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 157

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 157
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 157

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).

SOLOMON SCHWARTZ, farmer, P. O. Hanover, York County, was born March 10, 1827. near East Berlin, York Co., Penn., a grandson of David Louis Schwartz, a native of Berks County, Penn., who was a wide awake farmer in his time, and who removed to York County in 1805, and settled two miles south of Hanover, but eventually moved back to near Berlin, on the old homestead, where he died aged eighty-two years. David Louis Schwartz married a lady hy the name of Leisher, and of their ten children John learned the miller's trade, which he followed many years very successfully south of East Berlin, being an industrious man. He eventually bought 400 acres of land in Conowago Towa- ship, Adams County, in 183t, and here he and his wife died on the old homestead. He married Barbara, daughter of Simon Copenhafer, one of the old settlers of this county, and to them were born nine children: Mary, Elizabeth, Levi. Samuel, Lydia, John, Solo- mon, David and Lonise. Our subject was reared on the farm, and educated in Adams County, and has been a farmer all his life. Politically he is a Democrat, and has filled many township offices. In 1881 he was nominated for county commissioner, having twelve competitors, but, as he was well known for his sterling business qualities, was elected, and had the satisfaction of seeing the county debt paid and money in the treasury when his term expired. He was married, December 4, 1849, to Miss Margaret Basehoar.

395

CONOWAGO TOWNSHIP.

born February 15, 1832, daughter of George Baschoar, and who died January 20, 1884, the mother of eleven children: George F., John II., Samuel D., Mary B., Jacob S., Louise B., Charles B., Emory A., Riley L., Dellie Ann and Morise E. Mr. Schwartz and family are members of the Reformed Church, in which he has filled the highest offices.

EDWARD SHORB, farmer, MeSherrystown, is a worthy representative of the Shorb family of pioneers, and was born November 1, 1824, on the old homestead in Union Township. Adams Co., Penn., where his brother, Squire Joseph L. Shorb, still resides. His parents were John and Mary (Beccher) Shorb. Our subject was educated in this county, has been a farmer nearly all his life, and for the last fourteen years has been liv- ing in McSherrystown, on the plot where his grandmother, Mary (Obold) Shorb, resided for many years. Edward Shorb was married here, December 27. 1859, to Miss Sarah C., daughter of Samuel and Mary (Smith) Sneeringer. Mr. and Mrs. Shorb are members of Conowago Chapel. He has never been an office seeker, and has been identified with the Democratic party all his life. lle owns several farms, which comprise from 250 to 300 acres of good limestone land. As a farmer he has been successful, and has decided to pass the evening of his life in the village of MeSherrystown, where he enjoys the esteem and good-will of his fellow townsmen.

C. D. SMITHI, merchant, McSherrystown, was born September 20, 1855, in Union Township, this county. His father, John Smith, was born near Bonneauville, in Mount- pleasant Township, this county, in 1825, and later farmed a year in Union Township, then moved to Oxford Township in the spring of 1856, and there died in the fall of 1859, aged thirty-four years. John Smith was married to Mary Ann, daughter of Jacob Mar- shall, and who is yet living. They had three children, of whom only Charles D. survives. llis sister, Ann M., died aged twenty-four. The ancestors of the Smiths were of German descent, the great-grandfather Smith coming from the old country and settling near Bon- neauville, Penn. He had eight sons and three danghters, of whom Charles was born in this country, married, and had three sons and one daughter. Our subject was educated in Conowago Township, this county, and attended the Sisters' School in MeSherrystown and at Hanover, Penn. In early life he farmed, but in 1881 embarked in the cigar business in partnership with J. A. Poist. Mr. Smith sold out his interest the next year, and embarked in the grocery business, in which he has since continued. C. D. Smith was married, Sep- tember 8, 1881, to Miss Clara C. Weaver, born May 5, 1859, in York County, Penn., daughter of Anthony Weaver. They have two children: Edward C., born November 5, 1582, and Rodger A., born October 5, 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of Cono- wago Chapel. Politically our subject is a Republican. He has served as treasurer of the orough.

F. X. SMITH, manufacturer, MeSherrystown, was born March 21, 1843, on the old homestead in Oxford Township, this county, a grandson of John Smith and son of Joseph J. Smith, a farmer, who died in Irishtown, Penn. Joseph J. Smith was justice of the peace, settled many estates and stood high in the estimation of all who knew him. He married Mary, daughter of John Hemler, who bore him eight children: John L., Henry W., Anna (now a sister in St. Joseph's convent, on Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia), Francis Xaverious, Andrew J., Gregory F., Samuel A. and Pius I. Our subject was educated in this county in early life, and farmed till he was eighteen years old, then went into his father's general store in Irishtown, Penn., where he continued about fifteen years, and while there embarked in the cigar business in 1868, employing from five to twenty-five hands annually; commencing with five hands he increased his force as his business de- manded. In 1877 he came to MeSherrystown, Penn .. and was in the cigar and leaf tobacco business in partnership with J. G. McKinny for two and three quarters years, when the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Smith assuming all the liabilities. He then embarked in business on his own account in the fall of 1879, kept a general store and also dealt in ci- gars and leaf tobacco. He gave up the store October 30, 1882, and since then has engaged only in the cigar and leaf tobacco trade. Ile makes full lines of cigars, using nothing but the best of stock; buys tobacco in all the Eastern markets, as well as being a packer of leaf tobacco. He ships his cigars to the Eastern and Western markets. IIc is a bene- factor to the village, for he employs on an average about 150 hands, and runs a branch factory at Irishtown, where he has twenty hads. He makes about 6,000,000 cigars annu- ally and handles between 4,000,000 and 5,000,000 outside goods. Our subject was married to Miss Louise J., daughter of Dr. William Hombach, a native of Germany, and they have eight children living: Clara, Charles, William, Anna, Joseph, Paul, Peter and Violet. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of Conowago Chapel. Politically he is a Republican ; has been town councilman two years. As a business man he is a decided success; as a citizen he is liberal and public spirited. Ile was in favor of the borough, and was one of the promoters and first treasurer of the building association, and one of the prime movers in starting the turnpike. He has ever been foremost in promoting the interests of Mc- Sherrystown. Mr. Smith has such a reputation on his cigars that he needs no one to travel for him in order to sell them: his goods always come up to sample; his word is his bond. His only pride is to make goods that will always give satisfaction. To-day he stands at the head of leaf dealers in this section, having an immense warehouse, holding at least 500 cases always filled with the finest seed and llavana leaf.

396

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHIES:

FRANK G. SNEERINGER, farmer, P. O. McSherrystown. The genealogy of this family dates back to Switzerland, whence Joseph Sneeringer came when a young man. and settled in one of the lower counties of Maryland: he married a Miss Great, and then came to York County, Penn .. where he farmed, and reared his large family, of whoni one daughter, Catharine, married, and went to Ohio, and a son, Joseph, born in 1761. who learned and followed the carpenter's trade became a good mechanic, and planned a part of Conowago Chapel. Joseph Sneeringer finally bought land in Conowago Township, this county, was a successful farmer, and died on the old homestead January 26, 1838. He was county commissioner and justice of the peace. Ile married Margaret Fink, who was born April 2, 1763, and died September 8, 1830. They had five children: Joseph, Samuel, John, David and Catharine. Of these, Samuel, born in 1998, a farmer all his life, event- ually bought his grandfather's property, became a wealthy man, and was very indus- trious and upright, winning the respect of all who knew him. He married Mary Smith, born in 1810, daughter of Jacob Smith. Samuel Sneeringer died April 14, 1822. and his wife September 8, 1864. They had nine children (seven of whom attained maturity): Sarah, Rebecca, Joseph (deceased), Mary, Samuel (deceased), Matilda (deceased), Catharine (de- ceased), Frank G. and Leo. Our subject was born September 5, 1845, and was educated at Conowago Academy and at Mount St. Mary's College, near Emmittsburg, Md. He has been a farmer all his life. He served as justice of the peace, held other minor town- ship offices, and in 1882 was nominated for the State Legislature, and in the fall of 1882. though his party was split up, was elected by a good majority. losing only five votes in his own township, and he may justly feel proud of the result. He resides near Conowago Chapel, and still owns a part of the land bought by his grandfather. Mr. Sneeringer married Sally Jenkins, born in Oxford Township, this county, August 23, 1846, daughter of William Jenkins. To this union have been born Mary S., Sarah M., Frances Rosalie, William, Anna M. and Elizabeth Belinda. The elder two are deceased. The family are members of the Roman Catholic Church.

JOHN D. WALTMAN, farmer, McSherrystown, was born June 21, 1836, in Cono- wago Township, Adams Co., Penn. The genealogy of the Waltmans dates back to Germany, whenee the great-grandfather, Henry Waltman (a weaver by trade), came in an early day. He was a native of Switzerland or Germany, and when a student, visiting friends, was kidnapped by sailors and carried on board their vessel that sailed to different parts of the world, hut finally reached Baltimore, Md., where he found an opportunity to effect his eseape, and traveled by night till he came to Pennsylvania, which he chose for his future home. He settled near Pigeon Hills, York County, and there mar- ried a Miss Kehr and reared a family of children: Christian, John, Joseph and Salome. Of these, John, who was also a weaver the greater part of his life, died in McSherrystown (to which place he came about 100 years ago). aged seventy-eight years. He (John) mar- ried a Miss Hinkle, a native of Baughman's Valley, Md., and she died here, aged eighty - seven. They were parents of the following children: Jesse, Henry, Lydia and four deceased. Of these children Jesse was born in McSherrystown, Penn., July 21, 1808, and died February 11, 1876. He was a weaver in early life; then became a successful farmer and owned three farms at the time of his death; he was a member of the Lutheran Church, upright, strong minded and well known for his good qualities of head and heart. Jesse Waltman was married to Helena Bowers, who bore him six children that attained maturity: Mrs. Louisa Sterner (deceased), John D., Edward, Jacob (residing in Texas), Mrs. Emma Melhorn and William. Our subject was educated here, has been a farmer all his life, and resides on 145 acres, a part of the old homestead, which he keeps in good order. He was married December 3, 1861, to Mary E. Schwartz, born August 15, 1839, in Mountpleasant Township, Adams Co., Penn., daughter of Levi and Eliza (Flickinger) Schwartz, members of the old Schwartz family of this county. To this union have been born nine children: Alice, Henry, Maggie, Samuel. William, Charles, Mary, Steward and John. Mr. and Mrs. John D. Waltman are members of the German Reformed Church. He has filled different township offices, such as auditor, assessor, etc. Politically he has ever been identified with the Republican party.

397

CUMBERLAND TOWNSHIP.

CHAPTER LII.

CUMBERLAND TOWNSHIP .*

JOSEPH BAYLY, retired farmer. P. O. Gettysburg, was born in Pennsylvania Novem- ber S, 1805, a son of John and Jane (MeQueen) Bayly, natives of Lancaster County, Penn. and of Scotch-Irish descent. John Bayly was a farmer, which vocation he followed all his life. He reared a large family, of whom Joseph is the fifth, and he and his brother are the only survivors. Joseph received the usual schooling given to farmers' sons, and on arriving at manhood chose agriculture as his occupation, which he has followed through life. He possesses a fine farm of upward of 300 acres, on which he resides. In 1847 he was united in marriage with llarriet C. Hamilton, whose paternal and maternal ancestors were among the carly settlers of Pennsylvania. The Hamilton family is one of prominence in the history of Adams County. To Mr. and Mrs. Bayly have been born four children: William Hamilton (a lawyer, who graduated in 1871 at Pennsylvania Col- lege). Joseph T .. Samuel Russell (a farmer) and Vanwiek. Mr. and Mrs. Bayly are members of the Presbyterian Church, of which he is an elder. In politics he is a Repub- lican.

II. P. BIGIIAM, merchant, P. O. Green Mount, was born in Freedom Township, Adams County, Penn., December 12, 1840, a son of James and Agnes (McGaughy) Bigham, also natives of Adams County, and of Scotch-Irish descent. His father was a farmer, who died in 1854. The parents had eight children, six of whom grew to maturity. Our sub- ject, who is next to the youngest child, obtained a fair education in the district schools, and remained at home until he was seventeen years of age, when he began employment as a clerk in a dry goods store at Gettysburg. Subsequently he went to Springfield, O., where he was engaged as a salesman in a large dry goods establishment, returning to his native State in the year 1862, and in 1863 enlisted in Company B, Twenty-first Regiment Pennsylvania Cavalry, of which he was chosen orderly sergeant. Ile was honorably dis- charged in 1864, at the expiration of his term of enlistment; he returned to Adams County, Penn., and established his present business. The same year of his return he was appointed postmaster of Green Mount, which office he continues to hold, though a Repub- lican. In 1864 Mr. Bigham was married to Elizabeth, daughter of James McCright, and of Scotch-Irish origin, and to them have been born seveu children, three of whom are now living: Margaret Eliza. Mary Arnold and Jennie Belle. Mr. and Mrs. Bigham are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church of Lower Marsh Creek.

FRANCIS BREAM (deceased) was a son of Henry Bream, whose father came to this county, from Germany, early in the eighteenth century. Henry Bream was born and reared near Ground Oak Church, on Bermudian Creek, two miles from Idaville, in the northeastern part of Adams County, now Huntington Township. Here he married, and followed agriculture, owning the farm, which still belongs to one of his grandchildren. Ilere he lived until he was an okl man, having reared three sons and several daughters, of whom Francis was the second son. Our subject was born in July, 1806, was reared on the farm, and received a common school education. He used to say that the first thing he undertook, when quite a young man, was to chop 200 cords of wood for the furnace. which was then in operation near Whitestown, now known as Idaville. When yet quite a young man he and a friend took a trip to the State of Ohio, then considered the far West, going on foot by way of Pittsburgh, and after remaining through the winter they concluded to return to this county, and, having made some money during their stay threshing out rye with a flail, they bought a pair of horses and rode home. A few years later he was elected constable, it then being the custom for one officer to do the business of several townships, which kept him busy almost all the time. After serving as constable several years, he kept hotel in Idaville. In 1842, while living at Idaville, at the age of thirty years, he married Miss Elizabeth Slaybaugh, a daughter of an old resident of Ger- man descent, living in the same neighborhood. The following fall he was nominated and elected sheriff of Adams County, and made a very creditable officer. Ilis term of office having expired, he bought the old and well-known Marsh Creek farm and "Black Horse" tavern, then the property and home of the MeClellans, an old and well-known English family, who were among the first settlers on Marsh Creek. This property is two and one- half miles west of Gettysburg, on the IIagerstown road; the farm contained over 400 acres,

*For Borough of Gettysburg, see page 349.

398

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

the buildings being situated on the banks of Marsh Creek, which runs through the middle of the farm. Here he followed farming and kept a hotel, and, also, several years later, bought the Mineral Mills property adjoining his place on the south, which property con- tained a large flouring-mill, saw-mill, and seventy acres of land and two sets of buildings. Being honest, upright, and a good manager, he was able, in his older days, to become the owner of two more farms in his neighborhood. Mr. Bream and his good wife were blessed with a large family, having reared six sons and two daughters. Several years before his death, becoming old and not caring to have so much business to attend to, he ceased keep- ing hotel. He also divided his large farm into three parts, he remaining at the home place, and two of his sons, Ilarvey D. and R. William, each taking one of the others, which are now very finely improved properties. His sons had by this time all married, and gone into business for themselves, except his youngest son, Robert, who lived with his father until his death, and now owns the old homestead. Mr. Bream was a very heavy loser during the battle of Gettysburg, his growing erops and fencing all being destroyed, and all his buildings used as hospitals for several weeks after the battle. His damages were afterward appraised at $7,000, for which he never received any compensation. His death occurred at his home in 1882.

LEWIS A. BUSHMAN, merehant, P. O. Gettysburg, was born in Cumberland Town- ship, Adams Co., Penn., July 4, 1833, a son of George and Polly (Kepner) Bushman. His great-grandfather emigrated from Germany to America, settling in the city of Baltimore, Md., and served as a soldier in the war of 1812. Andrew Bushman, the grandfather of Lewis A., was a farmer hy occupation. Our subject is the eldest of four children, two of whom are now living: Althedore, the youngest, being a farmer of Adams County. Lewis A. was reared on a farm, and chose that pursuit as his occupation, which he followed un- til 1883, when he opened a store at the foot of Round Top (at the terminus of the railroad) where he deals in all kinds of produce. His schooling was acquired in the district sehools while working on the farm with his parents. Mr. Bushman has always been an industri- ous and faithful worker in whatever he undertook, and in business matters has been just and honest, sustaining himself honorably among his fellow-men, his word being as good as his note. In 1856 he was married to Miss Caroline M., daughter of Joseph Little, she having been born in Gettysburg, Penn., of English origin. The names of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Bushman are Harry (deceased), George J. (a farmer), Strong Vincent and M. V. Mr. and Mrs. Bushman are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics he is a Democrat.

ALTIIEDORE BUSHMAN, farmer, P. O. Gettysburg, was born in Mountjoy Town- ship, Adams Co,. Penn., July 6, 1837, a son of George (a farmer) and Mary (Kepner) Bush- man, natives of Pennsylvania, of German origin. George Bushman has been twice mar- ried, and of his four children (two of whom are living), Althedore is the youngest, the other survivor being Lewis A., a merchant of Adams County. Althedore grew up on the farm and attended the schools of his neighborhood, choosing the vocation of his father, that of farmer, which occupation he has thus far through life followed, and at which he has been reasonably successful. Mr. Bushman has been twice married; his first wife be- ing Mary M., daughter of Peter Baker, and to whom he was married in 1862. Her death occurred in 1863, and in 1866 he married Lucinda Benner, a sister of George Benner, a prominent attorney of Gettysburg, by whom he had two children: Andrew B. and Mary C. Mr. and Mrs. Bushman and son, are members of the Lutheran Church, in which Mr. Bushman has been a deacon. He is a member of the 1. O. O. F .; in politics, a Democrat.

J. H. COBEAN, farmer and stock-grower, P. O. Gettysburg, was born in Cumberland Township, Adams Co., Penn., August 22, 1836, a son of Samuel and Eliza Jane (Me- Cullough) Cobean, natives of Adams County, Penn., and of Scotch-Irish origin. His father, a farmer by occupation, served as steward of the Adams County almshouse for several years, and of his family of three children J. H. is the second. Our subject was reared on a farm and received the benefits of the district schools of his neighborhood and of the graded schools of Gettysburg. He chose farming as his vocation, and has met with suc- cess in that pursuit. He now possesses 133 acres of well-improved land, on which he re- sides. In 1867 Mr. Cobean was married to Anna E. Horner, of Scotch-Irish descent, daughter of John Horner, who was a captain in the civil war. Three children have been horn to Mr. and Mrs. Cobean: Emma Jane, Charles Horner and John Witherow. The parents are members of the Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Cobean is an elder. In politics he is a Republican, and has acted as judge of elections. He served one year in the Army, first in the Twenty-first Pennsylvania Cavalry and afterward in the One Hun- dred and First Pennsylvania Infantry.

J. W. DIEHL, farmer, P. O. Gettysburg, was born in Adams County, Penn., June 26, 1828, a son of Peter and Anna Mary (Smyser) Diehl, natives of York County, Penn., but whose ancestors came from Wurtemberg, Germany. Peter Diehl was a tanner, a business he was engaged in from 1821 to 1860. His children were eleven in number, of whom J. W. is the third. Our subject was reared in his native county, and learned the tanner's trade with his father, which occupation he followed for several years. Subsequently he went into the hotel business, in which he was engaged three years, from 1851 to 1854. He

101

CUMBERLAND TOWNSIHP.

carried on the tanning business at New Oxford and Arendtsville, this county, from 1860 to 1879, but subsequently turned his attention to farming, which he now follows, and deals to some extent in stock, but performs manual labor. His Farm comprises 157 acres. In 1851 Mr. Diehl was married to Isabella E., daughter of William Albright. of German de- scent, and to them have been born the following children: William, a resident of New Oxford: Mervin S .; Ida K., wife of James Ross; Anna; Edwin J., a student of Pennsyl- vania College, Gettysburg. a graduate of Columbia Law School, Columbia, Mo., prac- ticing law at Charleston, Mo .: S. May. Laura A. and Amber L. Mr. Diehl is a mem- ber of the Lutheran Church, in which he is an ekler. Mrs. Diehl being a member of the German Reformed Church. In politics he is a Republican.

W. F. EVERILART, farmer, P. O. Gettysburg, was born in Highland Township, Adams Co., Penn .. December 15, 1819, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth ( Miller) Everhart, natives of York County. Penn., and of German descent. Jacob Everhart, who had been a shoe-maker through life, was the father of eight children, of whom W. F. is the fifth. Our subject was reared on a farm, receiving his education in the common schools of Adams County, and chose agricultural pursuits as an occupation, at which he has been employed since he was thirteen years old, and is now the owner of a farm of 100 neres. In 1850 he was married to Elizabeth Bream, daughter of Francis Bream, who was a man of some prominence, being at one time sheriff of Adams County He was a farmer, and succeeded in accumulating considerable property, giving to each of his three sons the farms on which they reside, located in Cumberland Township. To our subject and wife have been born three children: Bessie May, Blanche Elizabeth and M. Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Everhart are members of St. James's Lutheran Church in Gettysburg. In polities he is a Democrat.

GEORGE P. EYLER, P. O. Harney, Md., was born in Frederick County, Md., May 6, 1852, son of Perry and Anna Mary Carolina ( Warnfeltz) Eyler, natives of Mary- land, the father of German and the mother of English and German extraction. Perry Eyler had been occupied as a farmer through life and is now living retired in Harney, Md. He had born to him seven children, of whom George P. is the third. Our subject was reared on his father's farm and first attended the district sehools, then passed two years in Carroll County Academy, with a view of obtaining a classical education, but owing to poor health and weak eyes he was compelled to abandon the idea. Subsequently he took charge of his father's farm, and has since been actively engaged in agricultural pursuits, and also to some extent has been engaged in stock-growing. In 1882, he was married to Anna Caroline, daughter of Abraham Hesson, and a native of Pennsylvania, of German descent. To Mr. and Mrs. Evler have been born two children: Lester Allen and George Edgar. Mrs. Eyler is a member of the Lutheran Church, and Mr. Eyler of the United Brethren. He takes an active interest in church matters, and has served as superintend- ent of the Sabbath-school of the church.

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