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 164

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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 164
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 164

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JACOB STONESIFER (deceased) was a native of this county, as was also his wife, Susan (Vance) Stonesifer. He was a miller by trade, a business he carried on for about six years during his early manhood, principally in Maryland, with the exception of a short time at milling in this county. During his long residence here, he was engaged in farming. He was of an energetic disposition and took part in various public affairs. Though never much of a politician, he voted with the Democratic party, and was elected to and served in several local offices. He was a member of the Reformed Church, and took an active part in its affairs, being deacon and elder for many years. His wife, Susan Vance, died in 1833. By her there were seven children. His second wife was Susan Meltzhimer, who bore him five children. He died in 185], and his widow in 1854.

GEORGE STONESIFER, merchant, Littlestown, was born in what is now Union Township, this county, December 26, 1821, a son of Jacob and Susan (Vance) Stonesifer, both natives of this county. He was reared until the age of twenty-four years, on his father's farm, attending the subscription schools near Westminster, Md., and acquiring an education. From 1846 to 1857, he was engaged in a marketing business between Littles- town and Westminster. In 1857, he, in company with S. M. Study, opened a general store at Littlestown. In 1865 Mr. Stonesifer was elected assistant county assessor on the Democratic ticket. and sold his interest in the store. He served in the above office three years and a half, and in 1869, in company with S. P. Young, again began mer- chandising at Littlestown. Eleven months later he bought Young's interest in the business, and since then has been alone and continuously in trade up to date. He was one of the organizers of the Littlestown Savings Institution, a director for sixteen years, and is at present its president. He was a prominent promoter in building the Littlestown Railroad, a director for twenty years, and is now, and has been for the past ten years, secretary and treasurer of the railroad. He is a member of the Lutheran Church. When St. Luke's Church, St. Luke's Parsonage and St. John's Parsonage were built, he was a a member of the building committee on each and acted as treasurer for all, and took a gen- eral and active part in their erection. In 1846 he was married to Lucinda C. Swope, a daughter of Ephraim Swope of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Stonesifer have had ten chil- dren, four now living: Sarah C., Mary, Laura J. and Theodore ]]. Mr. Stonesifer is a substantial and energetic merchant and one of Littlestown's most honored citizens.

S. B. WEAVER, physician, Littlestown, was born in Manchester, Carroll Co., Md., December 10, 1847, and during his earlier years attended the Manchester schools, and la- ter completed his classical studies at Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster City. In 1869 he began studying, to qualify himself as a surgeon and physician, in the office of Dr. J. F. Weaver, at Manchester, and subsequently became a student in the Hahnemann Medical College, at Philadelphia, where he was graduated in March, 1872, and the follow- ing winter located at Littlestown. He is a close student and hard worker, and has built up a large and lucrative practice, which requires his attention night and day. Ile is, how- ever, a man of splendid physique, and capable of enduring a vast amount of physical la- bor. September 15, 1875, he married Miss M. Jennie Crouse, a daughter of W. F. Crouse, of Littlestown.

REV. ELIAS D. WEIGLE, A. M., pastor of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheral Church, Littlestown, was born in Butler Township, this county, January 19, 1848, a son of Chris- tian and Elizabeth (Guise) Weigle. Christian Weigle was a farmer, a native of York County, but for upward of fifty years a resident of this county, and died in Tyrone Town- ship, October 2, 1879, aged seventy-two years. Ilis widow, also a native of this county, is still living in Tyrone Township. The subject of this sketch remained with his father until he was twenty-one. IIe then attended school at Hunterstown for about four months, and on returning home he took charge of the school near his father's, where he had formerly been a pupil, and kept it one term. After the close of his school in the spring of 1870. he became a student at the Selinsgrave Missionary Institute, to prepare himself for college. After close application for eleven months he entered the freshman class at the institute, and, during the freshman and sophomore years, he became a tutor there, at the same time keeping up with his studies. In 1873 he entered the junior class at Pennsylvania College, and was graduated there in June, 1875, with the fourth honor of his class. He then accepted the professorship of mathematics and English at the Mission- ary Institute for one year, and, in the fall of 1876 entered the theological seminary at Gettysburg, and was graduated with his class in June, 1878, having supplied the St. Paul's

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pulpit at Littlestown from January 20 until September. 1878, when he was ordained and became the regular pastor. While at Pennsylvania College he was a leading spirit in the literary societies, and was one of the orators at the biennial anniversary of the Phrena- kosmian Society, of which he was a member February 22. 1874, and is still deeply inter- ested in the college and its affairs, on which he keeps an affectionate eye. He contributes literary artieles to the Lutheran Quarterly, and is a regular correspondent for several newspapers. During his ministry at St. Paul's he has also acted as secretary of the West Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and continues to be a close student and careful reader of the literature of the day. He is at present a director in the seminary, Gettysburg, Penn. Mr. Weigle was married, October 16, 1879, to Hannah Bream, a daughter of William and Harriet Bream, and they have two children: Luther Allen and Harriet E.

SAMUEL WEIKERT, P. O. Littlestown, was born in Mountpleasant Township, this county, February 12, 1815. His father, George Weikert, was twice married; first to Miss Spitler, who died, leaving ten children: John, Elizabeth. George, Peter, Andrew. Henry, Catherine, Fanny, Mary and Jacob. He then married Mrs. Ann Maria Colestock, nee Lightner, who bore him four children: Margaret, Sarah, Samuel (subject), and William. Samuel Weikert, at the age of sixteen, went to Coler's flour-mill, in York County, where he remained for six years, four years in learning the business, and two in conducting it. He then followed milling in Conowago Township, this county, for seventeen years, and at Berlin, York County, five years. IIe came to Littlestown in 1860, and, in company with John Duttera, engaged in buying and shipping grain for several years. He has now given up active business and is living in retirement. In 1843 Mr. Weikert married Lydia Sho- walter, who bore him four children, three now living: Mary Josephine (wife of Alonzo San- ders), Charles E. (married to Mary Fink), and Emma (married to Luther Alleman). Mr. Weikert is a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, and contributed liberally toward building the edifice; has also officiated as elder in the church. He is a Republican, polit- ieally, and has served the borough in several local offices. His grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John Weikert, were natives of Lancaster County, Penn., and many years ago settled in Mountpleasant Township, this county. They are both buried in St. John's graveyard.

SAMUEL P. YOUNG, retired farmer, Littlestown, was born January 18, 1818, in Union Township, Adams Co., Penn., a grandson of Peter Young, a native of Pennsylva- nia, who settled in Union Township (in the Shorb neighborhood). Peter Young married a Miss Burkhardt, by whom he had four children: Rachel, John, and two others. The grandparents died on the old homestead, and there their son, John Young, also died, aged eighty-four. John Young, who was also a farmer, married a Miss Oyster, who died leav- ing one child, John Young (also deceased). John Young was married on the second ocea- sion to Mrs. Catharine McSherry, a daughter of Mr. Little, the founder of Littlestown, this county. She died on the old homestead aged eighty-four years. To this union were born two children: Mrs. Sally Felty (deceased) and Samuel P. Our subject was educated in this township, and for a time engaged in farming, but for the last two years has lived in Littlestown. He has been twice married, first to Margaret, danghter of Judge George Will, and who died the mother of nine children: William A., Eliza J., Mary C., Margaret, John A., Clara A. (deceased), Sally, Charles S. and Laura. Our subject was married on the second occasion to Miss Cecilia C. Will, another daughter of Judge Will. Mr. and Mrs. Young are members of the Reformed Church. Politically he is identified with the Republican party.

WILLIAM YOUNT, dealer in boots and shoes, Littlestown, was born near East Ber- lin May 19, 1832, and for thirty-five years has been prominently identified with the bus- iness and other interests of Littlestown. He is a son of George and Sarah (Bender) Yount. both of whom were natives of Lancaster County, Penn., and both now deceased. In youth he learned the harness and saddle-maker's trade, and when twenty-one years of age opened a harness shop in Littlestown, which he conducted for seven years, sometimes alone and sometimes in partnership. For nine or ten years he conducted a general store; then engaged for two years in the grain business; but for several years past lias kept a boot and shoe store, which he is still conducting, keeping a full line of goods, with sales averaging $4,000 to $5.000 a year. He also owns a boot and shoe store at Taneytown, Md., which is managed by his son, F. M. Yount, and is interested in another at Harris- burg, conducted by another son, Charles E. Yount. Our subject is a Republican, and has filled many offices in the gift of the borough and township, and at present is a member of the school board. He was appointed postmaster at Littlestown April 6, 1881, and held the office until September 7, 1885; was a charter member of the Mount Carmel Cemetery Com- pany; was aetive in procuring the charter for Littlestown Borough, and is a stockholder, charter member and vice-president of the Maryland & Pennsylvania Mining Company, of Baltimore City, of which he is the agent at Littlestown. This company was chartered to do a general mining business and for other purposes, December 17, 1884. Mr. Yount is a member of the Methodist Church; served on the building committee of the church edifice, and contributed liberally to its completion, as well as to other churches in the vicinity. He was married, January 4, 1854, to Mary MI., a daughter of Jacob Bishop, an I

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twelve children blessed this union: Francis MI .. born April 21. 1855; Charles E., horn April 24, 1857: Sarah L., born June 2, 1859: Willie, born November 26, 1861, and died in infancy ; Martha Jane, born June IS. 1863: Howard B., born May 21, 1866, died in infancy: John Wesley, born August 27. 1866; Mary Alice, born August 23, 1870; Clara, born March 17, 1873; Jessie C., born May 6, 1875; Edgar HI., born November 4, 1877, and died July 19. 1578; and Ira N .. born October 21, 1879.

CHAPTER LVI.

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP & BOROUGH OF EAST BERLIN.

DR. SAMUEL MEISENHELDER (deceased) was born in Dover, York County, abont 1818, a son of Jacob and Mary Meisenhelder, He was a student of Dr. Robert Lewis, of Dover, and graduated at Jefferson Medical College in 1851. He began to practice his profession in Dover: came to East Berlin in 1851; located permanently, and remained until his death, which occurred September 2. 1884. Ilis marriage with Josephine Lewis, daughter of Dr. Robert Lewis, of Dover, took place June 16, 1842, and four sons were born to their union, viz. : Edmund W., Orphilla, Robert N. and Webster. Orphilla and Web- ster died in childhood. Edmund W. and Robert N. were both pupils of their father, and both graduated from Jefferson Medical College (Edmund W. in 1868, and Robert N. in 1871). Edmund W. was also a graduate in Pennsylvania College, of Gettysburg, where Dr. Robert N. also completed his education. Dr. Edmund W. formed a partner- ship with his father in the practice of medicine in 1868, and continued three years a resi- dent of his native village. In 1870 he married Maria Baughman, of Banghmansville, York Co., Penn., and the next year located in York, Penn .. where he still resides. In 1871 Dr. Robert N. formed a partnership with his father, which was continued until the death of the latter, since which event he has been in practice alone. In 1876 Dr. R. N. married C. Alice Lentz, daughter of John and Lavina Lentz, of Davidsburg, Penn. Two children blessed this union: John Elmer and Josephine Lewis. During the active professional life of Dr. Meisenhelder he has filled numerous official positions in his town, and is at present a member of the school board. His father was, during his life, the leading phy- sician and surgeon of this part of Adams County, and his son follows closely in his foot- steps, with, if possible, an increased practice, possessing the confidence of the public as a man of merit.

JOHN PICKING. P. O. East Berlin, was born September 3. 1806. and is the oldest native now living in East Berlin. His education was obtained in the schools of his na- tive village, and after his father removed to Westmoreland County he was a teacher for a number of years in the "church schoolhouse" and also in the brick house now the resi- dence of Adam Wolf. He was appointed by Gov. Wolf in 1832 clerk of quarter sessions, oyer and terminer; remained at Gettysburg until his term expired, and in 1838-39 was elected first justice of the peace in East Berlin, to which village he had removed. He was re-elected at the close of his term. but in consequence of an election in 1848 to the office of prothonotary. he returned to Gettysburg. In 1854 he was re-elected prothonotary. and in 1858 was elected transcribing clerk in the House of Representatives at Harrisburg, and re-elceted in 1859 to the same position. He purchased the property built by his father in 1860, and resided ten years in the old mansion; then, in company with his only child, Franklin B .. he opened a clothing store in Gettysburg, which was discontinued in 1873, the death of Franklin B. occurring that year. Mr. Picking then returned to the place of his birth, where he has since led a retired life. Having served his State and county frequently and well, his name carries honor with it. to which he is justly due. The death of his wife occurred April 2, 1880. Mr. Picking is now over four score, and is hale and social. His father, llenry Picking. was born in Washington Township, York Co., Penn., April 26, 1774, a son of John and Justina (Fox) Picking; came to this county and married, about 1802 or 1803, Sarah, daughter of John Hildebrand, Sr., who lived across the Conowago, and was the proprietor of the tannery which had been for many years in his possession. Henry and his young wife came to East Berlin soon after their marriage, and he opened a general store in the house now occupied by William S. Hilde- brand; later he erected a new store, now the property of Mrs. P. B. Kauffman, where he continued business until 1823. In February. 1826, he moved to Westmoreland County, Penn .. and next went into the hotel business. In 1832 or 1833 he moved from West- moreland County to the foot of Laurel Hill, Somerset Co., Penn., where his death oc- curred in December, 1841. Ilis widow survived him twenty-seven years, and was bur-

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ied in Somerset Cemetery. They were the parents of seven children; six sons, Samuel, John, Henry, Jacob, Barnet and William, were born here, and one daughter, Sarah, in Westmoreland County. Penn.

REV. DANIEL SELL, P. O. East Berlin, was born in Cumberland County, Penn., Angust 18, 1819, a son of John and Susannah (Kealer) Sell. Ilis paternal ancestors were natives of Germany, his maternal of Switzerland. His early education was obtained at subscription schools, where the rod, instead of intelligence, governed, and where, by rea- son of repeated punishments, he was so intimidated that he was unable to recite, although master of his studies, which at that time consisted of orthography, reading, writing and arithmetic. Nothwithstanding that the teacher had called him "blockhead," yet in 1829 he stood at the head of his class, although only eleven years old. One year later he went to work at his father's forge, and during each succeeding summer developed his muscle hy swinging the sledge, attending during the winters short terms of school. He worked for tlie money that purchased his first grammar, but was obliged to keep its purchase a secret from his father, who feared the knowledge it imparted "would make him crazy." When seventeen years of age Daniel had mastered, by his own exertions, the common branches, also German, and was employed as a teacher in the Wallace School, Frankford Town- ship, Cumberland Co., Penn., in 1836, and for eight successive winters taught school. November 22, 1838, he was united in marriage with Frances M. Rice, an estimable lady, to whom he pays this glowing tribute: "To her I owe almost everything that I am, for to her exertions are mainly dne my education and conversion, for she was a Christian when we were married, and through her was my conviction of sin hastened, and my con- version on Ascension Day, 1839, brought about." The wish of his revered mother was that her son should become a minister, and, aided by the counsel of his wife, Mr. Sell con- cluded to obtain a theological education. November 20, 1845, at that time the possessor of $250, he matriculated at the Pennsylvania College of Gettysburg, and in 1851 graduated from that college and seminary, and was assigned a charge at Rossville, York County. He founded the first Lutheran mission at Lock Haven in 1860, and other brethren, after the failure of his health, completed the work. Having been for thirty-five years regular- ly engaged in the ministry, Rev. Mr. Sell takes a just pride in stating that in all the years of his pastorate here (Paradise charge) no appointment was ever missed by reason of ill health, and his arduous toil in the ministry has not only brought with it excellent health, but a competency for his riper years. Seven years ago he was appointed to the Paradise charge, and has to-day the largest number of communicants (1,900) in the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of West Pennsylvania. Five children were born to his first marriage (two died in infancy); Edward H., a railroad conductor between Altoona and Harrisburg. married to Mollie S. Nicholas, of Pine Grove Mills, Penn., and reside at Altoona; Martha J., wife of B. F. Seibert, now residing at San Francisco, Cal., and Annie M., wife of N. S. Riggs, residing in Versailles, Morgan Co., Mo. The death of Mrs. Sell occurred in 1873, and the following year our subject married Caroline Williams, of New Kingston, Cumberland Co., Penn. She died in February, 1883, without issue. With the re- ward that comes to those who are just and true, Rev Daniel Sell stands at the head of the ministry in Adams Connty, by reason of his industry and zeal.

HENRY STOCK, farmer, P. O. New Oxford. John, the grandfather of this gentle- man, came from Germany, and settled in Earl Township, Lancaster Co., Penn., November 14, 1787. He purchased of Leonard Mumma 155 acres and allowances, paying for the same £600. This warrant is yet in possession of our subject. John Stock was married to A. Mumma, and had fourteen children: Henry, Daniel, John, Peter, William, Nancy, Susanna, Mary, Elizabeth, Barbara, Lydia, Rebecca. Christena and Julyan. Of these, Henry, the father of our subject, was born in Earl Township, Lancaster Co., Penn. He was married to Elizabeth Haines, who was born in Carroll County, Md., and their children, Leah, Elizabeth, Sarah, Lydia, Christina, Mary, John, Jacob and Henry, were born on the farm near New Oxford. By trade he was a weaver, and for many years carried on that business in connection with his farm, and was a prosperous man. He purchased and re- moved to a small farm on the Oxford and Berlin road, where he resided only about two years, when his death occurred in 1862, aged seventy years. His wife died some years prior, in 1856, aged sixty-five years. Henry Stock, our subject, was born February 17, 1834, and has from choice been a farmer. He married Mary Duttera in 1857, and com- menced housekeeping on the old mansion farm of his father. Emma L., Charles D. and John H. were their children born on the old homestead, and Samnel W., George W. and Mary J. were born on the preseut farm, which Mr. Stock purchased in 1879 from John Bupp, on the Carlisle Pike. In 1882 Mr. Stock was appointed overseer of the poor by Lite R. Mackley and James Reaver, to fill a vacancy, and at the expiration of his term was then elected to the same position for a term of three years. Ile has also filled other positions of trust with satisfaction to the people. His farm is finely improved, and his children are receiving such an education as becomes those of his means and sentiment.

Mff Riley

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HAMILTONBAN TOWNSHIP.

CHAPTER LVII.

HAMILTONBAN TOWNSHIP.

ROBERT RALSTON BLYTHE, retired farmer, P. O. Fairfield, is a grandson of David Blythe, who emigrated from Fifeshire, Scotland, iu the first half of the last century, and settled on "Carroll's Tract," in Hamiltonhan Township. this county (then York County), where he built a log house, which is yet standing. His wife was Elizabeth, a daughter of William Finley, a brother of the then president of Princeton College. Both died in the house he had built-David Blythe in 1831, and his widow several years later. The names of their children are James, Ann, Calvin, Samuel, Ezra, Tirza, David and Finley. Ezra was a member of the Assembly, afterward senator, and Calvin was a judge of the Mifflin and Dauphin Counties' Circuit, and afterward was collector of the port of Philadelphia. James, father of Robert R., was always a farmer, living at home until his marriage, when he removed to the stone house built for him by his father, where the sub- ject of this sketch was born, and which he now owns. He was born in 1771, and died in April, 1857, in his eighty-seventh year. He was married May 30, 1809, to Rebecca Slem- mons, who was born in 1778, and died in 1845, in her sixty-eighth year. They were the parents of the following named children: Washington, married to Sarah Culbertson, re- moved to Alexandria. Va., where he died, and where his widow now lives; William, mar- ried to Eveline Webb, now living in St. Louis Mo .; Robert Ralston (first), who died in infancy; Robert Ralston (second), the subject of this sketch; Elizabeth, wife of Robert MeCormick, now living in Emporia, Kas .; David B., married to Margaret Finley, after whose decease he married a lady iu Kirkwood, Ill., where he is now living. Robert R. was born July 6, 1817, and until eight years ago lived on the place of his birth. He worked for his father until his marriage, after which he and his brother, David B., farmed the place until the latter went to Fairfield to keep store, wheu Robert R. took the farm alone, and, after his father's decease, bought it. " In 1878 he gave up active life, rented his farm, and retired to Fairfield. November 20, 1849, he was married to Sarah D. Hagey, who died January 8, 1858, leaving two children: Elizabeth, wife of James Cunningham, of Highland Township, this [county, and Sarah Dinwidie, wife of W. D. Clark Marshall, of this township. Jannary 8, 1861, Mr. Blythe married Rachel E. Culbertson, born May 8, 1842. in Franklin County, Penn., daughter of Ilugh Culbertson, then living in Hamil- tonban Township, Adans County, and to this union one child was born, who died in in- fancy. Mr. and Mrs. Blythe are members of Lower Marsh Creek Presbyterian Church, of which he has been an elder for twelve years.

DANIEL S. FREY, farmer, P. O. Fountain Dale, is a son of Christiau Frey, who came from Germany about 1829 and settled in Hamiltonban Township, this county. He was born in 1811, and, with his wife, is now living in Fairfield. She was a Miss Mary A. Butt, born in 1806. Christian Frey followed weaving in Hamiltonban Township for over twenty years: then moved to Liberty Township, where he worked at his trade until 1852, at which time he bought the farm on which Daniel S. now resides and on which he continued to live until 1876, when he came to Fairfield. When he bought the farm of 239 acres, but a small part of it was subdued, and he and his sons cleared up quite a large tract, building a good stone house, barn, etc. Always a hard-working, sober and careful man, he is now enjoying the fruits of his industry and thrift. Ife is an ardent Repub- lican in politics, but rarely would accept office. Mr. and Mrs. Christian Frey's family were Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Bigham (both deceased); John, who died in the army, being a member of Company C, Sixty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry; Adam, married to Mary Hershey, living in Kansas; Christian, married to Eliza Bishop, living in Liberty Township, this county; and Daniel S., the youngest, born June 19, 1850. When old enough, our subject was put to work on the farm, which has always been his home, and which he bought on his father's retirement. December 14, 1875, he was married to Miss Mary Etta Martin, daughter of Samuel Martin, of Liberty Township, this county, where she was born May 4, 1853. Her father died in 1884; her mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Frey have two children: Gertrude Irene, horn December 28, 1876, and Charles Sam- uel, born August 6, 1883. Our subject and wife are members of the Reformed Church at Fountain Dale. In politics he is a Republican.

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

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