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 104

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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 104
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 104

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his chief business. Ile is owner of 174 acres of laud. Our subject has been twice mar- ried: first in 18)5. to Catharine, daughter of Jacob Ritner and granddaughter of ex-Gov. Joseph Ritner of Pennsylvania. To this union were born the following named children: Robert. a cattle-dealer in Wyoming Territory; Emily and Bertha. Mrs. Moore died in 1566. and in 1969 Mr. Moore married, for his second wife, her sister Mary, and by this union has four children: Jessie, Minnie, Norris and Ilugh. Mrs. Moore's father was a land surveyor and farmer, and his daughter Mary, being endowed with artistic taste, drew the drafts of the tracts of land for him; she is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Moore is a Democrat in politics.

ELIAS MOUNTZ. farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Hatton, was born in Frankford Township, this county, August 13, 1840, son of John and Susanna ( Knisly) Mountz, natives of Cumberland County, Penn., and of German descent; the former born in 1812, and the latter in 1×14. Our subject's grandfather. Martin Mountz, and his great-grandfather, Laz- arus Mountz, were tillers of the soil, as was also his father. John Mountz served, at one time. as captain in the militia; he died in 1879, his widow still survives him. Their fam- ilv consisted of ten children, eight of whom grew to manhood and womanhood. Elias Mountz is the eldest in the family that attained maturity, and was reared on the farm, attending the normal school. At the age of seventeen he commenced teaching, and fol- lowed this vocation for ten years in this county, teaching in the high school at Mount Holly Springs and six terms in South Middleton Township; since he abandoned school-

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teaching he has devoted his time to farming. Mr. Mountz is one of the few farmers who keep a correct book account of all he buys and sells on his farm. He has been a very suc- cessful farmer, and is one-half owner of a well improved farm, on which his brother now resides. Mr. Mountz, in politics, is a Democrat; has served as school director in this township for nine years; in 1866 he was elected county auditor, and served in that capaci- ty for three years. Our subject was married, February 23, 1865, to Eliza B., daughter of Benjamin Kauffman, and this union has been blessed with thirteen children, ten of whom are now living: Cicero K., Viola K., Elias K., Harry K., Olive K., Charles K., Minnie K., Elsie K., Stella K. and Annie K. Mr. and Mrs. Mountz are members of the United Breth- ren Church, in which he is class-leader and assistant superintendent of the Sabbath-school.

CHARLES H. MULLIN, Mount Holly Springs, is secretary and treasurer of the Mount Holly Paper Company, established in 1856, who do an extensive business in the manufacture of fine letter and writing papers; they make the commercial safety paper for cheeks, drafts, etc. He was born in South Middleton Township (now Mount Holly Springs), this county, October 31, 1833, son of William B. and Eliza (Lightcap) Mulliu, natives of Cumberland County, and of Irish and English descent, respectively. Our sub- jeet's great-grandfather, who came from the North of Ireland to America in 1960, and set- tled in Cumberland County, Penn., was a farmer by occupation, and served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and his grandfather, who was a paper manufacturer in Frank- lin County, Penn., came, in 1819, to what is now Mount Holly Springs, and bought the paper-mill built in 1812 by William Barber and I. Knox, and which he carried on until 1838, when his son, William B. Mullin (subject's father), took charge of the business, and continued it until his death, which occurred in 1869. In politics Mr. Mullin is a Repub- lican. He was one of the electors on the Republican ticket that elected Gen. Grant Presi- dent his first term: he was delegate to the National Convention in 1876, and has also been delegate to all important State conventions since 1872, always taking a prominent part. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., K. of P., and is a Knight Templar. During the late- war of the Rebellion our subject enlisted, in 1861, in the Seventh Pennsylvania Reserves. Mr. Mullin takes an interest in every thing that pertains to the welfare of Cumberland County. In 1872 he was elected president of Cumberland County Agricultural Society, which office he still holds.

WILLIAM A. MULLIN, of the firm of W. A. & A. F. Mullin, manufacturer of book paper, Mount Holly Springs, Penn., was born at that place August 18, 1835, the second child of William Barbour and Eliza (Lighteap) Mullin, natives of Cumberland County. Upon leaving school he associated himself with his father, and became a partner in the business. May 1, 1869, the father died, and since 1872 the firm has been known as W. A. & A. F. Mullin. William A. has paid much attention to the breeding of fine horses and Jersey cattle. The Mullins have all been and are active business men. William A. mar- ried, in October, 1862, Miss Fannie Porter, a daughter of Capt. and Martha I. (Hall) Por- ter. Mrs. Mullin is a lady of rare attainments, and is both an artist and poet. They are the parents of two daughters: Helen Hall and Nora Montgomery Mullin. Mrs. Mullin is. a graduate of Irving Female College.

A. F. MULLIN is a member of the firm of W. A. & A. F. Mullin, manufacturers of book and printing paper, Mount Holly Springs. The mill operated by this firm is one of the oldest in the State, the business having been established by the grandfather and grand- uncle of our subject. The mill was burned down in 1846, and the ground was then pur- chased by W. B. Mullin (subject's father) who, in 1847, erected a larger building, intro- ducing modern machinery, and conducted the business until his death in 1869, since when it has been operated by the present firm. A. F. Mullin was born at Mount Holly Springs, this county, in the house where he now resides, September 14, 1837, son of William B. and Eliza (Lightcap) Mullin, and is third in a family of eight children-five of whom are still living. Our subject attended school at Mount Holly Springs until he was sixteen, when he entered Dickinson College, Carlisle, Penn., where he graduated in his twenty- first year. He then accepted the position of principal of the Cumberland Valley Institute (1858-60); was principal of Dickinson College grammar school from 1860 to 1862, and then went into the paper manufacturing business with his father, in which he still continues. Mr. Mullin was married, in 1869, to Martha E., daughter of John S. Sterrett, and a native of Pennsylvania, her parents having been among the pioneers of the State. Mr. and Mrs. Mullin have three children: Lillian Sterrett, Charles L. and John Sterrett. Mrs. Mullin is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In politics Mr. Mullin was formerly a Repub- lican, but now casts his vote with the Prohibition party. He was a member of the town council, and is now of the school board. In 1876 he was a candidate for State Senator on the Republican ticket, and, though defeated, ran 1,000 ahead of his ticket. Athough not an office seeker he is now (1886) a candidate for the Legislature on the Prohibition ticket.

JACOB NOFFSINGER, farmer and stock-grower, Mount Holly Springs, was born in Berks County, Penn., May 24, 1834, son of Jacob and Catherine (Stahl) Noffsinger, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German and English origin, who came to Cumberland County soon after their marriage, and settled on a farm in South Middleton Township. Their family consisted of seven children, Jacob being the third born and the only member of the-

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family residing in Cumberland County. Our subject attended the schools in This town- ship: chose the occupation of his father (farming), and is the owner of the farm where he now resides. He was united in marriage, in 1859, with Annie E., daughter of Thomas and Anna (Shuck) Bradley, the former of whom was of Scotch-Irish origin, the latter a native of Switzerland. Mr. and Mrs. Noff-inger are parents of two children : Emma C. and Anna E. The family are members of the Lutheran Church. Politically Mr. Noffsinger is a Republican. lle is a member of the A. O. U. W., and has been through the subordinate lodge of the I. O. O. F. Mrs. Noffsinger's ancestors were Dunkards, and were prominent members of the River Brethren Church-in fact were the originators and organizers of that society.

SIMPSON OTT, farmer and stock-grower, P. O. Carlisle, was born in Southampton Township, near Shippensburg,this county, in September, 1840; son of Jacob and Susan (Barmaster) Ott, of German and English origin, and who reared a family of eleven chil- dren. Our subjeet, the second born, was reared on his father's farm. receiving a common school education in South Middleton Township. At the age of seventeen he commenced the blacksmith's trade, serving a regular apprenticeship of three years. Ile was married, in 1862, to Mary daughter of Israel Kertz and of German origin. The children born to this union are William. Carrie, Florence and James. Mr. and Mrs. Ott are members of the Evangelical Association, in which he has been Sabbath-school superintendent and is now Sabbath-school teacher. He has been a school director for years. Politically he is a Democrat. Mr. Ott has been successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits since 1862, and is owner of a farm of forty-eight acres near Carlisle. on which he now resides.

GEORGE OTTO, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Boiling Springs, was born at Car- lisle, Cumberland Co., Penn., March 11, 1822, son of John and Susannah (Smith) Otto. natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent; former a blacksmith by trade. They reared a family of seven children. John Otto was a soldier in the war of 1812, going from Car- lisle in 1813, and his son, John, was in the late war, enlisting in 1861 and serving three years. George, the second born, attended the common school in Carlisle, Penn .. and at the age of ten years commenced to work on the farm, and has made agriculture the busi- ness of his life. In early life he frequently worked as a farm-hand for 40 cents per day, and also for $5 per month, but by industry and economy he has succeeded in accumulat- ing a handsome fortune, being now the owner of 260 acres of land. He was married, November 12. 1850, to Henrietta, daughter of Adam Bitner, and of German deseent. They have five children living: Alphus S., a farmer; Charles W., a farmer and school- teacher (he taught school fifteen years); Lewis C., who is teaching school; Anna Maria and George B. In politics Mr. Otto is a Democrat: has served as school director. He is a member of the society of American Mechanics, the K. of P., I. O. O. F., and is a F. & A. M.

ABRAM PHILLIPS, retired farmer, P. O. Carlisle, was born in Carlisle, Cumber- land Co., Penn., son of Patrick and Catharine (Williams) Phillips, natives of Ireland. Patrick Phillips emigrated from his native country to America when he was sixteen years old, chose farming as an occupation, and in 1803 received his naturalization papers at Carlisle, where he had settled, and the house which he built in 1812 is still standing. He was a successful business man, and at the time of his death, in 1849, owned a well improved farmı. Abram and his sister Martha where the only children born to their parents. Our subject was reared on the farm, acquired a common school education, and has made agri- culture his principaloccupation. Heisowner of the 100 acres of land where he now re- sides. In politics our subject is a Democrat. He holds to the religion of his father (Roman Catholic), and is a good neighbor and respected citizen. Mr. Phillips and his sister are both single. and reside together on the farm.

D. S. RICE, farmer and stock-grower, P. O. Barnitz, was born in Adams County, Penn., January 5. 1836, son of Peter and Elizabeth (Plank) Rire, natives of Pennsylvania and of German origin. Our subject's paternal grandmother was born on the ocean while her parents were coming to America from Germany. His paternal grandfather was a sol- dier in the Revolutionary war. Peter Rice, who was a farmer by occupation, was twice married and had four children by his first wife and eight by his second (of the latter Da- vid S. is the third born). Our subject was reared on a farm in his native county, re- ceiving a common school education. At the age of sixteen he commenced to learn the blacksmith's trade, which he followed until 1862, when he enlisted in Company F, Fif- teenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, served as a non-commissioned officer, and was honorably discharged at expiration of term of service. Since the war Mr. Rice has devoted his whole time and attention to farming and stock-raising, and is owner of 96 acres of land on which he now resides. He was married. in 1865, to Mary C. daughter of Benjamin Royer. a farmer. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania and of German origin. The children born to this union are Benjamin Elmer, Emma Eva Alma, Seth Edwin and Robert. Mrs. Rice is a member of the Lutheran Church. In politics Mr. Rice is a Republican.

DANIEL RUDY, farmer and proprietor of the Sunnyside Dairy, P. O. Carlisle, was born in Dauphin County, Penn., December 8, 1837, son of Jonas and Frances (Hoffman) Rudy, natives of Pennsylvania and of German origin, and who reared a family of nine children. of whom Daniel is the third born. Four of the sons-Joseph, Levi, Jonas and

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Frederick-served in the late war of the Rebellion, and all returned home hut Joseph, who died at Andersonville, after an incarceration of one year and five days, in rebel prisons. Our subject was reared on his father's farm and, with his parents, moved to South Middleton, Township in1838. He acquired a common school education in his native county, and at the age of twenty-two, attended the State Normal School. He then commenced to teach, with the intention of following the profession, but, at the expiration of four years, his father died (in 1861), and, being appointed administrator to the estate. he came home and took charge of the farm. Mr. Rudy is owner of 103 acres of well improved land, and has operated the Sunnyside Dairy since 1878, keeping from fifteen to twenty cows. In 1871 he married Elizabetlı Ernest, of German descent. daughter of Jacob and Sarah Ann (Batterman) Ernest, and their living children are William Jonas, Jacob E. and Sallie A. Mr. and Mrs. Rudy are members of the Reformed Church. He has held most of the township offices. SAMUEL SCHELL, carpenter, P. O. Boiling Springs, was born in York County, Penn., July 9, 1830, son of Andrew and Anna Mary (Koontz) Schell, natives of Lancaster County, Penn., and of German origin (his father was a carpenter and contractor by occu- pation). Andrew Schell and wife had a family of ten children, and of their six sons five were carpenters and the other a farmer. Our subject, who received his education in the common school, early learned the carpenter's trade with his brother, he being the young- est son, and has made that the principal business of his life. He was married, in 1855, to Mary Magdalena. daughter of Jacob and Mary (Givler) High, who were also of German origin. Her father was a doctor. Mr. and Mrs. Schell have two children: Adella, wife of Lewis Zeigler, of Pittsburgh, Penn., and Jacob Franklin, who was born in York County, Penn .. August 30, 1858. At the age of sixteen he entered the Naval Academy as cadet in the engineer corps at Annapolis, Md., and thence graduated in 1878, and was then sent to sea and sailed in the ship which couveyed Gen. Grant iu his trip around the world. At present Jacob F. Schell is instructor in the engineer department of the Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md. Mr. Schell and wife are members of the United Brethren Church. Politically he is a Democrat.

WILLIAM SENSEMAN, miller and dealer in coal, Boiling Springs, was born in Cumberland County, Penn., September 20, 1837, son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Haines) Senseman, natives of Lancaster County, Penn., of German origin. Samuel Senseman, a carpenter in early life hut in later years a farmer, came to this county at an early date, and settled in Silver Spring Towuship. William Senseman, the ninth born in a family of ten children, lived on the farm and acquired a common school education, and has had to paddle his own canoe since he was fourteen years of age. When he reached his majority he went to Illinois, where he remained three years; then, in 1863, returned to this county. He was married, in 1865, to Hattie, daughter of Benjamin Shuh, and of German origin. In 1878 Mr. Senseman embarked in milling, which he continued for two years. From 1880 to 1884 he dealt in horses in company with A. R. May. In 1884 he again leased the mill at Boiling Springs, and has since conducted his present business. Mrs. Senseman is a member of the Lutheran Church. Our subject and wife have reared two orphans, giving them good educational advantages: John Cunningham, unmarried, and residing at Tecumseh, Neh., and Sadie Dean, now wife of Charles Rider.

ABRAHAM STRICKLER, farmer and stock-grower, P. O. Carlisle, was born in Mid- dlesex Township, Cumberland Co., Penn., July 15, 1834. son of Ulrick and Catharine (Hatzler) Strickler, of German origin, natives of Lancaster County, Penn., and Cumberland County, Penn., respectively. Our subject, the eldest of two children born to his parents, lost his mother when he was but four years of age. and his father, who never remarried, carried on the farm and kept house with hired help for eighteen years; he was a success- ful farmer and business man, and succeeded in accumulating a goodly share of this world's goods, and gave his children a good start in life. He died in 1871. Our subject, who was reared on the farm, receiving his education in the district school, has made farming his principal business, and has met with marked success, being the owner of a well improved farm of 200 acres. Abraham Strickler was married, in 1867, to Barbara Herr, of German origin, and a daughter of Christian Herr, who was a farmer and Mennonite clergyman. The children born to this union, liviug, are Jacob E., Mary and Emma (twins) and Bar- bara. Mrs. Strickler is a member of the Mennonite Church. Mr. Strickler is a Repub- lican in politics. He takes an active interest in educational matters, and has served for ten years as school director, and has been treasurer of the board.

R. M. STUART, farmer and stock grower. P. O. Mount Holly Springs, was born in South Middleton Township, Cumberland Co., Penn., October 19, 1849, sou of John and Jemima (McCune) Stuart, natives of Carlisle and Shippensburg, Penn., respectively. John Stuart, a farmer by occupation, was twice married, and has five children now living. Our subject's grandfather, John Stuart, and his uncle, Hugh Stuart, were associate judges of this county. R. M. Stuart, the eldest child by his father's second marriage, was reared on the farm, receiving his education in the common schools and at the academy in Phil- adelphia, Penn., where he graduated in 1869. He was married in 1870, to Jennie H., daughter of William McCune, of Scotch-Irish origin, who was accidently killed by the cars in 1878. To Mr. and Mrs. Stuart have been born the following named children: Mary

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Louisa, Mima Rosalie, John William, Robert Bruce, James Brady and Frank Hays. The parents are members of the Presbyterian Church at Carlisle. Mr. Stuart is a Demo- crat in politics; for four years was school director in the district where he now resides. Ile is owner of a well improved farm of 140 acres.

SAMUEL B. SWIGERT, superintendent of machinery and paper-maker in Mount Holly Paper Mills, Mount Holly Springs, was born in Cumberland County. Penn., Febru- ary 23, 1839. son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Sours) Swigert, natives of Pennsylvania, the former a butcher by occupation, born in Lancaster, and the latter in Cumberland County, of German origin. They reared a family of nine children, Samuel B. being the second. Our subject was reared in South Middleton Township, this county; was educated at the common school, and, after working at his trade six years, engaged with the Mount Holly Paper Company, with whom he has since continued. He is an energetic man, the owner of a neat. substantial residence in Mount Holly, where he resides. Our subject was mar- ried, in 1860, to Anna C., daughter of Joseph Decker, and by her he has six children: Minnie, Clara, Reed, Annie, Samuel and Benjamin F. Mr. Swigert is a Democrat in politics, and has served as school director and as member of the town council. He is a prominent member in Grand Lodge of the K. of P. at Mount Holly.

J. II. SWILER, merchant, proprietor of general store in Hickorytown, P. O. Car- lisle, was born in Silver Spring Township, this county, July 22, 1835, son of John and Isa- bella ( Eckels) Swiler, natives of Pennsylvania, of English origin, and who were the par- ents of three sons. In early life John Swiler was a teacher, io later years he was a farmer; he died in 1839. Isabella (Eekels) Swiler died May 20, 1858, aged forty-seven years and twenty-eight days. Our subject, the second child, was reared on the farm, received his education in the common schools, and worked on the farm until he was seventeen years old, when he entered a store at West Fairview, this county, and clerked for one year, for George W. Fessler. He then went to York County, Penn., and was there employed as a clerk, in all, about five years. In 1859-60 he clerked for Joshua Culp and J. J. Coble, in Hogestown, Cumberland Co., Penn. In 1861 Mr. Swiler established his present in- dustry, and by strict attention to business and honest dealing with his customers has suc- ceeded well. He keeps a much larger stock than isusually carried in country stores. He was married, January 9, 1861, to Martha E., daughter of George Beistline, and of English origin. Their children are Sadie I., wife of Christian Bricker, and Maggie Florence, Politically Mr. Swiler is a Democrat. IIe has been school director for nine years. IIe is a member of Silver Spring Lodge, No. 598, I. O. O. F.

GEORGE TANGER, farmer and stock-grower, P. O. Hatton, was born in Lancaster County, Penn., October 30, 1824, son of John and Ann (Cochnouer) Tanger, natives of that county and of German lineage, both born in the year 1803, former of whom died in 1830 and latter in 1876. His father, who was a weaver by trade, died in 1830. Our sub- ject, the eldest of three children, acquired his education in his native county, where he resided until he was sixteen years of age, then came to this county and worked on a farm for 40 cents per day, and in this way got a start in life; he is now the owner of 502 acres of land, on a part of which he resides. He was married, in 1851, to Magdalena, daughter of Christian Herr. and of German origin. To George Tanger and wife have been born twelve children, eleven still living: Barbara, wife of Daniel B. Hoerner; Mary and Anna (twins), were married the same day, Mary to William H. Kenkel, and Anna to Jacob C. Baker; Jacob (deceased); John, a farmer. married to Mary C. Carman; Susan, wife of Jacob M. Keller; Martha, wife of John W. Miller; George, at home; Christian, married to Clara K. Gleim; Emma M., Abraham and Harry. Mr. Tanger is a member of the Church of God; was formerly a Republican in politics, but is now a Prohibitionist.

B. F. THOMAS. farmer and veterinary surgeon, P. O. Mount Holly Springs, was born in Adams County, Penn., June 30, 1832, son of Conrad (a millwright and carpenter) and Mary (Irvin) Thomas; the former of whom, born June 14, 1800, lived to be seventy-five years old; the latter, born June 7, 1804, is still living; they were natives of Pennsylvania and of English and German origin. Our subject, the fourth in a family of eight children, received his education in the district schools of his native county, and at twenty was ap- prenticed to the blacksmith's trade, which has since been his principal occupation. He came to this county in 1865, settled in South Middleton Township, and successfully followed his trade until 1884. He is owner of the farm where he now resides, and is at present following agricultural pursuits. B. F. Thomas was married, in 1854, to Margaret. daugh- ter of Ferdinand and Eve (Weigle) Meals, natives of Adams County, Penn., and of Ger- man origin. The living children of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are William HI., a blacksmith here: Mary E., wife of W. II. Keeny; George B. McClelland. Harvey Edgar and Harry Meals. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are members of the Lutheran Church. Our subject, a Democrat politically, has been township auditor. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.

JAMES B. WEAKLEY (deceased) was born November 16, 1819, in South Middleton Township, this county, on the farm where he died, and which has been in the pos- session of the family since 1749. His father, Nathaniel Weakley, and his grandfather, James Weakley, were both farmers. Our subject, the second born in a family of five children, made farming the business of his life, and met with marked success. Ile was

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

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