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 176

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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 176
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 176

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JAMES JAMESON, grandfather of our subject. married a danghter of David Myers. of Adams County. to whom were born Nancy and David. The father was also a physician of Allentown, Penn., and principal owner of a chain bridge across the Lehigh River at that place. He was born in 1771 and died in 1831. Nancy, daughter of James Jameson, married Henry (her first cousin), son of Jacob Myers, of New Chester, Penn., and had is- sue: Jacob A., Singleton (deceased), Henry Jameson, Ann E. J., Iloratio Gates, David P. and William (latter deceased). David Jameson, son of James, married and had issue: Ilenry M., Amelia, Nancy, James B., Rush and Elnora. They lived one and a half miles east of Gettysburg, and their brick barn was used as a field hospital by the Confederates during and after the battle of Gettysburg. Jacob A., son of Henry and Nancy J. Myers, a native of Adams County. married Sarah Deardorff, of York Springs, and their children were Emily S., George H., Ellis G. (deceased). Nancy, Leigh R., Jacob U. and William B. Jacob A. resided many years on a farm near York Springs, in Adams County; then moved to Bethlehem, Penn., where he operated coal lands, which made him rich. Henry J. My- ers, son of Henry and Nancy Myers, and the subject proper of this sketch, was born in Adams County November 22, 1826. He married, Belinda M. Slagle, of Hanover, York Co., Penn., and to them were born Charles, Robert Gates, Jacob Ross, Edward, Annola, all of whom are deceased, except Jacob Ross (Charles reached his sixteenth year). Henry J. Myers was elected to the State Legislature in 1860, and re-elected in 1862, and since 1873 has been agent at New Oxford for the H. J. H. & G. Railroad in connection with his busi- ness, that of a commission merchant and produce dealer. Ann E. J .. daughter of Henry and Nancy J. Myers, was born in Adams County; married Dr. Lewis Stonesifier, of Littles- town, and had one son, A. C. Stonesifier. After the Doctor's death she married J. M. Wal- ter, of Gettysburg, by whom she had one son, George M., now an attorney at law. Horatio Gates Myers married and had issue-Herndon and Elizabeth. He was a merchant of Han- over, and at the outbreak of the late war became captain of a company in a Pennsylvania

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regiment, and died from exposure, at Verdant Mead. Hagerstown, Md. Mollie, his wid- ow, married William Russell, of Lewistown, Penn. Emily S., daughter of Jacob A. My- ers, married James Ellis, of Pottsville, Penn., attorney for the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad and member of the Legislature from Schuylkill. George H. Myers, president of First National Bank and burgess of Bethlehem, Penn .. married Callie Weiss; Nancy, his sister, wedded F. C. Mattes. Leigh R., a prominent lawyer of Bethlehem, Penn., mar- ried Kitty Weiss. William B. resides in Bethlehem, Penn .; he married a Miss Chapman and has issue. J. Upton, another son, is a capitalist in Bethlehem, Penn. J. Ross, son of our subject, was born near New Chester, Penn., June 30, 1867; now a student of Ursi- nus College. Montgomery County, Penn. Herndon Myers, son of Horatio Gates Myers, married Edith, daughter of Gen. J. Irvin Gregg, and resides at Altoona, Penn. Elizabeth, his sister, married a son of B. L. llewitt, of Hollidaysburg, and now resides in Jamestown, Dakota. Rush, son of James Buchanan Jameson, is a telegraph operator in Philadelphia, Penn. J. B. Jameson, Sr., who was during the late war first lieutenant of the Union Light Guard, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and commander of President Lincoln's and Andrew John- son's body-guard, married for his second wife Miss Amanda C. Myers, of Hanover, and re- moved to Lake Como, Putnam County. Florida, where he now lives.

PIUS J. NOEL, grocer. New Oxford, was born in Oxford Township, this enunty, in 1832, a son of Peter R. and Lydia A. (Clunk) Noel, who for many years have resided on a farm in the vicinity of Oxford, and to whom were born twelve children (all in Adams County), viz. : Caroline, Pius J., Mary, John, Agnes, William. Joseph, James, Louisa, Francis, Lydia A. and Lucinda. At the age of eighteen Pius J. began the blacksmith's trade with his uncle, Joseph Clunk. In 1854 the family removed to Grand Rapids, Mich., where William, Pius J., Joseph and James opened a wheelwright shop, the former two being smiths and the latter wagon-makers. The brothers continued the business until 1873, when Pius J. returned to Adams County and engaged in the mercantile business at New Oxford, in which he is still engaged. In 1856 our subject paid a visit to Peunsyl- vania, and married Miss Caroline, daughter of James and Mary (Myers) Robinson, who had been neighbors of the Noels for many years, Miss Robinson being one of his school- mates. Mr. Noch returned to Grand Rapids, taking with him his young bride, and during their stay there eight children were born to them: Mary, William, James, Ella, Martha, Cora, Henry (deceased) and Carrie (deceased). After their return to New Oxford, two sons, Pius and Lewis, were born. Mrs. Noel died in March, 1882. Mr. Noel is a self- made man, and has earned every dollar he is worth. In business he has always been suc- cessful, and has avoided politics, so far as a desire for official honors is concerned. From infancy be has been a consistent Catholic. Mary, the eldest daughter, is a Sister of Charity. Ella and Cora received a liberal education at the academy at McSherrystown, and are housekeepers for their father. One son, James, is engaged in business for him- scif at Waynesboro, and another son, William, is clerking for his father at the present tinue.

ELIAS ROTHI, architect and builder, New Oxford, was born at Roth's Mills, in But- ler Township, Adams County, Penn., July 21, 1829, a son of Jonas and Barbara (Kauff- man) Roth, natives, former of York County, and the latter in the vicinity of East Berlin. The parents came to the neighborhood of Roth's Mills about 1825. and the father was oc- cupied as a farmer through life. They reared nine children: Maria, Elias, Jeremiah, Henry, Abraham, Reuben and Sarah (twins), Leander and Susanna, the latter died in infancy) all of whom, except Susanna, attended public schools and received a fair educa- tion. Leander, who is now practicing in York County, studied medicine, and graduated at the Philadelphia Medical College. Elias was gifted with unusual ability in the art of mechanism, and without instructor (while working on a farm, and before he was twenty years of age) was making furniture which found a ready sale. His first attempt at build- ing was the barn on the home-farm, still standing, which he put up when twenty-one years of age, from which time he engaged regularly in the business. For thirty - five years he has been the leading architect and builder in Adams County, and has furnished designs for thirty churches, located in Adams, York, Franklin and Moutgomery Counties, Penn., and Frederick County, Md. He has crected one-half of these, notably among which are the Reformed Church at New Chester and the Lutheran at the Pines, the Reformed and Lutheran Churches at Emmittsburg, Md .. the Reformed Church and public school build- ing at Waynesboro, the Lutheran, Reformed and Methodist Churches at New Oxford, the Reformed, Lutheran, Methodist and Catholie Churches at Hanover, York County. All the principal houses erected in New Oxford since 1860 were designed and built by him. He has invented and manufactured a saw-file set and jointer that has revolutionized the art of saw-filing, and to date has sold over 30,000. He came to New Oxford In 1860, and two years later was married to Sarah Shane. and to them were born ten children, six of whom are living, viz .: Anna M., Ilarry G., Kate E., Jennie S., Cora B. and John E.

W. C. SANDROCK, M. D., P. O. New Oxford, was born in Baltimore, Md., in 1854, a son of Julius F. and Sophia Sandrock, the former of whom was, for upward of a quar- ter of a century, a prominent grocer of that city, and reared a family of four children, of whom the Doctor is the eldest. Our subject received his scholastic education at Knapp's

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Institute, Baltimore. There he studied medicine with Dr. H. W. Webster, Jr., a promi- nent physician and surgeon, as well as a member of one of the most noted families of Maryland. In 1872 he entered the College of Pharmacy, and in 1875 was graduated from that institution, taking the first prize in a class of fifteen. In the same year he matricu- lated in the University of Maryland, and in the spring of 1878 graduated in medicine. Locating in Baltimore, he practiced five and a half years, and had an extensive practice, but close application to the laborious duties of a practicing physician caused ill health, which necessitated his removal to a more salubrious clime, and the smoky air of the city was ex- changed, in the autumn of 1883, for a home in the pleasant borough of New Oxford. In 1879 his marriage with Miss Louisa, daughter of Henry and Louisa Wagner, was cele- hrated. Mr. Wagner was one of the celebrated Seventh Regiment of Hussars, Col. Baron De Marbot commanding, under Napoleon Bonaparte, and was in action at Waterloo. While residing in Baltimore Mr. Wagner was a teacher of languages. He died in 1865. To the Doctor and his wife two sons have been horn: Edgar and Walter. Dr. Sandrock has, by reason of merit and skill, firmly established himself in practice, which is not only large, but is rapidly extending among the best families of this section of the county. Although a young man, his education and lengthy training has eminently fitted him to discharge well the practice of medicine and surgery, and his success is all that could be desired, in both a social and professional seuse. He isa member of the school board, also belongs to the Patmos Lodge, No. 348, A. F. & A. M., of Hanover, and is a member of Adams County Medical Society.

ABRAHAM SHEELY, dealer in lumber, New Oxford, was born near Littlestown, Adams Co., Penn., January 20, 1828. His father was Jacob Sheely, a son of Nicholas Sheely, who emigrated from Germany in an early day and settled in Mountpleasant Town- ship, on land now owned by Solomon Snyder, which he entered from the Government. He subsequently married Elizabeth Rife, of this county, and their first son, Jacob, was born in 1799. Jacob's birth was followed by that of John, Hannah, Mary and two other daughters, whose names are unknown. Upon the farm the parents remained until the death of the sire, when the mother rented the farm and remained upon it until her death, which occurred in 1840. Jacob was married to a daughter of Diederich Bishop, by whom he had six children, of whom Johu, David, Rebecca and Eliza were reared. Jacob, by trade, was a blacksmith, and had a shop near Alloway's Creek, on the Gettysburg Turnpike; he also owned a small farm in that vicinity. The death of his wife occurred about 1820, and two years later he was married to Catherine, daughter of John Erhart, of this county. Sub- sequently he moved to Germany Township, and worked at his trade, one and a half miles distant from Littlestown, where our subject was born. Six children were born to Jacob Sheely and his wife Catherine, of whom he reared Abraham, Joseph and Catherine, the others dying in infancy. Jacob purchased a farm in that vicinity, and erected a black- smith shop, and there lived for several years. Our subject was educated principally in Germany Township, and was married, at the age of twenty-four, to Catherine Eckert. They commenced housekeeping on a small farm in Union Township, now owned by Will- iam Weikart. For a number of years he was engaged in the huckster business, and in 1861 came to New Oxford, and in connection with huckstering engaged in the dry goods trade. Later this was abandoned for the grain and produce business, to which, in 1867, he added a stock of lumber, to which branch of business he has since devoted his attention. He was one of the members of the first borough council, after the incorporation of New Ox- ford borough. and from that time to the present, with the exception of two years, he has remained a member of that body. His popularity and business qualifications made him the choice of the Democratic party, in 1884, for county commissioner, to which office he was elected, and is now one of the present incumbents. To Mr. and Mrs. Sheely nine children have been born, seven of whom are living: George C. (married to Clara Diehl), Charles H. (married to Sallie Chronister), William F., Catherine Elizabeth (wife of H. C. Sanders), Sarah Jane, John A. and Edward V., all residents of New Oxford except Mrs. Sanders, who resides at Harrisburg. During the long business life of Mr. Sheely his sterling qualities have made him a central figure in commercial circles, and as a man of merit his repeated official terms furnish abundant proof.

HENRY I. SMITH, editor and publisher, P. O. New Oxford, is a native of York County, Penn., born at Hanover, May 13, 1859. His parents were Jacob and Mary A. (Ec- kenrode) Smith, whose history is given above. Henry I. obtained a fair education in the public schools of his native place, and in the spring of 1878 commenced the printer's trade with H. J. Miller, of White Hall, Adams County, and in the autumn of that year pur- chased an interest in the Weekly Visitor, then owned by Mr. Miller. In the spring of 1879 the press and material were removed to New Oxford and the name of the paper was changed to the New Oxford Item, the first number of which was issued on April 18. In February, 1880, Mr. Smith purchased his partner's interest and has since conducted the paper, the circulation of which, under his judicious management, has been greatly increased and the paper improved. There is connected with the Item one of the finest job printing offices in the eastern part of Adams County. December 25, 1881, Mr. Smith was married to Mary C., daughter of H. J. and Louisa Hemler, of Mountpleasant Township, Mrs. Smith

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being the eldest of seventeen children, her birth occurring in 1858. Both the Smith and the Hemler families are long-time residents of Adams County and have always been enter- prising farmers.

JACOB SMITHI, farmer, P. O. New Oxford, is descended from Charles Smith, who, in about 1766, with a brother, came from Germany, both of whom were sold to pay their passage, and parted never to meet again. Charles was then eighteen years of age; subse- quently he was married to Miss Spitler, and settled on a farm in Mountpleasant Township, this county, near the village of Bonneauville. Eight sons and four daughters were born to this union, of whom the following named ean be located: Joseph, John, Jacob, Cathe- rine, Andrew, Charles, Peter and Anthony. Of these, Joseph was the father of our sub- ject. The death of the mother occurred several years before that of the father, who lived to the ripe old age of eighty-six. Joseph, at the age of twenty seven, was married to Magdalene, daughter of Jacob Lawrence, and they commenced housekeeping on the Smith homestead. lle was given a part of that farm, and afterward purchased the remaining interests. This farin he sold about 1832, and purchased another nearer Gettysburg. Of the children born to this union, George, Jacob, Catharine, Marian, John, Joseph, Allo- viece and Levi were born on the old farm, and Sarah, Louis, Pins and Cordelia on the subsequent purchase. Joseph had reared his children strictly to the Catholic faith, and until his death, in 1859, was a regular attendant at church services. Jacob Smith was born November 7. 1822. 1Te learned the blacksmithing trade with John Felix, commenc- ing the same at the age of eighteen years. lle has since worked at the trade in different parts of the United States, and during the Mexican war was employed as a blacksmith by the Government. After peace was declared he traveled through Mexico, and sailed from the Gulf of California to San Francisco, returning home via the Isthmus of Panama. In 1850 he was married to Mary A., daughter of John and Elizabeth (llemler) Eckenrode. During his wandering our subject secured money enough to procure a farm, which he now owns, and upon which he has since resided, with the exception of two years spent in Han- over, and on which were born the following named children: Edward J., John F., William W. (deceased), Mary E., Laura (deceased), Maternus J., Emory N., Francis S. and Oliver A. Two of their children were born-Josephine, at her grandfather's home in Mountpleasant Township, and Henry I., in Hanover, York County. Of this large family of sons and daughters all are living but two.

CHAPTER LXVI.

READING TOWNSHIP.

JOHN L. BOSSERMAN, farmer, P. O. East Berlin, was born in Reading Township, Adams Co., Penn., December 23, 1844, and is a son of Daniel and Susanna (Lerew) Bosserman. natives of this county. His father resided all his life in Reading Township, engaged in farming, but retired from active life some time prior to his death, which occurred March 27, 1886; his widow is yet living at the age of sixty-six years. John L. was reared on a farm, remaining with his parents until twenty-five years of age, when he married and located on his father's farm, where he lived until the spring of 1886. He then moved to where he now resides, and where he owns 100 acres of land. He makes a specialty of raising fine stock, cattle, etc. He was married September 9, 1869, to Dilla J. Raffenspiger. They are the parents of six children: Minnie K., Albert L., Almira, Nettie M., Collin A. and Ryno. Mr. Bosserman was drafted during the Rebellion, but paid $850 for a substitute. He is a Republican in politics.

W. HOWARD DICKS, farmer. P. O. New Chester, was born in Adams County, Penn., September 13, 1842, and is a son of Thomas N. and Lydia A. (Ianes) Dicks, natives of Adams County. His father was a farmer, but in his younger days, when the railroad was yet in its infancy. he was engaged in hauling goods from Baltimore, Md., to Pittsburgh, Penn., taking about eighteen days to go through. Hle engaged in farming where W. Howard now resides on 137 acres, until his death, which occurred October 25, 1884. Our subject was brought up on a farm, remaining with his parents until twenty years of age, when he attended the college at New Oxford, under Dr. Pfeiffer for two years. In 1868 he took a pleasure trip through Illinois and Iowa, and while in the West taught three months, but hunted most of the time. Previous to going West he had taught four terms of school, and four terms after coming home, and is a well educated man. He farms on the old homestead, comprising 137 aeres, and makes a specialty of raising cuttle,

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also buying and selling some. He is a great lover of sport and spends his leisure time in hunting, killing deer, etc., and has now in his posession a set of eight-prong antlers, which he took from a deer he killed in Virginia. There were ten children in his father's family, nine of whom are now living: W. Ifoward, J. W., John A., Neely, H. B., R. M., Margaret A., Kate E. and Mattie A. Most of the family are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Dicks has held the offices of township and county auditor. He received the nomination for Assembly at the Democratic County Convention on the 14th of June, 1886, and will be elected, as this county is largely Democratic.

AARON B. KAUFFMAN, farmer, P. O. Bermudian, was born in Reading Township, this county, December 13, 1838, and is a sou of Christian and Margaret (Binder) Kauffman, natives of Pennsylvania. His father followed farming nearly all his life and came from Lancaster to Adams County when quite small. He died October 1, 1881; his widow is still living at the age of seventy-seven years. Aaron B. was reared on a farm, and remained with his parents until twenty-three years of age, when he married and settled on the old homestead, where he remained about two years. He then moved to another farm, which his father owned, where he lived eight years. In 1874 he moved to where he now resides, and owns 200 acres of land with very good improvements. He married, September 20, 1860, Anna M. Bushey, who hore him seven children, six of whom are living: Elias L., Christiau B., Ida N., Ellen J., Mary E. and Minnie M. Elmira J., is deceased. Mr. Kauffman is now engaged in the poultry business. He gets from eighty to ninety dozen eggs a week, has a flock of 200 hens and a fine poultry yard. He also raises cattle to some extent.

LEVI LAYDOM, farmer, P. O. New Chester, was born in Adams County, Penn., December 31, 1826, and is a son of John and Rebecca (Chronister) Laydom, natives of Pennsylvania, the former of whom, a farmer by occupation, died in January, 1878. Levi was reared ou a farm. and remained at home until the war broke out. In 1862 he was drafted in Company F, Fifty-sixtli Pennsylvania Regiment, served ten months, and par- ticipated in the battle of the " Deserted House." in Virginia. His draft expired in July, 1863, when he was honorably discharged. He was again drafted in November. 1864, and served until the close of the war, when he was discharged. He returned home, en- gaged in farming, and now owns seventy-five acres of good land. He married, May 9, 1877, Eliza A. Myers. He and his wife are members of the church.

CORNELIUS MYERS, retired farmer. P. O. Hampton, was born October 29, 1815, in Adams County, Penn., and is a son of Philip and Elizabeth (Smyser) Myers, natives of York County, Penn., who located in Reading Township in an early day, where the form- er followed farming until he was about sixty years of age, when he removed to New Ches- ter, Steuben Township, where he remained until his death in 1881. Cornelius was reared on a farm until he was sixteen years of age, when he entered the store of John Brough, where he clerked about one year; then went to New Oxford and there clerked for two years; next went to Gettysburg and clerked for six months; then returned to Hampton and clerked for about three years; afterward worked at farming, etc. He was employed in driving a team from Baltimore to Pittsburgh for about one year. November 29, 1838, he married Levina, daughter of John and Nancy Brough, natives of Pennsylvania. To Mr. and Mrs. Mvers the following children were born: Cornelius L., Seright, Nancy E., and Levina, all living and married, and John and Philip L. are deceased. After marriage, Mr. Myers settled on his father-in-law's farm, where he remained three years; then bought 100 acres of land from his father, on which he remained twelve years, when he sold out and bought 118 acres from his father-in-law, on which he remained until 1877. He then moved to Hampton, where he is now leading a retired life. He owns the property where he resides and 140 acres of good land. Ile has held he offices of inspector of elections and school director, and also several other offices. Mr. and Mrs. Myers are members of the Lutheran Church.

ANDREW MYERS, farmer, P. O. Hampton, was born in Reading Township, this county, iu March, 1826, and is a son of Philip and Mary (Haverstock) Myers, natives of Pennsylvania. He was reared on a farm and remained at home until he was thirty-five years of age, when he went to work for himself. He married and moved to where he now resides, and owns seventy-seven acres of land. In 1863 he was drafted into Company I, Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania, Eleventh Corps; served about four months under Gen. Leacock, and traveled 300 miles in thirteen days on foot. He did not participate in any battles, but was always in readiness. He married, in January, 1867. Susanna Border, who bore him seven children: Lewis, Mary E., Charlie, Alice. Soder, Emma and Anna. Mr. and Mrs. Myers are members of the Lutheran Church. He is a Republican in politics.

HENRY MYERS, merchant, Hampton, was born in Adams County, Penn., to Philip and Mary (Haverstock) Myers, also natives of Adams County. His father, who was a farmer, died on the old home-place. His grandparents were also natives of Penn- sylvania. Henry Myers was reared on the farm until he was eighteen years of age. He then learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for about ten years. From 1869 until 1870 he was engaged in the grocery business at Harrisburg, Penn., and in the latter year moved to Roxbury, Cumberland County, where he engaged in mercantile business,

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keeping dry goods and groceries, and thus continued for two years. In 1871 he came to Hampton, where he has been engaged in business ever since. He keeps a good stock of dry goods and groceries, has a large trade, and has won the confidence of the entire com- munity by dealing honestly with all. He was married March 12, 1570, to Sarah A., daugh - ter of John and Elizabeth (Snader) Cline, natives of Lancaster County, Penn. Mr. and Mrs. Myers are the parents of five children, four of whom are living, Raymond, Luther, Clara and Minnie; the deceased was an infant. The parents are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Myers was appointed postmaster in 1871. and served until 1875.

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

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