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 75

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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 75
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 75

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JAMES MCALLISTER RALSTON, retired, Mechanicsburg, is a descendant of the Ralstons and McAllisters, two of the oldest families of Cumberland County and Pennsyl- vania. Among those hardy Scotch-Irish Presbyterians who, on account of religious op- pression, sought homes in western Pennsylvania, was Andrew Ralston, who located at Big Spring, near Newville, this county, as early as 1728. He was a native of County Ar- magh, Ireland, and came over to America at the outset of the Scotch emigration. Shortly after the opening of the land office he applied for a warrant, stating that he had

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occupied the land "ye past eight years." A license was directed to be issued, and below is given a verbatim copy, as in the original, in this connection: "Lancaster Co S S, by order of the proprietary-these are to license and allow Andrew Ralston to continue to improve and dwell on a tract of 200 acres of land on the Great Spring, a branch of the Conedogwainet, joyning to the upper side of a tract granted to Randel Chambers for the use of his son James Chambers, to be hereafter surveyed to the s'd Ralston on the common terms other lands in those parts are sold, provided the same has not been already granted to any other person, and so can be had without prejudice to other traets before granted. Given under my hand this third day of January Ano: Dom: 1736-7-SA: Blunston. Pen- slvania, S. S. "Endorsed:" License to Andrew Ralston-200 acres-this land was suhse- quently surveyed to him by the surveyor of Lancaster County, Samuel Blunston." There is no date of the death of Andrew Ralston. He left three daughters and two sons. One of his daughters married one Hayes, another married one Mickey. David Ralston, the eldest son, remamed at Big Spring on his father's farm. He was twice married, first to a Miss Scott, secondly to a Miss Mcclintock; both wives died at Big Spring. He removed to Westmoreland County, Penn., in 1806, and died there, in 1810, near Greensburg. By his first wife David Ralston had the following named children: Elizabeth, married to Thomas Jacob; Jane first married to a Mr. Donald and second time to Mr. Taylor; Eleanor, married to Mr. Miller; James, married to Ruth Carson; Andrew, married to Miss Kirkpatrick. By his second wife David Ralston had the following named children : Agnes, married to Mr. Allsworth; Margaret, married to Mr. Moorhead; Ann, married to Mr. Banks; Mary, unmarried; Sarah, unmarried, and David, Jr. His son, David Ralston, was born at Big Spring, near Newville, this county, September 26, 1784; married Miss Lacey McAllister; he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church; they had four children: James McAllister, born near Newville, this county, January 14, 1823; David, Andrew, Mary E., wife of David Line. The father of these children died March 8, 1849, and the mother in 1863 in her seventy-third year. James McAllister Ralston, the eldest child, was raised on a farm, and when in his seventeenth year (in 1839) moved with his parents to the old farm (now owned by him) four miles west of Carlisle, and which was located by his great-grandfather. Archibald McAllister, 1728, who purchased over 1,000 acres of land on both sides of McAllister Spring from William Penn. The old foundation of the second mill built west of the Susquehanna River 120 years ago is on the above tract. He, Archibald McAllister, married Miss Jean McClure, near Carlisle, and their children were as follows: Daniel, who settled in West Virginia; John and James, who went to Sa- vannah, Ga., and settled where Fort McAllister now stands; Richard, who laid out the town of Hanover, York Co., Penn., which was called McAllister until changed to Han- over, about 1825; Archibald, settled at Fort Hunter above Harrisburg, in Danphin County, now called Rockville about 1750; Mary, married to Mr. MeKnight; Jean, married to Mr. Ormsby, and settled in what is now Pittsburgh; and another married Mr. Williamson, and Andrew. The last named, Andrew McAllister, was born in the old McAllister farm in 1731. He married Miss Margaret Young, a daughter of James Young, and both husband and wife died in 1804, aged seventy-three and sixty-one, respectively. The children of An- drew and Margaret (Young) MeAllister were: Elizabeth, wife of James Parker and who moved to Lexington, Ky., in 1800; Jean, married to Joseph Pierce, they settled in this county; Mary, married to Thomas MeIntire; Archibald, unmarried; Margaret, who went with her eldest sister to Lexington, Ky., and married a Mr. Calhoun; James, unmarried, who resided on the old farm; Sarah, who died unmarried; Eleanor, uumarried: Lydia, married to Joseph Jacob; and Lacey, the youngest, who, as above stated, married David Ralston, the father of James McAllister Ralston, the subject of this sketch. During the last three days of June, 1863, Johnston's division of Gen. Ewell's corps of the Rebel Army encamped on the McAllister (now J. Mc. Ralston's) farm, and was then ordered to proceed directly twenty-five miles south, to participate in the battle of Gettysburg. Ewell's divis- ion contained the " Louisiana Tigers," and also the Virginia artillery.

LEVI MERKEL (deceased) founder of the First National Bank, Mechanicsburg, is deserving of more than a passing notice in this work, as a man of noble principles, one who stood high in the estimation of all, a good neighbor and friend, and an upright, hon- est business man and Christian gentleman. He held many important trusts during life, and was the financial counselor of the widow and orphan. The inexperienced sought his advice, for he was kind-hearted and true, and had the entire confidence and respect of all. Upon the organization of the common sehool system he became its warm friend, and held the position of school director for many years. In the constitutional convention of 1838 he voted against the use of the word "white" in the constitution, for which he was mueh censured at the time, but lived to see the signature of the President of the United States appended to the emancipation proclamation. In the same convention the resolu- tion restraining the power of the banks was fought step by step by the adherents and tools of the United States Bank, which had become a Pennsylvania State institution. and they left no stone unturned to seeure its defeat or postponement. It passed by the decid- ing vote of Mr. Merkel, who voted against his own political partisans-principle with him was everything, poliey nothing. The wisdom of this vote was soon demonstrated in the

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history of the bank. Among his effects is a book containing the signatures of every mem- ber of the convention, with marginal notes, showing the age and birthplace of each, his business or occupation, ete. His prominent characteristic was his rigid adherence to principle and to his convictions of what was right. On this ground he judged men, on it he made his friends. Deception was not in his nature, in business he was exact; in judg- ment clear and sound, in language always chaste, in habits frugal, in affection strong hut undemonstrative, in religion firm in faith in an all-ruling Providence. He wrote fre- quently for publication in religious papers, and his articles were full of strong argument and beautiful thoughts. Ile was born near Ephrata, Lancaster Co., Penn., May 2, 1803, the only child of Jacob and Mary (Carpenter) Merkel, natives of Lancaster County, Penn., descendants of two of the oldest families of that county, and died at Carlisle, Penn., on September 20, 1876. He was but four years of age when the family moved to what is now Lower Allen Township, where he remained on the farm, attending school and teaching until his marriage, on November 27, 1828, with Miss Susanna Martin, who was born on October 13, 1810, on her father's farm near Shiremanstown (which adjoined that of her husband's father). She was the daughter of David and Barbara (Hessin) Mar- tin. They remained on the farm until the spring of 1858, when they moved to Mechan- icsburg. To this union were born five sons and four daughters, of whon five children are living: David R., a professor of music (at present engaged in farming on the old home- stead farm in Lower Allen Township), married to Miss Sarah Eberly; Mary C., wife of C. B. Niesley, a produce and grain merchant, Mechaniesburg; Barbara II., wife of Jolin B. Landis, Esq., at Carlisle; Naomi S., who resides at the home of her mother; James Weir, a banker, married to Miss Lilla A. Irvine, of Elmira, N. Y. The daughters are all mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church.

JOSEPHI MILLEISEN, coal and lumber dealer, Mechanicsburg, was born in Lower Paxton Township, four miles east of Harrisburg, Dauphin Co., Penn., September 19. 1813, on the old homestead of his father, where he remained until his marriage, in Feb- ruary, 1844, with Miss Barbara, daughter of Christian and Mary (Brookhart) Martin, of Cumberland County. Mr. Milleisen, in February. 1845, came to Mechanicsburg, where he engaged in the grain and produce trade until 1859, when he established his present coal and lumber business. Our subject has been actively identified with the best interests of Mechanicsburg. He, with Dr. Ira Day, Jacob Mumma, S. P. Gorgas, John Brandt and George Bilner organized the water and gas company which supplies the town. He was elected and served as treasurer of the Gas and Water Company for three years, when, retiring, his son, John, was elected in his stead. He has also held other local offices of trust in Mechanicsburg, and is a director of the Mechanicsburg & Dillsburg Railroad. The Milleisens are, as the name indicates, of German deseent, and are members of the Re- formed Church at Mechanicsburg. To our subject and wife were born seven children, four of whom are living, and all were born in Mechanicsburg: George C., John J., Alfred W. and Martin. George C., born January 24, 1847, married Miss Mary, daughter of John and Frances (Bowman) Baker, who was born near Churchtown, this county, and to this union were born two children: Fanny and Joseph. George C. lost his first wife by death in 1872, and November 29, 1874, he married Miss Emma, daughter of Conrad Kime, of Cumberland County. He is now in partnership with his father in the lumber and coal business, under the firm name of Milleisen & Son. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Mechanicsburg Lodge, No. 215, Wildey Encampment, No. 39, and a member of the Im- proved Order of Heptasophs, J. H. Conclave. No. 105 Mechanicsburg. John J., second son of our subject, learned the druggist business, but was afterward appointed station agent at Mechanicsburg for the Cumberland Valley R. R., which position he filled for three years, when, after a short time passed in Shippensburg, he engaged in mercantile business at Topeka, Kas., and in 188I was persuaded by Mr. Talmadge, general manager of the Wa- bash & St. Louis Railroad, to accept a position on this road, with headquarters at Jack- sonville, Ill ; he married Miss Jennie, daughter of John Thompson. Alfred W., of the firm of Milleisen & Keefer, is engaged in the hardware business here; is a mason and mem- ber of the I. O. O. F. and Heptasoph societies; he married Miss Ida, daughter of Henry G. Rupp, of Mechanicsburg. Martin is first teller in the Second National Bank of Mechan- icsburg. Joseph Milleisen is one of the active and energetic business men of Cumberland County, with which he has been identified for a period of nearly half a century. In poli- tics lie was first a Whig, but on the rise of the Republican party became a Republican, and has since given that party his support. His brother Jacob is still living (the third gener- ation of this family) on the old homestead in Paxton Township, Dauphin Co., Penn.

DAVID MILLER, grain and coal merchant, Mechanicsburg, was born May 14, 1825, on the old homestead farm of his father in Windsor Township, fourteen miles north of Reading. Berks Co., Penn. His parents, George and Mollie (Raver) Miller, natives of Berks County, were members of the Lutheran Church; they had a family of eight chil- dren-five sons and three daughters. David, the second son and child, worked on his father's farm, attending school during the winters, until he was seventeen, when he went to Leesport, Berks Co., Penn., and began to learn the trade of miller. After remaining here three years and three months he attended school at Reading six months. He then

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rented a water-mill on Maiden Creek, Maiden Creek Township, Berks Co. (before he was twenty-one), and operated the mill three years; then he returned to Leesport and here formed a partnership with William Major and bought the steam-mill (in which Mr. Mil- ler learned his trade) some twelve months later. Mr. Miller sold his interest to his part- ner, and in the fall of 1853 came to Mechanicsburg, this county, and built the steam flouring-mill now owned by the Cumberland Valley Railroad Company, and used as a warehouse. Mr. Miller operated this mill some seven years, in partnership with E. Zook two years; then Mr. Zook sold his interest to Moses Eherly, and in 1861 Mr. Eberly pur- chased Mr. Miller's interest. Our subject then engaged in the grain business, and some four years later began to handle coal in connection with same. Mr. Miller was married, October 18, 1852, to Miss Leah Forney, born in Berks County, Penn., daughter of John and Lydia (Hartzler) Forney, natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the Lutheran Church. They have had seven children, three now living: Samuel F., clerking for his father, married to Miss Sallie Landers; Lillie, residing with her parents; Annie M., wife of John Planck, dry goods merchant of Carlisle. Mr. Miller is a member of Eureka Lodge, No. 302, F. & A. M .; is one of the directors of the Second Na- tional Bank, and is one of Mechanicsburg's enterprising representative business men, and stands high in the estimation of all who know him as an honorable citizen and Christian gentleman. He is of Scotch and German descent; his great-grandfather came from Scotland. Mr. Miller now owns and runs a flour-mill two miles south of Shermanstown, York County (it is a mill of fifty barrels per day capacity), and a farm of fifty acres-the mill stands in the center of the farm-and a dwelling-house in Mechanicsburg, and a warehouse for handling grain.

DAVID R. MILLER, proprietor of Miller's Sash, Door and Blind Factory, Mechanics- burg, was born on the old family farm in Silver Spring Township, this county, July 15, 1829, son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Shupe) Miller, natives of Silver Spring Township, this county, and Dauphin County, Penn., respectively. Abraham Miller, who was a farmer and distiller, a son of John Miller, was born in Germany, and came to Lancaster County, Peun., and afterward to Silver Spring Township, this county. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran Church. They had five sons. David R., the eldest, re- mained on the farm and attended schood during the winters until he was apprenticed three years to learn the carpenter's trade, and contracting and building, in which he con- tinued until 1848, when he began to work in the sash, door and blind factory of Seidle & Eberly. Soon afterward he became foreman, and remained with this company until 1852. He then worked at his trade in Franklin, Cumberland and Dauphin Counties until 1863, when he, with F. Seidle, Samuel Eberly and others commenced bridge-building for the Government. Then he worked in George Frullinger's factory, Harrisburg, and at carpen- tering in Mechanicsburg until 1867. when he, with three others, huilt a sash, door and blind factory. A short time after, Mr. Miller and S. B. King formed a partnership, pur- chased the factory, and continued doing business under the firm name of Miller & King until March, 1884, when James Fulton purchased Mr. King's interest, and soon after Mr. Miller purchased Mr. Fulton's interest, and has since conducted the business alone. In May, 1852, Mr. Miller married Miss Frances Brownewell, a native of Roxbury, Silver Spring Township, this county, daughter of Henry and Barbara (Baker) Brownewell, natives of Silver Spring Township, this county, and Adams County, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members, the former of the Lutheran and the latter of the Reformed Church. They have three children: John H., assisting his father in the factory; Barbara E., at home with her parents; and David J. L. Mr. Miller has been elected councilman by the people of Mechanicsburg two terms. He is a member of the Mechanicsburg Lodge, No. 215, I. O. O. F. He is a self-made man, and learned early to depend on his own resources for a living. He started without a cent, but went bravely to work, and by hard work, honest dealing and close application to business has made life a success.

JEREMIAH H. MORRET, proprietor of the "National Hotel," Mechanicsburg, is a native of Cumberland County, born in Churchtown, Monroe Township, June 20, 1837, and is a descendant of one of the oldest families in Pennsylvania. His grandfather, Michael Morret, born in this county, was a blacksmith of Newburg, where he died; he was the parent of four sons and three daughters: William, the third son, was boru in Newburg, learned the blacksmith trade and when a young man moved to Churchtown and opened a shop there; he married Miss Sarah A., daughter of Adam and Polly Diller, and had two sons and three daughters: ' Alfrida A., wife of Jacob Beistline, a farmer at Oaks' Point, this county; Jeremiah H .; Hezekiah, married to Angeline Harmon, lives in Frank- lin County, Penn. : Lucilla, widow of Edward Westhaver, is a milliner at Mechanicsburg; Mary J., wife of John Slonaker, an employe of the Cumberland Valley R. R. Company. Mr. and Mrs. William Morret were members of the Lutheran Church. When Jeremiah H. Morret was but three years old he moved with his parents to a mile north of Locust Point, where he learned blacksmithing of his father, and there remained until November, 1862, when he became a member of Company A, One Hundred and Fifty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. Ten months later he was mustered out and then returned to his home near Locust Point. In the spring of 1863 he went to New Kingston and there

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learned the painter's trade; three years later he moved to Carlisle, Penn., and clerked in the " Thudium louse" until December, 1867, when he clerked for John J. Ringwalt in the "American House " until March 1, 1868, when he went to New Kingston and ran a hotel, eating-house and livery stable. Five years later he came to Mechanicsburg and here clerked for Mr. Ringwalt in the " American House," until July, 1884, when he opened his present hotel, on Main Street, a three-story brick building containing twenty-six rooms, fine large drawing-room, parlor and sample rooms. Mr. Morret was married, March 16, 1874, to Miss Rachael Daugherty, born in Upper Allen Township, this county, daughter of George and Mary (Stallsmith) Daugherty. To this union have been born two sons and one daughter : Jennie, William aud Herman. Mr. Morret is a member of II. 1. Zinn Post, G. A. R., No. 415, Mechanicsburg. Politically he is a Democrat. He is a perfect gentleman and an admirable host. His hotel is a model of neatness.

IION. HENRY G. MOSER (deceased), late member of the Legislature, and associate judge of Cumberland County, and whose portrait appears in this volume, was born in Berks County. Penn., February 22, 1813. His family was one of the oldest and most prominent in Berks County. His father, Jacob Moser, born in that county, a farmer by occupation, married Miss Elizabeth Gresh, of Berks County, a daughter of George Gresb. Jacob and Elizabeth (Gresh) Moser were of German deseent, members of the Lutheran Church. Their family consisted of four sons and seven daughters, Hon. Ilenry G. being the eldest. Our subject worked at farming, attending school in the winter in Amity Township, Berks County, and it is said that his desire for knowledge was so great that he would carry a slate and pencil to the field. and there sit on his plow. while resting, and would figure out some difficult problems. In this manner he obtained his education, and at the age of seventeen or eighteen he began teaching school in Berks County, a profes- sion he followed until 1835, when he became manager and clerk for the Glasgow Iron Works (consisting of forge, furnace, mill and farm. near Pottstown, Montgomery Co., Penn .. ) continuing there until 1837, when he came to this county and took charge of the Iron Works, known as Liberty Forge, near Lisburn, and was one of those who purchased the works. In 1846 he became sole owner of this property. In 1852 he sold a half interest to I. L. Boyer, his brother-in-law, and in 1852 sold out bis interest to Mr. Boyer; but in 1858 he became a partner with him, continuing in that relationship until 186-1, when he again sold out to Mr. Boyer, and retired from business. In 1865 he removed to Mechan -. icsburg, where he died May 20, 1884. In 1853 Mr. Moser was nominated and elected a Democratic representative to the Legislature by the people of Cumberland County; was also elected and served as associate judge of this county five years, and was the last asso- ciate judge of the county under the Constitution of 1837. Le held various other offices of trust. Ile was for a number of years a director of the Harrisburg Bridge Company; a di- rector of the First National Bank of Mechanicsburg, the Gas & Water Company, and the Mechanicsburg & Dillsburg Railway Company; was also president and treasurer of the Allen and East Pennsborough Society for the Recovery of Stolen Horses and Mules, and the Detection of Thieves. He was a recognized leader, and his judgment at all times was fair and impartial. A man of great natural ability and force of character, he had the confi- dence and respect of all. and his opinion was greatly sought and much valued; he was practical, self-reliant, cautious and slow at arriving at conclusions, but prompt and ener- getic in the execution of his designs. Mr. Moser came to this county a young man with very limited means, but at his death was one of the wealthiest men in his county, having accumulated a fortune, not by speculation, but by' careful business habits, wise invest- ments and strict economy. While he was an active and successful business man, he did not permit these relations to crowd out his duties as a citizen and a Christian. He was warmly attached to the Lutheran Church, as were his ancestors, and to it he was a liberal and generous contributor both of his means and influence, as well as to such other relig- ions and social movements as met with his approval. Our subject was married twice; first, November 6, 1838, to Miss Ester Ann Lorah, of Amity Township, Berks Co., Penn., a most estimable, Christian lady, to whom, as a helpmate, Mr. Moser attributed much of his success in life. She died February 10, 1876, having had no children. His second mar- riage was June 13, 1878, with Miss Margaret J. Urich, who was born in Upper Allen Town- ship, this county, daughter of Jacob B. and Sarah (Ayers) Urich, old settlers of Cumber- land County. Mr. and Mrs. Moser had two children: Ruth, born October 13, 1879, and Margaret, horn November 13, 1881. They reside with their mother io Mechanicsburg. Mrs. Moser is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Dillsburg.

JACOB MUMMA, retired farmer, Mechanicsburg, was born six miles east of Harris- burg. in Swatara Township, Dauphin Co., Penn., September 14, 1809. Ilis parents, John and Elizabeth (Frantz) Mumma, were natives of Pennsylvania, and members of the Men- nonite Church. They bad a family of four sons and two daughters. Jacob, the second son and third child, remained on the farm with his father until his marriage, January 19, 1832, with Miss Elizabeth Nissley, born in Dauphin County, Penn., daughter of Martin and Elizabeth (Kreider) Nissley. Mr. and Mrs. Mumma moved to Lancaster County, Penn., in 1835, and engaged in farming until 1839, and there Mrs. Mumma died March 20, 1836. The family consisted of two sons and one dangbter: Martin, who resides on the

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old homestead farm of his father, one-half mile north of Mechanicsburg; John, who re- sides on a l'arm a mile south of Mechanicsburg, and Anna, wife of Levi Musselman, re- sides on a farm three miles southeast of Mechanicsburg. In the spring of 1839 Jacob Mumma came to Cumberland County and bought a farm in Monroe Township, afterward purchasing the old homestead farm in Silver Spring Township. Our subject was married on second occasion December 1, 1836, to Mrs. Catharine Rupp, born in Cumberland County, daughter of John and Anna (Snavely) Eberly, and who died May 1, 1861, the mother of six children, four living: Jacob E., farmer and stock dealer; Amos, a miller in Upper Allen Township; Eli, farmer in Upper Allen Township; Eliza, wife of Christian Hertzler, a farmer in Hampden Township. Mr. Mumma married September 25, 1862. His present wife, Mrs. Mary Hertzler was born in Lancaster Connty, Penn., daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Kauffman) Schoph. To this union has been born one daughter, Emma, who resides with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Mumma are members of the Mennonite Church at State Hill. Mr. Mumma is one of the founders of what is now the First Na- tional Bank of Mechanicsburg (the others are Levi Merkel, deceased, who had established a private bank, John Brandt, John Sadler, Levi Eberly, Samuel Eberly, Jacob Eberly, John Niesley, Solomon P. and William R. Gorgas). Mr. Mumma is one of the solid re- tired business men whose life has been one of interest and success, and has been identified with the county since 1839. lle is of German descent and his ancestors were among the earliest pioneers of Pennsylvania, his great-great-grandfather having come from Switzer- land to this country to settle in Lancaster County, Penn., as early as 1731.

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

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