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 82

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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 82
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 82

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455

BOROUGH OF NEWVILLE.

IIill), Antietam, Kelly's Ford, Stoneman's cavalry raid in rear of Lee's army, the cavalry fight at Culpeper, where he had a narrow escape. He was on the left of the skirmish line, when he was ordered by Col. Horace Binney Sargent, in command, to give report to two officers on a hill. a short distance away, whom he supposed to be Gens. Gregg and McIntosh. Young Wagner told the colonel they were rebel officers, but was not believed, the colonel sending his own orderly after him. On reaching and saluting the group he found his suspicions verified, and was ordered to dismount, but instead he struck spurs to his horse, threw himself flat on the animal's back, and galloped back amid a shower of bullets. The orderly, who was behind him, sat ereet, and was literally riddled with bullets. The next fight he was in was at Sulphur Springs; then Auburn, Bristow Station, Salem, Upper- ville, and in all the cavalry skirmishes on the march to Gettysburg, at which place he was wounded by a piece of rebel shell while fighting the rebel cavalry under Wade Hampton and Fitzhugh Lee. On recovering he rejoined his command, near the Rappahannock, and was in the advance when Grant crossed the Rapidan, and then took part in all the fights in the Wilderness, at Spottsylvania, North Anna River, Cold Harbor, and the differ- ent skirmishes in front of Petersburg. He was with the Army of the Potomac until mus- tered ont, as stated, by expiration of term, when he returned home, a veteran, barely twenty-one years of age, having seen more service than fell to the lot of many a soldier. He was then elected book-keeper of the First National Bank of Newville, which he re- signed July 1, 1868, to engage in the grain and lumber business. This he disposed of in July, 1884, when he bought the "Keller Mill," at the head of Big Spring, which he remod- eled, making it one of the most complete roller flour-mills in the State. This he is still engaged in. In 1882 he was a candidate for nomination for State Senator in the district composed of Cumberland and Adams Counties, under the Crawford County system, against two veteran journalists of the county, when he received 600 more votes than both combined, and was elected after a memorable contest over James W. Bosler. His term will expire January 1, 1887. In 1866 Mr. Wagner married Laura E., daughter of John M. Woodburn. of Newville. They have eight children: Charles W., Jennie E., Annie L., Sallie G., George B., Walter E .. Samuel C., Jr., and Thomas II., in ages from eighteen to four years. Mr. Wagner is a Knight Templar, belonging to St. John's Commandery of Carlisle, and to Big Springs Lodge, No. 361, of Newville. He is also a member of Cavalry Post, No. 35, G. A. R., of Philadelphia. A gallant soldier, a pure politician, and an upright business man, he deserves the honors put upon him by his neighbors. In politics he is a Democrat.

MUHLENBERG WILLIAMS, attorney, Newville, is a son of John Williams, who was born in Middlesex Township (then North Middleton) in May, 1808, and who was a son of Henry Williams, of Lebanon County, but who removed to North Middleton some years after his marriage. He had ten children, viz .: Ilenry, who was married to Elizabeth Zook, and who died in North Middleton, leaving no issue; David, who lived all his life on part of the old homestead, married and died there; Frederick, who was a farmer, inherit- ed a part of the old farm, married Susan Rheem, and died, leaving a son, Thomas, who is farming the same place; Rudolph, who is now a druggist in Columbia, Penn .; Jacob, who was a cripple, was never married, and died on the farm; Thomas, who died before attain- ing his majority; Samuel, who lived on the old homestead, which he afterward sold, and then removed to North Middleton, where he died in 1885; Catherine, widow of Michael Wise, of North Middleton, and now living in Carlisle; Elizabeth, wife of George Hetrich, of Franklin County, where she died; and John, the youngest of the family and father of our subject, who learned the drug trade and went into business at Newville, where he con- tinued a number of years. He afterward gave this up, and bought a farm close to the borough, on which he has since lived. In 1832 he was married to Susan R., daughter of George Wise, farmer of North Middleton Township, whose connection is very large. They had twelve children, viz. : David W., who is married to Miss Adeline Knettle; Muhlenberg, our subject; Eleanor. unmarried and living with her parents; John, who died in infancy; Mary, wife of Jonas D. Huntzberger, of Newville; Catherine, wife of George Lehman, of West Pennsborough Township; Susan R., wife of Samuel E. Heberlig, of West Pennsbor- ough Township; Jennie, wife of John D. Brehm, living in Newton Township; Martha, wife of David S. De Haven, living in Newville; Rudolph, married to Charlotte S. Faber, and living in Newville; Lueretia, unmarried, living with her parents: Maggie N., wife of J. Hess, residing in Osborne, Mo. In his youth, Muhlenberg worked on his father's farm in summer, going to school during winter, until twenty-one years of age, and the last two winters he attended the academy in Newville, of which Rev. Robert McCachran was princi- pal. He then taught school three sessions, and studied law in the office of William H. Miller, Esq., of Carlisle, where he was admitted to the bar November 14, 1860, being ex- amined and recommended by Hon. Frederick W. Watts, Lemuel Todd and A. B. Sharpe, Esqs. After he was admitted he began the practice of his profession at Newville, where he has remained. May 23, 1872, he was married to Miss Lydia E., daughter of William M. Scouller, of Mifflin Township, and has five children, viz .: Jolin, Nellie, William Seouller, Lydia Belle and May. Mr. Williams has been identified largely with the politics of his township, borough and county. He has been school director of the township three years,

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

and of the borough nine years; auditor three years. In 1866 he was appointed assistant assessor of Division No. 10, of the Fifteenth Collection District of Pennsylvania, which of- fice he held during the Johnson administration, and was elected to the Legislature in 1872. He bears the reputation of being a skillful, adroit practitioner, who has the interest of his clients very much at heart. He is rated as one of the ablest members of the bar of Cum- berland County.

CHAPTER XLII.

BOROUGH OF SHIREMANSTOWN.

JOHN R. BAKER. carriage-maker, Shiremanstown, was born October 20, 1845, and is a son of John S. Baker, now living near Shepherdstown, Upper Allen Township, where John R. was boru. The elder Baker was born in York County, Penn., in 1813, where he lived with his parents, until he came to this county, over forty years, settling on the place where he now lives. The family consists of the father (the mother is but a few months deceased), three sons and two daughters. John R., who is the second son, lived at home until he was ten years of age, when he went to his grandfather's for three years. There he was hired out until he joined the Union Army in the spring of 1862, when but sixteen years of age, a volunteer in the Eighty-seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, in the Army of the Potomac, in which he saw a great deal of service. He participated in the battle of Winchester, the battles in the Wilderness, Mine Run, Spottsyl- vania Court House, Cold Harbor, the capture of the Weldon Railroad, the battles of Cedar Creek and Monocacy River, the siege and capture of Petersburg and the final fight at Appomattox. His time had expired a few days before this last event, but he preferred to stay and see the war out. Though hut a boy be became a veteran, and in spite of the many battles in which he participated. beside skirmishes innumerable, he never received a wound. . On the field of Appomattox he got his well-earned honorable discharge, and afterward, with the rest of his comrades of the historic Army of the Potomac, was mus- tered out of the service at Washington. On his return home he apprenticed himself to John Palmer, of Mechanicsburg, to learn carriage painting. In 1872 he and his brother Henry established a carriage factory at Camp Hill, in East Pennshorough Township. Here they remained for eight years, when John R. bought Henry's interest, and after staying there one year more, removed to Shiremanstown, where he has been engaged in the business ever since, building up a large and constantly increasing trade by honest work. He was mar- ried, in 1867, to Annie. daughter of Simon Dean, of Mechanicsburg. and they have seven children-two boys and five girls. Mr. Baker is a member of the Winding Hill Reformed Mennonite Church, and among his fellow men bears a well-deserved reputation as a man of probity whose word can always be relied upon, for what he promises he will perform. Yet a young man, a long and honorable career lies before him.

DR. W. SCOTT BRUCKHART, Shiremanstown, was born March 10, 1848, uear Colum- bia, Lancaster Co .. Penn. His father was born on the same farm, and his grandfather in the same neighborhood. His great-grandfather was one of a colony which came to this country from Switzerland early in the last century, coming directly to Philadelphia, Penn. From there the party went to Virginia, but shortly after returned to York and Lancaster Coun- ties, where many of their descendants are yet to be found; here he engaged in farming, as did his son, the father of our subject, latter acquiring a competence by his industry. Our subject's father and mother still live on the original farm; he is also interested in mining enterprises in Chestnut Hill District; his wife was Catherine Habecker, of the same place; they have seven boys living, of whom the Doctor is the eldest. Our subject stayed on the farm until he was sixteen years of age, then taught school for three winter terms, at- tending the normal school at Millersville in the summers. In 1868 he began the study of medicine with Dr. A. K. Rohrer. of Mountville, one of the most prominent physicians in that part of the State, regarded as high authority on the treatment of typhoid fever. Here Dr. Bruckhart stayed for two or three years, taking at the same time a full course of lec- tures in the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, where he graduated in March, 1870, at the early age of twenty-two years. The following month lie removed to Mount Joy, Lancaster County. and commenced the practice of his profession. In February, 1874, he came to Shiremanstown, where he has ever since devoted himself to the practice of his profession. During this time several other physicians have located in the borough, at dif ferent times, but all have retired from the field in turn, leaving Dr. Bruckhart the sole

457

BOROUGHI OF SHIREMANSTOWN.

practitioner in the neighborhood, in which he has, by his skill and knowledge of his pro- fession, as well as by his other good qualities, acquired the confidence and esteem of his neighbors. In December, 1872, he married Attilla, daughter of John Strickler, of Mount Joy, a retired farmer. They had three children, of whom only one, Paul Holmes, sur- vives. The Doctor is a member of Columbia Lodge, No. 286, F. & A. M., and Corinthian Chapter and Cyrene Commandery, No. 34. all of Columbia. fle is also a member of Irene Lodge, No. 425, K. of P., of Shiremanstown, and is likewise president of the Beneficial Society of Shiremanstown, an incorporation of residents of the vicinity for mutual aid. Dr. Bruckbart has held the office of school trustee ever since the second year of his resi- dence in the borough, and has during all that time been secretary of the board. He also served two years as burgess, and, as will be seen by the above, is one of the most active members of society in this part of the county. Ile has, in a very marked degree, the con- fidenee and esteem of his neighbors, who will probably enll upon him to serve them in a higher capacity. Ile is well qualified to adorn any position for which he may be chosen.

CHRISTIAN HESS, retired farmer, Shiremanstown, a son of Christian and Elizabeth (Martin) Hess, natives of Lancaster County, who were married in 1808, and in 1811 re- moved to Fairview Township, York Co., Penn., to a farm owned by the Rev. Samuel Hess, his father. Christian Hess was born November 28, 1779, in Elizabethtown, Lan- caster Co., Penn. They reared eight children: Samnel, the eldest son, born in Lancaster County, died at the age of fifteen; the other children, Nancy, Barbara. George, Christian, Elizabeth, Henry and Susannah were born in York County. Our subject was married, in 1810, to Judith, daughter of Peter aod Esther (Martin) Zimmerman, Rev. John Mumma performing the ceremony. After marriage Christian Hess assumed charge of his father's farm, working it ou shares until 1857, when he purchased the homestead, paying for it in installments. The children, eight in number, were all born on the homestead in York County, viz. : Elizabeth, Peter, Hetty (the two latter twins), Barbara, Mary, Rebecca, Samuel and Catharine. Of these. Samnel is a minister of the Mennonite faith, and served a con- gregation at State Hill, Lower Allen Township; Peter married Lydia Brechbill, of Lan- caster County; Iletty married Jacob M. Zimmerman, of the same county; Barbara, Eliza- beth and Mary are housekeepers for their parents, and Rebecca, wife of George F. Um- berger, died a few years ago. The Rev. Samuel Hess, above mentioned, wedded Angie Metzler, of Lancaster County, Penn. In 1875 Mr. and Mrs. Christian Hess removed to State Hill, where a nice farm was purchased, and which will probably be their home in the future. The church near by makes it convenient for these aged Christians who, for more than half a century, have gone hand in hand to the honse of God. setting noble ex- amples for their children, who, without exception. follow in their footsteps.

DAVID R. MERKEL, farmer (son of Levi Merkel, whose sketch see), P. O. Shire- manstown, was born in the year 1835. on the farm on which he now lives, and which was purchased and occupied by his grandfather, Jacob Merkel, in 1804, and has been in the family ever since. Jacob Merkel built a honse on the opposite side of the road to that on which D. R. Merkel's new residence stands, and in 1812 built a stone barn, which is still in use and in perfect condition. With the exception of the time spent in school, D. R. Merkel lived on this farm until 1866, at which time he removed to the borough of York, Penn., where he was professor of music in the Cottage Ilill Female College for five years. His health failing he returned to the farm, remaining three years. He then went to Elmira, N. Y., and engaged in music-teaching for the succeeding six years, after which he returned to the farm, which he now owns, and which he is making a model place. He is a progressive gentleman, quick to adopt the best methods of obtaining desirable results, and his success is evidenced by his surroundings. He was married, in 1857, to Miss Sarah J., daughter of Samuel Eberl :, formerly of Hampden Township, this county. They have one child, Romaine, married to M. W. Jacobs, Esq., attorney and counselor, of Harris- burg. Penn. D. R. Merkel has never held any office except that of sehool director, which was forced upon him. His whole time and attention is given to agricultural pursuits, for which he has a genuine love. In personal character Mr. Merkel stands high, and shows himself a worthy son of his illustrious father.

HENRY S. RUPP, nurseryman, Shiremanstown, was born in Lower Allen Town- ship, this county, in 1826, and is the son of George Rupp, a native of Lancaster County, Penn., where his father settled about 1790, when he emigrated from Germany. Henry S. lived on his father's farm, in Lower Allen Township, until he was twenty four years old, when he removed to where he now lives, buying the farm in 1855. lle married, in 1852, Nancy, daughter of Joseph Hursh, of York County, Penn. They have a family of four sons and two daughters, one, Lizzie, being married to Amos Landis, of Upper Allen Township: the others are unmarried. Henry S. Rupp gave his attention to farming until 1865, when he embarked in the nursery and florist business. He has at present over 5,000 square feet under glass, and forty acres of his farm of 100 acres are devoted to this busi- ness, in which his sales are constantly increasing. Ilis flowers and plants go all over the country; his trees are sold mainly in southern Pennsylvania and Maryland. A special feature of his business is the growing of primrose seed for the trade, of which seed he is the largest grower in the country, most of the seed hitherto used having been imported.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

He has now many customers for this seed among the florists, and the demand for it is rapidly increasing. Two of his sons are associated with him in the nursery business: John F. and David C. Mr. Rupp has never given much attention to politics, and could hardly be induced to hold office of any kind. His neighbors speak of him as a man of strictest probity in all his dealings.

JOHN K. TAYLOR, dealer in sundries, Shiremanstown. Since March, 1846, J. K. Taylor has been a resident of Cumberland County, and during the intervening years has been one of the representative business men. He was born in Newberry Township, York Co., Penn., in 1826, a son of Libni and Mary (Krieger) Taylor, who, for nearly fifty years, lived on the farm which was improved by them. He comes from English ancestry, of the Puritanical type, on the paternal side, and his maternal ancestors were natives of Germany. Libni and Mary Taylor reared a family of seven children, of whom three sons are living: Jacob K., John K. and Benjamin K. Upon arrival in Allen Township, in 1846, John K. Taylor became an apprentice to and learned the trade of blacksmith with, Ezekial Worley, whose shop stood near the present site of Mr. Taylor's smithy. After completing his trade our subject went to Milltown, and engaged for nine years in smith- ing. He then purchased his Slate Hill property, and since that time has conducted a shop, and has also engaged largely in dealing in meats, etc. In 1850 he was married to Elizabeth Arter, of York County, Penn. They have no children, but their home is made happy by their affection for each other, and the comforts which are always found in the home of the prosperous man. John K. Taylor, who has always been a representative man in his township, by dint of energy and shrewd business qualifications has accumulated consid- erable property. He is one of the self-made men of Cumberland Valley, and has filled nearly every official position in the township with honor.

CHAPTER XLIII.

COOK TOWNSHIP.

DANIEL KING, superintendent of South Mountain Mining & Iron Company, P. O. Pine Grove Furnace, was born in Queen's County, Ireland, January 1, 1844. His parents, William and Catherine King, immigrated to Pennsylvania in 1841, but returned, in 1843, to Ireland, where they still reside. Daniel King, after receiving a classical education in Ireland, came to America in the early part of 1862, and in August of that year enlisted in the One Hundred and Sixteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was honorably dis- charged in 1863, on account of disabilities incurred in the line of duty. After recovery, in the same year, he re-enlisted and served sixty days in the Fifty-second Pennsylvania Militia (raised during Lee's invasion) and on the disbandment of same again entered the service of his adopted country, this time in the Naval branch, and served until 1865 in the North Atlantic blockading squadron. After leaving the public service Mr. King engaged in the study and practice of mechanical engineering at Paterson. N. J., Baltimore, Md., and Jersey City, N. J. In April, 1871, he located at Pine Grove Furnace, in this county, as assistant superintendent of the South Mountain Iron Company, where he remained until 1873, when he entered the service of McCormick & Co., of Harrisburg, Penn., as furnace and mine superintendent, a situation he held until 1876, during which time he developed and operated several valuable mining properties in this and the adjoining counties of York and Adams. From that time until 1879 he was exclusively engaged in mining iron and copper ores in Sussex County, N. J., and Carroll County. Md. In October, 1879, he again accepted the superintendency of the South Mountain Mining & Iron Company, which position he has continuously held since. Our subject is a gentleman, studious and active, conversant with all the details of his calling, and is recognized among the business men of his acquaintance as a skillful metallurgical chemist and scientific and practical mining engineer. In 1865, Mr. King was married to Miss Alice Fuller, of Paterson, N. J. They have one son living-Charles King.

DANIEL LEEPER, superintendent of the wood and coal department of the South Mountain Mining & Iron Company, was born in Dickinson (now Penn) Township, this county, July 24, 1819. His father, James Leeper, of Lancaster County, Penn., came to this county about the year 1812, and here married Eliza Fort, who was born in New Jer- sey, and came as far as this county with her parents, on their way to Ohio. Her mother took sick on the way and died at Centreville, and her father remained here some years, and finally returned to New Jersey. After living in this part of the State for a time,

459

DICKINSON TOWNSIIIP.

James Leeper and wife finally located near Mount Union, Huntington Co.,'Penn., where they passed the remainder of their lives, and now lie buried at Mapleton. Daniel Leeper has made his home principally at Pine Grove since 1839, and has followed the occupation of charcoal-maker during most of these years. In 1870 he was appointed superintendent of the wood and coal department of the South Mountain Mining & Iron Company, which responsible position he has ever since held. March 21, 1844, he married Nancy Warren, a native of Adams County, Penn., but a resident of this county at the time of her marriage. Their children are Mrs. Anna Eliza llelm, John, Mrs. Mary E. Sheaffer, Amanda, Mrs. Susan Hewitt. Daniel, Mrs. Sallie Danner, David and U. S. Grant Leeper. Our subject enlisted, October 16, 1862, in the One Hundred and Sixty fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. He was in many en- gagements around Suffolk, Va., and received an honorable discharge July 28, 1863. Mr. Leeper is a stanch and life-long .Republican, and takes a deep interest in public affairs. He and his worthy wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has been a class-leader for many years, and an exhorter. He is one of the old pioneers of this lo- cality, a worthy and upright citizen, highly respected by the entire community.

COL. J. D. NORTII, merchant, P. O. Pine Grove Furnace, is a native of Ontario County. N. Y. In early manhood he engaged in the wholesale dry goods business in New York City, and, after spending two years in California, re-engaged in the same enterprise. Ile located at Ilastings, Minn., in 1855, in merchandising and in the grain and commis- sion business, and while there he built the largest grain elevator, at that time, in the State. In 1863 he sold out, and embarked with his brother in the wholesale glove and mitten trade .. In 1869 he became largely interested in farming lands in North Carolina, where he resided, as a planter and fruit culturist, until 1878. In that year he accepted an invitation from the South Mountain Iron Company to locate with them. He has entire charge of their extensive farms and mill, and also carries on the store in their building. Ile also bolds the appointment of postmaster of Pine Grove Furnace. Col. North first married Miss Henrietta E. Claflin, of Buffalo, N. Y., and, she dying a short time there- after. he subsequently married Miss Elizabeth B. Mulford, of New York City, who died at Pine Grove Furnace Jannary 9, 1881, leaving one daughter, Henrietta E., now attend- ing school at Canandaigua, Ontario Co., N. Y.

CHAPTER XLIV.

DICKINSON TOWNSHIP.

DAN HENRY AMES, farmer, P. O. Mooredale, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, May 11. 1860. Ilis father, Dr. Fisher W. Ames, was a native of Cincinnati and a graduate of Ohio Medical College, and was for many years a very successful medical practitioner in Cincinnati. Dr. Ames rendered valuable services to the Government, as surgeon of the Sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, during the war of the Rebellion. During Pres- ident Grant's administration, the Doctor held the position of United States Consul at St. Domingo, for about six years, and then resigned on account of ill health; he died in 1876. His wife, Catherine (Ilendricks) Fisher, died in 1872. Dan Henry Ames, after attending the Cincinnati High School, completed hiseducation at Buchtel College, Akron. Ohio. Ile pur- chased a farm near Abilene, Kas., where he located in 1879, and while there he married, December 9, 1880, Cyprianna Hutchison, a native of Dickinson Township, this county. IIer parents, William A. and Elizabeth Hutchison, now reside in Huntsdale, this county. In March, 1881, Mr. and Mrs. Ames came to this county and located permanently in Dick- inson Township, where they have a fine farm of 100 acres of land, on which they have erected an elegant brick residence and substantial farm buildings; they also own another farm of 97 acres in same township. To Mr. and Mrs. Ames has been born one son, Kenneth Fisher Ames. In polities Mr. Ames is a Republican. He is a gentleman of up- right character and of modest demeanor, a man of excellent influence in the community.

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

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