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 161

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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 161
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 161

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THADDEUS S. BLOCHER, carriage manufacturer, Littlestown, was born in Butler Township, this county, in May, 1836. and is a son of Thomas and Mary ( Hartzell) Blocher. the former a native of Lebanon County, Penn, and the latter of Butter Township, this county. Thomas Blocher was a saddle and harness-maker, and for many years served as justice of the peace. His wife died in Bendersville in 1879, and in 1880 he also passed away at the same place. Our subject learned the harness and saddle trade with his father, and in 1858 he bought a half-interest in the harness shop of Mr. Yount at Littlestown. and two years later bought ont Mr. Yount's interest and continued the business until 1864, when he sold out and bought a half-interest in the coach-making business with Isaac

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Sell. In 1880 he bought the entire business, and is still carrying it on. His factory occu- pies the site of the first coach factory ever established at Littlestown by Mr. Rahter. Mr. Blocher at present employs twelve hands, and keeps ten hands the year round. He manufactures annually upward of seventy-five fine buggies and carriages, valned at from $100 to $350 each. The factory has the reputation of producing the best and most dur- able class of fine work. Mr. Blocher is a Republican, and has been elected to and served in every office in the gift of the borough of Littlestown, except that of justice of the peace and constable. He married, in 1858, Eliza E. Bishop. a daughter of Jacob Bishop. Mr. and Mrs. Blocher have eight children: Clarence W., Harry F., Emma J. Charles L., Mary E., Howard G., Edith M. and Edgar T. Mr. and Mrs. Blocher are members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Mr. Blocher's factory is one of the most important industries of the town, and he is known throughout this and adjoining counties as an enterprising and re- liable business man and citizen.

JOHN G. BYERS, farmer, P. O. Kingsdale, was born October 26, 1827, in West- minster District, Carroll County, Md .. a grandson of Gabriel Byers. a native of Germany, who came to America and settled in Maryland (a farmer and cooper by occupation), and died there at an old age; of his family of seven children, Michael, born in Maryland, was a farmer and cooper and a good mechanic; served his country in the war of 1812, and died in Maryland. aged eighty-four years. Michael Byers married Margaret. Duttera, also a native of Maryland. a daughter of John Duttera, and who died in her forty-third year. the mother of eleven children-seven sons and four daughters-all now living but three. Our subject was reared on his father's farm, and learned the cooper's trade in early life; came to Germany Township, this county, in 1854. and has been successful financially, hav- ing 189 acres of land here and a large farm in Maryland. He was married in his old home, December 1, 1853, to Miss Eliza Ann Getty, born January 2, 1830, daughter of Henry and Anna (Wilburn) Getty, of German desceut. The children now living of Mr. and Mrs. John G. Byers are Jacob William, Harry L., Mrs. Ethelia H. Basehoar and Minnie N. Of these Jacob W. was educated at Gettysburg, Penn., and shortly after graduation was ordained to the ministry in the Lutheran Church, and is now in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, where he is pastor. Mr. and Mrs. Byers are members of the Lutheran Church. Our sub- ject has been assessor, school director for nine years, and supervisor. Politically he is identified with the Democratic party.

JAMES H. COLEHOUSE. retired, P. O. Littlestown, was born October 18, 1823, a son of Henry and Mary (Knouff) Colehouse, the former a native of Germany and the lat- ter of this county. Henry was a shoe-maker by trade, but during the many years he lived in Adams County he followed farming, owning eighty acres adjoining Littlestown, where he lived. He died in 1878. aged eighty-two years; his wife died some years before, aged eighty years. They were parents of five children. Our subject learned the trade of a shoe-maker with his father, with whom he remained until his twenty-fourth year. He was married, October 22, 1846, to Susan Bittinger, who was born June 18, 1826, a daughter of Frederick Bittinger. In 1847, in company with William Yount, he engaged in the boot and shoe business, and continued it until 1860. He then opened a general store, which he conducted four years, when he sold out and became interested in the grain and produce trade for three years; then engaged in buying and shipping hay, and finally returned to the general store, and in the spring of 1885 sold his interest to his partner and son-in-law, George S. Kump, and retired. He is now principally employed in building on and im- proving his real estate in the borough. He is a Republican, and has held the offices of burgess, councilman, etc. Mr. Colehouse was a charter member and stockholder in the Littlestown Savings Institution, and a director several years: also an original stockholder and director in the Littlestown Railroad. To this enterprise he contributed $400, and on the erection of St. Paul's Lutheran Church building he donated $500. He and his wife are members of the above named church. They have a family of three children: Rufus A., born September 2, 1847 (married to Margaret C. Young); William H., born January 8, 1855 (married to Rebecca Mehring); and Mary C., born February 28, 1858 (married to George S. Kump).

DANIEL CROUSE (deceased) was a native of Germany Township, and a son of John Crouse. a native of Lancaster County, Penn., who died August 30, 1807, and is buried at Christ Church. Daniel was married to Barbara Laudabaugh, November 8, 1832. He was a tanner by trade, and carried on the business for over forty years in Littlestown, accu- mulating a fortune of upward of $75,000. He was a very powerful man, physically, re- taining his strength and activity to the last. During the later years of his life he had retired from business, and passed much of his time in hunting and fishing with his old associates and comrades, who, like him, have all passed away, and are spoken of else- where in this volume. Mr. Crouse was an ardent Republican and a warm supporter of the Union cause during the Rebellion. He was a member of the Reformed Church, and one of the most prominent and active business men of his day-a striking example of what is generally termed a "self-made man." Beginning life with scarcely any money, by frugality and perseverance he left a large fortune to posterity. He helped more than one person to get a home, and him they, whom he so befriended, or their children or

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grandchildren, have to thank for his beneficence. He took an active part in building up and improving the town, and also the Littlestown Railroad, and was a director in the Littlestown Savings Institution at the time of his death. He died November 25, 1880. at the age of seventy-five years, having nine children-four sons and three daughters living, and all married and well to do in life. He was buried iu Mount Carmel Cemetery, and a large monument, erected at a cost of $800, marks his grave.

WILLIAM F. CROUSE, retired, is a substantial and representative citizen of Littles- town, and was born one-half mile south of the borough, January 22, 1834, a son of Daniel Crouse, whose sketch appears above. He learned the tanner's trade with his father, and June 6, 1854, married Sarah Louisa Bishop, the only surviving child of Christian Bishop (deceased). April 1, 1856, he opened a general store on the northeast corner of the publie square in Littlestown, and conducted the business for twenty-five years in this town. IIe then auctioned off his stock, and has since been out of mercantile trade. He has been principally engaged in building on and improving his property, which at present consists of eight or ten houses and stores, some twenty lots in the borough, and a farm in the township. He was an original stockholder and a director in the Littlestown Railroad, and voted for its extension to Frederick; was a charter member of the Littlestown Savings Institution: was its first secretary, and has been a director and the secretary of same for upward of ten years, which incumbencies he still fills acceptably. He was the first burgess ever elected in Littlestown; was a charter member of the Mount Carmel Cemetery Company, and its secretary and treasurer for a number of years. He drew the plans from which the large brick publie schoolhouse was built in Littlestown, and when a mem- ber of the school board in the borough was appointed by that body building-director, and was building-director of the large public schoolhouse in the borough, also three school- houses in the township. During the war of the rebellion he and Alonzo Sanders were appointed by the township, and, after the incorporation of the borough, by the borough to act for it in filling its quota under the draft. This duty was discharged to the satisfaction of the citizens. Hle was formerly a member of the United Brethren Church; helped to re-build its edifice in 1862, and contributed $200 cash and a summer's labor, and is at present a trustee. He was also a teacher for one terin in the town and one term in the township, and, in fact, it would be hard to name any enterprise of a pub- lic character in Littlestown during the past twenty-five or thirty years with which he has not heen prominently identified, and to which he has not generously contributed. Mr. and Mrs. Crouse had nine children, one being deceased: Mary Jane, now the wife of Dr. S. B. Weever; Bishop A. C., Elmer O., Horace A., Vinton A., Romaine V., Ivy B. (deceased), Myrtle M. and Etta F. L.

EDMUND CROUSE, Littlestown, was born in that place August 9, 1838, a son of Daniel and Barbara (Laudabaugh) Crouse, both old settlers, whose sketch appears above. In 1861 Edmund opened a dry goods store on the lot now occupied by Mrs. Hin- kle's jewelry store. Subsequently he moved his business to two other stores, and remained in the dry goods business eleven years, and during the last two years carried on a clothing store. In 1871 he bought the tannery business of his brother, Augustus, on the same premises where his father had established a tannery, which he conducted for over forty years. At present this establishment employs the year round two or three hands, and tans about 2,000 sides annually, consisting of rough oak and finished kip, calf and harness leather, valued at about $6,000. Besides his tanning business Mr. Crouse is also inter- ested with Mr. George Z. Gitt and Mr. Rufus Hartman in a fruit canning factory, in a large building on his land, erected for that purpose in 1883. This enterprise has proved a success. During the two seasons of three months each it has been operated, employing some days 100 hands, including children, and canning goods valued at $10,000 per season. They contemplate operating the factory during the season of 1886. Mr. Crouse has served as member of the Littlestown Council several terms, and part of that time was president of that body; has also served on the school board, etc. He is a member of the Reformed Church, but contributes liberally to the support of religious matters in other churches, as well as his own, and is known as a thoroughly enterprising citizen. He married, Febru- ary 1, 1863, Susanna Rebecca Mehring, a daughter of David and Susan (Buffington) Mehr- ing. Mr. and Mrs. Mehring died in Germany Township, near the Maryland line, when Mrs. Cronse was but six years old. Our subject and wife have two children: Theodore Luther, attending Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, Penn., and Edward MI., born March 4. 1868, living at home and engaged in the meat business at Littlestown. Mrs. Crouse and sons are members of the Lutheran Church.

JOHN DIEHL, farmer, Littlestown, was born December 16, 1809, in Codorus Town- ship. York Co., Penn. His great-grandfather came from Germany and settled in York County, where his son. George, was born, carried on farming, and died, aged about forty years. George Diehl married Eve Livingston (who died in York County when about eighty years of age), and had the following named children: George, David, John, Charles, ' Jacob, Adam, Mrs. Sheeley, Mrs. Diehl and Ebert. Of these, Adam Dichl, who was born in York County, Penn., died in Woodsboro, MId., aged thirty years; he, too, was a farmer; married a Miss Crebbs, who died in York County, Penn., aged about forty, and has seven

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children: George, Jessie, John, Ephraim, Adam, Elizabeth and Leah. Of these, John was wlucated in York County, where he was reared on the old homestead; married Miss Lydia, (laughter of Frederick Ramer, and who died October 18, 1883, aged seventy-one years, the mother of eight children: Mrs. Sarah J. Frock, Mrs. Lydia Shecley, Henry and Howard (living), John (who died, aged eighteen years), Eliza Ann (who died, aged one year and a half), Mrs. Alice R. Weikert (who died, aged twenty years; had one daughter-Emma- now the wife of Horace Crouse) and Eliza (who died, aged fifteen years). Our subject moved to Union Township, this county, after marriage, and still has a farm of 201 acres of good land there, and as a farmer was successful. In the spring of 1865 he came to Lit- tlestown, this county, where he now resides. He is a member of the Lutheran Church. In politics is a Democrat. Since Mr. John Diehl moved to Littlestown he was engaged in the grain business from 1866 to 1867 (about eighteen months), and, in partnership with other men, owned the foundry at Littlestown about seven years, when he sold out his interest.

WILLIAM DUTTERA, SR., retired, P. O. Littlestown. The Duttera family is of German origin and the first ancestor of our subject in America was Michael Duttera, who bought 100 acres of land thirty miles from Philadelphia over 150 years ago. He was a zealous member of the German Reformed Church, and one of the founders of what is now known as Christ Church, in Union Township. He reared a family of children in York County, where he died at a good old age. The following are the names of his sons: Conrad, John, Philip and Michael. Conrad was born in York County, and when a young man came to Adams County and bought a farm in Union Township, about two miles north of Littlestown, where he built a house in 1772, and lived there the balance of his long life. This house is still standing, and is occupied by Edwin Slifer. He had a large family of children, as follows: Julian Margaret, Conrad, Elizabeth, Mary Margaret, John, Frederick, Julian, John Michael, Anna Mary and George. The last named, George, was born in Union Township in 1775, and lived on the old homestead until he died in 1864. He was a highly respected and honored citizen, a prominent member of the Re- formed Church, and a member of the building committee on the rebuilding of Christ Church edifice. Ile was twice married, first to Elizabeth Weikert, who bore him nine children, of whom John, Elizabeth, Julian and George are deceased, and Catherine, Will- iam, James, Mary and Rufus are still living. His first wife died in 1830, and he married for his second wife Lydia Stonesifer, by whom there were two children: Harriet (de ceased) and Sarah, who still survives. William Duttera, a son of George and Elizabeth ( Weikert) Duttera, was born in Union Township October 20, 1815. When between the age of seventeen and eighteen he began to learn the tanner's trade in Carroll County, Md. Having completed his trade, he returned to Littlestown and started a tannery about the year 1836. This business he carried on for upward of forty years, and iu 1881 gave up the business to his sons, and since then has lived partially retired, attending only to his property and two farms, adjoining the borough of Littlestown, of 188 acres of land. Mr. Duttera is a Democrat, and has served his township in nearly all of its local offices. He is a member of the Reformed Church, of which he has served as trustee and treasurer for many years, and is one of the respected and substantial citizens of the connty. He has been twice married, first to Louisa Kohler, March 23, 1837; she hore him six children: Amos, George K., Louisa C., William S., Worthington A. and Charles H. Mrs. Louisa Duttera dying May 19, 1885, Mr. Duttera then married, November 19, 1885, Agnes J. Kohler.

CHARLES H. DUTTERA, farmer, P. O. Littlestown, was born July 9, 1859, at Littlestown, and is the son of William and Louisa (Kohler) Duttera. He was educated at the home schools of his native place, and was employed until twenty-one years of age on his father's farm during the summers and in the tannery in the winters. About the time he became of age he formed a partnership with his brother, Worthington, and took charge of the tannery business from which his father retired. The brothers remained together until February 1, 1884, when Charles H. bought his brother's interest and has conducted the business ever since. He uses no bark in tanning except rock oak bark, and tans annually about 2,400 sides of leather-principally rough leather-but to some extent also calf, kip and upper, the average value of leather tanned in his establishment being about $8,000 per annum, giving work the year round for four employes. Mr. Duttera also farms 119 acres of the homestead. He married, October 12, 1880, Miss Emma L. Rebert, a daughter of Edward Rebert, of Union Township.

PIOUS P. FINK, farmer, P. O. Littlestown, was born May 5, 1818, in Germany Town- ship, Adams County, Penu. The great-grandfather of this gentleman came from Ger- many and settled in Pennsylvania, near the Shorb family. His son, Henry Fink, was a mechanic and farmer, and died in this county in the house where Pious P. was born, south of Littlestowu. Henry Fink was married to Magdalena Henry, who bore him ten children: Benjamin, Anthony, Henry, Joseph, Jacob, David, Mrs. Elizabeth Adams, Mrs. Catharine Sanders, Mrs. Mary Stein and Mrs. Sally Schriver. Of these, Joseph, a farmer by occupation, was a successful business man, and did a great deal of good; he served as justice of the peace for many years, filled minor township offices and acted as commis-

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sioner of Adams County. He married Esther Parr; he died on our subject's present farm, aged seventy-one, and his wife departed this life aged seventy seven years. They had four children: Pions P., Joseph, Sylvester Henry and Mrs. Margaret L. Spalding. Pious P. Fink was reared on the farm, and married in October, 1841, Miss Matilda M., daughter of John and Mary (Beecher) Shorb. To this union were born seven children: Mary. Johanna, Sarah E., Lucinda, Agnes, Anastasia (who all died. aged, respectively, nineteen, forty, five, fourteen and thirteen years). Sarah E. was a sister in St. Joseph's Convent, at Philadelphia; the two sons, Joseph J. and Basil P., are yet living. Mr. and Mrs. Fink are members of the Catholic Church. In farming Mr. Fink has been very successful. In polities he is a Democrat.

FINK & SHORB, grain dealers; Littlestown. This firm has been in existence under its present proprietors, J. J. Fink and John A. Shorb, since ISSO, and does an extensive business in grain and produce of all kinds, averaging from $80,000 to $100,000 per annum.

JOSEPH J. FINK, of the above firm, was born in Hamilton Township, this county, near East Berlin, September 28, 1850, and is a son of Pius P. and Matilda (Shorb) Fink. When he was but two years of age his mother suffered from a severe attack of typhoid fever, and to remove him from the chance of taking the disease, he was taken by his uncle, Joseph L., and his aunt, Sally A. Shorb (brother and sister, both unmarried), which resulted in his being reared by them until his fourteenth year with all the care and tenderness that could have been bestowed upon him had he been a son instead of a nephew. When fourteen years old he became a student at Calvert College, New Wind- sor, Md., where he remained two years, and later attended, for eighteen months, St. Charles College near Ellicott City, Iloward Co., Md. On his return home he occupied himself on his father's farm for several years, and February 27, 1873, became a partner with his uncle, Samuel L .. in the grain business at Littlestown, in which he continued until his uncle's death. Mr. Fink is a genial gentleman and one of Littlestown's reliable and substantial business men.

JOHN A. SHORB, also of the above firm, was born in Mountpleasant Township, this county, October 17, 1855, and is a son of Samuel J. and Catherine (Parr) Sborb. Ile was reared on the farm until the age of eleven years. Ilis father then engaged in business at Bonneauville, where he remained three years; thence moved to Littlestown, and here established the business to which Fink & Shorb have succeeded. John A. obtained his education partly in the Adams County schools, but when fifteen years of age was sent to Calvert College, New Windsor, Md., where he studied for two years, and afterward com- pleted his studies at St. Francis College, Loretto. Penn. Ile then returned to Littlestown and was employed in his father's business until 1877, when he became a partner with a one- third interest. The firm then consisted of Samuel J. Shorb, Joseph J. Fink and John A. Shorb. On the death of his father, Samuel J., in 1880, the business was continued by John A. and his remaining partner.

HAMILTON W. FORREST, farmer, P. O. Littlestown. The ancestors of the Forrest family were of English descent. The grandfather, Jonathan Forrest, was one of the pioneer preachers of the Metbodist Episcopal Church of Maryland, but when the break occurred in the Methodist Church and he had to decide between the MI. E. and the M. P. Churches, he cast bis vote with the latter and preached its doctrines till his death. He had a circuit of six weeks, always traveled on horseback, and his labors were blessed with good results. The text preached at his funeral was "Mark the upright. and behold the perfect man. for the end of that man is peace." Ilis influence for years was felt by all who knew him. He was married in Maryland, and reared six children: Charity (married to John Whittle), Sarah (died single), Millie (married to a Mr. Ilarn), Susanna (married to a Mr. Hays)-these two married and moved to the Cumberland Valley; Nelson (who remained at the old homestead, which joined the old stone chapel, well known in Methodist history, and there reared a family of five children and died; his descendants are yet living in Carroll County, Md.). and Jonathan C. (Nelson and Iona- than C. married sisters). The last named was born in Anne Arundel County, Md., was a farmer and a justice of the peace for nineteen years, refusing a re-election. Ile led a life of honesty and uprightness, presenting a living example to bis posterity. He died at the home of his son. Hamilton W. He was married, in 1817, to Lydia Cassell, born in Balti- more, Md., daughter of John Cassell, and of German extraction. She died in this county, on the farm to which her husband had removed in 1818, shortly after they were married. To Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan C. Forrest were born nine children: Mary D., Ann W., Eliza E .. Eveline C., John N. (deceased), Hamilton W., Lydia A., Hanson F., Upton F. Of these Hanson F. was educated at Concord University, Concord. Vt., and is a member of the Vermont Conference. Hamilton W. was born March 12, 1828, in Germany, and was reared on a farm, attending school in this county, but is mainly self-educated. In carly life he taught school (from eighteen till thirty-five years of age), and then devoted his attention to farming bis property adjoining his father's old homestead. Ile was married, March 30, 1858, to Miss Louisa M. C., daughter of J. Michael and Mary A. Kitzmiller, descendants of the old pioneer family of that name, who settled on Conowago Creek in this county, while the Indians were still roaming over the country. Divino

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service was often held in their house by preachers of various denominations. They were true pioneers, hospitable, friendly to the Indians, and known far and wide for their honor aud many virtues. The names of the eight children, now living, born to our subject and wife are John W., H. Judson, Annie L., Emory H., Granville L., Emma L., Eddy G. C. and Fletcher B. John W. was educated at Dickeson Seminary, Williamsport, Penn., fitted himself for the ministry, aud has preached two years successfully. He belougs to the Central Peunsylvauia Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. IIamilton W. For- rest has never meddled with politics, but has given his voice to help the cause of Prohibi- tion. He has held many high offices in the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been exhorter for over thirty years, assistant class-leader, Suuday-school superintend- ent, class and circuit steward, delegate to annual conference, etc., and seems to have in- herited many of his ancestors' good qualities of head and heart.

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

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