Adams County, Penn. Barney Gardner, who was a farmer and merchant and successful business man, lived to he seventy years old, his life being mostly spent ou the line between Adams and Cumberland Counties. He died in 1880. He was a Democrat politically. His widow still resides in South Middleton Township. Our subject is the youngest of three children (John, Urialı and William F.), and grew to manbood on the farm, receiving his education in the common school. Mr. Gardner has been conducting a general store in the southern part of South Middleton Township since 1875. He was married, in 1880, to Florence Mortorff, of English origin, and daughter of Israel Mortorff, who was a successful business man. Politically our sub- ject is a Democrat.

SAMUEL GIVIN. president of the Mount Holly Paper Company, Mount Holly Springs, was born in Cumberland County, Penn., July 6, 1804, son of James and Agnes (Steel) Givin; the former a native of Ireland, the latter of Pennsylvania. James Givin came to this county in 1790, and for many years was a merchant in Carlisle and a promi- nent man. In early life he was a Democrat in politics, but in later years became a Re- publican. He was a member of Carlisle Town Council. Of the eleven children born to James and Agnes Givin seven attained maturity. Samuel Givin, the seventh born, grew up in Carlisle and there received his education, and early in life embarked in mercantile business, in which he continued until 1828, when he built a mill at Mount Holly Springs, near the site of the brick mill now owned by the Mount Holly Paper Company, and there for several years manufactured carpets, whose beauty in design and texture are said to have equaled the celebrated carpets of Kidderminster, England. In 1865 the paper com- pany was incorporated, with a cash capital of $200,000, and Mr. Robert Givin was elected president, acting as such until his death in 1878. when Samuel Givin was elected presi- dent, which office he still holds. He is a Republican in politics, and has served as presi- dent of town council. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

P. HARMON, dealer in coal, grain and lumber, and agent for the Harrisburg & Po- tomac Railroad Company, Mount Holly Springs, was born in South Middleton Township, this county, December 13, 1848, son of George (a farmer) and Julia (Baker) Harmon, na- tives of York County, Penn., and of German origin; their family consisted of eight chil- dren. Our subject, the fifth born, was reared on the farm and attended the schools of his native county. Early in life he left the farm and clerked in a store in Mount Holly Springs; then embarked in mercantile trade, keeping a general store for fifteen years, most of the time in company with his brother, though he conducted business alone for six years. In 1877 our subject embarked iu his present enterprise. He was married, in 1872, to Emily L., daughter of Stephen F. Weakley, and of Irish descent. Her father was a farmer, and was a strong Abolitionist in those days when it cost something to be an advo- cate of that doctrine. The children of Mr. and Mrs. P. Harmon are Bessie, Percy and IIelen. Mrs. Harmon is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Harmon is a Republican in politics; has served in the town council, and for three years was secretary of the school board. During the late war of the Rebellion he enlisted, in 1865, in Com- pany H, One Hundred and First Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, serving until the close of the war.

E. F. HASKELL, farmer and proprietor of the Wood View Nursery, P. O. Uriah, was born in Massachusetts May 27, 1810, son of Charles HI. and Demaris (Flagg) Haskell, natives of Massachusetts and of English origin. Charles H. Haskell was a farmer and manufacturer of woolen goods. Our subject, the third in a family of ten children, after receiving his education in the academy of his native State, at the age of seventeen learned the trade, with his father, of manufacturing woolen goods, which he followed seventeen years, a part of the time heing in business in Delaware County, Penn. He also managed the carpet manufacturing business at Mount Holly Springs, this county, for five years, and afterward became general manager of the Pine Grove Iron Works, where he remained for eight years, when he engaged as superintendent of the Ahl Iron Works for a year. After this he moved on his farm, consisting of 205 acres, which he had purchased in 1850, and

553

SOUTHI MIDDLETON TOWNSILIP.

embarked in the nursery business, selling trees in New York and the Western States ex- tensively, meeting with more than average success. Our subjeet has been twice married; first in 1832. and. this wife dying in 1835, he was married, on the second occasion. in 1840. to Miss Eliza Watshaugh, of German and Irish origin, and their three children are Amanda, wife of John Peters: Almira, wife of E. J. Ilartzel; Harrison, who is married and farming the home place. Mrs. Eliza Haskell died in 1867. She was a member of the Herman Reformed Church. Mr. Haskell was a member of the Presbyterian denomina- tion, but now has his membership with the Lutheran Church. He has always taken an active interest in his church, serving as elder and deacon. Mr. Haskell has lived in Cum- berland County since 1838, and for a number of years has been a member of the school board.

GEORGE W. HEAGY, farmer and stock-grower, P. O. Carlisle, was born near New- ville, Cumberland Co., Penn., September 24, 1837, son of John and Mary (Hemminger) lleagy. The former a native of Adams County, of English origin, was a farmer; the lat- ter, born in Cumberland County, was of German lineage. George W. is the youngest in a family of seven children. His father died in 1856 in Cumberland County, where he had resided since he was a young man. Our subject attended common school and farmed un- til 1861, when he enlisted in Company H, Third Pennsylvania Cavalry, and served as a non-commissioned officer; was in several hard-fought battles, had two horses shot from under him, and was wounded while charging a rebel battery at the battle of Gettysburg, but served his full time, and was honorably discharged. Since the war Mr. Heagy has followed agricultural pursuits, and now owns 118 acres of land. He was married, in 1866. to Annie E. Stuart, of English descent. daughter of John Stuart, a farmer. The children born to this union are Mary. John, Robert, Minnie, Clark, Bessie, Florence, Maud and Annie. Mr. Heagy is a member of the Reformed Church, and his wife of the Presbyterian denomination. Mr. Heagy is a Democrat in politics; has served three years as county auditor and three years as overseer of the poor, and several years as school director.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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

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