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 162

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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 162
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 162

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CHARLES P. GETTIER, M.D., merchant. Littlestown, is a native of Carroll County, Md., born near Manchester, January 8,1847, son of Peter and Anu E. (Gallagher) Gettier; the for- mer was a farmer. When about sixteen years of age our subject began reading medicine with Dr. J. F. Weaver, of Manchester, and subsequently attended medical lectures at the University of Maryland, Baltimore City; later he attended the Homeopathic College at New York City, from which he graduated iu March, 1867. In April of the same year he came to Littlestown, and soon had a large and successful practice. Having always had a desire to visit the West, he closed out his business in 1871, intending to locate at some western poiut. He visited Missouri, but pushed still farther west until he reached San Francisco, Cal., and shortly after located at Suisun City, Solano County, that State. There he began the practice of his profession, and one year later was appointed physician iu charge of the Solano County Hospital, but still attended to his private practice, which had become large and remunerative. He also owned au interest in the largest drug store at that place. In 1878, having been very successful, financially, he sold out and returned with his family to Littlestown, prepared to take a long rest, and enjoy the fruits of his in- dustry; but, being of an active, energetic temperament, he found it impossible to abstain from work. In 188f he became a partuer with the lIon. Ephraim Myers in the general merchandise trade, and still retaius an interest in the business. He is a popular and act- ive worker in the interests of the Democratic party in his neighborhood where he wields no small influence. He is a member of Suisun Lodge, No. 43, F. & A. M., and is now interested in organizing a chapter at Gettysburg, to be known as Good Samaritan Chapter, No. 266, of Peunsylvania. Although a young man, aud receiving no financial assistauce as a start, he has amassed a competency. He was married July 1, 1869, to Elizabeth Myers, a daughter of the Hon. Ephraim and Lucinda (Bittinger) Myers, and they have four children: Harry E., Mabel, Lizzie and Ethel.

O. S. HARNER, teacher, P. O. Kingsdale, was born September 24, 1857, in Myers' District, Carroll County, Md. His grandparents, Samuel and Hannah (Baners) HIarner, were na- tives of Pennsylvania, and of German extraction. They were potters by occupation, and had five children. Samuel died in Maryland and Hannah in Pennsylvania. Our subject's maternal grandfather, Samuel Messinger, a fuller by occupation, was only three years old when he was brought to America. The father of our subject, James A. Harner, Sr., was born August 3, 1826, iu Germany Township, this county, and is now a farmer in Carroll County, Md. He married Anna E. Messinger, born in Carroll County, Md., daughter of Samuel and Margaret (Shuyler) Messinger, and to this union were born seven children now living aud one deceased: Granville R., O. Samuel, James J., Maggie T., Henry (de- ceased) Susannah E., Johu N., and Addison A. Our subject was reared on a farm and educated at Littlestown. Penu., aud at Taneytown, Md., and now teaches school in the winter. He was married November 28, 1878, to Sarah C. Menchey, born December 2, 1855, daughter of Ephraim and Catharine (Rohrbaugh) Menchey. To Mr. and Mrs. O. S. Harnerhave been born three children: Alverta May, born July 31, 1880; Emma Blanche, born July 5, 1883; and Charles Cleveland, horn February 12, 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Harner are members of St. John's Lutheran Church, of which he has been au officer. He has served as township auditor, aud is now a justice of the peace. Politically he is a Dem- ocrat.

DR. JOHN W. HICKEY, Littlestown, was born near Emmittsburg, Md., May 21, 1855, and is a sou of James D. Hickey, a professor in Monut St. Mary's College. The Doctor, in 1876, began the study of dentistry with Dr. Thomas of Littlestown, and after completing his studies was examined by the Pennsylvania State Dental Examining Board, and was given a certificate as a thoroughly qualified surgeon-dentist. Iu 1878 he opened an office at Littlestown for the practice of his profession, and has been studiously and suc- cessfully employed ever since. His office is furnished with the best instruments and inven- tions of modern times for doing the best class of professional work. He is well aud favorably known throughout the vicinity for the excellence and fine mechanical finish of his dental work. He married, iu October, 1882, Clara W. Keeport, and has his office and residence on Baltimore Street.

JAMES NATIIANIEL KELLY, farmer, P. O. Kingsdale, Adams Co., Penn., was born at Silver Run, Carroll Co., Md., August 9, 1833, a grandson of Patrick Kelly, a native of Ire-

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land, who immigrated to America before the Revolutionary war, and farmed in what is now Heidelberg Township, York Co., Penn., where he owned two farms: he died at an advanced age, and has many descendants. His children were John, Jacob, Patrick, James, Thomas (who settled in Botetourt County, Va. ), Mrs. Nancy Bowman, Mrs. Sarah Dubbs, Mrs. Mary Millheim and George W. The youngest, George W., was born in York County, Penn., in 1795; was a farmer and miller by occupation, and settled in Carroll County, Md., where he married Mary Ann Williams, born in Frederick County, Md., June 15, 1800, the second daughter of William Williams, a native of England, who served all through the Revolu- tionary war under George Washington. William Williams was married to Rebecca Slife at the age of fifty; had one son who served in the war of 1812, and two daughters, Eliza- beth and Mary Ann (who was the only one of the three who married). To George W. Kelly and wife were born five sons and one daughter: Mrs. Sarah Morelock, Emanuel, John, George, James N. and Thomas. George W. Kelly died in 1845, aged about fifty years, and his widow in 1884, aged eighty-four. Our subject, the fourth born and eldest surviving son, was educated at an academy in Frederick City, Md., under Prof. Nathaniel Vernon, but completed his studies in Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, Penn. IIe then followed the profession of teacher in the schools of Carroll County, Md., and Vork and Adams Counties, Penn., and was very successful. He was also a clerk and salesman in a mercantile house for some time in Maryland. He married (and settled in Adams County. Penn. ), October 29, 1857, Ellen Harner, born in this county March 2. 1835, daugh- ter of Michael Harner (born in Frederick County, Md., December 15, 1800), and Elizabeth (Mearing) Harner, born August 13, 1806. To this union were born three daughters and four sons: Laura Ellen, Sarah, Lonesia, Emma Catharine. James Hamilton, Joseph Ells- worth, Eugene Sylvester and Austin Augustus. Laura E. and Sarah L. died in infancy. The family are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Mr. Kelly enlisted. Sep- tember 6, 1864, as a private in the Two Hundred and Ninth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, and participated in the battles of Fort Steadman and Petersburg. Va ; he was honorably discharged at the close of the war. In the spring of 1866 our subject moved to the Mansion farm, which he had purchased from the Mearing estate, in Germany Town- ship, where he has since been successfully engaged in farming and stock raising, and in settling up estates and various other businesses of trust. He is an entirely self-made man. Ile is a very upright and conscientious business man. In politics Mr. Kelly is a stanchi Democrat.

JOSHUA SEWELL KEMP, physician and druggist, Littlestown, was born March 29, 1835, in Baltimore County, Md., and is a son of John and Eleanor (Caples) Kemp, the former a farmer by occupation. Ile remained with his father until twenty-two years of age. in the meantime completing his literary studies by attending the Franklin Academy at Reisterstown, Md. When twenty-two he began reading medicine with Dr. J. L. Gib- bons of Pikesville, Md., and subsequently was graduated at the medical college of the University of Maryland, March 10, 1858. That same year he began to practice at Tren- ton Baltimore Co., Md., and in 1860 located at Littlestown. In July, 1862, he was ap- pointed assistant surgeon of the Ninetieth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. and was with it at the battles of Cedar Mountain, Second Bull Run and Chantilly, and in several skirmishes. In November, 1862, on account of sickness, he resigned and returned to Littlestown, where he has been in constant practice since, and from February, 1885, has also carried on a drug store. The Doctor was married, July 20, 1859, to Miss Susan Algire, daughter of George Algire, of Baltimore County, Md. They have three children: Scott Bernard, C. McK. and Lorain. The Doctor affiliates with the Democratic party, and has served in local offices in the vicinity. He and his wife are members of the Method- ist Church.

HENRY S. KLEIN, lumber dealer, Littlestown, was born at New Cumberland, Com- berland Co., Penn., July 29, 1835, a son of John B. Klein, who died in 1843. The widow moved to Harrisburg, where Henry S. lived until he was twenty-three years old. Our subject learned the trade of a brick-layer, at which he worked six years. He married, December 3, 1857. Mary Ellen Horner, a native of Mechanicsburg, Cumberland Co., Penn., and a daughter of James Horner. Henry S. Klein and family settled at Littlestown, March 3, 1859, and he at once established himself in the lumber and coal trade and has success- fully conducted that business up to date. He is a Republican, and, though not an office- seeker, he has been elected and served Littlestown in the offices of burgess, councilman. school director, etc. He has twice built substantial residences in town and has done much in various ways toward improving its interests, and is one of the substantial and respected business men. Mr. and Mrs. Klein have the following children: Eliza Dora (now the wife nf Capt. J. C. Delany, librarian of the Senate at Harrisburg), Mary Sidney (living at home), John Henry (a druggist in Baltimore), Charles Benard (a jeweler in Littlestown), and Jessie Berghaus (attending school and living at home); Anna Bertie died at two and one- half years, and Paul St. Clair when but sixteen months old.

JOHN F. KRUG, grain-dealer, P. O. Kingsdale, was born December 28, 1849, in Meyers' District, Carroll Co., Md., son of John Krug and grandson of George Krug, whose father was a native of Germany. John Krug, who was born in Lancaster County, Penn.,

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moved to Carroll County, Md. (where he farmed), but now resides in Hanover, York. Co., Penn. He married Susannah Willet, born in Maryland, daughter of George and Eliza (Mckinney) Willet, and who died in March, 1862, the mother of eight children of whom five are now living: John F., George W., David D., Mrs. Mary Bortner and Mrs. Lucinda Hershey. John F. Krug was a farmer in Oxford Township in early life, but came to Germany Township in 1877, and in partnership with George F. Krug (postmaster at Kings- dale) bought out the business of Amos Klinefelter, in Kingsdale, on the Frederick & Pennsylvania Railroad, where they are yet in the grain and grocery business and are also dealing in phosphates, having a brand of their own. Our subject was married September 25, 1874, to Miss Mary E. Sheffer, born in York County, Penn .. daughter of Michael Sheffer. Their children, five in number, are Alverta S .. Minnie M .. Linda M., Charles E. and Estella. Mr. and Mrs. Krug are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics he is a Republican.

WILLIAM H. LANSINGER, merchant, Littlestown, was born Jannary 27, 1827, in York, Penn., son of John Lansinger and grandson of Jacob Lansinger. His great grand- father, of French lineage, came to America when quite young and settled in Philadelphia, where he died. Ile had two sons: Nicholas and Jacob. The latter, a shoe-maker by trade, married a Miss Strunk, and lived most of his life in Philadelphia, hnt the year before he died moved to Littlestown, this county, where he departed this life at the age of eighty-four. Ile was the parent of five children: Jacob, Jobn, William, Joseph and Elizabeth, who attained maturity. Of these John, a native of Philadelphia, also a shoe- maker, lived many years in York County, Penn., but finally moved to Littlestown, this county, where he died aged seventy-three. He had been twice married, first to Rebecca. daughter of Henry Neff, and who died near York, Penn., aged thirty-three, the mother of three children, who attained maturity: William H., Jacob and Barbara. William H at- tended the common schools at Littlestown, and here has followed his father's trade nearly all his life (he was three years in Clarke County, Va., where he also engaged in shoe- making). Our subject was married in this township to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Peter Cump, and by this union has three children living: Henry N , Seward and Rebecca B. Mr. Lansinger and family are members of the church. He has been a Republican all his life, and has held different offices of trust, among which was that of chief burgess of Lit- tlestown for two terms.

LEFEVRE FAMILY. The LeFevres in this county are of French extraction, descend- ants of the old Huguenot LeFevres, who left their native country to enjoy religious lib- erty. Joseph LeFevre, of the third generation in America, was a native of Lancaster County, Penn., and was the first of the family to settle within the confines of Adams County. In 1806 he bought and settled upon upward of 300 acres of land in Union Town- ship, and during his life was principally engaged in superintending his large farm and in conducting a hotel on the same, at what is now known as LeFevre's Station on the rail- road. He and his wife, whose maiden name was Susan Bowman, were both members of the Reformed Church, and were highly respected for their many good qualities of head and heart. They had nine children, whose names are herewith given: Benjamin, Joseph, Isaac, Amos, Enoch, Elizabeth, Catharine, Susannah and Lydia, all now deceased, in- cluding the parents.

ENOCH LEFEVRE (deceased) was a son of Joseph, the pioneer of the LeFevre family in Adams County. Ile was a native of Lancaster County, and was for over fifty years a resident of Adams County. He lived and reared his family on the old homestead in Union Township, where his father, Joseph, settled. He married Catherine S. Schriver, a daughter of John Schriver, and by this union the following named children were born: Isabella, who married W. E. Krebbs, of Littlestown; Rev. W. D., of Stoyestown, Penn .. Joseph II., an attorney at law, Littlestown: James A., of Littlestown: Emma E., mar- ried to Isaac Loucks, of Ilanover: Anna E., who married George B. Myers, of Littlestown. and Enoch S .. of New Oxford, this county.

JOSEPH H1. LEFEVRE, attorney at law. Littlestown, was born in Union Township, this county, March 7. 1839, and is a son of Enoch LeFevre, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Joseph II.finished his education at Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster City, Penn., and graduated from that institution in the class of 1863. He then read law with Hon. D. McConaughy, of Gettysburg, Penn., was admitted to the bar in 1867, and began practice at Littlestown. A few years afterward he moved to Pittsburgh, and became interested in the shoe business; he continued the same until 1876, when he returned to Littlestown, and here has since resided, and followed his profession. He is a decided temperance man; politically a Republican. He was elected a justice of the peace in 1879, and served five years. . May 18, 1878, he married Julia C. Gutelins, a daughter of Samuel Gutelius, of this county. They have two children: Jeannette and Cecil. Mr. LeFevre is a member of the Reformed Church, of Littlestown, and was the prime mover in making the Littlestown congregation an independent charge, separating it from Christ Church February 8, 1881. Since that time he has been a deacon in the Redeemer's Reformed Church.

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JAMES A. LEFEVRE, bank cashier, Littlestown, is a son of Enoch LeFevre. At the age of sixteen he became a student at Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster City. und after five years' study graduated from that institution. Subsequently he kept a hard- ware store at Littlestown for upward of three years, and at the organization of the Littles- town Savings institution was elected its cashier, a position he has held ever since. Mr. LeFevre was married in 1866 to Alice Mehring. They have nine children living: Walter M., Nevin B., Alice S., James A., Carrie B., Edwin L., Claud M., Annie R. and Lulu. One child, Bessie, died, aged six months. Mr. LeFevre lives on and owns 163 acres of the old homestead, at LeFevre Station.

ISAAC LYNN, farmer, P. O. Littlestown, was born August 19, 1808, in Middleburg, Md. His grandfather, Henry Lynn, came from Germany and settled in Maryland, where he farmed, and there died. He had married in Germany and was the parent of four sons and two daughters. Of these, Jacob, a farmer, was born in Maryland (where he died, aged sixty-two years); he married Catharine Jacobs, by whom he had five children: Isaac, Henry, Mary, David and Susan. Of these Isaac went to school in his native place. He has been a successful agriculturist, and farmed with his father till 1835, when he was married and went to Emmittsburg. Md., where he followed agricultural pursuits until the spring of 1878, when he soll his farm of 142 acres and moved to Littlestown, this county, and here he intends to remain the balance of his life. He was married, in April, 1835, to Miss Catharine Troxel, a daughter of Adam Troxel. Shedied June 13, 1882, aged seventy-five years. Mr. Lynn is a member of the Reformed Church, and has been an ex- emplary citizen and good neighbor, esteemed by all with whom he comes in contact. llc has been a hard working man; starting in life with nothing, he has by his own exertions gained a comfortable competency.

WILLIAM MCSHERRY, farmer, P. O. Littlestown, was born in that place April 14, 1821, a son of James, who was a son of Patrick McSherry, a native of Ireland. William McSherry, when thirteen years of age, became a student in Mount St. Mary's College, in Maryland, from which he graduated in 1840. In 1841 he began reading law with Gen. James M. Coale, of Frederick City, Md .; was admitted to the bar in 1842, and practiced law at Gettysburg from 1842 to 1846. Hon. James Cooper, subsequently United States Senator, was a partner with him during a part of that time. In 1847 our subject was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on the Whig ticket, and in 1849 was elected again to fill a vacancy caused by the election of Gen. James Cooper to the United States Senate; was again elected as representative in 1851; and was elected in 1862 and 1871 to the State Senate, serving both terms. He has been his county's unanimous candidate for Congress on several occasions, but it being the smallest county in the dis- trict, did not receive the nomination in convention of conferees. In 1882, contrary to his own expressed wishes, he was run as an independent Democrat against the regular nomi ner, and, although defeated, received 1,100 majority in Adams County. During all his official life he served with marked ability. He was for years president of the Littlestown Railroad Company, and has during his whole life been an active promoter of all useful enterprises in his community and county. He is now, at the age of sixty-five years, in robust health, and to all appearance in the prime of life. He is the owner of several val- uable farms, to the management of which he devotes the most of his time. He is still frequently called upon by his fellow-citizens for legal advice and counsel, which is freely given without price, as he has not followed the regular practice of his profession for years. During his legal practice he was noted for never advising parties to go to law, but rather counseled an amicable settlement, which he often effected.

WILLIAM A. MCSHERRY, P. O. Littlestown, was born in Mountpleasant Town- ship, March 25, 1824, and is a son of Patrick and Mary (Fisher) McSherry, both of whom were natives of this county, but now deceased. Patrick was a farmer, served a long time as public school director, and was a quiet unpretentious, good citizen. William A. re- mained on the farm until he was eighteen years of age. Ile then learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for twenty years, though for ten years of that time he also taught school during the winter season. In 1850 he established himself in a general store at White Hall, and remained there for thirty-one years, and in the meantime erected some ten buildings in that place, including a hotel. In 1881, he came to Littlestown and opened a general store, which he still conducts, and also a clothing store in the borough, but in- tends to consolidate the two under one roof, in the spring. Ile married. in 1851, Miss Amelia Hull, of Carroll County, Md., who has borne him three daughters and one son.

JOHN MEIRING (deceased), was a native of Germany Township, this county, born in 1809. llis first marriage was with Amy Shoemaker, who bore him eight children, viz .: Catherine, Margaret, Isaiah E., Jonathan F., Ellen C., John O., Emma M. and Lydia. His second marriage was with Harriet Sell, a daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth (Graves) Sell, by which union there were three children: Solomon D., Alverta Matilda, now the wife of Harry Myers, and Harriet R., wife of W. II. Colehouse. All of the cleven children are yet living and all are married. Mr. Mehring was a farmer all his life and owned two places, one of 135 and another of 116 acres, as well as other property. He was a firm

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Union man during the war, and supported the Government by his means and influence. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, in which he was nearly always an official aud one of its chief supporters. He died June 16. 1865; his widow still resides in Littles- town.

SOLOMON D. MEHRING, carriage manufacturer. Littlestown, proprietor of one of the most important industries of Littlestown, was born in Adams County in 1854, and is a son of John and Harriet (Sell) Mehring. At the age of sixteen he began to learn carriage making with Sell & Blocher. of Littlestown, and on completing the same worked in various places at his trade until 1875, when he formed a partnership with a Mr. Hesson, and car- ried on the carriage-making business for three years at Littlestown. They then dissolved partnership, and Mr. Mehring engaged in manufacturing carriage wood-work exclusively for two years. In 1880 he commenced the manufacture of carriages in shops at the west end of Frederick Street. The business growing rapidly, however, he was obliged to have better facilities for carrying it on, and in 1885 he erected an elegant new brick residence, and near by a large two-story brick building, 31x70 feet, for'a carriage warehouse, while the upper part is the paint shop and finishing room. Adjoining this building are the wood-workers and blacksmith's shops. IIle employs from twelve to fifteen hands the year round, and makes a specialty of the manufacture of fine buggies and carriages, the buggies averaging in price from $100 up, and the two-horse carriages from $175 to $250. He allows nothing but the best material to be used in their construction, thus his customers are assured that they will receive good honest value for their money. The business done for the past few years amounted to thousands of dollars annually, and is constantly in- creasing. Mr. Mehring was married, November 11, 1874, to Miss Emma J. Fleiger, who has horne him five children: Charles R., Claud E., John W., Robert L. and Emma Edna. Mr. and Mrs. Mehring are both members of the Lutheran Church.

L. T. MEHRING, hardware dealer, Littlestown, was born in Carroll County, Md., November 18. 1836, a son of Daniel Mehring (now deceased), who was a prominent farmer and who owned six different farms in that county, which he gave to his children. Our subject lived with his father until his twenty-second year, and obtained a good education at the subscription schools of the vicinity. Mr. Mehring is the pioneer of the regular hardware business in Littlestown, to which place he removed in 1866, and has been con- tinuously in that trade up to the present. He carries a stock averaging the year round about $5,000, and which consists of all kinds of iron, steel, cutlery, glass, and everything that can be found in a well-conducted, first-class hardware store, the average sales amounting to $12,000 annually. Mr. Mehring's residence and store is a first-class brick structure, fitted with all modern improvements, and heated throughout by steam, and at a fair valuation would be worth about $6,000. He has also several valuable building lots and a farm of 123 acres of highly cultivated land, valued at $70 per acre. He built, in 1885, a large public hall, called "The Littlestown Opera House," capable of seating 400 people, and in many other ways has helped to build up and improve the town. He is a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, and took a prominent part in building the present church editice. He was one of the first deacons under that organization. December 17, 1857, Mr. Mehring married Julia A. Bittinger, aud seven children have been born to this union: Flora B., wife of Louis W. Kobler, a coach-maker in Abbottstown: Mary L., a highly accomplished musician, who is teaching music in the vicinity; Frederick B. H., who died at the age of three years; llarry W., now employed in the Elgin, Ill., watch factory; John M., who died at the age of one year; Levi Daniel and Howard H. Levi D. is preparing for the ministry, and expects to enter the sophomore class at Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, Penn., in the fall of 1886. Howard H., the youngest, is thirteen years old.

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

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