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 167

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

USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > History of Cumberland and Adams counties, Pennsylvania. Containing history of the counties, their townships, towns, villages, schools, churches, industries, etc.; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies; history of Pennsylvania, statistical and miscellaneous matter, etc., etc > Part 167
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 167

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

153

HIGHLAND TOWNSHIP.

in the township. December 9. 1875, he married Ida B. Weirman, who has borne him two children: Mande A. and Helen R. The parents are members of the Lutheran Church. In November, 1882, Mr. Bream was elected a member of the Legislature, serving through 1583; has been school director and secretary of the board; and has filled all his public of- tices to the satisfaction of the community. Politically he is a Democrat.

CHRISTIAN BYERS, farmer, P. O. Gettysburg, was born in Hamilton Township, (now Highland Township), Adams Co .. Penn., in the house where he now lives. Decem- ber 18, 1810. His parents were Christian and Elizabeth (Reinecker) Byers, hoth natives of this county. His great-grandfather, Adam Byers, came from Lancaster County, and entered the farm where Christian now lives, his deed being recorded September 27, 1769; one-half penny per acre was the price he paid for the land. David Byers was the next owner of the farm, and lived on it until his death. It then came into the possession of our subjeet's father, who lived on it until 1866, when he moved to the upper end of the farm, where he lived until his death in April, 1871, and the property passed into the pos- session of our subjeet. It consists of 120 acres, and has been in the Byers' name for 116 years. It is one of the oldest farms in Highland Township, and the house built by the grandfather 116 years ago is still standing. Christian remained with his parents until 1863, when he enlisted in Company B. One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Regiment, and served under Capt. MeCreery. A short time after enlisting he was seized with rheumatism and left at the Relay House, Maryland, where he remained six months. Ile was detailed as cook, which office he filled one year. He participated in many skirmishes and served until the close of the war, and has since been engaged in farming. In August, 1864, he married Tillie A. Hummer, who bore him seven children: William H., Minnie L., Alberta P .. Maggie G., Mervin C., Nellie K. and Fannie G. Mrs. Byers died May 23, 1882. Mr. Byers has held the offices of collector and election inspector, and is a prominent man in his county. He is a member of the Brethren Church. Mr. Byers has in his possession a wardrobe made by his great-grandfather 116 years ago.

JAMES CUNNINGHAM, merchant, P. O. Gettysburg, was born in Adams County, Penn., January 9, 1847, and is of Scotch Irish descent. His parents, John and Margaret R. (Scott) Cunningham, are both natives of this county. llis father followed farming until 1881, when he engaged in mercantile business at Fairfield, which still occupies his atten- tion. James was reared on a farm until eighteen years of age, when he engaged as a clerk in Shippensburg for six months; was then employed for three years by Fonstock Bros., of Gettysburg. He then formed a partnership and entered into business at that place. The firm was known as Cobean & Cunningham, and they dealt in boots, shoes, clothing, hats, etc., continning for two years. In the spring of 1869 our subject commenced farm- ing in Freedom Township, and was thus engaged until 1881, when he moved to Fairfield, where be engaged in mercantile business until the spring of 1884; then sold out to his father and returned to the farm, where he remained until 1886. In that year he again en- tered mercantile business, on Marsh Creek, better known as Glenwood. He keeps a gen- cral stock of groceries, dry goods, hardware, boots and shoes, etc. He owns about eight acres of land adjoining his residence. March 17, 1874, Mr. Cunningham married Eliza- beth F. Blythe, and five children were born to this union, four now living: Robert R. B .. Bessie, Mary and Janet. Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham are members of the Presbyterian Church.

HUGH A. McGAUGHY, farmer, P. O. Gettysburg, was born in Cumberland Town- ship. Adams County, Penn., Jannary 5, 1813, and is a son of Hugh and Jane (McClure) MeGaughy, natives of Pennsylvania, and of Seotch-Irish descent. His grandparents were also born and reared in Adams County, and the farm has been in the MeGaughy name since it was taken up, some 150 years ago, the deed of which was made out by William and Rich- ard Penn. His father was a blacksmith, which trade he followed for about thirty years: then bought a farm and passed the remainder of his life in agricultural pursuits. He died in 1841; his wife in 1836. Our subject remained at home until after the death of his par- ents. In 1857 he went to Washington County, Iowa, where be bought a farm and re- mained about two years; then sold out and returned to Adams County. In 1860 he bought his present farm of 159 acres, moved on it in 1866, and here he has since resided. In May, 1850, he married Martha, daughter of John and Jane Hall, and their union was blessed with six children, four of whom are living: William, Jane (wife of James Gordon), Martha and Naney Margaret. Mr. and Mrs. McGanghy are members of the Presbyterian Church.

ISAAC PFOUTZ. farmer. P. O. Gettysburg, was born in Adams County, Penn., Octo- ber 16, 1837, a son of John and Rachel (Lahman) Pfoutz, natives of Pennsylvania. Ilis father, who was a manufacturer, owned and operated the woolen-mill, which is situated on Little Marsh Creek. David Ploutz, the grandfather, owned this mill many years before he died, and was the first woolen manufacturer in Adams County. Isaac was reared on a farm and worked a little in the factory. IJe remained with his parents and cared for them until they both passed away; the father died in 1880 and the mother in 1878. Mr. Ploutz has been twice married; first in February, 1856, to Sophia Diehl, who bore him five children, two living, Margaret R. and Emma E. His first wife dying March

454

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

29, 1867; he next married, May 3, 1881, Sarah J. Jacobs, a native of Frederick County, Md. To this union two children were born, one now living, Mary E. In 1869, Mr. Pfoutz moved to his present place, and now owns 241 acres of good land and forty- four acres of mountain land. Ile has fine improvements and his surroundings show him to be an industrious and intelligent citizen. He has served for two years as director of the poor. Politically he is a Democrat. He and his wife are members of the German Baptist Church.

DANIEL K. SNYDER, miller, P. O. Gettysburg, was born in this county Novem- ber 25, 1894, a son of George and Susan (Fair) Snyder. His father, also a native of Adams County, a farmer by occupation, served in the war of 1812, resided nearly all his life in the neighborhood of Bonneauville, and died in 1865. His mother was a native of Mary- land, and died in 1859. Daniel K. was reared on a farm and remained with his parents until he was twenty years of age. He then learned the miller's trade, and worked three years in the mill; then learned the mason's trade, which he followed for nine years and taught school during the winter seasons. He married, May 30, 1866, Mary A. Dear- dorff, who has borne him seven children: Elizabeth M., Susan C., Sarah E., Agnes II., Georgie L., Jacob D. and Harry L. After marriage he went to farming in Franklin Township, this county, where he remained five years; then moved to Gettysburg, and after one year returned to Franklin Township, where he remained eight years. In 1879 he moved to where he now resides and bought the Gleenwood Mills, on Marsh Creek, which he has operated ever since; he conducts both a grist and saw mill. This mill is said to have been in operation during the Revolution, and ground food for the soldiers. Mr. Snyder owns eighty- three aeres of land, which he farms in connection with his mill. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church.

GRANVILLE STULTZ, farmer, P. O. Gettysburg, was born in Frederick County, Md., December 19, 1827, a son of Nicholas and Catherine (Crumb) Stultz, natives of Lancaster County. The parents moved to Maryland in au early day, where they remained until 1830; then returned to Pennsylvania, and resided three years in Cumberland Township, this county: then moved to Hamiltonban Township, where the mother died in September, 1863, and the father in July, 1865. Granville was reared on the farm and remained with his parents until twenty-four years of age, when he married and returned to Frederick County, Md. There he remained one year, when he located in Highland Township, this county, where he has since resided, with the exception of one year he spent in Liberty Township. In the spring of 1872 he moved to his present place, where he owns fourteen and one-half acres of land, and on which he has put all the buildings and improvements. In November, 1862, he was drafted, served nine months, and participated in some skir- mishes. After his draft expired he was re-drafted and served until the close of the war. March 2, 1854, he married Margaret, daughter of Henry and Barbara ( Valeutine) Damauth, and their union was blessed with two children: Robert K. and an infant deceased. Mr. Stultz has held the office of supervisor, and has also served as the first township clerk of Highland Township, inspector and judge. He and his wife are members of the German Baptist Church.

EMANUEL G. TROSTLE, farmer, P. O. Gettysburg, was born in Adams County, Penn., December 1, 1839, son of Henry and Jane (Pitzer) Trostle, natives of Pennsylvania. His father was a miller and blacksmith, but followed farming during the latter part of his life. Emanuel G. was reared on the farm until seventeen years of age, when he hired out on a farm for two years; then learned the shoe-maker's trade, which he followed until 1866. In 1868 he went to Lee County, Ill., and there remained six months; then returned to Peunsylvania, locating at Gettysburg, where he farmed and followed his trade for two years. He then abandoned his trade and devoted his time exclusively to agriculture. In 1880 he bought fifty-two acres of land, where he has since resided. In October, 1859, he married Mary Plank, a daughter of John and Hester (Miekley) Plank, and three children have blessed their union: Harry M., Ida M. and Minnie; they also have an adopted child -Oscar Mundorff. Mr. and Mrs. Trostle are members of the German Reformed Church of Gettysburg. He has held the offices of township judge, assessor and collector. Dur- ing the war, while Mr. Trostle, his wife and child were residing on the Emmittsburg road, about three miles from Gettysburg, a rebel colonel rode up to him one evening, and advised him to leave the place as his life was in danger. Mr. Trostle, who was crippled at the time, and walked with the aid of a staff and crutch, told the colonel that he could not pass through his pickets. The colonel told him that he would take him through, and accordingly did so. The next morning, however, becoming uneasy about his household goods, he started back, accompanied by a friend, and got as far as the pickets when he was captured. He was taken to the battle-field, expecting to be paroled, but the firing opened before the parole could be made out. He was taken to Staunton, Va., walking the entire distance of 175 iniles; was on the road six days, and for three days had not a mouthful to eat. lle was detained in Richmond prison, Libby, Castle Thunder, Hell's Delight, and Salisbury, N. C .; in all twenty-two months. He had been reported killed. but his wife always held hopes of seeing him again. After his release he returned home, feeling better than he had ever been before.

455

HUNTINGTON TOWNSHIP.

JOHN WILSON. farmer. P. O. Gettysburg. was born in Highland Township, Adams County, Penn., March 10, 1836, and is a son of William and Anna (Meredith) Wilson, na- tives of Pennsylvania, and of Scotch-Irish descent, the former of whom, born in JJuly, 1801, has been a resident of this county all his life. Our subject was reared on the farm, and remained with his parents until he was nineteen years of age; then went to Cumber- land County, where he remained two years, when he returned home, and shortly after hired out for the same length of time. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Company 11, Third Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, and served three years under Capt. Woodburn and William E. Miller. He participated in the battles of Chancellorsville. Gettysburg, and from Hampton, Va., to Harrison's Landing, Cold Harbor, Kelly's Ford and several others, and lost the sight of his left eye, by a shell bursting in his face; at Bull Run, October 14, 1863, he was wounded in the left arm by a charge, his horse fell, and part of Wade Hampton's division ran over him. lle was again wounded, at Mine Run, November 28, 1863, and in June, 1864, was wounded in the right knee at Petersburg but in spite of his wounds he served in all the hard-fought battles Hle was discharged August 24, 1864, at Philadelphia, and returned home. Shortly after he went to Ohio, and remained one year; thence to Illinois, where he resided two years. In 1872 he went to California, and was absent nine years, three of which were spent in Nevada. He now makes his home with his parents. He was a brave soldier and has an interesting war record.

CHAPTER LIX.

HUNTINGTON TOWNSHIP AND BOROUGH OF YORK SPRINGS.

CYRUS G. BEALES, P. O. York Sulphur Springs, was born near the York Sulphur Springs June 15, 1834. Ile was trained to the life of a farmer, and during his earlier years attended the schools of his vicinity and laid the foundation of a good practical education in the English branches, and later finished his studies at White Hall Academy, in Cumber- land County. In 1854 he left the farm and took charge of a school near York Springs, and subsequently followed the calling of a teacher for eight successive sessions, one of them being for six months as principal of York Springs High or Graded School. He has always been an active worker and an influential member of the Republican party in his vicinity and county, and, in 1862, was appointed and served as United States assistant assessor of internal revenue in the Sixteenth Pennsylvania District, until 1866, when he was removed for not endorsing the policy of President Andrew Johnson. White assistant assessor he was also appointed and served as United States inspector of cigars and tobac- co for Adams County. He is an earnest advocate of the free school system, and is now serving as borough school director, an office that he has filled for the past twelve consee- utive years. Since 1871 he has been a justice of the peace, and, as a slight evidence of the acceptable manner in which he filled the important trust, he was again elected in the spring of 1886, hy sixty-four majority out of eighty-four votes cast. In 1872 and 1874 he was nominated by his party for clerk of court, and in 1882 was nominated by it and ran as a candidate for the State Assembly from Adams County, and was defeated by only ninety-three votes, while the Democratic nominee for governor received a majority of 578. He has served twice as a delegate to Republican State Conventions, and in 1882 was a candidate for the nomination of Secretary of Internal Affairs, In 1880 he was appointed as alternate delegate to the Republican National Convention, at Chicago, when Garfield was nominated. Mr. Beales has also served the public two terms as a jnror in the United States Courts, at Philadelphia, and was notably and publicly commended by the presiding judge, Cadwallader, for his services on that occasion and for his prompt and energetic ac- tion in promoting the cause of justice. Mr. Beales is a charter member of Hebron Lodge, No. 465, A. F. & A. M., at York Springs; has served as master and is now its treasurer. He was one of the organizers and a charter member of the York Springs Building & Loan Association, and acted as its president for eleven years. It was chartered in 1869 and continued until 1881, and proved a success. Ife is now acting as a director of the Adams County Fire Insurance Company. Mr. Beales has the well-deserved confidence of the community in which he resides; is constantly employed in his official duties, and attends to nearly all the legal business and settlements of estates, etc., etc., in the borough of York Springs and vicinity. He has been twiee married; first in 1854. to Elizabeth Shaffer, a daughter of Jacob Shaffer, and by this union one child was born, now deccased; his wife (lied in 1860, and September 19, 1865, he married Susan R. Hoover, of Carlisle, a daughter

456

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :

of Samuel M. Hoover. Mrs. Beales died April 1, 1877, leaving two children, Florence E., born September 19, 1866, and Mary Eva, born June 17, 1869, who both reside with their father at York Springs. Mr. Beales is a consistent member of the Lutheran Church. The- Beales family is a very old one in Adams County, settling in what is now Latimore Town- ship early in the eighteenth century. The first was Caleb Beales and his wife, Mary. He and wife both died in Latimore Township. Their son, Caleb, died in 1840, aged eighty years, married Lydia Walker a native of Chester County, Penn. A son of the last union was also Caleb, who married Evaline Godfrey, a native of Culpeper County, Va., and a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Settle) Godfrey. These three Caleb Beales and their wives all lived and died on the farm near York Sulphur Springs, in Latimore Township. The family were originally members of the Society of Friends, and those mentioned are buried in the Friends' hurying ground, in Latimore Township. The Godfreys and Set- tles were Episcopalians and were all of pure English extraction. Caleb and Evaline (God- frey) Beales were the parents of four children: Cyrus G., mentioned elsewhere; Mary C., who married Dr. I. W. Pearson, of York Springs; Lydia W., who died aged four years; and Charles W., of York Springs.

FRANCIS COULSON, farmer, P. O. York Sulphur Springs, was born October 22, 1818, and is a son of William and Susan (Lobach) Conlson. He was reared a farmer in Latimore Township, and at the age of twenty-two began to work for himself at different occupations. February 17, 1847, he married Catharine R., daughter of Moses and Rachel (Deardorff) Funk, and who was born and reared on the farm where our subject now re- sides. Her grandparents, Daniel and Elizabeth (Hull) Funk, settled on a farm one-half mile west of our subject's residence, and afterward moved to an adjoining farm where they died. The Funks were originally from Switzerland, Mrs. Coulson being of the sixth generation in America. To Mr. and Mrs. Coulson two children were born: Sarah E., born May 10, 1848, died April 20, 1864, and Naney Jane, born August 20, 1849, died in infancy. Mr. Coulson has always been engaged in farming the homestead, which consists of 156 acres, two miles north of York Springs, and is a highly honored and respected citizen. Charles Coulson, his great-grandfather, was probably born in England, and entered 606 acres of land, in 1749, in Monaghan (now Franklin) Township, York Co., Penn., which, at his death, in 1790, he bequeathed to his two sons, William and Francis. He is buried in the Episcopal Cemetery, three miles southwest of York Springs. Francis Coulson, the grandfather of our subject, was born, probably, in Franklin Township. York Co., Penn. Ile was twice married; first to Miss Margaret Neely. who bore him the fol- lowing-named children: Jane Love, Charles, William, Mary and Francis. After his first wife's death he married Tamar Hendricks, but had no children. He had at his death, which occurred in 1835, 250 acres of land, part lying in York County, and part in Latimore Township, this county, which land he divided between his three sons, Charles, William and Francis. His son, William, the father of our subject, a farmer by occupation, was born just across the line, in York County. He married, about 1816 or 1817, Susan Lobach, a daughter of Andrew Lobach, of Latimore Township, this county, formerly from Berks County, Penn., and after his marriage he lived until his death on the other side of the road in Adams County. The Coulson name is strictly English and the family were mem- bers of the Episcopal Church. William and Susan (Lobach) Coulson had eight children: Francis, our subject: Mary A., still residing in Latimore Township; Tamar, who died single; Andrew L., who married and reared a family of seven children (is now deceased); Elizabeth, married to Joseph Manges, of York County, Penn .; John, who married and re- sides in Latimore Township, this county; Benjamin, who married a Miss Deardorff (both now deceased); George W., married to Mrs. Hobbs, nee Blair (is a widower with two chil- dren and resides in Philadelphia).

ARMSTRONG B. DILL, M. D., York Springs. The family from whom Dr. Dill is a descendant, in a direct line, were of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and came to America during a very early date in its history. They were Presbyterians and some of their descendants have occupied high positions of trust and honor in public office and in the different profes- sions. John Witherspoon, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, president of Prince- ton College New Jersey, married a Mrs. Ann Dill, the widow of Dr. Armstrong Dill. of Dillsburg, York County, the place being named after the family. The first now known by name was a Capt. Matthew Dill, who obtained his official title in the early Indian wars, and lived in Carroll Township, York County, or at Dillsburg, where he was buried in 1725. His son, Col. Matthew Dill, was an officer in the Revolution, and seven of his sons and one son-in-law, named Johnson, served in the Continental Army. He died abont 1816, and was buried at Fairfield, Adams County. Nothing definite is known of Col. Matthew Dill's seven sons, except Thomas and George. The former moved to Washington County, Penn., and several of his grandchildren became very prominent in the ministry, viz .: Prof. Henry Wilson, said to be one of the ablest Presbyterian divines in the State, also Revs. Calvin Dill Wilson and William R. Paxton, now of Princeton College, were descendants of the same family. The latter was a soldier in the war of 1812, and after serving through that struggle, while returning home, died of disease. He had two children: George and Matthew. Matthew, last named, was born at Dillsburg, about 1790, and was married

457

HIUNTINGTON TOWNSHIP.

to Hannah Brawley. They had a family of thirteen children, only six living to reach manhood: Mrs. Jane A. Pike, of Lafayette, Ind., Col. D. J. Dill, of Preseott, Wis., commanded the Thirtieth Regiment Regular Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was the last provost-marshal in Kentucky, enlisted and uniformed a company at his own expense at Prescott, and they were mustered into the Sixth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He served four and a half years; Geo. A. Dill died March 24, 1886: William J. Dill died at Sandus ky City, Ohio, in 1872; Dr. Armstrong B .: Ellen E., who married William Clears of Pres- cott, Wis .: Matthew T., of Prescott, and John Wesly, who, while a student at Lafayette, Ind., aged about twenty, enlisted in an Indiana regiment, and died in the war for the Union, and was buried at Lafayette, Ind. Dr. A. B. Dill was born August 23, 1835, a son of Matthew and llannah (Brawley) Dill, and was reared on a farm near Dillsburg, York County. He obtained his literary education in the schools of the vicinity and at a select school at Wellsville, in York County. In his twenty-second year, he began reading medi- cine with Dr. William HI. Coover, of Dillsburg. He attended Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, in 1859, and graduated at the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, of New York, in 1865. On the 26th of March, 1860, the Doctor began practice at York Sulphur Springs, and has been in continuous and successful practice since. Hle is a Democrat, and was elected and served in the sessions of 1869 and 1870 in the Pennsylvania Legislature from Adams County. He has also served as president of the school board in the borough, and in various local offices. He married January 2. 1868, Emma J. Breechbill, of Schuyl- kill County. Penn., and they have eight children: Zula B., George MeKendree, William Frost, Hannah Ellen, Matthew Thompson, Emma J., Hope and Alice Johnson. The Doctor and his wife are both members of the Methodist Church, and he has served in nearly all the church othces. He is one of the most substantial of its supporters in the community. Andrew H. Dill, a prominent candidate a few years since for governor of Pennsylvania, was a great-grandson of Col. Matthew Dill, before mentioned. The Doctor is now very comfortably situated, the owner of two good farms, near the borough, and a residence in the town where he lives.

GEORGE W. EMMERT & BRO., general merchants, York Springs. This firm was established November 24. 1884, by George W. and Gilbert P. Emmert, sons of W. D. Emmert, one of the oldest merchants, if not the oldest, in Adams County, and who has been located for the past twenty-four years, as a general merchant, at New Oxford. Both of the brothers were trained to business in their father's store, and received the advantages of a good education at the schools of New Oxford. Bringing, as they did, the experience of years to their aid in establishing their present business, it at once became a success. They carry on their shelves, the year round, an average stock worth from $8,000 to $9,000, and the sales average upward of $16.000 per annum. This stock consists of everything that is generally kept in a first-class general store.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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

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