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 73

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

USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > History of Cumberland and Adams counties, Pennsylvania. Containing history of the counties, their townships, towns, villages, schools, churches, industries, etc.; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies; history of Pennsylvania, statistical and miscellaneous matter, etc., etc > Part 73
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 73

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BOROUGHI OF MECHANICSBURG.

town, this county, daughter of C. D. Hertzler. To this union was born one son, Ralph S., who died aged eight months. Mrs. Hauck died in September, 1875, and November 4, 1880, Mr. Hauck married Miss Lou E. Eleoek, born in Siddonsburg, York Co., Penn., daughter of Joseph and Mary ( Brenenian) Elcock, Mechanicsburg. Mrs. Hauck is a member of the Church of God. Mr. Hauck has a beautiful brick residence fitted up in the most modern style, where he and his family reside. Ile is a member of Eureka Lodge, No. 302. A. Y. M .; I. O. O. F. and I. O. O. H., Mechanicsburg. He is one of the leading enterprising represen- tative citizens of Cumberland County, where he has been identified all his life. He has the confidence and respect of all and is known as an honest, upright business gentleman.

BENJAMIN HAVERSTICK, retired farmer, Mechanicsburg, was born on the Co- nostogo River within three miles of Lancaster City, Lancaster Co., Penn., March 2, 1801, son of Michael and Eve (Bender) Haverstiek, natives of Lancaster County. Their par- ents came from Germany. They were members of the German Reformed Church. They had five children-three sons and two daughters: Michael, George, Maria (wife of Socra- tes Myers), Nancy (wife of Adam Kindig) and Benjamin. The subject of our sketch, the youngest, remained on the farm with his father until his marriage, November 28, 1824. with Miss Lydia Meylin, who was born four miles south of Lancaster, Penn., March 8, 1807, daughter of Abraham and Anna (Shank) Meylin, also natives of Lancaster County, and members of the old Mennonite Church. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. llaverstick moved to Cocalico Township, Lancaster Co., Penn., and engaged in farming until April, 1834, when they settled on a farm one mile west of Mechanicsburg, in Silver Spring Township, this county, and there followed agricultural pursuits until 1875. when the farm was rented. They have since resided in Mechaniesburg. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Of the ten children born to this couple, six survive: Anna M., born November 3, 1825, was married, December 29, 1846, to John A. Hensel, since deceased; Iliram A., born November 10, 1828, was married July 4. 1855, to Miss Nancy J. Johnson, and is a farmer in Marion County, Ind .; Benjamin, who married Mary L. Snavely, was a member of a Pennsylvania volunteer regiment under Col. Rush, was wounded and captured by the rebels, and died June 15, 1868, from exposure while in serv- ice: Martin M., married Miss Sarah Jane Wonderly, and residing on a farm in Vernon County, Mo .; Lydia R., married, April 7, 1857, to Dr. William H. Longsdorf, ex-county treasurer, and major of a Pennsylvania cavalry regiment from Cumberland County; Bar- bara Eve, born June 22, 1838, died December 30, 1839; Levi M., married to Miss Emma E. Frantz January 4, 1870, was captain of an infantry company under Col. II. i. Zinn, and was wounded at the battle of Antietam and at Fredericksburg, where his colonel was killed-his widow resides at Rock Island, Ill .; Mary E., married November 28, 1866, to John A. Longsdorf, resides in Mechanicsburg, Penn .; Fannie and Carrie (twins), the for- mer, married to Edward Weibly, died September 30, 1882, aged thirty-six years, four months and four days; the latter. married to William Williamson October 14. 1869, re- sides in Mechanicsburg, Penn. Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Haverstick have been married sixty-one years, and enjoy good health. They stand high in the estimation of all, and are among the few old settlers who have lived to see this county undergo so many in- teresting changes.

JESSE C. HAYS, retired merehant, Mechanicsburg, was boru in Newberrytown, York Co., Penn., July 24, 1818. His grandfather, Jesse Hays, was born in Wales, and came alone to America when a young man, settling in Chester County, Penn., but after- ward moved to York County, same State, and took up large tracts of land in Fishing Creek Valley. He married Miss Margarey Mills. Though Jesse Hays and his wife were at first Methodists, they subsequently became Quakers; their family consisted of three daughters and one son: Lydia, wife of Joseph Willett; Susan, married first to a Mr. Clark, and then to a Mr. Carskaddon; Hannah, a maiden lady, and Mills. Mills Hays. the last-named, was born in Newberrytown, York Co., Penn .. and in early life fol- lowed eoopering. but afterward taught school; served as justice of the peace for eighteen years, and was elected. later, to the office of associate judge of York County, Penn., fill- ing this position for five years. Ile died in 1858, aged seventy-two years; he married Miss Eve Crull, of York County, and had two sons and three daughters, who lived to be men and women, and of whom two daughters and one son are now living: Sidney, widow of William Epley, resides in Newberrytown; Jesse C. and Jane, wife of Samuel P. Har- mon; they reside in Newberrytown, York Co., Penn. Our subject attended school in Newberrytown until he was eighteen, when he began teaching, and after following this profession eight winters engaged in mercantile trade with his father. In 1848 he bought out his father's interest and engaged in business for himself until 1865, when be sold out. He was elected justice of the peace of Newberry Township in 1863, and held that office five years; was also postmaster eight years. In 1869 he came to Mechaniesburg, where he has since resided. Mr. Hays was married, May 13, 1852, to Miss Mary Miller, born in Newberry Township, York Co., Penn., February 15, 1827, daughter of Sam- ucl and Mary (Reeser) Miller, old settlers of York County, and whose parents came from Germany. Mr. Hays attends the Presbyterian Church; Mrs. Ilays is a member of the United Brethren Church. To them have been born two children: Mills M., born in New-

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

berrytown, York Co., Penn., married to Miss Clara Bowers, is a cigar manufacturer, and Mame, at present attending Miss Woodward's school at Harrisburg. Mr. Hays is an enterprising business man and representative citizen of Mechanicsburg, where he has been a resident since 1869. He has a nice residence on West Main Street, where he and his family reside. In politics he is a Democrat.

SAMUEL F. HOUSTON, harness-maker, at present engaged in fly net manufacture, Mechanicsburg, was born September 13, 1833, in Silver Spring Township, this county, on his grandfather's (Michael Saxton's) farm; is a son of James (a farmer) and Mary (Saxton) Houston, also natives of this county, attendants of the Silver Spring Presbyterian Church. They had three sons and one daughter, Samuel F. being the second son and third child. His father dying when our subject was but fonr years of age, the latter was raised by Henry W. Irwin in Silver Spring Township until he was twelve years old, when he was apprenticed to Samuel Fisher to learn the harness-maker's trade, at New Kingston, where he served four years; then traveled west in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and Missouri; then returned to New Kingston and carried on a shop of his own six years (until 1859), when he located in Mechanicsburg, and engaged in the same business here until 1863; then acted as salesman for George De B. Keim, ex-sheriff of Philadelphia, in the hardware business until 1864; then clerked in a dry goods store at Harrisburg until 1866; then formed a part- nership with George Beelman and engaged in the grocery business until the spring of 1871, when he sold out to his partner, and opened a grocery store in Mechanicsburg, con- tinuing this till 1881. In 1882 he established his present net manufacture, where he em- ploys from eight to ten hands, and manufactures over forty different kinds of leather nets. Mr. Houston owns the store building (occupied, the first floor by M. H. Spahr and John A. Kauffman; the second floor by Mechanicsburg Library and Literary Association, John L. Shelly and J. N. Young; the third being lodge rooms of P. S. A. and K. of G. E., respectively), some building lots and his house on Main Street, where he and his family reside. Our subject was married, December 26, 1865, to Miss Sallie A. Beelman, born in Monroe Township, this county, daughter of John and Susan (Coover) Beelman. To this union have been born three sons: J. Milton, born July 2, 1867; Glen R., born June 26, 1871, and George B., born November 26, 1874. Mr. Houston is a member and treasurer of Eureka Lodge, No. 302, F. & A. M., also a member of Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, and member of Samuel C. Perkins Chapter, No. 215, R. A. M., and member of Grand Chapter of Pennsylvania. He has held various offices of trust in Mechanicsburg; was councilman one term, burgess three terms, and was treasurer of Mechanicsburg Loan and Building Association for nine years. The family of Houston is of Scotch-Irish descent, and our subject's ancestors were among the hardy Scotch-Irish people driven out of Ireland on account of their religion, seeking homes in America and settling in Pennsylvania.

GEORGE HUMMEL, grain and coal merchant, Mechanicsburg.

EDWIN W. HURST, leading merchant tailor of Mechanicsburg, was born in Phila- delphia, Penn., December 31, 1829, son of Jacob Bricker and Susan (Hershfeldt) Hurst. Jacob B. Hurst. was born near Dillsburg, York Co., Penn .. son of John and Catharine (Cocklin) Hurst, who were the parents of three sons and four daughters: Edwin W., the eldest; Jacob, a merchant, of Mechanicsburg, Penn .; Lydia, wife of William Spahr, superintendent of the city railway stables, Harrisburg, Penn .; Ellen, wife of William Nel- son, a farmer near Dillsburg, York Co., Penn .; Kate, wife of Robert Mateer, hardware merchant, Harrisburg, Penn .; Templeton B., who married Miss Jennie Lyman, a daugh- ter of Col. Lyman, attorney at Lock Haven, Penn. (he, Templeton B., served all through the war of the Rebellion); Mellie, wife of George W. Hackett, a hardware merchant at Sunbury, Penn. Our subject, when an infant, was brought by his parents to Dillsburg, Penn., where his father engaged in the tailoring and merchant tailoring and was post- master and who later opened a general store. Edwin W. assisted his father, learning the tailoring of him. He was married in August, 1851, in Newville, Penn., to Miss Sarah Mil- Ier, born in Fishing Creek Valley, York Co., Penn., daughter of Henry and Catharine (Roth) Miller; former a son of John Miller. In 1855 our subject went to Philadelphia, Penn., and worked at his trade some ten years, then came to Mechanicsburg and did the merchant tailoring for his father who had opened a dry goods store here. In 1872 he established bis present business here. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. They have six children: Annie C., wife of John P. Eckels, of Decatur, Ill., a traveling salesman for Morehouse, Wells & Co., wholesale hardware dealers, Decatur, Ill .; J. Harry, born in Dillsburg, York Co., Penn., February 21, 1854, married December 23, 1879, to Miss Sarah A. Eberly, born in Upper Allen Township, daughter of Jacob and Mary (Hertzler) Eberly, (he, J. Harry, is a tailor of Mechanicsburg, has had two children, one now living: Hattie Maude Hurst); Ida, who died aged two years; Charles M., hard- ware merchant, junior partner in firm of Morehouse, Wells & Co., and who married Miss Rella Shockley, and resides at Decatur, Ill .; Maude, who died aged eight years; Robert T., born in Mechanicsburg, Penn., died in 1876, aged three years. Our subject is a member of Humane Lodge, 342, I. O. O. F., York County, Penn., and a member of the American Mechanics, and Knights of the Golden Eagle, and Commandery, and a member the G. A. R., Capt. Zinn Post, No. 415. He is an enterprising representative business man, and stands high in the estimation of all who know him.

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BOROUGHI OF MECHANICSBURG.

JACOB HURST (originally spelled Horsh), dry good merchant, Mechanicsburg, is a native of York County, Peun., born at Dillsburg August 13, 1832, son of Jacob B. and Su-an (llerchfeldt) Ilnrst, former of whom born near Dillsburg York Co. Penn., January 7. 1808, was a son of John (who was a farmer) and Catharine (Cocklin) Hurst, who were tbe parents of four sons and three daughters, who lived to be men and women. Jacob B. was raised on a farm until he was fifteen, when he began to learn the tailor's trade with William Gilbethorp; four years later he went to Harrisburg and Philadelphia, and after working at his trade a number of years returned to Dillsburg and opened a tailor shop on his own account in 1831. He afterward (in t855) opened a general store, and in the spring of 1866 came to Mechanicsburg and established the dry goods house of J. B. Hurst & Son. Ile was a director of the First National Bank and a man of high honor and sterling worth. He and his wife were earnest Christians and members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he was elder for a number of years. Jacob B. Hurst stood high in the estima- tion of all as an npright. honest Christian gentleman. He departed this life November 18, 1875; his widow is living in Mechanicsburg. This couple had seven children, three sons and four daughters: Edwin W., a merchant tailor of Mechanicsburg; Jacob, our subject; Lydia B., wife of William A. Spahr, a stock-dealer, residing in Harrisburg; Mary E., wife of William B. Nelson, resides on a farm near, Dillsburg. Penn .; Templeton B., of East Saginaw, Mich,, an ex-soldier from Company H Seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Reserves; Kate M., wife of Robert B. Mateer, a hardware merchant of Harrisburg, Penn. ; Melizena M., wife of George W. Hackett, a hardware merchant of Sunbury, Penn. The subject of our sketch attended school until he was fifteen, then assisted his father in the merchant tailoring and general store at Dillsburg until the fall of 1865, when he came with his father to Mechanicsburg and formed a partnership with him, under the firm name of J. B. Hurst & Son. Three months after his father's death he purchased the entire stock and has since condneted the business alone; he now carries a full line of dry goods and notions, carpets, etc., valued at $17,000. September 5, 1872, Mr. Hurst married Julia Wilson, born in Carlisle, Penn., daughter of Robert and Sarah (Shock) Wilson. To Mr. and Mrs. Hurst have been born two children: Wilson and Corliss. Mrs. Hurst is a mem- ber of the Lutheran Church. Our subject is one of the leading business men of Cumber- land County, and stands high in the estimation of all as an upright business man. The family is of German descent, and is one of the oldest in Pennsylvania.

E. RANKIN HUSTON, the leading painter of the eastern portion of Cumberland County, is a son of William Huston, who was a most excellent farmer and worthy citizen, and on his mother's side a direct descendant of the historic Enders family of Dauphin County. Samuel Huston, the paternal great-grandfather, emigrated from Scotland in the early part of the eighteenth century; was a farmer and settled in what was then East Pennsborough Township, but which is now included in the township of Silver Spring. The tract of land on which the original house was built has been known sinee as the Huston homestead, and ocenpies a pleasant site some three miles north of the village of Hoges- town. llis maternal great-grandmother was Isabella Sharon. Samuel Huston died in 1800, and his widow, Isabella, in 1804. Both are buried in the Pine Hill burying-ground. They had two sons: Jolin and Jonathan. llis paternal grandfather was Jonathan Hus- ton, a farmer, whose wife was Margaret Rankin McIntire, a native of Ireland. They had eleven children: Rebecca Eckels, John, John, Samuel, Samuel, Isabella, Isabell (Shafer- King), William, Jane C. Talbert, Mary Swiler and Margaret Eckels. The father of this family died November 10, 1830, aged seventy years, and the mother, August 24, 1846, aged seventy-six years, and both are buried at Silver Spring. William Huston, the father of our subject, was born on the old homestead, on the original settlement, December 19, 1799. Ile spent his youth on the farm; learned the carpenter's trade, and for a number of years enjoyed quite a reputation as a bridge-builder in the western part of this State. March 29. 1838, he married Mary Ann, daughter of Peter and Catherine Phillips, nee En- ders. William Huston was not only a model farmer and ingenious mechanic, but a gen- tleman of sterling character and great physical endurance. He was a descendant of that class of Scotch-Irish settlers who came into the Cumberland Valley from the eastward, and who have left everywhere the unmistakeable evidence of thrift and enterprise. Per- haps to them more than any other class this portion of the Cumberland Valley owes its su- periority. its fine sense of right and high standard of moral excellence. Ile died April 29, 1883, and his remains repose by the side of his parents, in Silver Spring. Mary A., his wife, was born September 22, 1817. She was a member of Trindle Spring Lutheran Church, and her life bore the testimony of the sincerity of her profession. Gifted by na- ture with qualites which were rare and desirable, she was appreciated by all who knew her. She was amiable and kind, and in the consistency of her life an ornament to Chris- tianity. She died October 7, 1881, and was buried at Silver Spring. They had one daugh- ter, who died in infancy, and one son, E. Rankin Huston, who was born September 28, 1843, at the old homestead, and spent his earlier years on a small farm, one-half mile north of Mechanicsburg. During the winter season he attended the public school of the district until he had mastered all the branches embraced in its curriculum. He subse- quently entered the Pennsylvania College of Trade and Finance, from which he graduat-

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ed in the class of 1867. Afterward he gave himself up to the study of painting and dec- oration, and his marked success evidences the wisdom of his choice. December 4, 1873, he married Mary E., youngest daughter of Daniel and Margaret (Wcibley) Walters, who was born January 22, 1850. Two children are the results of this union; Carrie I., born September 11, 1874, and Mary E., born August 10, 1878. Mr. Huston has resided in Me- chanicsburg since 1872, and is held in deservedly high esteem by his fellow-townsmen. Ile is a member of Eureka Lodge, No. 302, F. & A. M .; treasurer of Samuel C. Perkins Chapter, No. 209, R. A. M., of Mechanicsburg; St. John's Commandery, No. 8, K. T .. of Carlisle; Grand Il. R. A. Chapter of Pennsylvania; Mechanicsburg Lodge, No. 215, I. O. O. F. Ilis great-grandparents on his maternal side were Jacob and Mary Phillips, who were born in Germany and immigrated to Pennsylvania. Jacob Phillips was a soldier in the Revolutionary war three years; was wounded in the head and face, and died in 1783. Mary, his widow, died in 1807. and both are buried in the Catholic cemetery at Carlisle. Peter Phillips, his grandfather, was born in Cumberland County May 8, 1781. In his younger days he learned the carpenter's trade. Ile enlisted as a private in the war of 1812. His eminent qualities as a soldier were fitly recognized in his rapid promotion, having become, soon after entering the service, first lieutenant. Ile participated in the battles of Chippewa, Lundy's Lane. and various other engagements with the English and their Indian allies, narrowly escaping on several occasions from falling in the hands of the savage foe. He was wounded by Indians lying in ambush. Returning to his home in the fall of 1814, he again resumed his trade. April 6. 1806, he married Catharine, daughter of Philip C. and Anna Enders. She was born March 18, 1783, in Lancaster County, and died November 28, 1844, and is buried near Belleville, Ohio, leaving behind her tender memories of her kindness of heart and graces of character. Peter Phillips died October 5, 1860, and was buried at Trindle Spring Church. The Enders family, of which our subject is a lineal descendant, was quite distinguished in the part of Germany in which it resided. Philip C. Enders, the great-grandfather of E. Rankin Huston, was born July 22, 1740. in Braunsigweilen, Germany. After completing his education he entered the military serv- ice of his sovereign, and participated in numerous battles of the seven years' war. For gallantry and other soldierly qualities he was promoted to a captaincy in the royal cavalry, He resigned his commission, and on May 13, 1764, married Anna, a daughter of Conrad Degen, and a few months later came to America. His first settlement was in Philadel- phia, and later he moved to Lancaster County. In 1788 he purchased a tract of over 1,300 acres in Upper Paxton, Dauphin County, and moved there with his family, where he con- tinued to reside until his death, February 26, 1810. Anna, his wife, died in 1796. He was in many respects a remarkable man, and has left his mark on the subsequent history of Dauphin County. He was the founder of Fetterhoff's Church, erected the first saw - mill in the valley, organized and taught the first school in that section of country, and was the leading spirit in all public enterprises. It is thus seen the family of which E. Rankin Huston is a representative, is one of the original and leading families of this part of the State, and closely identified with all movements of its general prosperity.

JAMES S. HUSTON, inventor, farmer and manufacturer, Mechanicsburg, is a great- grandson of Samuel Huston, who was born in Ireland, and came to America when a young man, settling in Pennsylvania, where he married. His son, Samuel, born in Cumberland County, Penn., in 1776, married Miss Nancy Clendenin, and had five sons: Samuel, Robert, William, John and James (twins). They were members of the old Presbyterian Church at Silver Spring. Of their children James was born in Silver Spring Township, this county, became a farmer, and in the course of time married Miss Mary Saxton, who bore him four children-three sons and one danghter: John, Sarah, Samuel F. and James S. The subject of our sketch, who is the youngest, was but two years old when his father died; he then went to live with his uncle, William Saxton, and remained with him work- ing on the farm and attending school until he was sixteen. when he was apprenticed to the harness-making trade at New Kingston, this county, for three years: thence went to Hoges- town, but after one year returned to New Kingstown, and two years later moved to Woos- ter, Ohio, but in a short time came to Mechanicsburg and opened a harness shop. In 1869 he invented the Huston fly net used by the Huston Fly Net Company of Mechaniesburg, and also invented the Huston Net No. 2. used by I. C. Deihl, of Shippensburg, Penn. He then engaged in the manufacture of fly nets until 1881, when he sold out and embarked in farming and milling, purchasing the Boucher Mill at Hogestown, which was burned in September, 1885. June 15, 1856, Mr. Huston married Miss Sarah Huntsburger, born in Lower Allen Township, this county, daughter of Jonas and Leab (Tyson) Huntsburger, and to this union have been born four children, one living-Arthur J .- born in Mechan- icsburg May 25, 1865. They are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Huston is an enterprising business man; starting in life without a cent he deserves much credit for his success. His grandfather, Samuel Houston (or Huston) and Samuel Houston, the founder of Houston, Tex., were cousins.

LEVI KAUFFMAN, deceased (see portrait). Prominent among the honored dead of Cumberland County there is none more worthy of representation than the subject of this sketch. His family have, from a very early date, been closely

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BOROUGH OF MECHANICSBURG.

identified with the history of Pennsylvania. Christian Kauffman, his great-grand- father, immigrated to America from Germany about 1730, and settled in Manor Township, Lancaster Co., Penn., where he died March 1, 1799. Ile was married to Bar- bara Bear, whose death occurred January 12, 1801. They had six children, of whom Isaac, the second son and grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Manor Township, Lancaster Co., Penn., in 1762, and died January 4, 1826. In the year 1786 he mar- ried Catharine Baughman, who died July 9, 1833. Their youngest son, the Hon. Andrew 1. Kauffman, father of Levi Kauffman, was born August 24. 1802, at the old homestead in Manor Township, Lancaster County, and spent the greater part of his life in that town- ship. He represented Lancaster County in the House of Representatives in the State Legislature, and was closely associated with Hon. Thaddeus Stevens and Hlou. Thomas 1[. Burrows, in the establishment of our justly prized common school system. In 1850 he became a resident of Cumberland County, and in 1853 removed to Mechanicsburg, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits, and continued therein until his death, which occurred December 14, 1861. Andrew 1. Kauffman was married, March 24, 1825, to Catharine Shu- man, who was born July 16, 1806, and was the only daughter of Christian Shuman, of Manor Township, Lancaster Co., Penn. She died at Mechanicsburg May 18, 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