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 86

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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 86
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 86

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IIENRY M. RUPLEY, merchant, West Fairview, is a great-grandson of Johann Jacob Rupley, who emigrated from Unter Waslingen, Germany, in 1743, bought 600 acres of land in East Penusborongh Township, this county, near what is now West Fairview, and died June 12, 1793. Jacob, son of Johanu J. Rupley, married Anna Maria Rupp, and died in 1806; she in 1827. They had four sons and two daughters. Of these, George was born February 6. 1803, and lived all his life ou the farm, dealing largely in stock. In 1830 he married Magdalena Musser, of Marsh Run, York Co., Penn., and died December 26, 1842, leaving one son and one daughter. His widow is still living in West Fairview. He was school director, constable and supervisor, and many stories are yet told of his remark- able marksmanship. His daughter, Mary Ellen, married Henry D. Musser, of East Penns- borough Township, this county. His son, Henry M., was born December 7. 1838, and November 21, 1861. married Mary M., daughter of John K. Heck, of East Pennsborough Township, this county. She was born September 30, 1842, and died September 13, 1864, leaving a son, George H., born September 1, 1862, who, after going through the common school, went to Selinsgrove for two years, and then to Ann Arbor (Mich.) Academy, sub- sequently serving a time in the Harrisburg Machine Shops; he is now a draught>man in the Carlisle Manufacturing Works, and is a young man of excellent character and prospects. December 5, 1867, Henry MI. Rupley was married again; this time to Miss Phobe A.,

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daughter of George W. and Elizabeth Ringwalt, of near Carlisle. She was born April 20, 1845. They have three children living: Arthur R., born November 13. 1868; Lucy Ellen, born August 26. 1872, and Mary Magdalena, born December 12, 1882. One son, Max Roland, born July 14, 1877, is dead. Arthur Rupley attends the normal school at Ship- pensburg; the rest are at home. Until he was seventeen years old our subject attended school winters, working on the farm other seasons. At that age he went to White Hall Academy, Camp Hill, for two years. In January, 1865, he rented his farm and came to West Fairview, buying, in 1867, a half interest in the steam saw mill there, which was burned a few months later, and rebuilt in 1869. On first coming to West Fairview he was engaged in furnishing men for the last draft of the war; after that in a grocery, which he gave up for the mill, and was in the lumber business until 1881, selling his interest in the mill in 1882, on account of ill health. In 1868 he sold his farm. In 1884 he built his present residence and place of business, where he conducts a general store. He has been township auditor, judge of election, inspector, school director, constable, and is now serv- ing his second term as justice of the peace. He is prominent in town affairs, and is uni- versally esteemed.

WILLIAM SADLER, farmer, P. O. Camp Hill, is a grandson of Jacob Sadler, who came to this country many years ago, and settled in York County, Penn., near the Mary- land line, where he married, and had a family of eight sons and five daughters. He died near Pittsburgh. Our subject's paternal ancestors were among the first settlers west of the Susquehanna River. William Sadler died in 1765; he was one of three brothers who came from England prior to 1750, and settled in that part of York County which is now included in Adams County, near York Springs. William Sadler had a son, Jacob Sadler, who, in his early life, resided in York County, near the borough of Little York. Jacob Sadler had thirteen children-eight sons and five daughters-one of whom was Joseph Sadler. Joseph, the father of our subject, was born in York County in 1782, and when he was quite young his parents removed to Allegheny County, Penn., where he stayed until twenty years old; then he went to Lancaster County, and in two years after to East Pennsborough Township, this county, where, in 1807. he was married to Mary Gahel, of the same place. He then entered into farming and distilling and had also what is known as the "Pitt" wagons, carrying goods to Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Philadel- phia. He accumulated property, part of which was the farm afterward the property of his sou William. His family consisted of six sons and two daughters: Jacob, John, Sam- uel, Joseph, William, George, Susan and Mary. The three survivors. Jacob, William and George, all live on the turnpike, at Camp Hill, within a quarter of a mile of each other. William Sadler was born October 6, 1824, and worked on the home farm until he was of age, when he was married to Mary, daughter of George Beidelman, of East Pennsborough Township. He then hired his father's farm until the latter's death, in the summer of 1858, when he bought it from the estate. In 1882 he sold the farm and moved to Camp Hill, where he stayed two years; then he bought the property known as " Oyster's Point" and a small farm adjoining. Mr. and Mrs. Sadler have had the following named children: Jacob, George aud Austin, the two latter dying young, and Jacob, in 1880. at age of thirty- three years, up to which time he had lived at home, except a short period spent in business in New Cumberland; one daughter, Ellen, likewise died young. The living are Laura B., wife of Jacob Worst, of Upper Allen Township; Alice C., married to James E. Martin, of Hampden Township; Annetta; Emma M. and Effie M., who live at home. Mr. Sadler has been county commissioner, school director for twenty-one consecutive years, assessor, supervisor, judge and inspector of elections, and has discharged all the duties intrusted to his care with a fidelity which has elicited the commendation of his fellow-citizens. He and his family have the entire respect of all who know them.

WILLIAM H. SHAULL, carpenter and contractor, P. O. West Fairview, was born in Hamden Township, this county, in 1838. His father, Henry Shaull, a native of Lebanon County, born about the year 1811, was a son of John Shaull, who lived and died in York County, leaving seven children. On his father's death Henry Shaull was bound out to John Benson, of Colebrook Furnace, to learn blacksmithing, working there until after he became of age. At twenty-three he was married to Catharine, daughter of John Garrett, of Lebanon County, Penn., and for five subsequent years worked at Colebrook Furnace, when he removed to Hampden Township, Cumberland County, and engaged in business on his own account. Here he remained until his death; he died in 1877, at the age of six- ty-six, leaving a family of five sons and two daughters: William H .; Sarah, wife of Sam- uel Shaumberger; Levi; George F .; Elizabeth, wife of John Basehore, of Hampden Town- ship; Charles H. ; and Martha E. now deceased. William H. worked two years at his father's trade, but at the age of eighteen went to Sterrett's Gap to learn carpentering. When his time was up he moved to Hogestown to work, but in August of the same year (1862) he enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirtieth Pennsylvania Regiment for nine months, and a few weeks after was in the battle of South Mountain, and then in Antietam, where he was struck in the head by a glancing bullet, which, fortunately did not penetrate the skull. His regiment was removed to Harper's Ferry, and afterward sent up the Shen- andoah Valley to Warrington Junction and thence to Fredericksburg to take part in the.

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fight there, in which they lost their commander, Col. Zinn. From Fredericksburg they went to Chancellorsville, in which three day's tight they bore an active part. Thence they were sent to Acquia Creek, and home to Harrisburg. where they were mustered out, after un active campaign. Mr. Shaull re-enlisted in the Two Hundred and First Pennsylvania Regiment for one year, but the regiment was most of the time employed guarding rail- roads, supplies, etc., and at the end of the term was mustered out at Harrisburg. After this Mr. Shaull worked at his trade for six years, when be established himself in his pres- ent business as carpenter and contractor, at West Fairview. He was married, in 1863, to Miss Mary E. Bowers, of East Pennsborough. They have six boys and two girls: Martha E. is married to George H. Shaeffer, of Baltimore; Harry, aged eighteen, works with his father; William, Tillie. Franklin, Albert, Ira and Nelson are at home. Mr. Shaull is a member of Post No. 58, G. A. R. He and his wife belong to the United Brethren Church, and he is held in esteem by all who have been in any manner associated with him as a man of honesty and worth.

LESLIE HI. SINGISER, hotel-keeper. P. O. Wormleysburg, is a grandson of George Singiser, for many years a forwarder in Mechanicsburg. Penn., and one of the first con- tractors on the Cumberland Valley Railroad. George Singiser was well known and much liked, beloved and respected for his probity and generous impulses. Anenterprising man, he took part in every movement calculated to advance the interests of the valley. He died in 1854. Ilis wife was Mary Halbert, of Carlisle, a Christian lady and fit companion for such a man. She died in 1884, at Altoona. They had four sons and five daughters. One of the sons, Andrew, succeeded his father, in 1863, and later engaged in the grocery businessio Mechanicsburg. He is a straightforward man, and is always willing to help the struggling, which he has often done to his own detriment. Andrew Singiser married Miss Annie Wyle, of Mechanicsburg, Penn., who wears woman's highest crown of a good wife and mother. They have four sons and one daughter: George, Leslie H., Harry, Willie L. and Alberta. Leslie Il. was born in 1852. He lived with his parents until his twenty-first year, when he was married to Miss Sallie. daughter of George Winemiller, of Upper Allen Township, this county. He then carried on the green-grocery and general dealing busi- ness for six years, when he gave it up to take position in the Cumberland Valley Railroad office, which he held for three years, relinquishing it to engage in the livery, and after- ward in a restaurant business, which he sold in November, 1884; in April following he rented the hotel at the end of the bridge from Harrisburg to Bridgeport, where he is doing a good business, as such a kind friend and generous man must. He is ably assisted by bis wife, who takes charge of the interior management. She is a prominent member of the Reformed Church. They have two sons: George Alfred, aged eleven, and Murray, nine years old. All who know this worthy couple are pleased with their success and wish them long life and continued prosperity.

WILSON P. WALTERS, farmer, Camp Hill, is the grandson of John Walters, a na- tive of the county, whose father settled here after his immigration from Germany. His farm was in what is now llampden Township, near the mountain. Ilis son John inher- ited the farm, on which he died. He had four sous: John, Daniel, Joseph Henry and Ja- cob. Daniel Walters, the father of our subject, was married to Margaret Weibby, of Car- lisle. Hle took the home farm, but some years after sold it, and bought another near Me- chanicsborg, where he died about 1872, in his seventy-seventh year; his widow died in 1876, aged seventy-five. Their children were Levi, Jacob, Margaret, Wilson P., John H., David, Mary and Sarah and Ephraim, who both died young. Levi died in Hampden Township in 1855; Jacob died in 1858; Margaret is the wife of Jacob A. Basehore, of Hampden Township; John II. is married to Miss Jennie Ziegler, and is now burgess of Mechanicsburg. Wilson P., was born September 8, 1836. He worked at earpentering for seven years, when he hired the Simon Oyster farm, which he worked for nineteen years, at which time he bought from his father-in-law, Jacob Sadler, the one on which he now re- sides. November 17 1859, be married Miss Mary Sadler, who was born on the farm they now own. They have two children, Julia A., born January 18, 1861, now the wife of A. O. Sample, merchant of Mechanicsburg; and William Franklin, born December 2, 1863, who is siogle and living with his parents. Mr. Walters has never held office, but gives his entire time and attention to his farm. lle is a member of Eureka Lodge, No. 302, A. Y. M., of Mechanicsburg, and bears a high character for honesty and uprightness.

CHARLES F. WILBAR, mail-carrier, West Fairview, was born in Wareham, Mass., October 2, 1833. His father, Charles Wilbar, was born in that State, and there lived until 1837. when he came to West Fairview, this county, to take charge of the nail factory of J. Pratt & Son, the senior member of which firm was a brother of Mrs Wilbar. On the sale of the works to James McCormick, Mr. Wilbar retired from active life. He died in 1865. He was twice married; first to Miss Lydia Pratt, by whom he had one daughter, Jane P., who died in Boston in 1883. Ilis second wife was a sister of his first, Agatha B. Pratt, who died in Fairview in 1880. They had seven children, of whom one son and one daugh- ter are deceased. Those living are Lydia Ann, wife of Rev. S. Dasher, of Harrisburg, Penn .; Charles F .: Elizabeth, wife of Solomon A. Alexander, of York, Penn .; Josiah P., book-keeper at the nail factory, and Bethiah, wife of George Schutt, of Fairview. Charles

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F. Wilbar was educated in the public schools, and at eighteen began working in the keg shops attached to the nail works, of which he was afterward foreman for twenty-three years, retiring in 1881. Since July 1, 1885, he has carried the mail between Fairview and Harrisburg. In 1863 he married Eliza, born in 1834, daughter of John Holtz, of Fairview, Penn. To this union the following-named children have been born: Charles Edward, born November 7, 1865, now teaching in the village; Emma Loretta, born August 18, 1868; Lily Viola, born January 30, 1872-all living at home; and IIarry F., who died September 29, 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Wilbar, son and eldest daughter are members of the Lutheran Church. An estimable couple, with a fine family, a pleasant residence and the respect of their neighbors, they are happily situated.

HENRY K. WITMAN, contractor, Wormleysburg. John Witmau, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Lancaster County, Penn. Although a farmer, he carried on the business of weaving, operating four looms. He married Mary Yontz, also of Lan- caster County, and had eight children: Elizabeth, Mary, Catharine, Anthony, John, Jo- seph, Jacob and Paul. Of these, John was born in 1799, and came, in 1809, to London- derry Township, Dauphin Co., Peun., with his parents, who had purchased a farm there, upon which they resided until they died. John Witman learned the trade of weaving, which he followed for many years. His wife was Mary Irwin, by whom he had eleven children: Henry K., John, William, Paul, Joseph, Catharine, Lydia, Mary, Elizabeth, Sarah and Phianna-all born and reared on the homestead. Henry K. Witman, the only one of the family residing in Cumberland County, acquired a practical education early in life, and when twenty-two years old was made foreman by a contractor grading the Leb- anon Valley Railroad through Dauphin County. He afterward superintended the grad- ing of the Northern Central in Northumberland County, and the Huntingdon & Broad Top Railroad, in Huntingdon County, Penn. January 1, 1860, he superintended a " floating gang "on the North Central. In this year he was married to Mary J. MeCanna, of Chester County, Penn., and began housekeeping in Bridgeport, Penn. He became foreman on the North Central Railroad, holding that position until 1879, when he opened a stone quarry on the McCormick estate, which he still works. In a wreck on the road, in 1862, he lost his right arm, but with indomitable will kept his position and made a success in life. In 1864 he purchased a residence in Wormleysburg. Penn., which he sold in 1875, engaging in mercantile business in Bridgeport until 1881, when he bought his present home. No more desirable place could be had. It overlooks the broad Susquehanna and the flourish- ing city of Harrisburg. He has four children: John, Harry, Lydia and Naomi, who may feel a just pride in bearing a name that knows uo stain. A competence, honorably ac- quired. and a gool income. enables him to surround his family with all the comforts of life. Books, music, etc., make cheerful their happy home, and he well deserves the esteem accorded him by his neighbors.

CHAPTER XLVI.

FRANKFORD TOWNSHIP.

M. F. ANTHONY, farmer, P. O. Bloserville, is a grandson of John Anthony, who was brought to this country an infant, about 130 years ago, from Germany. His parents settled in Adams County, near Hanover, where he lived until his death He married Margaret Huffman, and they had six children: Michael, Elizabeth, Margaret, Catherine, Lena and John. Of these, John, the sole survivor, married Margaret Shaeffer, of North Middleton Township, and lives a few miles from Carlisle Michael, father of our subject, was born June 23, 1791, and died October 5, 1859. His wife was Eva Doyhl, who was born June 1, 1792, and died January 15, 1864. They had six children, one dying in infancy. The others were: Catharine, wife of Henry Neff. of Newville; Margaret, wife of John Fen- ton, of Newville; Sarah, wife of Joseph McDermond, of Mifflin Township; John, who died when fifteen years old, and Michael F., who was born January 2, 1826, two miles from Carlisle, in North Middleton Township. He worked as a weaver for fifteen years, when he began farming, first in Mifflin Township, for two years, then in Newton Town- ship eight years; lived a year in Newville, and then returned to North Middleton, where he resided eight years. when he came to the farm which he and his wife own in Frank- ford Township. In 1854 he married Miss Sarah Asper, who was born April 15, 1831, and died January 15, 1864, the mother of one child, who died young. January 9, 1872, Mr. Anthony married Mrs. Mary Ann Allen, widow of George Allen, who was a Miss Barley.

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They have two children: Sarah Catharine, born August 3, 1872, and David Edward, born March 1. 1880. Mr. Anthony is a member of the Lutheran Church, a man of high char- acter and probity.

MRS. NANCY DRAWBAUGH. Bloserville, Is descended from one of the old fami- lies of the county, as was her husband, John Drawbaugh, whose grandfather came from York County a great many years ago and settled in what is now Lower Allen Township. One of his sons, George, was the father of John, the husband of Nancy. George was born in 1801 and died March 10. 1866. He was married, in 1832, to Barbara Bloser, of North Middleton Township, where he was then living. She died in June, 1885. He was a wagon-maker and a farmer in Frankford Township, but sold out and moved to another place, which he owned, in South Middleton, near Carlisle. By careful management and industry he acquired a competence. He was enabled to give his Inter children a start in life, and at his death left a fine estate. He had seven children: Jobn (husband of our subject), born November 26, 1823: William, married to Margaret Ebright, who died, leaving six children, and he then married Mrs. Maria Elliott, who has one child-they live in this township; Elizabeth, wife of John Bowman, who lived with her father until his death; Alexander Cornman, married to Emma Roberts, living in West Virginia; George B., mar- ried to Eliza Basehore, living in West Pennsborongh Township; David Porter, who died unmarried; and Ellen, wife of David Hemminger, county treasurer. In early life John worked on his father's farm, and three years after his marriage moved to a farm in West Pennsborough Township, where they lived eleven years, when he bought a farm in North Middleton Township. Here they lived four years, and selling this property removed to a farm owned by his father, in West Pennsborough Township, where they lived three years, and then bought and removed to the farm, where he died. October 7, 1882, and where his widow and surviving children now reside. He was an honest hard-working man, who provided well for his family, and lived and died with the respect of the entire community. January 25. 1844, he married Miss Nancy Ziegler, born July 15, 1819, a daughter of Will- iam and Margaret (Adams) Ziegler, of this township and Mifflin. They were an old and well-known family, many of whom are to be found all over the county. Mr. and Mrs. Drawbaugh had nine children: Ezemiah C., born June 23, 1845, the wife of Solomon W. Lehn, living in North Middleton Township, this county; Anna Maria, born August 15, 1847, living with her mother; Catherine Agnes, born October 28, 1849, and died December 6, 1864; Samuel Wilsou, born December 18, 1852, married to Sarah Barrick, and died Oc- tober 9. 1882; Margaret Grizel, born December 9, 1853, wife of Martin Foos, and living in Harrisburg: William Edgar, born November 3, 1855, and married to Isabel Sharp, and living in Newton Township; George Albert, born July 2, 1857, and died November 6. 1882; John Freeman. born February 13. 1860. and died October 4, 1882; and David Porter, born August 23. 1862, unmarried and living with his mother (he teaches the school at Bloserville, and is a young man of exemplary habits and character.) The history of this family contains a sad record of the ravages of death; the father, John, the sons, John Freeman and Samuel Wilson, dying within one week, and another son, George A., follow- ing them to the grave in less than a month. The widow lives in retirement with her un- married son and daughter in a new house on a part of the farm, which she has rented, and in the evening of her days is enjoying a well-earned rest from active cares. She is a mem- ber of the Lutheran Church.

JOIIN JACOB ERFORD, farmer, P. O. Carlisle, is a grandson of John Erford, who emigrated from Germany, and took up a large tract of land in East Pennsborough Town- ship. He had seven children-three sons, John, Jacob and Benjamin, and four daughters. Jacob, father of our subject, was born in 1806, and lived on the home farm, where he died in 1855. His wife was Susanna, daughter of John Hoover, of South Middleton Town- ship, who died in 1858. They had five children: Julia Ann, born February 8, 1837 (she became the wife of John Givler, who was killed in the army, and after his death married John Kiehl), and died in 1881; John Jacob, our subject, born July 5, 1839; Elizabeth, born December 3. 1842, is the wife of John Myers, and lives in West Fairview; Mary Ma- tilda, born November 4, 1845, is the wife of David Wolf, of this township; Sarah Sophia, born August 30, 1819. is the widow of Joseph Hess, and lives in East Penusborough. John Jacob worked on his father's farm until eighteen years of age, when he attended the nor- mal school in Newville, and afterward tanght for two winters. le then returned to farming. In 1862 he was enrolled as a soldier, serving over ten months, and was then honorably discharged, when he again returned to farming, also raising and dealing in poultry, in which he is yet engaged. In 1867 he removed to West Pennsborough Town- ship, where he stayed five years. He has since made several changes, but for five years past has lived on his father-in law's farm in this township, renting his own farm. Janu- ary 1. 1861. he married Rebecca, daughter of John Darr, who died on the farm now occu- pied by Mr. Erford. They have had ten children, one of whom. John Wesley, died in infancy; Mary Elizabeth is the wife of Elias E. Hoover, of this township. The rest are living at home, and are named as follows: Sarah Ann, born October 8, 1861; Emma Catherine. born February 25. 1966; Joseph Sylvester. born October 24. 1869; William Francis, born March 6, 1872: Ida Jane, born January 16, 1874; Clara Eleanora, born Feb-

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ruary 21, 1879; Ella May, born May 27, 1881, and Martha Blanche, born January 17, 1885. Mr. Erford has been a justice of the peace for nine years; is assistant assessor of the townsbip, and is justly held in high esteen as a man whose word is as good as any man's bond.

FRANCIS MENTZER, lumberman, Bloserville, one of the enterprising citizens of the township, who has done mnuch to develop the resources of the section in which he lives, was born in the township he has lived in all his life. His ancestors on the paternal side came from Hungary, and on the maternal from Germany, before the Revolution. His great-grandfather, John, was twice married. This branch of the family is descended from the second wife, whose name was Christiana Wasinger. One of their sons, also named John, grandfather of Francis, was born in Lancaster County December 15, 1780, and died in this township February 5, 1861, aged eighty-one years. His wife was Eliza- betb Ernst, a daughter of John Ernst, who came from Germany when eighteen years old. She was born March 14, 1793, and died July 6, 1880, aged eighty-seven years. They had nine children: Frederick, father of our subject; John, born November 12, 1818, married Eliza Seitz, and after her death Eva Householder, and died in 1879; Henry, born July 29, 1820, married Polly Lemon, of West Pennsborough Township, where they are living; Simon, born October 2, 1829, married Barbara Radabaugh, of this township, and lives here; David, born November 24, 1832, married Ann Fry, and lives in West Pennsborough Township; George, born February 27, 1835, married Harriet Oiler, and lives on the Bloser mansion farm; Barbara is the wife of John D. Snyder of this township; Catherine was the wife of William Kost, and both are deceased; and Sarah, who is unmarried, lives with her brother George. Frederick, father of Francis, was born August 31, 1813. He lived on his father's farm until after his marriage, when, after many changes, he bought the Laied farm, now owned by his son, Francis. In 1864, he retired and bought a small place south of Bloserville, removing to the village two years later. and died July 7, 1874. He was a thorough-going man, pretty sure to accomplish whatever he undertook, and enjoyed the confidence of his fellow-citizens, and was several times elected to responsible township offices. He was a religious man, a member of the Lutheran Church. January 26, 1837, he married Martha Bowman, of this township, whose father was born December 11, 1788, and died April 21, 1846. Her mother, Martha, also was a widow, a Mrs. Messner, and originally a Miss Bloser, who died January 26, 1856, at the advanced age of ninety- seven years. They had six children: William, born July 15, 1838, married Ellen De Sanno, and died February 28, 1865 (his widow, now the wife of William Lucas, resides in Peoria, Ill.); William was a practicing physician in Carlisle, a graduate of Jefferson Medical College, and had visited the medical schools of the principal European cities; John was born May 29, 1842, married Annie Keck, of Perry County, and was accidently drowned in the Conodoguinet Creek, (his widow and family still reside on his farm in West Pennsborough Township); Abraham, born July 14, 1844, married Sarah, daughter of Hezekiah Koch, of Mifflin, and is now living on Francis' farm; David, born April 4, 1847, married Mina Chronister, of Adams County, and is living on the homestead farm, also owned by our subject; Mary Elizabeth, born July 8, 1849, is the wife of A. P. Schimp, and is living in South Middleton. Francis, who is the second son, was born February 4, 1845. He lived at home until his marriage, when he began farming on two or three farms, finally removing to Mount Rock, Penn Township, where he stayed seven years, and in 1870 came back to the old farm which he had bought from his father two years before. Here he remained six years, then in Bloserville eighteen months, during which time he went West; on his return he went back to the farm and remained there until the spring of 1885, when he removed to the place where he now resides. In 1884 he had bought an interest in the business now carried on under the name of Stamhaugh & Mentzer, which he sold in the spring of 1886 to his son Frederick. November 22. 1860, he married Mary, daughter of William Drawbangh, of this townsbip; she was born February 28, 1840, and died November 11, 1881, accidentally burned to death by her clothing taking fire from an exploded lamp. They had following named children: Abner D .. born September 13, 1862; Frederick, born March 18, 1865, who has taught school and now suc- ceeds bis father in mercantile business at Bloserville; Martha E., born May 14, 1867; William H., born May 21, 1870, and died July 15, 1870; Harvey, born December 17, 1871; Francis, born December 31, 1873; and Minnie Catherina, born September 30, 1876, all living at home. December 21, 1882, Mr. Mentzer married Kate D. Mentzer, a cousin, a daughter of John Mentzer, and born February 8, 1851. They had one child, Mamie, born May 19, 1884, who died May 4, 1885. Mr. Mentzer has always been an active man. He has built many bouses and barns, is now engaged in the lumber business with his brother- in-law, Joseph Drawbaugh, in Mifflin Township, has taken an active part in the affairs of the townships, and has held several offices. He and his wife and several members of the family are members of the Evangelical Association. Mr. Mentzer is universally esteemed as an upright. trustworthy man and a consistent Christian.

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

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