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 70

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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 70
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 70

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CONWAY PHELPS WING, D. D., Carlisle, belongs to a family traceable through five preceding generations to a progenitor who came from England in 1632 and settled finally in Sandwich, Mass. He is the son of Enoch and Mary (Oliver) Wing, who went from Conway, Hampshire Co., Mass., to Ohio in 1796, and settled on the right bank of the Muskingum, twelve miles above Marietta. He was born there February 12, 1809, but re- moved with his father in 1813, to Phelps, Ontario Co., N. Y. At a very early age he left home to pursue study preparatory to his collegiate course in the neighboring town of Geneva, at an Episcopal academy, which soon afterward became Hobart College. After two years there he entered the sophomore class in Hamilton College, where he graduated in 1828. Nearly a year after this he entered a theological seminary at Auburn, where he enjoyed the instruction of Dr. James Richards and graduated in 1831. He was licensed to preach by the presbytery of Geneva, February 3, 1831, just before entering his twenty- first year, and commenced preaching at once in Sodus, Wayne Co., N. Y., where he was ordained and installed September 27, 1832. During the extraordinary revivals of religion which prevailed in that region about that period, he was one of its active and successful promoters. In 1836 he removed to Ogden, Monroe Co., N. Y., and in 1838 to the city of Monroe, Mich., where his vigorous health gave way under his protracted labors, and he was obliged to seek its restoration, first hy a year's residence in St. Croix, West Indies. and then by a more protracted sojourn in the Southern States. For a year and a half he preached in Columbia, Tenn., and vicinity, and finding, on experiment, that he could not safely venture upon a settlement in the North, reluctantly yielded to the solicitations of his new friends in the South, and became pastor of a congregation in Huntsville. Ala. Though he frankly informed that people that he was opposed to slavery and should do all in his power wisely to abolish it they persevered in calling and sustaining him, believing that his prejudices would soon be removed. Ile continued in his pastorate there with great acceptance and usefulness until April, 1848. He twice represented his presbytery there in the general assembly of the Presbyterian Church, and earnestly resisted the attempts of a party in that body to withdraw all Christian fellowship from the Southern churches. He was the author of a long and elaborate report, adopted by the synod of Tennessee, in Oc- tober, 1847, in reply to the objections of this party, and maintaining that, while humanity and religion might require that some, under favorable circumstances, should emancipate their slaves, many masters were so situated that such a course would be utterly inexpedi- ent and unjust, and they were bound to retain them, and treat them with kindness and love. After two or three years of experience, however, he found that public opinion would not permit him to act up to his convictions of duty in the enforcement of church discipline, against those who were guilty of immoralities against their slaves, and that he was likely to be involved in complications which would be perilous. Though he urged upon the slaves the apostolic duties of ordinary forbearance and submission, instances sometimes came to his knowledge, in which a different course seemed to him quite justifi- able, and where he could not withhold his views. Such expressions of opinion, though tolerated when uttered by native citizens, were not relished by those who were suspected of Northern proclivities. He. therefore, became satisfied that it was his duty to give up his pastoral relation, and although his own congregation expressed their unanimous reso- lution to sustain him, and offered him extraordinary inducements to continue with them,

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he saw no way of compliance consistent with a good conscience. Just as he had reached this conclusion, a call reached him from the First Presbyterian Church of Carlisle, which he immediately accepted. That people had heard him while on a visit north, in 1843, and now, on becoming destitute of a pastor, they invited him to settle among them. He arrived at Carlisle and commenced his ministrations there April 28, 1848, but was not installed until October 15, of the same year. His congregation, though not in ecclesiasti- cal sympathy with the great majority of the Presbyterian Church in this region, grew in numbers and prosperity during his entire pastorate of more than twenty-eight years. He took a high rank as preacher in the synod of Pennsylvania, was more than once a candi- date for the moderator's chair in the general assembly, and has served with acceptance on most of its important committees. He has been a member of eight general assem- blies (besides two adjourned meetings), and has declined several invitations to prominent churches. He was especially active in efforts for the reunion of the two great branches of the Presbyterian Church, being a member of the convention of Presbyterians in Phila- delphia in 1867, and of the assembly of reunion which met in New York and Pittsburgh in 1867. He was also a member of the joint committee of reconstruction for the organiza- tion of the synods and presbyteries of the reunited church. In addition to the ordinary work of a pastor, from the duties of which he has always been scrupulously careful that nothing should divert him, he has generally had in his hands such literary engagements as were consistent with it. He reads with a good degree of facility in seven different languages. In 1849, at the request of the faculty and students of Dickinson College, he supplied for one year the place made vacant by the transfer of William H. Allen, LL. D., to the presidency of Girard College, and in 1856, he, in connection with Prof. Charles E. Blumenthal, published a translation of Hase's History of the Christian Church (D. Apple- ton & Co., New York, pp. 720), in the composition of which he bore the largest share. For some years he contributed one article annually to the Presbyterian Quarterly Review, among which the most noted were two on " Abelard," two on the "Historical Develop- ment of the Doctrine of the Atonement," and one on the "Permanent in Christianity," and one article, in the Methodist Quarterly on "Miracles and the order of Nature." About a dozen sermons and discourses have been published by his people and his friends, as they were preached on special occasions. He was also the writer of two elaborate articles on "Federal Theology," and "Gnostics and Gnosticism," in MeClintock & Strong's Encyclo- pedia, and in 1867 he contributed to Dr. Schaff's American edition of Lang's Commentary on the Bible, a translation with large additions of Kling's Commentary on Second Cor- inthians. Notwithstanding these engagements, Dr. Wing's health became so completely re- stored that, during bis long pastorate, he lost on account of illness not more than six Sab- baths. In 1869, however, his congregation perceived such tokens of impaired energy. that they allowed him a suspension of labor for six months, during which time they employed an assistant for the performance of his work. On two different occasions after this. as he found his strength giving way, he requested either an entire or partial dissolution of his pastorate, but could not obtain the acquiescence of his people. It was not until July 18, 1875, that, after a laborious service as a commissioner to the general assembly, his congregation consented that he might henceforth take the place of Pastor Emeritus; but after some consultation and experience he repeated his request for a complete disso- lution of the pastoral relation. This was finally acquiesced in by the people, October 17, 1875, and was complied with by the presbytery, October 23. 1875, though for some years a partial salary was continued to him. A severe illness in the autumn of that year proved that this action had been taken none too soon; but on his recovery his health began to improve, until, finally, he has been restored nearly to his earlier vigor. His subsequent life has been almost as active as at any other period. On the Sabbath he ordinarily preaches in some of the neighboring congregations, or in his former pulpit. He enters with ardor into most of the theological discussions and practical measures of the day, in which he almost uniformly advocates the side of real progress. He is especially fond of exegetical and historical investigations. He has in manuscript extended comments upon almost the entire Greek Testament, and has become thoroughly familiar with the " History of Cumberland Valley." In 1879 he contributed the principal part of the "History of Cumberland County " (published by J. D. Scott, Philadelphia, quarto, pp. 283), and re- cently he has published two editions of a historical and genealogical register of the Wing family in America. (Carlisle and New York, 8vo and quarto, pp. 332 and 500.)

CHARLES R. WOODWARD, of the firm of Woodward, Graybill & Co., mill- ers. Carlisle, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in York. York County, December 8, 1844, a son of Capt. Robert C. and Sarah E. (Spangler) Woodward, the former a native of Newburyport, Mass., and a son of Capt. Salem Woodward, of that place, a sea-cap- tain, who ran a line of ships from Charleston. S. C., to Liverpool, England. Robert C. Woodward sailed with his father for a number of years as a sea captain and as captain on the Mississippi River from New Orleans to Cincinnati. He located in York County, where he married Miss Sarah E. Spangler, and engaged in the grocery business at York until 1850, excepting three years spent in California. prospecting. just prior to 1850, when he came to Carlisle and formed the company of Woodward & Schmidt, forwarding and

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commission agents, and erected the building now occupied by his son, Charles R. Rob- ert C. died at Carliste in August, 1877, and his widow in November, 1885. Their five children were George (deceased), Ellen (deceased), Charles R., Robert S. (deceased); and Florence W., wife of the Rev. J. Hepbron Hargis, of Philadelphia. The par- ents were identified with the First Presbyterian Church. Charles R. was but six years old when his parents came from York. Ile attended the high school and Dickinson Col- lege, of Carlisle, assisting his father as clerk until 1864, when he became a partner of his father, with whom he remained until 1876, when he purchased his Father's interest, and became associated with John G. Bobb, as a partner of the firm of Woodward & Bobb. This firm continued until 1882, when Mr. John Graybill became a partner in the business, and one year later the present firm was established (Mr. Bobb's interest being purchased by Woodward, Graybill & Co.). In April, 1870, Mr. Woodward married Miss Jessie V. Elliott, who was born in Wyoming Territory (the first white child born in that Territory), a danghter of Gen. W. L. and Hattie (Jones) Elliott, of Cincinnati, now living in San Francisco. To Mr. and Mrs. Woodward five children were born: Florence V., Jessie E., Robert C., Sarah E. and William G. The mother is a member of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Woodward is a member of Carlisle Conneil. No. 502. Royal Arcanum. He is a director of the t'arlisle Deposit Bank, treasurer of the Carlisle Land Association, and is one of the enterprising business men of Carlisle. In 1882 he and his partner built the Carlisle roller flonring-mill, a three-story brick building, in which are fourteen pairs of rollers, being otherwise fully equipped.

WILLIAM IL. WOODWARD, general superintendent of the Gettysburg & Harris- burg Railway, and treasurer of the South Mountain Railway & Mining Company, and of the South Mountain Iron & Mining Company, office at Pine Grove Furnace, and residence at Carlisle, is a native of Chester County, Penn. Soon after his birth the family moved to the city of Philadelphia, where he attended the public schools until thirteen years of age, when he began elerking in a drug store, in which he remained until fifteen; at that early age, September 3, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Sixty-seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry; served through entire war, and was mustered out July 15, 1865, as sergeant-major of the regiment. The regiment to which he belonged was attached to the Second Brigade, Second Division, Sixteenth Army Corps of the command, most of the time. Ile was taken prisoner at Winchester, Va., June 15, 1865, from which time until August following he spent in Libby and Belle Isle prisons, when he was paroled and sent to Annapolis, Md., and soon after joined his regiment, this being his only absence from the regiment during the war. He was mustered out of the service at the close of the war, and returned to Philadelphia; then went to Plymouth, Luzerne County, where he became employed as book-keeper and paymaster for J. C. Fuller, of the Shawnee Coal Mines, which position he held until 1871, when he was elected treasurer, and subsequently, in 1877, general superintendent of the Gettysburg & Harrisburg Railway. In 1870 Mr. Woodward was married to Miss Emma MeGee, of Philadelphia, who died in 1881, and to them were born one son and three daughters: Dora F., Bessie A., Harry F. and Emma E. B. In February, 1883, he then married Miss Annie M. Bixler, of Carlisle, a danghter of Joshua P. and Julia (Beetem) Bixler, former of the firm of Saxon & Bixler. Mrs. Woodward is a member of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Woodward is Past Master of Cumberland and Star Lodge, No. 97, Carlisle; Past High Priest of St. John's Chapter and St. John's Commandery, No. 3. Carlisle; is also a member of Capt. Colwell Post, G. A. R., of Carlisle.

JOIIN ZINN, county clerk and recorder, Carlisle, is a native of Lancaster County, Penn .; was born in what is now Rhineholtz Station, February 26, 1830, a son of Isaac and Catherine (Spotz) Zinn. former born in Lancaster County, and latter born just across the county line in Berks County. Isaac Zinn in early life worked at coopering; in April, 1834. he, with his family, came to Cumberland County and settled on a farm near Barnitz Mill. in Dickinson Township. They were the parents of six children: John, the eldest; Eliza, wife of Jacob Hess, a resident of Penn Township; Hannah, deccased at the age of three years; Catherine, wife of William W. Spandler, a farmer of Mifflin Township; William, who married Jane Fiekes, and resides in Cumberland Connty; and George, who married Lucy Straw, and resides on a farm near Centerville. John worked on the farm, attending and teaching school until his marriage, September 16, 1858, with Miss Mary R. Spangler, who was born at Mount Hope, Cumberland County, a danghter of William and Nancy (Sheaffer) Spangler. Mr. Zinn, after his marriage, settled on his father's farm in Penn Township. and engaged in agriculture for three years; then for four years was oe- cupied in teaching school after which, for thirteen years, he was engaged as a farmer in Cumberland County. During two years he drove stage from Carlisle to Shippensburg, residing at Centerville. Subsequently, and until he was elected clerk and reeorder of Cumberland County, in November, 1884, he was occupied in keeping a warehouse at Longsdorf Station one year and a half, farming four years, and carrying on a general store at Hockersville. To his marriage with Miss Spangler eight children were born: Anna MI. C., wife of Parker H. Trego, of Carlisle; George B. MeClellan, who married Al- ice Coover, and resides in Cumberland County; Philip S., who married Miss Sarah Bar-

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rick, and is a resident of Cumberland County: William I. N .; Thomas E. E. ; John W., who died young; Harry C. S. and Edward C. S. The Zinns have been identified with this section of the county for many years. Jabob. the great-grandfather of John, was born in Lancaster County. His eldest son, Peter, married a Miss Swigert, and was the father of four sons and three daughters, of whom Isaac, the father of John, was one. Our subject in 1867 was elected a justice of the peace of Penn Township; was re-elected in 1872, and again in 1877, holding the office over thirteen years. He has discharged the duties of his present office with credit to himself, and to the satisfaction of his constitu- ents. Mr. Zinn is a member of the Lutheran Church. Mrs. Zinn died September 6, 1885, a member of the Lutheran Church.

JACOB ZUG (deceased) was born near Elizabethtown, Lancaster Co., Penn., in 1793, and died March 25, 1877, aged eighty-four years, one month and thirteen days. lIe was a son of John and Margaret (Mohler) Zug, both of Lancaster County, Penn., and was a great-grandson of Ulric Zug, who, with his own and other Swiss families. immigrated to Pennsylvania from the Palatinate of the Lower Rhine, on the invitation of Queen Anne, renewed by George I, and encouraged by William Penn by the pledge of freedom of con- science, his ancestors having, at an early day, left Switzerland for the Palatinate on ac- count of religious persecutions. He landed at Philadelphia September 27, 1727, and im- mediately settled in the northwest part of Lancaster County, in the township of War- wick, now called Penn. There he located, hy warrant from the proprietary government, ncarly 400 acres of land, where he and a number of his descendants lived and died. On this homestead was born, in 1731, John Zug, the fourth child of Ulric and the grand- father of Jacob Zng, the subject of this sketch. This John Zug died in 1821, aged ninety years. He was seventy two years a member, fifty-two years a minister, and forty-one years au elder or bishop in the Church of the Brethren, properly styled the German Bap- tist, and was one of the most faithful, devoted and honored ministers. a worthy man, highly esteemed by all who knew him. Tife father of Jacob Zug was the second son of the aforesaid John Zug, and was also called John. He was born on the same old homestead in Lancas- ter County in 1763, and died one mile east of Carlisle in 1824. In 1806 Jacob Zug came with his father to near what is now Mechanicsburg, at which time there were but three houses within the village. In 1814 they sold their farm and removed to the junction of Cedar Spring with Yellow Breeches Creek, where his father purchased a farm and mill, which property they exchanged for a farm one mile east of Carlisle. Here Jacob Zug started in life for himself, and in 1823 removed to Carlisle, where he lived until his death. He took a deep interest in politics, but was never from choice a candidate for office. In 1835, at the urgent request of some of his friends he was induced to accept the nomina- tion for the office of county commissioner. to which he was elected at a time when his po- litical associates were in the minority. Subsequently he was called by his fellow-citizens at different times to serve them as chief burgess and councilman. He was a man who made many warm friends, and was loved and respected by all for his manly qualities. He married Miss Elizabeth Kimmel, of Cumberland County, and to them were born five sons and one daughter, who lived to manhood and womanhood: Samuel, who resides in De- troit, Mich .; John, an attorney (deceased); Ephraim (deceased), late a merchant of Me- chanicsburg; Elizabeth, now living in Carlisle: Augustus (deceased), aged twenty-seven years; Jacob T., who was a lieutenant in the Seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Reserves, and lost his right arm in the battle of Fredericksburg. The latter married Miss Annie E. Eberly, of Mechanicsburg, and to them the following children were born: Frank D., Augusta and Ray, who reside in Carlisle.

RECEIVED TOO LATE FOR INSERTION IN PROPER PLACE.

AMERICUS R. ALLEN, M. D., Carlisle, is a graduate of the University of Pennsyl- vania. He was born at Lee's Cross Roads, Cumberland Co., Penn., January 13, 1861, and is the eldest son of Wm. HI. and Anna (Clark) Allen, who had a family of five sons and four daughters. Americus R. Allen worked at farming. and attended the common schools and the Normal, at Shippensburg, Penn., until twenty-one years of age, when he was em- ployed by the Bosler Cattle Company, and remained with this company, in Nebraska, one year. He then began the study of medicine, in the office of S. B. Keefer. A. M., M. D., Carlisle. After graduating at the university, he located in Carlisle, where he has since engaged in the practice of medicine, and enjoys the confidence and respect of all.

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BOROUGH OF MECHANICSBURG.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

BOROUGH OF MECHANICSBURG.

REV. AUGUSTUS BABB, retired clergyman, has been pastor of the Evangelical Lu- theran Church, Mechanicsburg, for the past fifty-three years. His great-grandfather was born in Germany and came with his wife to America, settling in Berks County; they had four sons and three daughters, who lived to be men and women; his son, Mathias Babb, was the first to enlist in Gen. Heister's company (afterward governor of Pennsylvania). During the war of the Revolution he was a coppersmith and tinsmith; married Miss Rosanna Bierley, and had three sons and five daughters. John, the eldest, born in Read- ing. Penn., was also a coppersmith and tinsmith; married Miss Barbara Ann Ilenritze, a native of Reading, Penn. lle was a member of the Lutheran, and she of the German Reformed Church. They had a family of three sons and four daughters: John, Mary, Barbara, Angustns, Sarah, Mathias and Roseanna, all born in Reading, Penn. Augustus, the subject of our sketch, was born January 19, 1810, and, when fourteen, was appren- ticed to learn the cabinet-maker's trade until he was nineteen, when he entered the man- ual labor school at Germantown, Penn. Some fourteen months later he entered Gettys- burg Gymnasium, which became a theological seminary: there he finished a regular course, and in May, 1833, was licensed to preach in Pendleton County, Va., and began his minis- trations in Augusta County, Va. Four years later he came to Mechanicsburg, and two years later was appointed, by the West Pennsylvania Synod, missionary for Clearfield. Jefferson. Armstrong, Clarion and Venango Counties, holding that position four or five months, when, owing to a fall and subsequent ill health, he was appointed pastor of Blairsville, Indiana County. Church, where here mained until 1845; then returned to Me- chaniesburg Church, remaining here until 1851, when he became agent for the Pennsyl- vania College at Gettysburg; a year later he resigned to accept the pastorship of Somer- set Church, Somerset County, where he had four churches in charge. In 1856 he re- turned to this county and took charge of the church at Centerville until 1860, when he went to Turbotville, Northumberland Co., Penn., to preach in German and English. During a Thanksgiving sermon, after Lincoln's election, he gave offense to the Demo- cratic brethren by saying that our form of government was a Republican form of gov- ernment; so, in 1863, after the battle of Gettysburg, he took charge of his farm in Hock- ersville; this county, where he farmed, and preached at different places, until 1870, when he took charge of Blairsville, until 1875, when he returned to his farm, and two years later came to Mechaniesburg, where he has since resided. He married, June 27. 1833, Miss Mary A. Hoffman, a native of Franklin County, Penn., daughter of James Hoffman, a teacher. Mrs. Babb died August 11. 1838. Our subject was married, on the second occasion August 6, 1840, to Jane Logue, born in Carlisle, daughter of Joseph and Nancy Ann (Jumper) Logue, former of whom died at Fort Niagara in the United States service, Sep- tember 19. 1813. Mrs. Babh died June 20, 1872. Our subject is one of the oldest inin- isters living. llis life has always been one of activity, and through his efforts many have been brought to Christ; and his name will be banded down to posterity as one who did his duty as a Christian, a minister for the cause of Christ, and worshiper of God "who so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believed in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

GEORGE BOBB, grocer, member of the firm of George Bobb & Son, Mechanicsburg, was born in Mechanicsburg, Penn., November 8, 1819, son of John and Margaret (Longs- dorff) Bobb, old settlers of this place, where the former followed the trade of harness and saddle making. They had eight children, four living. When George, the second child and eldest son. was thirteen years old, his father died, and his mother subsequently mar- ried Peter Baker, of Carlisle. Penn. Our subjeet worked during the summers, attending school winters, until he was sixteen, when he began to learn the stove and tinware trade with Jacob Rupley. Six years later he bought the tin and stove store of Robert Wilson, which he sold out in 1861 and opened a hardware store. In 1879 be sold out again and opened his present grocery. In September, 1843, Mr. Bobb was married to Miss Margaret Giffin, born in Middlesex Township, Cumberland County, daughter of Hon. James Giffin, ex- member of the Pennsylvania Legislature from this county. Mrs. Bobb died May 13, 1884, the mother of two sons, one living, James G., born in Mechanicsburg, this county, November 10, 1844, a partner with his father in the grocery store; was married to Miss Mary C. Quigley February 26, 1867, who was born May 21, 1848, in Beach Creek, Clinton

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

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