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 171

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Publisher: W. Taylor
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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 171
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 171

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AMOS W. GRIEST, dealer in fertilizers and farmer, P. O. Flora Dale, a native of Men- allen Township, was born August 24, 1848, and now owns and resides on the old homestead of 130 acres, which his father settled on, having moved from York County in 1839. He was educated, principally, in a select school in his father's house, and completed his stud- ies at Kennet Square Academy, Chester County. In 1870 he commenced business on his own account, and took charge of the home farm. In 1872 he acted as salesman for a for- tilizer company, and became a charter member of the Susquehanna Fertilizer Company, organized in 1873, and was a director until the company was reorganized, in 1880, under the name of the Susquehanna Fertilizer Company, of Baltimore City. Ile is still a stock- holder, and, with his brother, attends to the business of the company in this section of the county. Mr. Griest was married, in 1875, to 'Eliza R. Wright, a daughter of Charles and Hannah Wright. They have one child, Frederick Earle, born March 4, 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Griest are both members of the Society of Friends.

ALEXANDER W. HOWARD. M. D., Bendersville, is a native of Straban Township, this county, born November 30, 1845, a son of George and Elizabeth (Miller) Howard, both natives of Mountpleasant Township, this county, and of German descent. George Ilow. ard, who was a drover and farmer, a respected and honored citizen, died in Mountpleas- ant August 1, 1869. His widow now resides with her son Ephraim, in Straban Township, on the old homestead. Dr. Howard obtained his literary education in the schools of Get- tysburg, and in 1867 began reading medicine with Dr. A. Noel, of Bonncauville, this county. Subsequently he attended the University of Maryland, Baltimore, from which

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he graduated March 1, 1870. He began practice, and remained at Idaville four years; he then came to Bendersville, where he has since enjoyed an extensive practice. He also has some 200 acres of land, to the improvement and management of which he devotes much time and attention. The Doctor is a member of the United Brethren Church; a highly esteemed citizen and professional man. He has a large modern house in Bendersville. where he resides. He and his wife have six children: Georgiana E., born October 27, 1873; Ariadne M., born February 29, 1876; Laura A., born August 29, 1877; Dwight L., born July 31, 1879; Morris II., born September 3, 1881, and Harry B., born October 22. 1884.

CHARLES L. LONGSDORF, nurseryman, P. O. Flora Dale, is a native of Williams- port, Penn., born June 15, 1851. Rev. Alexander Longsdorf, his father, of the Evangel- ical Association, a native of Philadelphia, had been a tailor by trade, but entered the min- istry, and when but twenty-one or twenty two years of age, preached on his first circuit, in Clinton County, Penn., known as the Sugar Valley Circuit; and, after thirty-five years of faithful service, this circuit was also the scene of his final labors, the last two years of his ministerial work having been there. He was then placed on the retired list, and died in February, 1877, aged sixty five years. He and his wife, Rebecca (Keisling) Longsdorf, lie buried in the old cemetery at Williamsport, Penn. At the age of twelve years our sub- ject began to work for himself, but, at fourteen, his father sent him to the Union Semin- ary, New Berlin, Union County, for one year. This, with the advantages of the common schools, when young, and one winter at Bendersville High School completed his studies. At the age of fifteen he became a clerk for Jacob Pitzer & Son, at Bendersville, Adams Co., Penn., with whom he remained eighteen months. Since then, with the exception of conducting a green grocery at Harrisburg for eighteen months, he has been identified with the nursery business. either selling or raising nursery stock. He is now the owner of the Oak Hill Nurseries; has forty acres planted in nursery stock. and grows largely apple. peach, plum, cherry, apricot and quince. His business is done almost entirely on the wholesale plan; he employs no agents, keeps his own books, and personally superintends his grounds. Mr. Longsdorf was married. December 25. 1878, to Elizabeth Wright, and they have four children: Rebecca Alice, Paul Wright, Julia Keyport and Iliram Starr. Mr. Longsdorf is a Republican, takes an active interest in the public affairs of his vicinity, and is at present serving his second term as president of the Menallen school board. He is a member of the Evangelical Association, and his wife of the Society of Friends.

HON. WILLIAM A. MARTIN, P. O. Arendtsville, an extensive lumberman of Men- allen Township, was born in Franklin Township, this county. August 17, 1842, a son of William B. and Elizabeth (Logan) Martin. He was reared on the farm, and at the same time received the benefits of a good education. At the age of twenty he learned the an- brotyping business, which he followed for two years in various places, and since then has been engaged in lumbering , charcoaling and farming, and now owns some 500 or 600 acres of land. Politically he is a Democrat, and was nominated, out of thirteen candi- dates, in 1877, and elected by over 400 majority a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. In 1880 he was appointed enumerator for taking the United States cen- sns for Menallen Township, and at the building of the railroad through Menallen took a prominent and active part in obtaining subscriptions for its stock, and raised over $5,000 of it in Harrisburg. He also secured the right of way for the whole length of the line. and probably to his labor and energy, as much as anything, may be attributed its prompt completion. He was the inspector of all the first ties used in its construction, and sub- scribed two shares of stock. He married, in 1870, in Menallen Township, Miss Mary, daughter of Henry Beamer, and to this union seven children were born, six now living: Harry Boyd, Minnie Alverta, Dora Alice, Elsie Natalie, Paul A. and Mary Matilda. Mr. and Mrs. Martin are members of the Lutheran Church at Arendtsville. The house occu- pied by Mr. Martin was built by a Mr. Kelsey 119 years ago, and occupied by Mr. Mar- tin's great grandfather. William Boyd, about 100 years ago. His grandfather's deed was recorded in 1780, the fees charged being £9 6d. The great-grandfather Boyd paid £3,000 for the tract of 1,300 acres. June 14, 1886, Mr. Martin was nominated for joint senator for Adams and Cumberland Counties by the Democratic party, and, when elected, will serve with honor to himself and constituents.

REV. GEORGE MCSHERRY, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Benders- ville, is a native of East Berlin, Hamilton Township, this county, born December 10. 1854, son of Michael and Susannah (Weaner) McSherry, both natives of this county. The father was engaged in operating a cigar manufactory at East Berlin nearly all his life. He was a zealous member of the German Reformed Church, and assistant superintend- ent of the Sabbath-school many years. He was a charter member and past officer of Oniska Tribe, No. 40, I. O. R. M., and an active member of Berlin Beneficial Society at the time of his death. He died March 15, 1886, aged fifty-eight years, nine months and eight days. Politically he was a Republican, though never an office seeker. His widow, who is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, resides at East Berlin. Our subject ob- tained his literary and theological education at the College of Gettysburg, being a stn- dent at Penn College in the fall of 1876, and graduated in June, 1880. He immedi-

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ately entered the theological seminary (Lutheran Evangelical General Synod), and grad- uated therefrom in June. 1883. He qualified himself for teaching in a select school at East Berlin, and when seventeen years of age took charge of a school in Reading Town- ship, near East Berlin; followed teaching for two more winters, when, with the intention of taking a collegiate course, he entered the preparatory collegiate school at Gettysburg, and graduated as above stated. He was licensed to preach in 1882, and while a licentiate received a call to the Lotheran charge at Bendersville, which he accepted. In 1883 he was ordained at the synod meeting in Carlisle, and remains the regular pastor. The Bendersville charge consists of Wenksville, Bethlehem at Bendersville, Biglerville and Bender's Church. In December, 1882, our subject married Eudora Lucas, a daughter of Perry and Elizabeth Lucas, of Unionville, Centre Co., Penn. Mr. and Mrs. MeSherry have one child. Stella Elizabeth.

E. W. MUMMA. M. D., Bendersville, was born in what is now Waverly, Baltimore Co., Md .: July 12, 1829, a son of David and Julia A. (Taylor) Mumma, the former of Ger- man and the latter of English origin. They both died at Waverly, and are buried in Green Mount Cemetery, Baltimore City, Md. David Mumma was for a long time super- intendent of the Baltimore & York Pike Road, and for many years kept the first toll house out of Baltimore City. Our subject obtained the rudiments of his education at the common schools, and completed his literary studies at St. Mary's College, Baltimore. When nineteen years of age he began reading medicine in the office of James A. Reed, M. D., of Baltimore, graduated at the University of Maryland in 1851, and in January, 1852, lo- cated in Bendersville. From the start the Doctor succeeded in his practice, being favora- bly and kindly received by the people amongst whom he had east his fortunes, and in turn was much pleased with them on account of their sterling worth in all those quali- ties which make the trusty friend and generons neighbor, and deseribes the vicinity at that time as a sort of Arcadia, where every one took delight in the good fortune of his neigh- bor, and envy and malice were unknown. The Doctor has, up to the present, enjoyed the bulk of the medical practice of the vicinity, and is one of the most popular citizens of the county. lle was elected, on the Democratic ticket, as coroner, and served one term; was delegate to the Democratic State Convention in 1884, and the same year was ap- pointed a presidential elector. He has been twice married-first to Sarah Parker, a na- tive of Charles County, Md., and a daughter of Walter Parker. By this union there were four children: David, Julia, Ella, and Edward, who died in September, 1877. Mrs. Momma died in February, 1859, and the Doctor then married, in 1862, Sarab Wilson, a daughter of Benjamin F. and Susan (Wierman) Wilson, of Menallen Township, this county. By this union there are two children: Richard T. and Susan.

THE WILSON FAMILY were originally from Loebgall, County Tyrone, Ireland, and the first of the immediate ancestors of those who afterward settled in Menallen Township was George Wilson, who settled in Chester County, Penn., in 1690. He also had a brother, Michael, who afterward moved to North Carolina. George came to what is now Menallen Township, and built a log house just adjoining the village of Benders- ville, about 1735. lle had a family of one son, Benjamin, and several daughters. Benja- min lived and died in the log house. He had several daughters, and one son, George, who kept the first postoffice in Bendersville. George had the following children: William; Benjamin F., who made the first survey for the village of Bendersville; John; Ruth, who married James J. Wills, and became the mother of Judge David Wills, of Gettys- burg; and Elizabeth, who died in infancy. Benjamin F. Wilson, of the fourth genera- tion bere, married Susan Wierman. Their children are Sarah, wife of Dr. E. W. Mumma; Nicholas G .. now the superintendent of the cemetery at Gettysburg; and Benjamin F., of Norfolk, Va. The father died in 1834, aged thirty-three years. Ilis widow remained single fifty years, and died July 26, 1884. The Wilsons were originally members of the orthodox Society of Friends, and many of their descendants still adhere to the faith. Be- ing the only members of that society in their part of the county they never erected a meeting-house, but meetings were held every Sabbath at the house of George Wilson, a grandson of the original settler.

HENRY II. ORNER, surveyor and scrivener, P. O. Arendtsville, was born November 16, 1825, in Menallen Township, this county, and is a son of Henry and Sarah (Knouse) Orner, He has long been identified with the educational affairs of this township, and taught school for over fourteen sessions. Ile has been for over twenty-eight years a professional and practical surveyor, and is probably better posted on matters pertaining to property than any other man throughout the county. He has acted for years as scrivener for his vicinity, making out with accuracy, in their proper forms, all kinds of legal documents and busi- ness agreements. Politically he is a Democrat. He takes an active interest in all public enterprises that he thinks are calenlated to benefit society and the country. He was elected a few years ago, and served one term as justice of the peace. Mr. Orner has never married, but, since the death of his mother, with whom he lived and cared for, he with his father, who is now eighty-nine years old, makes his home with his brother Francis W. Mr. Orner is honored and respected by all, and lives in the enjoyment of a comfortable competency.

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FRANCIS W. ORNER, son of Henry and Sarah (Knouse) Orner, was born February 19, 1828, and first learned the trade of shoe-making. He married Elizabeth Frommeyer, August 19, 1861, and bonght his present home, to which he has since added, and which now consists of ninety acres. He taught school for nine sessions before marriage and one session since. Ile still keeps a shoe shop, and being a natural mechanic operates a regu- lar wood-working establishment; manufactures tubs, churns, harrows and almost every- thing that is used on a farm. Politically he is a Demoerat. He and his wife are the parents of the following children: Theresa A .. Emery F., Augustus C. and Pius S.

JOHN H. ORNER, a son of Henry and Sarah (Knouse) Orner, was born February 18, 1833. He married Lovina Crum, and the following named children have been born to this union: Emma C., Anna M., Rosetta, David H. and Flora J. The first of the Orner family to settle in this county was Felx Orner of Northampton, Penn., who located in Butler Township about the time of the Revolution. He was a car- penter, hut owned and resided on a farm. He and his wife, Julia Ann (Becker) Orner, were of German descent and had a family of fifteen children. Henry Orner, one of their sons, was born November 2, 1797. In early manhood he worked at the carpenter's trade, but later bought a farm in Menallen Township, this county, and operated it until his wife's death. Her maiden name was Sarah Knouse; she was born in 1798, and died in the spring of 1870. They had seven children, only three of whom are now living.

AMOS SCHLOSSER, lumberman, store-keeper and farmer, P. O. Wenks. Peter Schlosser, a native of Germany, was the first of this family to come to America. He settled in Berks County, Penn., about 1700 and reared a family of three. His son, Peter was born in 1750, and came to this county, in 1790; built the stone house, in 1812, where his grandson, George, now resides, and where he and his wife, Elizabeth, both died. He was a farmer and wagon-maker. Jacob Schlosser was born in this county, and died in 1878, aged eighty-four years. He was also a farmer; his widow, Susannah, is still living in good health, aged ninety-one, and resides with her son, George. The family were all members of the Reformed Church. Amos, a son of Jacob, last men- tioned, was born June 16, 1824, and at the age of twenty-five began business for him- self at farming, later adding lumbering, and has carried on business in the township for upwards of forty-five years. Twelve years ago he built the steam saw-mill that his son Aaron now operates. Ile owns 678 acres of land in the township, and also operates a store at Wenks, which he opened two years ago. In 1849, Mr. Schlosser married Cath- erine Newcomer, who bore him seven children, four living: Mary Ellen, Aaron, Georgi- ana and Laura Jane. Mr. Schlosser is a Prohibitionist and a member of the Lutheran Church, at Wenksville; has served his party as judge and inspector of elections, and is one of the most substantial men in the township. The Schlosser family are descendants of that German nationality to which the United States are more indebted for her most pros- perous, upright and wealthy citizens than to any other. They began poor in this coun- try, and by careful dealings, strict economy and industry, have become the possessors of considerable property. This volume mentions them in various ways from 1790 down to the present time.

C. J. TYSON, farmer and dealer in fertilizers, P. O. Flora Dale, Adams Co., Penn, is a native of Burlington County, N. J., and was born September 5, 1838, a son of E. C. and Susan (Griffith) Tyson. At elven years of age he went to work for himself in a house furnishing establishment at Philadelphia. and later was employed six years in a grocery. He then learned daguerreotyping and August 16, 1859, came to Gettysburg, this county, with his brother, Isaac G., and opened a gallery there and made the first photographsever finished in Adams County. In 1864 he bought a one-third interest in the Spring Dale nurseries of Cyrus Griest & Sons, still retaining his interest in the photo- graph business, which however, he sold in 1865. and turned his entire attention to the nursery business. In 1866 he bought back the photograph gallery and in 1867 the entire interest in the nursery. In 1868 he sold out the gallery and in 1869 bought a farm of 167 acres where he now resides; closed out the nursery business at Gettysburg, and, in 1873, bought a half- interest in the Chambersburg nurseries, hut continued to reside in Menallen. In 1874 he bought the one-half interest in the same photograph gallery. In 1875 he sold out his nursery business; in 1880 exchanged his half interest in the photograph business for a dwelling in Gettsyburg, and in 1881 became a charter member of the Susquehanna Fertilizer Company. This company huilt a factory near Perryville, Md., capital stock of $15,000, increased in 1882, to $35,000; the plant was burned September 20, 1882, and the company was reorganized in Baltimore with a paid up capital stock of $100,000, and became known as the Susquehanna Fertilizer Company of Baltimore City, with officers as follows: C. J. Tyson, president; George B. Passmore, treasurer; S. P. Broomell, superin- tendent. The plant cost about $50,000. They sold, in 1881, 1,200 tons of fertilizers, and in 1885 11,000 tons. Mr. Tyson is one of the substantial citizens of the county, and has been the architect of his own fortune, for on his arrival in Gettysburg his ready cash con- sisted of $10 and was $150 in deht. His house is a fine brick structure and the grounds surrounding it evidence the care of an enterprising and prosperous man. April 30, 1863, Mr. Tyson married Maria E. Griest, who was born in this township March 7, 1840, a daugh-

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ter of Cyrus and Mary A. (Cook) Griest. They were natives of York County, members of the society of Friends, both are now deceased, they left eight children, all now comfort- ably settled in Butler and Menallen Townships. Mr. and Mrs. Tyson have four children, Edwin C., Mary A., Chester J. and William C. Mr. Tyson and wife commeneed house- keeping nt Gettysburg just three weeks before the time of the famous battle, and he was among the last to leave his business in the town when the fight commenced. During his absence the rebels occupied his house, and on his return he found nothing of conse- quence missing, except the provisions and his wearing apparel, which were all gone. Mr. Tyson subscribed liberally, and otherwise aided in the completion of the Gettysburg & Harrisburg Railroad, through Menallen Township. In 1874 Mr. Tyson's mother was de- ceased, since which time his father, now in his seventy-eighth year, has been furnished with a comfortable home under his roof.

WILLIAM WALHEY, retired farmer, Bendersville, was born August 2, 1816, in Menallen Township, this county, and is a son of John and Elizabeth ( Bender) Walhey, former a native of Armstrong County, Penn., a son of Nicholas, and of French extrac- tion; the latter a native of Dover, York Co., Penn., a daughter of Henry Bender, and a sis- ter of Henry Bender who was part owner of the original plat of Bendersville. John Walhey was a moulder by trade, but while living in this county followed farming. Ile died in 1819, a member of the Catholic Church, at the age of fifty years; his widow was a member of the Evangelical Church, and died at the age of eighty-seven years and eight months, in about 1866. William Walhey was reared a farmer; on December 13, 1843, he married Catherine Rice, of Gettysburg; she died in 1871, the mother of the following children: Eliakim, Elizabeth C., Angeline, John W., William W., Samuel H., and Annie Armenia, who died in childhood. March 4, 1873, Mr. Walhey's second marriage was cele- brated with Ruth Wilson Wills, a daughter of James J. Wills, and a sister of Judge Wills of this county. Mr. Walhey now resides at Bendersville, retired from his main farm, and now operates twenty acres near town. lIe is a Prohibitionist; has served his township in local offices. He is a member of the Methodist Church, in which he has been steward and trustee. Mrs. Walhey is also a member of the same church.

MORRIS S. WICKERSHAM, Bendersville, was born in Newberry Township, York County. Penn., March 19, 1851. and is a son of Joseph and Hannah C. (Squibb) Wickers- ham. Ile was reared to farming until the age of sixteen, at which time he became a student at the Millersville State Normal School, to qualify himself for the profession of teaching. In 1872, he taught a school one session in Fairview Township, York County, and in 1873, came to Bendersville, where he was appointed and served two years as prin- cipal of the high school at that place. In 1875 he resigned his position and, in company with J. A. Miekley, under the firm name of M. S. Wickersham & Co., bought out the confectionery store of his brother John Wickersham. In the winter of 1876 Mr. Wicker- sham bought Mr. Mickley's interest, and in the fall of $1877 sold out the business. He immediately opened another store, keeping principally notions and groceries; since then he has continually added to his stock and now keeps a full line of goods usually found in a general store, and carries on an average, a stock valued at $7,000 the year round, with annual sales amounting to $10,000 and upward. lle was appointed postmaster, August 25, 1884, and served until August 18, 1885, when, against the protest of a large majority of the citizens, both Democratie and Republican, he was removed by the present Administration. Ile is one of the prominent and energetic business men in this section of the county; takes a deep interest in the public affairs of his vicinity; and is generally the presiding officer in the public meetings of the Republican party at Bendersville. June 29, 1876, he married Miss Lizzie M. Elden, a daughter of Charles D. Elden of Bendersville. Mr. and Mrs. Wickersham have one child, Charles J., born May 18, 1878; another, Ilannah Mary, born May 17, 1884, died October 27, 1884. Our subject and wife, are both mem- bers of the Lutheran Church.

WILSON FAMILY. The first of the Wilson family to settle in Menallen Township was George Wilson, in about 1745. He died September 15, 1785, aged nearly seventy-six years. His wife, Ruth, died from the effects of a bite of a copperhead snake, July 12, 1784, aged nearly seventy-five years. Their children were Alice, born September 10, 1741; Benjamin, born October 10, 1743; Sarah, born January 15, 1745, and Lydia D., born in February, 1747. Benjamin Wilson and Sarah, his wife, bad the following children: Ruth, born November 1, 1715: George. March 10, 1778; Mary, September 13, 1780; Alice, De- cember 6. 1782; Sarah, January 29, 1785. The following are the names of the children of George Wilson and his wife, Sarah (Wright) Wilson: William B., born February 11. 1800, died April 22, 1873 (was the father of George W. Wilson, now living in Menallen Town- ship, and carrying on the nursery business); Benjamin F., Ruth W., Lydia and John. William B. Wilson, of the fourth generation here, was married to Mary Wierman, a daughter of Nicholas Wierman, and they had five children: George W., Eliza (who mar- ried William Tudor, now deceased), Jane (married to Samuel Way, of Bedford County), IJannah and Ruth (unmarried and residing at Bendersville). William B. Wilson died in 1873, aged seventy-three, and his widow in 1876, aged seventy-five years.

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

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