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 160

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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 160
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 160

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FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.

County in his day: as a private citizen his acts are above reproach, and his associations have given him a knowledge of the political and business world possessed by few. Court- vous, social and generous, his house has been for many years as noted for its hospitality as he is for his Democracy. Jacob Stable, his grandfather, served as a captain during the entire Revolutionary war, and was in charge of some of the boats which carried Gen. Wash- ington's army across the Delaware. His great-grandfather came from Neufchatel, Switz- erland, with the Palatinates, in 1683. John Stahle, father of E. W., was a volunteer dnr- ing the war of 1812, was mustered out of the service at York, and remained there engaged in mercantile business, and later was appointed register and recorder, to which oflice he was afterward elected for two successive terms.

DR. WILLIAM C. STEM, P. O. Cashtown, was born October 27, 1824, and is the eldest of eight children born to Reuben and Susan (Stover) Stem. His grandfather, Peter Stem, came from Maryland in 1816 (his wite was a Miss Wilson, who bore him a number of chil- dren, some of whom were born in Adams County), and settled in Liberty Township on the farm now owned by the Mcintyre heirs. Reuben, the father of Dr. Stem, was born in 1804, and is yet living. He was by trade a miller, but later engaged in the hotel business. Our subject spent his boyhood days on the farm and attended the academy at Emittsburg each season, until his education was so far advanced that he then taught several terms in the public schools prior to his study of medicine. He studied three years and practiced nine months, in addition, before attending medical college. He matriculated at the Phil- adelphia Medical Institute in 1849, and located in the autumn of 1850, in his native town- ship, where he remained until 1850, when he located permanently in Cashtown. He married in November, 1854, Eliza Watson, daughter of James and Mary (Gibson) Watson, of Adams County. Mrs. Stem's father was a native of County Derry, and her mother of County Tyrone, Ireland. The latter had married James Hindman prior to immigrating to America and her marriage thereafter to Mr. Watson. Doctor and Mrs. Stem are parents of twins, Anna M. L. and James Calvin, born July 26, 1855. A coincidence regarding their birth is that their mother was a twin, and her brothers, James and John Watson, were fathers of two pairs of twins. James Calvin completed his education at the Gettysburg Normal School, studied medicine under his father, and graduated, in 1878, from the ('in- cinnati College of Medicine and Surgery. He located at Lewisberry, York County, in 1878, and in 1880 married Mary Paup. Dr. W. C. Stem has practiced thirty-seven years in Adams County, and has gained an enviable reputation among his brethren, as well as an extensive business throughout the county. He has also made some important discoveries in medicine, which promise to revolutionize the treatment of convulsions and all diseases of the nervous system. As a reader and philosopher, Dr. Stem has few equals in Adams County; he is also well informed in civil engineering, and has done a large amount of sur- veying in his neighborhood. He is looked upon as antbority in legal as well as medical matters, and bis thorough education is an important factor in the welfare of the commu- nity. During the Rebellion, the quartermaster and clerks of HIill's division, with Gen. Ileathe in command, were encamped on the Doctor's lot, while the headquarters of Gen. R. E. Lee were in the adjoining field. On Thursday, while the battle of Gettysburg was in progress, Gen. Lee came with his staff, and they pitched their tents in the field ad - joining our subject's place, at about 11 o'clock, and then Gen. Longstreet with his staff came about a quarter to twelve, visiting Gen. Lee, and all moved away toward Gettysburg about half an hour after, after which Lee's headquarters were at the stone house near Gettysburg. The Doctor's office was full of wounded Confederates after the battle, and both he and his wife did all in their power to make them comfortable, being charitable alike to both friend and foe.

GEORGE SWOPE, farmer, P. O. Cashtown, was born near New Oxford. Adams Connty, in 1828, a son of Henry and Margaret Swope, who came from Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, about 1800, and made their first settlement in this county. They reared a fam- ily of four children: Maria and Jacob, born in Germany. and Catharine and George. born in Adams County. By trade Henry was a carpenter, which he also taught his son, Jacob, who followed it until his death. Maria married Henry Kehm, and had two sons: Jacob, a German Reformed minister, and Henry, a physician. Jacob Swope married a Miss Huffman, and reared six children. Catherine died unmarried. George, our subject, mar- ried, in 1845. Anna Nary, and began home life in Oxford. At the time of his marriage he was a poor man, but full of energy. His life had been one of toil, but he learned by practical experience how to invest his hard-earned savings to the best advantage. Success came year by year, and in 1863 Mr. Swope found himself possessed of a bank account of $2,500, every dollar of which had been honestly carned. With his wife and family, con- sisting of George, Elijah, Anna M., Lonisa M. and Emma C. he immigrated to Brooklyn Township, Le Co., Ill., where he purchased a quarter section of fine land. Eleven years brought with them a fortune; and Mr. Swope sent to Adams County $10,000 cash and made a purchase of the well-known Stochsleger farm, for which he paid over $15.000. ile has made extensive improvements, and the farm is now lookingits best. His son, Charles. lied prior to their removal to Illinois; Louisa died there; the two sons and other daugh - ters reside on the Illinois farm, and are doing well. Mr. Swope has a mind well stored

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with information on historical and theological subjects, and few farmers have a better Ii- brary or time to peruse such choice literature as may be found with Mr. Swope. He is a prominent member of the Reformed Church, and for a long time has been one of its trus- tees. 1Ie is noted for his honesty, integrity and justice. Politically he supports Demo- cratic principles.

OTHO W. THOMAS, M. D., Arendtsville, is a native of this county, and was born in 1849 to William L. and Sarah (Overholtzer) Thomas, both of whom were natives of the same county. The grandfather, John Thomas, was also born in what is now Adams County. Thus the family were residents of this section long before the county was or- ganized, and while it was yet a part of York County. William L. Thomas and wife had a family of five daughters and five sons: Oliver J., Delila A., Otho W., Elizabeth, Upton S., Howard D., Alzanah, Ephraim C., Alice and S. Gertrude. Otho W. received his classi- cal education at Gettysburg, and studied medicine under Dr. E. Melhorn, of New Ches- ter. In 1872 he matriculated at the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, graduat- ing from that eminent medical college in 1874. April 6 of that year he located in Arendts- ville, where he has since enjoyed an excellent practice among the best people of this sec- tion. In 1875 he married Annie M., daughter of Moses and Lydia (Deardorff) Raffen- sperger, who are both representatives of noted and old families of this county. To Dr. Thomas and wife four sons and one daughter have been born: Arba C., Herbert M , Nan- nie, O. L. Benton and U. Dale. The Doctor has not only pursued his profession with profit, hut has also gratified his taste for scientific literature by purchasing a library that has few superiors among medical men in any county or State. As a physician he enjoys distinction, not only in his own county, but throughont the State, being a member of both the County and State Medical Associations, and his success is such as might be expected from one who devotes bis entire time and attention to medicine and surgery.

IIIRAM W. TROSTEL, merchant, Arendtsville, was born at York Springs, this county, in 1846. His grandfather. Abram Trostel, came from Germany while still single. and settled west of York Springs. He purchased a farm and mill property, which is still standing and is yet known as the " Trostel Mills." He married Catherine Brough, whose family history dates back prior to the organization of Adams County. The young couple commenced life as pioneers in that region, developed the farm, and reared a family of six children. as follows: Andrew, Abram and Jacob (twins), Lizzie, Betsy and Isaac B. Of this family only one, Abram, the father of Hiram W., is living. Ile, Abram, learned the , trade of a miller with his father, and afterward managed the Trostel Mills eighteen years. He then purchased a farm near York Springs, upon which was a saw-mill, a grist-mill being added later. This he managed for twelve years, and then purchased another farm, erected handsome buildings and in a few years purchased a residence in York Springs, where he still resides. About 1835 he married Eliza, daughter of Jacob and Eliza Pensyl, and to this union were born Henry J., George H., Sallie, Hiram W., Lavona, Mary and Lizzie (twins). Mrs. Trostel died in 1852, and Abrain then wedded Caroline Ernst, whose death occurred three years later. His third wife was Mrs. Yount, of Gettysburg. lliram W. was educated at York Springs, and for four years clerked for Griest & Bowers, merchants of that place. In October, 1875, lie was married to Hannah E. Bream, who has borne him four children, three now living: Allen B., Ira W. and Stella R. In the spring of 1876 Mr. Trostel came to Arendtsville, where his father had purchased a fine residence property and store-room, which has since been enlarged. The same spring our subject purchased a large stock of merchandise, and at this date is one of the most enterprising merchants of Adams County, and carries perhaps, as large a stock of general merchan- dise as will be invoiced in the county. Ile and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church.

HENRY WILDESIN, farmer, P. O. Arendtsville, was born in Franklin Township, this county. October 20, 1823. Samuel Wildesin emigrated from Germany, and settled first in York. Jacob, his son, afterward came to Adams County, and settled in Franklin Township, on the South Mountain. He was thrice married; first to Miss Becker, who bore him four children: John, Susanna Jacob and Eve. The second wife was Betsy Car- baugh, who also became the mother of four children: Samuel, Peter. Mary and Lydia. The third wife was a Miss Tressler, who had one son (George) and two daughters. and who survived her husband several years. John, the eldest son by the first wife, was the father of our subject, and was born in York County February 2, 1794. He married Su- sannah Potter, and by her had two children: Henry (our subject) and Eliza E. (married Jacob Schlosser and bore him five children, three now living). Henry was reared on a farm, and, October 31, 1848, married Julia E. Fisher, whose parents, Abram and Elizabeth (Benner) Fisher, were also old residents of Adams County, and some of their name are men of note. They reared a family of seven children: Susannah M., Julia E., Catharine J .. Sarah H., Samuel, and Abram and Isaac (twins). Sarah Walter was the second wife of Abram Fisher, and bore him seven children: Delilah, Thomas, George, Elias, Henry, Hannah and Lydia A. Of the fourteen direct descendants nine are yet living. Mr. Wildesin has served as school director, and was for many years an elder in the German Reformed Church, of which both he and his wife are members. Four children have

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blessed their union: George and an infant son (both deceased), John A. and Susannah E. (living and both married). John married Margaret Pitzer, and they reside near his father. Susannah E. is the wife of Aaron M. Heiges, one of the prominent families of this county. Iler father, Abram Fisher, died in 1885, at the advanced age of ninety-one years, the last of a noble name.

HENRY W. WITMORE, merchant, Mummasburg, was born near Emmittsburg, Md .. November 12, 1511. In August, 1899, his parents moved to near Biglerville, and in April, 1823, took up their residence in the frame building still standing opposite the store of our subject. They had one daughter, who died in infancy. The father was a shoe maker, which trade Henry W. learned from him, and together they worked at it. For forty years the father was better known in his part of the country than any other man of his day. His death occurred after the marriage of his son, our subject, with Henrietta Rex, which took place Mny 3. 1838. She was born in 1811, and died April 18, 1854. To this union was born one son, who died in infancy. His second marriage took place November 22, 1855, with Miss Lucy A. Crum, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Jacob Zeigler; she was also the mother of one son, who died in infancy. Mr. Witmore erected his present residence in 1853, and his mother lived several years in her new home prior to her death. In 1840 Mr. Witmore formed a partnership with Caspar Stick, in the grocery and prod- uce trade, and established a store in Mmmmasburg: eight years later this partnership was dissolved, and. with the exception of one year, Mr. Witmore has since been engaged alone iu mercantile trade. During the second administration of President Lincoln he was commissioned postmaster, which position he has retained to the present time. lle was a great sufferer by the war, his store being completely gutted by the Rebels, and he had much other property taken. Commencing life with less than $50, he has from that be- ginning amassed a competency, and during the lifetime of his aged parents kept them in case, as hecame a dutiful son. Both he and his wife are members of the Reformed Church at Arendtsville, and are people of the sterling worth. For sixty-three years Mr. Witmore has been a representative business man of Franklin Township, and to-day is, perhaps, the oldest man in the county engaged in active business.

MRS. AVILLA M. WOLFF, of Cashtown, is the widow of Rev. David W. Wolff, who in his day was one of the most prominent ministers of the gospel in Adams County. IIc was born near Carlisle, in Cumberland County, November 29. 1829. When he was yet a child, his parents, llenry and Sarah Wolff, moved to the vicinity of New Chester, in Adams County. Here David grew up with his brothers and sisters, early feeling within him the Divine call to the ministry. Fearing himself mistaken, he frequently sought sol- itude in the woods near his home, there to pray for Divine guidance. About this time his uncle, for whom he was named, begged him to come to Ohio, "to be made something of." David's parents thinking this a good opportunity, he was sent, but remained only a short time. "Go preach My Gospel" still sounded in his ears. He returned home and took a preparatory course at New Oxford, then entered Marshall College at Mercersburg, Penn. This college was moved to Lancaster, and combined with Franklin College, the new insti- tution taking the name of Franklin and Marshall College, and from here he graduated in 1853. Jle then took a theological course at the German Reformed Seminary, at Mercers- burg. lle graduated in 1856, and was then licensed and ordained to preach by the Synod of the German Reformed Church. His first labors were in Paradise charge, where he assisted his brother, Rev. George Wolff. His first charge was at Danville, Penn., whither he removed in 1857: later he had charge of Catawissa, Schuylkill llaven, and then served as chaplain in the United States Army, during the civil war. In 1866 he took the Cono- wago charge in Adams County, with his residence at Arendtsville. December 27, 1870, he married Miss Avilla M. Mickley, a daughter of one of the first families of Adams County. ller great-grandfather, Martin Nickley, purchased land in Adams County shortly after the Revolution. le was a soldier during that struggle, and at that time resided near Ger- mantown. Ilé had a son Daniel, whose son Charles, is the father of our subject. Charles was born in Adams County, in May, 1820, and married, in May, 1842, Jane Green, whose father, John Green, was at that time proprietor of the Cashtown Hotel. Mrs. Wolff is the only daughter, but there are two sons-Green and Lemuel. Mis. Wolff was educated at Palatinate College, Myerstown, Penn. Four children: Henry HI. (deceased in infancy), John N .. Mary C. and Sarah J., blessed their union. Rev. Mr. Wolff died March 16, 1876, at Carlisle, where he had gone to receive medical attention. His charge at the time of his death was in Petersburg, Clarion County, having been stationed there in 1873. He was a man of renown, just and true, leaving behind a name which is a source of pride to his children.

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CHAPTER LIV.

FREEDOM TOWNSHIP.

HON. JEREMIAH MORROW. Freedom Township was the birth-place and boy- hood home of Hon. Jeremiah Morrow, the first representative in Congress from Ohio, a United States senator and twice governor of that State. The grandfather of Gov. Mor- row was a Scotch-Irish covenanter, who immigrated from Londonderry, Ireland, a genera- tion before the Revolution, and died in this township in 1758. His father, John Morrow, was a county commissioner of York County in 1791-92-93, an intelligent farmer and a member of the Associate Reformed Church. He died in 1811. The farm be owned con- sisted of 235 acres, and was after his death long known as the James McCleary farm. Here the future statesman was born October 6, 1771. He was the eldest son and the sec- ond child in a family of three sons and six daughters, all of whom became residents of Ohio. His mother's maiden name was Mary Lockhart. After receiving the best English education to be had in the schools of that day in the vicinity of Gettysburg, he immi- grated to the territory northwest of the Ohio, arriving in the Miami country in the spring of 1795. After surveying land and opening a farm between the Miami Rivers, he was elected a member of the Territorial Legislature, and entered upon the political career which made him one of the most distinguished men in the early history of Ohio. A county and a town in Ohio were named in his honor. He died at his home on the Little Miami in 1852.

(. W. SCOTT, farmer and stock-grower, P. O. Gettysburg, was born in Freedom Township, on the farm where he now resides, July 26, 1831, a sou of William M. and Jane (Kerr) Scott, natives, respectively, of Adams and Fulton Counties. The father, who was a farmer, of Scotch-Irish descent, rcared a family of seven children, four of whom sur- vive, and of whom G. W. is the third. Our subject was reared on the farm, educated at the country schools, and from youth up has followed agricultural pursuits. In 1863 he married Florinda Jane, daughter of E. R. A. Moor, a farmer, of Scotch-Irish descent. To Mr. and Mrs. Scott eight children were born. five of whom survive: William L., Mary MI., Harvey A., Jane K. and Hugh J. Mr. and Mrs. Scott are members of the Presbyterian Church. He has served his township as assessor, tax collector and school director. He is a Republican in politics. In 1863 he enlisted in the Twenty-first Pennsylvania Cavalry: enlisted a second time, and served until the close of the war in Company E, Ninety-ninth Pennsylvania Infantry, and was present when Gen. Lee surrendered. For several years Mr. Scott was an active member of the I. O. O. F. Hle is the owner of a farm of 180 acres, where he still resides.

A. F. WHITE, associate judge, P. O. Fairfield, was born on the farm where he now resides, in Freedom Township, this county, February 8, 1846, and is a son of Andrew and Joanna (Ross) White, natives of Adams and Westmoreland Counties, respectively. The father, a farmer, who died in 1862, was of English descent. The mother was of Scotch origin. They had a family of four children, of whom A. F. is the youngest. Our subject was educated in the country school, and also attended, for one term, the preparatory department of the Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg, and from youth up has been engaged in agricultural pursuits, and now owns 195 acres of land. In 1870 he was united in marriage with Mary M., daughter of Hon. James H. Marshall. The Marshall family is of Scotchi descent. Mrs. White's father served two terms in the Legislature, and was at one time county commissioner. To Mr. and Mrs. White the following named children were born: Mary (deceased), Jennie, James, Charles. Our subject and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. He has held the offices of assessor and justice of the peace, serving in the latter office for seven years. In 1883 he was appointed associate judge of Adams County, was elected in 1884, and holds the office at present. He is a member of the I. O. O. F .; has passed all the chairs in his lodge, and has been a member of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. His brother, William R., was a member of the Legislature, and now resides in Liberty Township, this county. His sister. Martha J., married William T. Reid, of Hamiltonban Township. His other brother, J. Harvey, was educated at Gettys- burg and Yale Colleges, graduating from the latter; read law with Robert McCreary; and was admitted to the bar at Gettysburg about 1864. He practiced a few years, and then went to Pittsburgh about 1867-68, and has there been very successful. He served as ad:"- tant of the One Hundred and Sixty-fifth Regiment of Pennsylvania Infantry.

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GERMANY TOWNSHIP.

CHAPTER LV.

GERMANY TOWNSHIP & BOROUGH OF LITTLESTOWN.

DAVID B. ALLEMAN, printer, Littlestown, was born in Hanover, York Co., Penn., in March, 1858, and is a son of Rev. M. J. Alleman, mentioned elsewhere in this volume. lle received an academic education in Hanover, and finished his studies at York Col- legiate Institute. In January, 1881, he returned to Littlestown from Maryland and start- ed a job printing office, and on the 21st of the following April issued the first number of the Littlestown Era, a seven-column folio, weekly paper, with a subscription list of 250. In 1882 the paper had met with such favor that it was enlarged to an eight-column folio, and in 1883 it was again enlarged, this time to a six-column quarto. The gentleman's un - tiring energy and zeal in forging the paper ahead resulted in gaining an unprecedented circulation in 1885. About this time the necessary close application to editorial duties caused a weakening of his eyes to such an extent that it became painful for him to read common print farther away than four or five inches. His eyes becoming gradually worse. he determined to dispose of The Era, which he did on January 30, 1885, to A. S. Goulden, and soon thereafter, August 8. 1885, the establishment was burned, with all its contents. In 1882 Mr. Alleman went, as a delegate, to the Independent Republican Convention. which met at Horticultural Hall. Philadelphia, and is much interested in State and Na tional politics. lle was married. April, 1881, 10 Miss Lizzie Ferg, a daughter of Adam Ferg. a prominent iron mannfacturer of Tremont, Penn. They have but one child, Bur- ton A. M., born February 5, 1882: another child, Charles, was born January 1, 1884, and died August ?, of the same year. Mr. and Mrs. Alleman are members of St. Paul's Church, at Littlestown.

SIMON S. BISHOP, justice of the peace, notary public and farmer, Littlestown. was born on a farm, adjoining the southeastern part of Littlestown, February 10, 1817. lle is a son of Philip Bishop. Jr .. a son of Philip Bishop. Sr., a native of Lancaster County, who bought the farm (where our subject was born) of 183} acres, in 1809, for €2,300. Philip Bishop. Sr., died in 1831, and Philip, Jr., in 1856. Our subject was reared near Littlestown, and in 1841 began keeping store there, in a building that still stands just opposite the Catholic Church. After conducting this store three or four years hc sold out, and in 1845 bought forty acres of the old homestead, where he now resides. Since the above date he has been engaged in farming and attending to the duties of the various offices he has filled as a Democrat. In 1865 he was elected a justice of the peace: is the present incumbent; and has filled the office ever since the above date, with the ex- reptiou of four years. During his official career he has tried between 600 and 200 differ- ent cases. In 1867 he was elected burgess of Littlestown, and in 1868 was commissioned as a notary public by Gov. Geary; again commissioned by Geary: once by Gov. Hartranft ; and. lastly, twice by Gov. Pattison, under which commission he is now serving. Squire Bishop was married in September, 1842, to Catherine Stonesifer, a daughter of Solomon and Susan (Swope) Stonesifer, old settlers of this county, aud both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Bishop have one child, Laura Virginia Bishop, who lives at home with them. Mr. Bishop was a member of the United Brethren Church for forty years, and a trustce of the said church, built by his grandfather, Philip Bishop, Sr., and decded to trustees for a preaching place for the United Brethren Church and other purposes. Abont this time the pompous presiding elder of the United Brethren Church had grown a little too big for his boots, thought he ought to have entire control of the church property, and, by his un- der officials, made demands on Mr. Bishop for the title papers, which were, however, re- fused. They then resorted to litigation, in which they also failed. Mr. Bishop is at pres- ent trustee: bolds the title papers, and will hold them; but since the agitation he, with his family. have worshiped elsewhere.

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

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