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 84

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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 84
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 84

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DR. J. H. SMITH, physician and surgeon, Mooredale, Penn., was born in Middlesex Township, this county, October 26, 1854. His parents, George O. and Susan (Stickle) Smith, moved to near Plainfield, West Pennsborough Township, this county, when he was but two months old, and there our subject was reared on his father's farm, and attended school. The Doctor early engaged in teaching, and taught for four terms. He completed his literary education in the State Normal School, at Shippensburg, this county, and in the fall of 1875 he took up the study of medicine, under Dr. A. J. Harmon, of Carlisle. He entered Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, iu 1877, and graduated therefrom March 13, 1880. November 12, 1880, he begau the practice of his choseu profession at Whitehouse (now Mooredale), Dickinson Township, this county, where he has built up an extensive practice. Dr. Smith married, September 19, 1884, Miss Ella M. Zeigler of East Berlin, Adams County, Penn. The Doctor is recognized as a skillful and scientific physician, and enjoys the confideuce and esteem of the entire community. In politics he is a Republi- can.

JOHN SOURS, farmer, P. O. Barnitz, was born September 23, 1828, son 'of Samuel and Sarah Sours. March 6, 1862, he married Agnes Caroline Donaldson, a native of Frank- lin County, Penu., boru in 1828; she came to Dickinson Township, this county, in 1830, with her parents, Robert and Jane (Huston) Donaldson. Her father died February 12, 1867, aged eighty-seven years, and her mother departed this life July 30, 1872, aged eighty-eight years. Mr. and Mrs. John Sours have resided in this neighborhood ever since their marriage. They now own the family homestead of 104 acres of well im- proved land. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Sours is a man widely kuown for his wouderful memory of local historical events; he retains in his memory, the exact day of most events which have taken place within his lifetime. He is a worthy descendant of one of the oldest pioneers of this county. In politics he is a Democrat.

WALTER STUART, farmer, P. O. Mooredale, was born in Dickinson Township, this county, January 27, 1824. His grandfather, Samuel Stuart, one of the sturdy Scotch-

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Irish race, a native of Donegal, Ireland, came to America when a young man, and mar- ried Miss Margaret Reed of this county. They located in the then village of Carlisle, and there conducted a tavern for several years, and afterward retired to a farm in Dickinson Township, this county where they resided until their death. Their children were: Samuel (father of our subject), James, Walter, Mrs. Polly Greer, Ann, and Margaret. Samuel married Nancy Donaldson, a native of Dickinson Township, this county, and they re- sided on a farm in this township, until their death; she died June 22, 1866, and he died May 2. 1873, in his eighty-fifth year. Their children were: Samuel (deceased), Mrs. Eliza Jane Hays, and Walter. The subject of this sketch remained with his parents during their life and took care of them in their old age. lle married, February 18, 1869, Julia Ann Spangler, and they lived on the old homestead until 1879, when they moved to the farm on which they now reside; they have here a property of 180 acres of fertile and well im- proved land, besides the old homestead farm, and a tract of thirteen acres of timbered land on South Mountain. To them have been born nine children: Samuel. Walter, Anna May, Hays (deceased), Nancy Jane, Margaret Ramsey, John Knox, Ella M. and George Spangler. Our subject has been a Republican ever since President Lincoln's second term. Ile takes a deep interest in public affairs, especially in the cause of education. Ile and his worthy wife are members of the Presbyterian Church at Dickinson. He is a worthy descendant of one of the oldest pioneer families of this county, an upright citizen, enjoy- ing the respect and esteem of his fellow-townsmen.

JOIN L. WILLIAMS, merchant and postmaster of Mooredale, this county, was born in Leesburg, this county. February 18, 1847, son of the well-known and successful merchant, Joseph Williams. Our subject received his education in the schools of the home district, and, having been engaged in his father's store from childhood, he was employed, at fourteen years of age, for William H. Allen, as clerk, until 1864. Ile next clerked for Peter Garber, at Centreville, for one year, and after that he clerked for five years at Chambersburg. In March, 1872, he established a general store at Mooredale, which he still continues, under the firm name of Williams & Co .; they keep a very com- plete line of dry goods, groceries and provisions, boots and shoes, hats and caps, clothing, hardware, queensware, notions, and an assortment of such other articles as are needed to supply the wants of a country community. Mr. Williams has, by courtesy and strict busi- ness principles, built up a large and prosperous trade, and has made himself popular with all classes. He married, November 13, 1868. Susan Garber, daughter of Peter Garber. They have four children: Harry J., Samuel G., Sarah B. and Catherine E. Mr. Williams was appointed postmaster of White House in 1872 (the name of the office was changed to " Mooredale " April 1, 1885), and he still holds the office by re-appointment. He and his worthy wife are consistent members of the German Baptist Church. He is a man of strict integrity, and an upright citizen, respected by the entire community. In politics he is a Republican.

CHAPTER XLV.

EAST PENNSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP AND BOROUGH OF CAMP HILL.

ROBERT C. BAMFORD, heater, P. O. West Fairview, is a native of Wheeling, W. Va., born November 4, 1849. His father, Henry A. Bamford, was born at Antietam, Md., and his grandfather, also named Henry, emigrated from Belfast, Ireland, when sixteen years old. The father of Robert C. was a horseman in Antietam, afterward removing to Birmingham, Allegheny Co., Penn., and later to Sharpsburg, returning to Antietam. He entered the Union Army, and was wounded at Harper's Ferry; recovered at Sandy Hook Hospital, and was discharged for disability in 1863: then rejoined his family, who had re- moved to West Fairview, this county, after the battle at Antietam, their house having been used as a hospital, and when one morning nineteen Union soldiers were found dead in their house, they left it. Henry A. Bamford was married to Maria Williams, a native of Wales, and they had the following named children: William S., Robert C., Henry A., George B., Annie Ann, Virginia (living), and Sarah and Ann Sophrona (deceased). Robert C. Bam- ford was thirteen years old when his parents removed to West Fairview, this county, and he at once went to work in the nail-mill here, where he is now a heater. In 1872 he was united in marriage with Mary J., daughter of George B. Brown, of Baltimore, Md. They

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have four children living: Robert C., Mary Bessie, George Coleman and Alvah. Five are deceased: Edwin A., Clarence B., Walter, Millie S. and Millie Maria. Mr. Bamford is one of the crack shots of the county, having taken part in contests with Bogardus and other well-known shots. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. His wife is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church and is known as a Christian lady.

HENRY BENDER, plate-roller, West Fairview, who has resided here since 1851, was born in Lancaster County, Penn., March 6, 1844, where his father and grandfather lived, the former having a farm near Elizabethtown, Penn. In 1851 Leonard Bender, the father, went on a farm in East Pennsborough Township, this county, where he died in 1858, his wife and son dying the same year. At this time Henry, our subject, was seven years old. For five years he lived with Joseph Huntsberger, of this township, going to school. After he left here he worked in a number of places, at various occupations, until 1864, when he was employed in the plate-mill in West Fairview, where he has since re- mained. In 1871 he was married to Sarah, daughter of George Mann, of this townsbip; she died in 1876 without issue, and in 1878 Mr. Bender married Miss Annie M., daughter of William H. Rice, then of Mechanicsburgh, Penn. She was born at Bendersville, Adams Co., Penn., in 1868, whence, on the death of her mother, she went to live with her aunt in Franklin County, Penn., staying ten years, attending school. From there she came to Mechanicsburg, where her father was living. Shortly after the family removed to near West Fairview, where she was married. They have had twin girls, who died in infaucy. Mr. and Mrs. Bender are members of the Lutheran Church. She is an accom- plished lady, highly respected by all, while Mr. Bender stands as high in the estimation of the community as any person in it-a result due to his uniform good principles.

JOHN D. BOWMAN, M. D., Camp Hill, is a son of John Bowman, and was born, in 1832, in the house where his father and brother, H. N Bowman, now live. With the ex- ception of the time spent in school and in Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, Penn., of which he is a graduate, our subject remained at home until his marriage, in 1858, with Elizabeth B., daughter of David G. Eyster, of Camp Hill. They had seven children, only two of whom were alive when their mother died in 1870. One is Florence E., wife of J. W. Baxter, of Harrisburg; the other is Joanna, attending Metzgar Insti- tute, at Carlisle, Penn. In 1871 the Doctor married Margaret A. Kisecker, of Franklin Coun- ty, Penn., and they have one son and four daughters, all quite young. After his graduation, in 1856, Dr. Bowman established himself in practice at Camp Hill, remaining over sixteen years, and in 1872 removed to Harrisburg, where he built up a large practice, which he kept up until, his health failing, he removed, in August, 1885, to his old home, where he is rapidly recuperating, and where he expects to again resume his profession. In 1863 he was elected to the House of Representatives, and cast a vote to give soldiers in the army the right to vote. In 1864 he was re-elected, and served his constituents faithfully, when he abandoned politics and devoted himself to his profession. He is prominent in Masonic circles, a member of Eureka Lodge, No. 302, and Samuel C. Perkins Chapter, No. 209, of Mechanicsburg, and of Pilgrim Commandery, No. 11, of Harrisburg. He and his wife are members of the Church of God. He is yet in the prime of life. and has plenty of time to add to his already honorable career. His old friends and neighbors hope that now be has returned to them, he will spend the rest of his days among them.

H. N. BOWMAN, justice of the peace, Camp Hill, is a native of Camp Hill, born in 1840. His father, John Bowman. now eighty-one years old, lives with him in the house in which he was himself born in 1805-probably the only person of his age in the county living in the house in which he first saw the light. He is in perfect possession of all his faculties, and can narrate many interesting reminiscences of the place, in which he has lived all his life. H. N. Bowman lived at home until his marriage, in 1866, with Miss Jennie M. Kline, of Lower Allen Township, this county. A year after that, in company with Peter Nicholas, he built and stocked a general store at Camp Hill, which he subse- quently owned and conducted alone for two years, when he sold it to Sadler & Bowman. Our subject is a Democrat, the town being strongly Republican, but in 1880 he was elected justice of the peace by a majority of twenty-eight, and re-elected in 1885 by seventy-one, showing the estimation in which he is held by his neighbors. In 1882 he was a candidate for nomination to the Legislature, receiving 1,630 votes to 1,800 for G. M. D. Eckels, the successful man in the race (in which were seven candidates. Mr. Bowman being second). In 1862 he enlisted in the First City Troop of Harrisburg, taking part in the battle of An- tietam and minor engagements. He is a member of Post No. 58. G. A. R. In 1878 he be- came connected, as one of the proprietors, with the White Hall Soldiers' Orphans School, acknowledged the best of the many admirable schools sustained by the State for the edu- cation and care of the orphans of her soldiers. Mr. and Mrs. Bowman have buried two daughters, and have three sons and one daughter living: Harry, Allie, Jessie and Addison M. He and his wife are members of the Church of God, at Camp Hill. He is also promi- nent in the Masonic fraternity, being connected with Eureka Lodge, No. 302, and Samuel C. Perkins Chapter, No. 209, of Mechanicsburg. and Pilgrim Commandery, No. 11, of Harrisburg. Ile takes a leading part in all enterprises tending to the advancement of his native place, where he bears, deservedly, a very high character as an honorable man and good citizen, in the first rank among the hest men in the community in which he lives.

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EAST PENNSBOROUGHI TOWNSHIP.

SAMUEL C. CRAWFORD, painter, Camp Hill, has lived eight years in Camp Hill, East Pennsborough Township, carrying on the business of house painting. He was born in Lancaster County, Penn., in 1838. His father, William Crawford, a farmer, and his mother, Elizabeth (Cunningham) Crawford, were also natives of Lancaster. His grand- father, Thomas Crawford, immigrated to this country from Cork, Ireland, many years ago, and bought a farm in Lancaster County, near Good Hope Furnace, where his family were all born, and where he himself died. They were John, JJames, Robert, Thomas, William, David, Jane, Eliza and Maggie. William, father of Samuel C. Crawford, lived on the farm, which he managed until his death; he died in 1840, aged thirty-seven. His widow still survives him. They had three sons: Jeremiah, William, and Samuel C., the only sur- vivor. He was less than two years of age when his father died, but he continued to live on another farm, with strangers, until he was fourteen, when he went to Lancaster, Penn., to learn the trade of a painter. lIe served three years and removed to Columbia, where he worked until 1856; thence he went to Cross Creek and remained a year; then to West Middleton, and later to New Orleans. At the outbreak of the Rebellion he was in Nash- ville, Tenn., where he enlisted in the Union Army, and served until the close of the war, when he returned to Pennsylvania, arriving in Harrisburg in August, 1865, and there be stayed nine years. In September, 1870, he was married to Miss Sarah A., daughter of Jolin Stouffer, of Oysters' Point. They have had four children: Maggie W. (deceased), Albert B., Philip S. and Saidee E. Mr. and Mrs. Crawford are members of the Church of God, in Camp Hill. He is an intelligent gentleman, whose travels have enlarged his ideas, and he bears, among all who know him, an admirable reputation.

MRS. ANNIE E. ESHELMAN, Camp Hill. This lady is the widow of John Eshelman, who was a farmer, and one of the best-known residents of this part of the county. 1Ie was a son of Samuel Eshelman, who died in the old homestead, near Camp Hill, twenty years ago. Samuel Eshelman had five daughters and one son-John, born, in 1821, on the farmn on which he spent his entire active life. The latter, when twenty-five, married Susanna Wolff, who died in 1881, leaving no children. January 9, 1883, he was married to Mrs. Annie Grissinger, and died October 6, 1885, leaving no issue. Some years prior to his death he rented his farm and bought a fine brick residence in Camp Hill, where his widow now lives. He left behind him an honorable reputation. His widow, born July 14, 1842, is a daughter of Josiah and Elizabeth Nelson, of Upper Allen Township, this county, where they still live. She lived with her parents until 1865, when she was married to Jacob H. Grissinger, of Upper Allen Township, a farmer, justice of the peace and surveyor, an honored citizen, who died December 3, 1881, leaving three children: Homer Nelson, born in 187]; Bertha N., born in 1872; Bessie N., born in 1876, living with their mother. One died young. After her husband's death Mrs. Grissinger went with her children to live with her relative, Mr. Rohert Cornman, of Silver Spring Township. A year later she mar- ried Mr. Eshelman and removed to her present residence. With ample means and a family of affectionate children, she is happily situated. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church. As a conscientious, Christian lady she well deserves the esteem in which she is held.

DAVID G. EYSTER, farmer, Camp Hill, is a great-great-grandson of George Eyster, who immigrated to this country in the seventeenth century, locating in Berks County. Penn., where he prospered. One of his sons married there, and was the father of Jacob, who became the husband of Magdalene Burkhouse, and they were the grandparents of David G. They lived in Abbottstown, York Co., Penn., and had three sons and one daughter. His wife having died, Jacob Eyster, about the year 1780, leaving his oldest son (who was a hatter) and his daughter in Abbottstown, took his two young boys to relatives at Adams- town, Lancaster County, and started for Virginia to buy a farm, intending to return for the boys and his girl, but was never after heard of. At this time a man was robbed and killed on the Baltimore road, on which he was traveling, and his family supposed him to be the murdered man. The boys stayed at Abbottstown for awhile, Abraham learning the trade of a tailor, and George (father of David G.) going to his grandfather Eyster, in Berks County, and afterward to Wolferts Mills. As soon as he was able he took up the occupation of driving team on the Pittsburgh and Harrisburg road, which he followed for eight years. He then went for four years into the milling business, during which time he was married to Elizabeth. daughter of Nicholas Keisicker, of Berks County, Penn. Sub- sequently he bought the farm of 250 acres in East Pennsborough Township, which is still owned by David G., who is an only child. George Evster died in 1846, and his widow a few years later. David G. Eyster, who was born in 1808 at Milltown, Allen Township, Cumberland County, three miles from Harrisburg, spent all his life as a farmer until, in 1859, he retired from active duties, renting his farm and building the house in Camp Hill, in which he lives. In 1838 he married Miss Hannah Bechtel, who lived near Reading. To this union seven children were born, three of whom are now living. The eldest, George B., is sheriff of Cumberland County; David is on a cattle ranch in Texas, and the daugh- ter, Magdalene. lives with her father. The mother died in 1875. Mr. Eyster is liked in the community for his strong upright character, which commands universal respect.

II. M. GLESSNER, merchant, West Fairview, is son of John Glessner, who emigrated

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from Mecklenburg, Hessen-Cassel, Germany, in 1833, when sixteen years old, and re- mained in Philadelphia three years, working as a shoe-maker; then he went to Lancaster City, where he was married, in May, 1841, to Margaret Berg, a native of Darmstadt, Germany. In October, 1844, John Glessner removed to West Fairview, Cumberland Co., Penn., where he carried on his business until 1861, when he established the grocery business in the building, corner of the square, which has been carried on by his son, H. M., since 1874. At one time he held the position of postmaster. He accumulated considerable means, buying the store property and another near the river. After his retirement he was in ill health, and died of apoplexy, August 26, 1876, aged fifty-nine years. His widow still lives in their old home with her two youngest children. They had nine children: H. M., born Febru- ary 7, 1847; William, born May 6, 1856, living with his mother; Jennetta, born March 7, 1842. wife of F. G. Sparrow, of Sharpsburg, Md .; Elizabeth, born February 28, 1844, wife of George Rowan, of Bellefonte; Elonora, born Angust 20, 1853, wife of C. C. Montelle, of Norristown, Penn., and Margaret, born February 16, 1861, single. Those deceased are: John, Reuben E. and Margretta. H. M. Glessner attended school until 1861, when he went into the nail factory, working as a feeder until the burning of the mill, when he worked on the premises until March, 1867, when for five months he attended the business college at Harrisburg; then clerked for his father until he succeeded him. In 1879 he failed in business and compromised with his credi ors for 40 per cent, but has since, like an honorable man, paid every dollar of his indebtedness in full. This indicates his sturdy integrity, and is a record he and his family may justly be proud of. In 1871 he married Margery Armstrong, of Mechanicsburg, this county, who died in 1873, leaving a son, John A., now fourteen years old, and in 1877 Mr. Glessner married Emma L. Eck- man, of Columbia, Lancaster Co., Penn., and they have had five children, two of whom died within a few days of each other. The living are Thomas C., born in 1878; Milton F., born in 1882, and an infant daughter. Mr. Glessner well merits the regard shown him by his neighbors. He is a member of the United Brethren Church.

JOHN B. HECK, surveyor, P. O. Wormleysburg, is son of John K. Heck, who was born in Lower Allen Township. this county, in 1799. and who married Miss Sarah Bechtel, born near Reading, Penn., in 1811, a descendant of the Adams family, who are so num- erous and influential in Berks and Lancaster Counties, Penn. For twenty two years John K. Heck followed distilling, when he inherited a farm near Oyster's mills, in East Pennsborough Township, this county, to which he removed and on which he lived until his death, in 1877. He had an extraordinary strong constitution, but had a stroke of pa- ralysis in 1852, and numerous others, until one finally terminated his life. His widow is still living. They had three sons and four daughters. The living are John B., Bella, Sarah, wife of D. W. Sheetz, M. D., of Northumberland; Hannah, wife of Wilson Miller, of Shiremanstown, and William H., a practicing physician in Philadelphia. John B. Heck was born at his grandfather's, near Oyster's mills. this county, April 3, 1840. When but twelve years of age he took the oversight of hoth his father's farms; when thirteen he went alone to Bloomfield, paid the taxes on some unseated lands, and redeemed tbem. Because of disease in his joints, in his fourteenth year he gave up school, but received private instruc- tion at home, and obtained his higher education at Mount Pleasant College, Westmore- land County. In 1855 he studied surveying, and the following year did some public work in Perry County, and has continued the profession to the present time. The same winter and for six consecutive years he taught school, at the same time overseeing his father's farms. In 1869 he married Miss Sarah J., daughter of William F. Martin, of Fairview Township, this county. They have one son, John F., thirteen years old, and one daughter, Elizabeth Helen, aged ten. Mr. Heck was twice a candidate for the nomination to the Legislature, but, running solely on his merits, he was defeated by corrupt combinations. In 1869, in a total vote of over 4,000 he was barely defeated by twelve votes. In 1875, a combination on the judicial nomination again defeated him. For several years after his father's death he carried on the farm (which belongs to the estate still) together with doing some surveying. He also has charge of the Bridgeport warehouse. He is a member of Eureka Lodge, F. & A. M., and of Samuel C. Perkins' Chapter, of Mechanisburg, and of St. John's Commandery, of Carlisle. An incident of his career is especially worthy of mention. His father and neighbors felt the need of a bridge across the Conodoguinet, and got a grant for one from the court, bnt for twenty years the commissioners refused to build it. Our subject went quietly to work, and by his energy and shrewdness got it built in 1868. It is known as Heck's bridge. But for him, it is safe to say this great public convenience would not yet be built. He is public spirited and enterprising, and has the respect and confidence of his fellow-citizens, and deserves the success he has achieved. Mrs. Heck is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JACOB L. HEYD, farmer. P. O. Camp Hill, was born in 1832 in Upper Allen Town- ship, this county, son of George Heyd, who died in Mechanicsburg in 1876, aged eighty- two. His mother was Leah, daughter of Jacob Grass, of Adams County, Penn. His paternal grandfather, George Heyd, emigrated from Germany in 1760, settling in Lancas- ter County, afterward moving to York County, Penn .. and subsequently to Cumberland County, where he died, and is buried not far from where his grandson lives. The father

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of Jacob L. was born in Laneaster County, and went with his parents to York County, staying there six years, when he came to Cumberland County, and here lived more than fifty years. Our subject lived with his father until, at the age of twenty-three, he was married to Miss Catharine, daughter of Jacob Coover, who lived near Dillsburg, York County, Penn. Ilis father gave up the farm to him, and he cultivated it for three years, when he removed to his father-in-law's farm, in York County, and there lived three years; then bought a small farm in Upper Allen Township, this county, which he owned for fifteen years, selling it in 1877 and buying the fine 100 aere farm on which he now lives. Ile has taken great pains to beautify his place and make it a comfortable home, as is evinced by its surroundings, which are greatly superior to those usually found on a farm. Ile has two sons living: Clinton G., twenty-two years old, book-keeper for a wholesale hardware house in Harrisburg, and Coover W. fourteen years of age. attending school. Mr. Heyd has three brothers and three sisters living: II. G., of Philadelphia; George W., belonging to the Baltimore Conference, and E. D., who lives in Dakota. Of his three sisters, Elizabeth is a widow of Henry Krell; Rebecca is wife of Michael Myers, of Car- lisle, and Mary is wife of Jacob Brant, of Upper Allen Township. Mr. Heyd was justice of the peace in Upper Allen Township; he is now school director. lle takes a warm in- terest in educational matters, and was prominent in the movement to have Camp Hill made a borough, to give its people increased school facilities. He and his wife are communi- cants of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Mechanicsburg. In all the relations of life he is known as a man of sterling character, whose uprightness and probity are well spoken of by every person to whom he is known.

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

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