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 169

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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 169
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 169

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BIOGRAPHIICAL SKETCHES:

Ile was confined in Libby prison until September, when he was paroled. While in prison he was promoted, June 30; the captain having been killed, the captaincy of his company devolved on him. When his exchange was duly effected he was released from this parole and assumed the command of the company. January 7, 1863. he was appointed lieuten - ant-colonel of the regiment. it being a part of the Twenty-second Army Corps, in Fairfax County, Va., and a brevet-colonel March 13, 1864, for gallant conduct at the battle of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania Court House. The regiment was mustered out in June, 1864. The Colonel took part in the following battles: Drainsville, Hawkshurst Mills, Mechanicsville, Gaines Mills, Charles City Cross Roads, Fredericksburg, New Hope Church, Mine Run, Rappahannock Station, Spottsylvania Court Ilouse, Wilderness, North Anna (where he was slightly wounded in the side by a piece of shell), Pamumky River, Cold Harbor, Bethesda, and the battle of Gettysburg. At the last named, the Colonel with his command came on the battle-ground early in the morning of the second day. having marehed thirty-five miles the day previous. The command occupied Little Round Top, and charged with their brigade, which recovered the ground lost by the First and Second Divis- ions of the Fifth Army Corps. He had charge of the skirmishers that afternoon and night. and continued to do duty until the charge of his brigade on the third day, which was per- sonally ordered by Gen. Meade. In the charge, some eighty or ninety prisoners were cap- tured, two battle-flags and from 2,200 to 3,500 stand of muskets. The brigade lay on the field that night, making forty-two hours they had been without rest. March 15, 1865, he was commissioned a colonel of the One Hundred and Ninety-second Regiment, Pennsyl- vania Volunteer Infantry, and with it participated in the campaign against Richmond, and took part in some skirmishes in the valley of Shenandoah and Virginia. Part of that time he was in command of the Third Brigade of the Second Division of the Army of the Shen- andoah. After the surrender of Lee, he had, as brigade commander, charge of the post at Staunton, Va., which embraced Harrisonburg and Lexington, Va., and the latter part of July, 1865, was assigned to command the post at Harper's Ferry. Was mustered out Angust 24, 1865; and for gallant conduct at North Anna River, where he led the forlorn hope, was brevetted a brigadier general, dating from March 15, 1865. At the close of the war he re- turned to York Springs, and has since followed the profession of a civil engineer. The Colonel resides on the old homestead of his father, at York Springs.

E. C. STOCK, general merchant, York Springs, is a native of Mountpleasant Town- ship, this county. born August 20, 1858, to John W. and Cordilla (Weikard) Stock. now of Mountpleasant Township. He received his early education at the schools of his neigh- borhood and completed his studies at East Berlin Normal School. During the winters of 1876-77 and 1877-78 he taught school, first at Swift Run and then at Mount Fairview. In 1878 he was employed in the hardware store of Tanger & Etzler, at Hanover, and re- mained with them until Angust 31, 1880. and September 1, the same year, he opened his present business in company with E. J. Myers, under the firm name of Myers & Stock, and so continued until June 10. 1881, when he bought ont Mr. Myers' interest, and has since conducted the business alone. He carries a full line of general goods, averaging $7,000 the year round, with sales of $15,000 to $18.000 per annum. Mr. Stock is a Republican, and takes an active interest in public affairs. He has served the borough in various local offices; is a member of the I. O. O. F., in which he has held all the offices, and was the repre sentative to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, which met at Harrisburg, in May, 1886; is also a member of the Lutheran Church. June 5, 1884. he married Alice J. Markley, a daughter of Daniel H. Markley, formerly of Lancaster County, but now of York Springs, and they have one son-Guy M., born June 26, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Stock reside in an elegant brick house adjoining his store, erected hy himself at a cost of upward of $3,000.

GEORGE A. TRIMMER, hardware merchant. York Springs, was born in Huntington Township, this county, August 17, 1856, a sou of Joseph and Julia Ann (Spangler) Trim- mer, hoth natives of this county. He was reared on the farm until twenty-one, and re- ceived his early education in the schools of his native township, finishing his studies at Millersville State Normal School. June 15, 1882, he opened a hardware store at York Springs, it being the first store established in the borough for carrying on an exclusive hardware business. Several general stores had carried more or less goods in that line, but their proprietors agreed to cease doing so, provided Mr. Trimmer would buy their stocks. This he agreed to, and accordingly purchased the stock of A. S. Hartman for $381.29 and that of E. C. Stock for $718.24, and immediately began business, which has since steadily increased. He carries a full line of hardware, paints, oils, guns, powder. shot, Hercules dynamite, and other goods generally found in first-class hardware stores. He keeps a well assorted stock, averaging the year round $5,000, with sales per annum of $10,000. Heis special agent and has control of Adams County, and the territory surround- ing York Springs, for the sale of Dupont powder, Hercules dynamite, the "Genuine Royal Mixed Paints, " manufactured hy A. Wilhelm & Co., Reading, and of the well and favorably known "Champion Force Pump." He is also special agent agent for the "National Harness Oil Company," of Detroit, Mich., keeping a full line of their manufactures, and devotes part of each year in the employment of the above named company, as its com-

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HUNTINGTON TOWNSHIP.

mercial traveler, introducing its goods throughout the country. Mr. Trimmer is a thorough business man, an enterprising citizen, favorably known in this and adjoining counties. He was married. May 14. 1886, to Miss M. Minerva Trosthe, and they are both members of the Lutheran Church.

ABRAHAM TROSTEL (deceased) was a native of Germany, and came to York County, Penn., where he settled in the early part of the eighteenth century. He lived near York, was a farmer, and reared a family of eight sons and three daughters. Itis son, Abraham, married Catharine Brough, and came with his family to this county in 1809 or 1810, and settled in Huntington Township. He was a miller there for many years, and also owned 250 acres of land. He was drafted in the war of 1812. but procured a substitute. He was a Lutheran, and his wife, when forty or fifty years of age, joined the Dunkards. They had four sons and two daughters. The parents died in Huntington Township, he at the age of seventy-three, and she aged about seventy-six, and were buried at Upper Bor- mudian Church. Their son, Abraham, of York Springs, was a twin, born August 15, 1814, in Huntington Township, this county. He learned the miller's trade with his father. and, after finishing his apprenticeship, carried on the business for sixteen years at his father's old stand, and followed farming and burning lime for about six years during the war period. He owned at one time three farms, containing 275 acres, but has now sold all his land except one farm of 100 acres in Butler Township, which he rents, and lives in retirement at York Springs. January 12, 1837, he married Eliza Pensyl, who bore him seven children: Henry J., George H .. Sarah Ann, Hiram W .. Lovina, Mary Ann and Catharine E. (twins). The mother died when the twins were born in 1852, and in 1861 Mr. Trostel married his second wife. Caroline Arendt, by whom he had two children, who died in infancy. Mrs. Trostel died in 1865, and Mr. Trostel married his third wife, Mrs. Lydia Yount, nee Kohn, who still lives. Mr. Trostel is a Republican, and has served his township in various local offices; is now collector of taxes for the borough. He is a member of the Bermudian Lutheran Church, has served four years as deacon, and has always been a generous contributor to the support of religious and educational interests in the community. He now owns four fine properties in town, including where he now resides, valued in all at about $8,000.

IIENRY J. TROSTEL, farmer, P. O. York Sulphur Springs, was born July 20, 1838, a son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Pensyl) Trostel. Ile was reared a farmer and was edu- cated in the schools of the vicinity. In 1866 he married Annie E. Weaver, and they havo two children: Birdie Lewella and Sadie Lavina. Mr. Trostel owns and operates the old homestead of his father, which consists of 100 acres, in Huntington Township. He also owns a chopping and saw-mill, and acts as agent for the sale of plow- and other agricult- ural implements. He is a Republican in politics. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church.

GEORGE II. TROSTEL, farmer and proprietor of lime-kiln. P. O. York Sul- phur Springs, a son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Pensyl) Trostel, was born June 3, 1840, in Huntington Township, this county, and was reared to the business of farming and educated in the schools of his township. At the age of twenty. one he began to work for himself on one of his father's farms (the homestead), and with his brother, Henry, continued thus for six years. Ile then took another of his father's farms adjoining on the south, and worked it on shares for two years. boarding with his father. In January, 1872, he married Elizabeth Rebert, of East Berlin, a daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Wiest) Rebert, who were born near Spring Forge, York County. Mr. Trostel bought the farm of seventy-eight acres, where he now resides, in 1880. There is a limestone quarry on this land, and he is also engaged in burning lime, getting out on an average 40,000 bushels per year. The quarry is an extensive one and almost inexhaustible and is well drained; the last ditch. 360 feet long, and 26 feet deep part of the way, cost last season $700, and the entire drainage since the quarry was opened cost over $2.000. Mr. and Mrs. Trostel have three sons and one daughter: Charles A .. horn April 13, 1873; Henry Ehmer, born January 27. 1875; Annie E., born January 20. 1878, and George M., born April 2, 1886. Mr. Trostelisa Republican; is now treasurer of the township, and has served twice before: is one of the directors of Sunny- side Cemetery. He is one of the substantial men of the township. He employs in his busi- ness six hands the year round, and as an evidence of the pleasant relations existing be- tween his employes and himself, his foreman in the lime-burning interest, Mr. John Trostel, has been with him ten years; his girl at his house for nine years; and none of the remainder less than four or five years, or until they were married. Mr. and Mrs. Trostel are members of the Lutheran Church.

JOSEPH WIERMAN (deceased) was born Jannary 13. 1795. a son of Nicholas and Lydia (Griest) Wierman, and died December 11. 1871. He owned and operated the old mill, and was also a farmer. He married May 4. 1826, Susan Wierman, who was born October 13, 1805. and died May 7. 1848. They had nine children: Alfred A., Adaliza S .. Theodore N., John W .. Mary E., Martha M .. Joseph E., Henry H. and Lydia J. John W. Wierman, one of the above family, was born May 4, 1832, and was reared to and learned the milling business at the old stand of his father. At the age of twenty-seven he

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHIES :

went West, and worked at the milling business near Sterling, III., for two years. At the outbreak of the Rebellion he returned home, and in August, 1862, enlisted in Company C. Filteenth Regiment Pensylvania Volunteer Cavalry, for three years. The regiment was mustured in at Carlisle and recruited as a body-guard for Gen. Buell, but as he was super- seded. they were sent to Louisville, Ky. There the regiment was equipped and sent to Nash- ville, Tenn., as escort or body guard for Gen. Rosecrans, Their first engagement was at the battle of Stone River, where they suffered severely. For meritorious conduct while on a scout, Mr. Wierman was made first duty sergeant and served in that capacity until mustered out June 11, 1865. He took part in the battles of Chickamauga, Strawberry Plains, siege of Knoxville, and was on a scout through Mississippi and Alabama; captured two pontoon trains of Gen. Hood and wagon trains, burning them all. In the spring of 1865 he started from Knoxville, Tenn., to meet Sherman on his marcb. and engaged in an expedition to destroy the rebels' railroads. He, with a detachment, was sent on this errand, and while in the rear gnard was taken sick, and stopped in a house to rest with a comrade. In the night the honse was surrounded by rebels, and they were captured and detained at States- ville, N. C., until the close of the war, which lasted only three weeks longer. Besides the engagement mentioned, Mr. Wierman was in innumerable scouting expedi- tions. He returned home after the war, and in 1866 rented his father's mill. In 1877. on the death of his father, he succeeded him in the business, and in 1880 became its owner by purchase. He was married in 1877, to Nannie E. Myers, who was born May 27, 1850, a daughter of Cornelius and Lovina ( Brough) Myers. They have one child, Maud L., born May 4, 1881. Mr. Wierman is a Republican, and has served in various local offices, as school director, etc. He is a member of the Society of Friends; Mrs. Wierman is a Lutheran.

JUDGE ISAAC E. WIERMAN, P. O. York Sulphur Springs, is descended from German ancestry. His great-grandfather, whose name was William, was a native of that country, and had a son, Nicholas, who was born in this section, a farmer, who built what is known as the Wierman Mill, in Huntington Township, abont or previous to the year [800, and which has always been owned and operated, and is at present, by one of the name. Nicholas had a son Nicholas, who was born in 1755, on the homestead at Wier- man's Mills, a house still standing on this site that waserected in 1772. He was a farmer, owned some 430 acres, and also operated a mill. He died in 1839, aged eighty-four years. To him and his wife (nee Lydia Griest) nine children were born, as follows: John, Thomas, Nicholas, Daniel, Joseph, Isaac E., Sarah, Susan and Phohe T. The mother of this fam- ily died in 1850, at about the age of ninety-two years. She and her husband were mem- bers of the Society of Friends, and are buried in the graveyard of the Friends, in Latimore Township. Judge Isaac E. Wierman, the subject of this sketch, a son of Nicholas and Lydia (Griest) Wierman, was born March 4, 1802, was reared on the old homestead in Huntington Township, and obtained a good common school education in the school a few steps from his father's place, and remained with his father until 1832, when he moved to his present farm. He had married, in 1831, Louisa Arnold, a daughter of Dr. John B. Arnold. Judge Wierman has been a life-long Democrat, and has served his township in various offices. He served as justice of the peace five years, and in 1860 was appointed. by Gov. Packer, associate county judge, to fill a vacancy for one year. at the expiration of which time he was elected associate county judge, and at the end of his term of service (five years) was re-elected, and has served the county eleven years in all. He is a member of the Society of Friends. His wife, who was a Presbyterian, died in August, 1880, aged seventy-two years. They had four children: Sarah Virginia (now living with her father), John A. (a farmer of Huntington Township), Susan Emily (married to J. W. Neely, of Ty- rone Township), and Harriet L. (who married P. A. Myers, and resides with her father on the old homestead). Judge Wierman has always retained the confidence of the commun- ity in which he has resided; has been appointed and served as administrator for many es- tates, the affairs of which he has always attended to with fidelity and generally to the satisfaction of those concerned. He was also appointed and acted as guardian of the in- terests of many minors. He was appointed by the officers of the bankrupt court a receiv- er for the bankrupt estate of Joel Griest, of some $20,000, an office he filled to the best interests of the estate and creditors.

COL. JOHN WOLFORD (deceased). The first ancestor of this gentlemen to settle in America was George Wolford, a native of Germany, who located in York County, Penn .. early in the eighteenth century. His son, Peter, resided for many years near Gettysburg, but afterward moved to York County. He married Margaret Albert, and they had four children: John, Elizabeth (married to Martin Herman, of Cumberland County: Judge Martin Herman, of Carlisle, was their son), Peter (married to Mary Ann Carl. of York, York County). and Andrew (who was drowned at the age of sixteen). Col. John Wolford was born Feb- ruary 13, 1800, near Gettysburg, and his father afterward moved to York County, locating near Clear Springs, where our subject was reared to the life of a farmer. Our subject's father owned 400 acres of land, and was proprietor of and operated two large flour-mills for many years. Col. John Wolford received a good common school education, and dur- ing his long life was a student, constantly seeking and acquiring knowledge. At the age

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LATIMORE TOWNSHIP.

of twenty- four he married Miss Jane Whitman, a daughter of Daniel Whitman and Eliza- beth (Good) Whitman, of Adams County. Soon after marriage he moved to Latimore Township. Adams County, and bought a farm of 320 acres, where he lived for over forty years, and built on this tract a clover-mill, flour-mill and two saw-mills, all of which were operated under his direction. The homestead was one-half mile east of the famous York Sulphur Springs. He was an uncompromising temperance man, an ardent friend and sup- porter of the free school system, and during the war helped in all proper and patriotic ways to support the Union cause, both by means and influence. At the age of fifty he became a member of the Episcopal Church, and ever after was consistent to his profession. He was a general controller of the community, was trusted almost to an unlimited degree, and settled many estates and acted as guardian to several minors. He was kind and sym- pathetic by nature, and ready to help all those whom he thought to be deserving, and lost in this way nearly $100,000. In 1860 he became interested in coal lands, and iu 1865, or about that time, became a partner in the Honeybrook Coal Company, which proved to he a very successful venture. The mine was located at Audenreed, Carbon Co., Penn. In 1873 he left his farm and moved to York Springs Borough, which was subsequently his residence. He was a heavy stockholder in the First National Bank at Gettysburg, and a director. He died April 10, 1883, leaving a large cstate of upward of $200,000. He had. however, previously distributed $140,000 among his children. His widow died December 9, 1883, aged about eighty-one. The names of their children are as follows: Albert, mar- ried to Lucy Martin; Margaret C., married to Anthony K. Myers, formerly of York Springs, now of London, Ohio; Elizabeth, married to Richard W. Sadler, and died, leav- ing two daughters; Rebecca R., deceased, married to Herman Beltzhoover, and left a son and daughter; and Mary Ann, widow of Abram L. Mumper, who was a partner in the Iloneybrook Coal Company (she resides at Columbus, Ohio, and has two sons: John Wol- ford and Harry Abram); Clarissa J., married to Josiah Geiger, formerly a merchant of New Windsor, Carroll Co., Md., now deceased (the widow resides at Columbus, Ohio; has one son-John Wolford Geiger); Peter, drowned at the age of sixteen; and Emily W., the youngest, now the wife of Albert Sydney Ilartman, of Chester County, Penn. (they are living in the last homestead of Col. John Wolford, at York Springs Borough, this county). Col. Wolford's title was obtained by serving for several years as colonel of the State militia.

CHAPTER LX.

LATIMORE TOWNSHIP.

DR. JOHN B. ARNOLD (deceased) was born at Flatbush, Conn., Jannary 9, 1775. June 20, 1790, he married Rachel Weakly, in this county, whither he had come when a single man, and was at that time a graduate of medicine. Ile died February 28, 1822: his widow was born July 27, 1773, and died November 8, 1851. They had eight children : Maria, born July 1, 1800, married Dr. Smith, a prominent physician, who died at Spring- field, Ohio; Jane, born September 18, 1801; Charlotte, horn March 9, 1807; Louisa, born November 23, 1808; Rebecca R., born Mareh 27, 1811; John J. T., born September 29, 1812, was a natural artist and fine portrait painter: Harriet, born October 21, 1815, and Emily, born February 25, 1820. Mrs. Harriet Gardner, mother of William H. Gardner, i> the only one of this family now (1886) living.

WILLIAM F. BONNER, farmer, P. O. York Sulphur Springs. The Bonner family in Adams County are descendants from Scotch ancestry. They first came to America in the early part of the cighteenth century. Robert Bonner, a son of the original settler, was the grandfather of our subject. Ile had six sons, four or five of whom were in service during the Revolution. Francis was a lieutenant; John was sergeant-major: Andrew Thompson a colonel. Francis and John left Fort Washington on the cast side of the Hudson River on the evening before it was taken by the British, and the lieutenant, strip- ping the flag from the flag-staff, wrapped it around his shoulders and brought it over to Fort Lee on the west side of the river. The brothers were in the battles of Brandywine Creek, White Horse Tavern, Monmonth and others. John Bonner was afterward major of militia, county commissioner and held township offices. He was an elder in the Dills- burg Presbyterian Church. John Bouner married Jane, a danghter of Johu Thompson, a school-teacher and surveyor, who came here from County Tyrone, Ireland, before the Revolution. To their marriage six sons were born, of whom James, Johu'and Thompson T. served in the war of 1812. William F. Bonner, our subject, is a son of John and Jane

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

(Thompson) Bonner, and was born in York, now Adams, County, Penn., April 10, 1797. The deceased members of the Bonner family are all now buried in Sunnyside Cemetery. This burial place was founded in the following way: Some twenty years ago, Mr. Bonner, our subject, donated twenty-six acres of land to the general publie as a place of burial. An order of court was made and a number of men appointed as trustees. The lots are thirty-two feet square, and are open to any people or denomination. They are nomin- ally sold at $25 per lot, but the purchaser may be allowed to pay for it in work on the grounds. One acre is set apart as a potters' field for the burial of strangers and poor people. It is located on the sunny side of a hill, and can be seen by the onlooker for iniles away, The grounds and their improvements, will be a monument to the enterprise and generosity of the donor long after he has ceased to be an actor in the surrounding scenes. At present (1886), he is eiglity-nine years of age, and were it not for a fall some ten years ago, he would be, probably, comparatively active now, as his general health is good. He was born in the old house within thirty yards of his present residence, and has lived here always. Mr. Bonner has never married. He now owns some 210 aeres of the old Bonner homestead where he lives, also two other farms of 120 and 145 acres, respect- ively. He is a Presbyterian in religion, a Republican in polities, and was a firm friend to the administration during the Rebellion.

WILLIAM H. GARDNER, farmer, P. O. York Sulphur Springs, is a great-grandson of Bernhard Gardner, and a grandson of John Martin Gardner and Susan (Seabold) Gard- ner, and a son of Daniel and Ilarriet (Arnold) Gardner. The latter were married June 5, 1837, and had the following children: William H., born February 23, 1838; John M., born February 23, 1840; Susan, born April 12, 1841; Arnold W., born November 17, 1846. Daniel Gardner died Angust 9, 1863, and his widow, aged seventy-one years, now resides with her son, William H. She is a danghter of Dr. John B. Arnold, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. John Martin Gardner was a son of Bernhard Gardner, and was born November 10, 1766. Ile married Susan Seahold, who was born January 27. 1778. He died October 9, 1819, and his widow April 8, 1860; both are buried in the Lower Ber- mudian graveyard in Latimore Township. They had the following children: George, born November 27, 1796; Samuel, born August 6, 1798; William, born September 18, 1800; Mary, born April 26, 1802; Susannah, born November 18, 1803; Bernhard, born December 24, 1804; Maria, born November 23, 1806; Martin, born December 24, 1808; Simon, born Sep- tember 16, 1810; Daniel, born September 20, 1812; James R., born December 24, 1814; Julianna, born February 23, 1819. These children were born and reared on the farm now owned by William II. Gardner, Latimore Township. William H. was reared on the farm. and received the educational advantages afforded by the schools of the vicinity; later, at- tended Bloomfield Academy, in Perry County. October 14, 1863, he married Aliee L. Mvers. a danghter of Amos C. Myers, and after marriage they began house-keeping on the old homestead, one-quarter mile east of York Springs Borough. The place consists of about 150 acres greatly improved, with good residence, fine grounds and outbuildings. In politics, Mr. Gardner is a Republican. He takes an active interest in the educational and other public enterprises, and he and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church at York Springs. They have a family of seven children: Daniel A., born August 21, 1864; Lou- isa M., born May 7, 1866; Edmund A., born August 14, 1868; Annie H., born July 18, 1871; William J., born November 28, 1874; Mary A., born November 27, 1879, and Naomi R., born May 17, 1881.

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

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