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 89

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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 89
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 89

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pensburg, where he carried on the same business two years more. Again the hotel business was an inducement to him, and for the third time he became proprietor of the "Big Spring Hotel;" and after his two years' lease had expired he took charge of a new hotel at Shippensburg, Penn., and three years later he took charge of the "Exchange," at Newburg. and he has lost none of his popularity as caterer to the tastes of the public. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hursh: Adaline (deceased), Daniel and Ann, who is housekeeper for her father.

FREDERICK B. LEBERKNIGHT, physician, Newbnrg. The great-grandfather, Leberknight, came from Germany; his son, Frederick, resided in Lightersburg. Md., and was the father of seven children, of whom Daniel (the father of our subject) was by trade a weaver, an occupation he followed in the village of Green Castle for forty years. He was sober and industrious, and was not married until the age of forty, when he won the affections of Mrs. Susan (Kuhn) Reymer, a widow, and at that time the mother of seven children. To this union were born the following children: Daniel C., Frederick B., John and Adam. John died when twenty years of age. The father concluded to rear his large family on a farm. and. after a few moves, settled on the Wilson farm, at Back Creek, on the Loudon road, Franklin County, Penn., and there all were taught to work and were given a practical education at the common schools. The mother of these chil- dren died in 1854, and Mr. Leberknight married Mrs. Elizabeth Holland, who had at that time one son-Koser. The fruit of this union was James G., Maggie, Martha, Sarah, and Susan. In this large family. comprising four sets of children, the utmost harmony pre- vailed. The last wife died in 1885, and the aged father is still living at Cheesetown, eighty-one years old. Of the four sons by the first marriage, three were graduates of Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, Pean .; Adam K., is practicing at Orrstown. Penn .: Daniel, at Lemaster's, Franklin County : and Frederick B., at Newburg. Our subject, prior to his graduation, taught school, and afterward studied medicine with Drs. Richards & Montgomery, of Chambersburg. He entered Jefferson College in 1871, and after taking two full courses, went to Lathrop, Mo., where he practiced one year. Returning in 1873, he completed his course and graduated with honor. He then located in Newburg. this township. In 1874 he was married to Sarah. daughter of Andrew and Charlotte A. Elder, of Chambersburg, Penn. After a four years' practice at Newburg he went to Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York, and graduated there in 1879. Since that date his prac- tice has been an uninterrupted one in this village. The Doctor and his wife have had two children: Bessie, born six years after their marriage, died six weeks after birth, and Vernon B .. born in 1882. The Doctor was the preceptor of all his brothers, and in connection with his fine literary attainments, is a graduate of two of the best Eastern medical col- leges. His popularity is only equaled by his success as a physician.

JOSEPH MCELWAIN, retired, P. O. Newburg. The remote ancestry of this family in this country dates back much more than a century, for Ebenezer (father of subject) was born to Joseph McElwain, near Eckhard's mill, about 1717. His parents had resided in this country prior to that date. Although the territory on this side of Conodoguinet Creek then belonged to the Indians, a number of whites were living on it, and sometimes when a quarrel would arice the settlers would fly for safety across the creek, which was considered the boundary line. A building was burned near the residence of the McElwains about 1720, and the occupants (Mr. White and family) were all murdered, except a little child, who was rescued. Jean, a daughter, was born in 1802 (to Joseph McElwain), followed by Mary, Joseph, Andrew, William, Elizabeth and Ebenezer. Ebenezer McElwain was married, September 24 1801, to Elizabeth Crow and after their marriage they settled near " Three Square Hollow," and there their children were born. Our subject learned the trade of miller, and for many years operated a saw and grist mill erected by his father in an early day. He was married, in May, 1848, to Elizabeth, daughter of James and Elizabeth Cook, of Perry County. Penn. Thus union has been blessed with nine children. six living: Sarah J., wife of John Mowery; Amanda, wife of Thomas Diven; Margaret, wife of Ira Fylar; Mary, wife of Allen Kuhn; Joseph A. and Laura B. All were born on the homestead, near the mill, where so many of their name have been born and reared. Jo- seph McElwain has always been an exceptionally prosperous man, and during the years spent in the Hollow amassed a nice competency. In 1875 he disposed of the mill and pur- chased the fine farm on which he now resides. The log house was erected more than a century ago but it contains a family who have long been noted as among the best in the land. Four generations have been born in Cumberland County bearing the name of MIc- Elwain.

WINFIELD SCOTT McGAW, liveryman, Newburg, was born in the family home- stead in Mifflin Township, this county, October 13, 1837, son of Samuel and Elizabeth McGaw. His father was, undoubtedly, the most popular man of his day. in Mifflin Township, and was elected county commissioner by an immense majority, and at the expiration of his term (so well were his duties discharged) his constituents were almost a nnit in favor of his re-election. It had been an axiom, however, with the Democratic party that a man should only serve in this position one official term. and the dissatisfac- tion ensuing by putting forth another candidate caused a disruption of the party which

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was not healed for many years. Finely educated, possessed of a brilliant mind and unquestionable honesty, Samuel MeGaw was intrusted with the settlement of more estates than any other man in the bistory of his township. In fact he allowed his own business to suffer in consequence of his faithfulness to the interests of others. Too much can not be said in his praise, or in that of his son George, who, as mentioned elsewhere, was a brave soldier, and enacted the story of Damon and Pythias, for, in attempting to make the last moments of a dying soldier (David Carl) comfortable, he was taken prisoner, when by leaving him to die alone he could easily have escaped, but true to the vow they had made to each other before leaving home, his life paid the forfeit, for he starved to death in Libby Prison, leaving a record of honor and courage. Our subject was educated in the public schools, and remained with his father until the spring of 1861, when he took a lengthy trip through the Western States. Returning in the autumn of the same year, he made arrangements for commeneing business. February 13, 1862, he was married to Sadie A., daughter of Samuel and Barbara (Bear) Steviek, of this county. Their married life was commenced on the J. V. Bowman farm, in Whisky Run District. To this union have been born six children: David S., Minnie B., Frank L., Joseph C., Mable G. (living) and Thomas E. (deceased). Our subject continued agricultural pursuits, in Mifflin and West Pennsborough Townships, until 1873, when he removed to the pleasant village of Newburg, and for eight consecutive years carried the United States mail from Newburg to Newville, since which time he has had the passenger route between Newburg and Shippensburg. lle is the only liveryman in Newburg, and is as full of enterprise as were his ancestors in the early days of this county's history. Perhaps no sketch will give greater interest to this section of the county than that of the MeGaw family, who, from first to last, have been among the most honorable and enterprising men.

JOHN and SAMUEL H. MITCHELL, farmers, Newburg. John Mitchell, the grandfather, came from County Antrim, Ireland, about 1760, and settled on the farm, now the property of our subjects. At that time the lands in this neighborhood wero nearly all subject to pre-emption, and he received a warrant for about 300 acres. At that date bis uncle, Samuel Mitchell, resided on the tract now owned by Joseph Heberlig. but just when Samuel Mitchell came to this country can not be ascertained. John Mitchell was married, after locating his land, to Miss Mary Irwin, about 1773. The young couple went to work with a will. and ere long a log house and log barn were erected, both of which are yet standing, in a good state of preservation, and in the barn loft is still hay and straw which were placed there before the Revolutionary war. The historian learns of no buildings ante-dating them in the county that are still serviceable. The land was then in its primitive state, but with combined energy and muscle John Mitchell soon had a few aeres cleared and ready for the plow. With prosperity came also a number of children to gladden their home in the wilderness: Margaret, William, Mary, Martha, Jennette and Elizabeth. Through his wife (Mary Irwin) John Mitchell acquired quite a considerable fortune, as the Irwins were a wealthy and noted family of Scotch origin, who resided near Middle Springs. Franklin (then known as Lancaster) County. Of John Mitchell's children the only son, William (father of our subjeets), was born September 2, 1777. He was reared and educated under the old roof tree. During his younger days he was a lieutenant in the militia formed to protect the State and county from invaders; he was one of the most lithe and active men of his times, and enjoyed a great reputation as a runner, and he was as fearless as he was fleet. He was married, about 1817, to Le'ty McCune, being at that time about forty years of age. Her death occurred as early as 1819, and in 1822 he was married to Mary Hanna. The death of John Mitchell occurred prior to the second marriage of his son, his widow having preceded him a number of years. William Mitehell purchased his sister's interest in their father's estate, and with his last wife began a happy domestic life under the roof which had sheltered the family so many years. Aside from his home duties William was quite a noted politician and swayed & power in his neighborhood, and he was courted alike by Democratic and Republican friends, for as "Billy " voted so voted a majority of his neighbors, and numerous candi- dates for office owed their election to his earnest support. Of the children born to this good man six are deceased and five living: Elsie J., widow of John Gilmore; John; Mary; Samuel: Elizabeth, wife of John Swartz. Samuel was married, in 1866, to Margaret, daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth Wingert, and on the ancestral farm their married life commenced, and there were born their children: Minerva J., Elizabeth M., Annie M. and William W. (the latter was born in September, 1877, and his grandfather. William Mitchell, in whose honor he was named, in September, 1777). Jolin and Mary Mitchell have never married, and make their home with their brother Samuel and his pleasant family, who revere the spot where for more than a century the family have lived and where their father and grandfather dicd.

ANDREW MOWERY, farmer, P. O. Newburg, was born in 1829. His grandfather, Andrew Mowery, came from Germany, and settled more than a century ago at the foot of the North Mountain, where Philip Miller now owns land. Prior to coming to this county be located in York County, and there was married to Kath ina Bander. He was a wid- ower at this time, and by his first wife had three sous: Michael, John and Peter; the lat-

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ter, who was a soldier, was killed in the war of 1812. His second wife bore him the fol- lowing named children: Andrew, Jacob, Adam, Solomon, Elizabeth, Magdalena and Catharine. By trade Andrew Mowery was a shoe-maker, and many a pair of shoes did he make for the Indians. At the time he was living in York County the Indians became very troublesome, and killed a number of white settlers, among whom were several women and children. Andrew Mowery was one of a party of whites who undertook to punish the murderers, made a raid into an Indian camp and killed a number of savages. He died in 1806, and his widow in 1826. Solomon Mowery, the father of our subjeet, was married to Catharine Carper in 1813, and commenced domestic life in Hopewell Township, where his half-brother Michael had a distillery. He was employed at this business for a num- ber of years. To Solomon Mowery and wife were born these children: Mary, John, Elizabeth, Adam, Sarah, Margaret, Catharine, Andrew, Samuel C., David C .; the first death in the family being that of John in 1885. The father died in 1870, and the mother in 1871. Our subject worked for his father until twenty-three years of age, then rented the farm where he now resides, and a year later moved to a farm near Newburg. In 1859 he purchased the farm on which his first money was earned after he began business. Un- til 1875 his sister Mary was his housekeeper. June 14, 1875, he was united in marriage with Annie M. C. Dunlap, of Mifflin Township, this county. Her parents, James and Elizabeth (High) Dunlap, were married in Cumberland County in 1852, and still reside in Mifflin Township. To this union were born David E., James F., Harry E. M. and John C. In 1858 Andrew Mowery was elected supervisor, and he has also served as an official of the public schools. His acts. both in public and private, have heen heartily indorsed by those who know him. His aged sister, Mary, makes her home with the family, and she surely could not find one more suited to her domestic tastes.

SAMUEL DALLAS MOWREY, justice of the peace, Newhurg. The original Mowrey in this county, came from Berks County, Penn., and settled in Hopewell Township, near the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains; his name is supposed to have been Andrew, and his youngest son, Adam, was the grandfather of our subject. Adam Mowrey was reared and received his education in this township. He enlisted in the war of 1812, under Col. Fenton, the regiment being armed with riffe, scalping knife and tomahawk, and adopted nearly the same tacties employed by the Indians. He was in several noted battles: Fort Niagara, Chippewa, Lundy's Lane and Fort Erie. After the war was over Adam Mowrey returned here, and was soon afterward married to Mary Horting, of Berks County, Penn. Ile brought his young bride to Hopewell Township, this county, and remained here dur- ing the balance of his life. Three children were born and reared here: David, Christian and Lavinia, wife of Mr. Givler. Christian was accidentally killed in a gold mine in California in 1854. David married and reared a family in his native place. Adam Mow- rey was twice married; on second occasion to Mary Finkenbinder. He died in January. 1874, and his widow in 1882. Samuel D. was born in Newburg, this county, in 1849, and was reared and educated by his grandparents. At the age of fifteen he enlisted in Capt. Lambert's company of Independent Scouts, in the 100-days' service, and after his return learned the harness trade, but later engaged in teaching school in Newhurg and adjoining townships. Abandoning the profession, in 1879, he was elected justice of the peace, and re-elected in the spring of 1884. November 27, 1879, he established a weekly publication. known as The Telephone, and until January 1, 1884. was editor and proprietor. Then purchased the business, and coutinues its publication. Mr. Mowrey has mastered the science of civil engineering, which might now be appropriately termed his busi- ness. For three years he was in the employ of the South Pennsylvania Railroad as assistant "right of way" agent of the second, third and fourth divisions, and his field of operation was from Newville to the Allegheny Tunnel. In 1869 he married Melissa Jane, daughter of J. A. and Elizabeth Rea, of Cumberland County. Three children have blessed this union: Archie B., Carrie E. and Moss M. In a home made bright with books, music, and surrounded by the comforts which come to the energetic business man, and under the care of highly educated parents, these children will surely do honor to the family name which for so many years has been well known and honored, among the old families of Hopewell Township.

FERDINAND REINHARDT, tanner, Newburg, was born in Strehla, Saxony, in 1826, and is the only one of the family bearing the name residing in the country. He emigrated from Hamburg to America in 1854, coming in, a sailing vessel. He had served eight years as a soldier, and one year was yet due the crown, but he was allowed to depart unmolested. His father was a tanner, and taught his son the business. The children of that country are obliged to attend school eight years. consequently he obtained a compar- atively good education prior to learning his trade. The father of our subject, John Gott- fried Reinhardt, was first married to Christiana S. Pfitzer, of Strehla, and of the children born to this union, Christiana, now the widow of Ernst Schuettze, resides with her brother, coming from Saxony in 1876 (her husband for nearly fifty years was a school teacher in Ger- many). The first wife of John Reinhardt died in 1823, and the next year he wedded Chris- tiana S. Hensel, by whom he had six children: Harriet S., Ferdinand C., Amelia, Augusta, Ernst E. and Wilhelmina, all of whom came to Cumberland County, Penn. Ferdinand

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landed in New York City April 14, 1851, and his uncle, Christian Hensel, residing near Newburg, procured him a situation in the tannery at that village, and in April. 1856, in partnership with his brother Edward, leased the tannery and embarked in business for themselves. In 1859 they purchased the tannery where our subject now does business. In 1871 the death of Edward occurred, and Ferdinand secured his interest. In 1843 our subject was married to Mary J., youngest daughter of John lleberlig. They have three children: Minnie S., John E. and Mary E., a bright and interesting trio. The business of Mr. Reinhardt has been a prosperous one during his residence in America, for he had not a dollar in his pocket when he landed at Newburg. His well known business qualifica- tions and unswerving integrity have made him a man of mark in the community.

GEORGE II. RUSSELL.editor, merchant, farmer, inventor and author, Newburg, Penn. Was born April 27, 1835, at Laughlinstown, Westmoreland Co., Penn. His father, Dr. Alex- ander II. Russell, was a distinguished physician of Westmoreland and Cumberland Coun- ties. On his father's side his ancestry was Irish, and on his mother's it was German. Our subject's education was not higher than that obtained at an academy. While going to a select school in Newville, taught by John Kilbourn; the scholars played a trick on their teacher with his (Russell's) dog. The teacher took the school to an account about it; and they all denied it except "the boy," G. II. Russell, and instead of a whipping he got a Washington monument; printed in acrostic form of letters, to commemorate him as a sec- ond Washington for truthfulness. The acrostic was copyrighted. In 1857, 1858 and 1859 Mr. Russell engaged in the ice trade in Baltimore. While in this business he was the first man in the United States to introduce the "new idea" of delivering ice on Saturday even- ing for use over Sunday. The idea became popular, and was adopted in other cities and towns. In the year 1860 he removed to Cumberland County, and engaged at country store-keeping at Huntsdale, and subsequently in farming at North Newton. While en- gaged in farming in the year of 1871, he called several meetings of the farmers at Oak- ville, and lectured upon the necessity of farmers organizing against the encroachments of monopolies and middlemen. These advanced ideas were printed in The Enterprise, pub- lished at Oakville, and reprinted in other papers. It is alleged by some that these ideas took shape and action in the organization of the Grange, or Patrons of Husbandry. In 1815 Mr. Russell engaged in tanning leather at Newburg. In 1882 he called the attention of the craft, through their trade organ, the S. and L. Reporter, to a new method in leach- ing and steaming bark; upsetting old theories and producing great savings. These ideas were hooted at, but subsequent tests proved Mr. Russell to be correct; and some of the leading factories adopted his plans; which will no doubt become nniversal. Mr. Russell's political views were reformatory and independent, and of the common sense kind. Not a communist-he took sides for labor, and was identified with the Greenback Labor Party from its first inception, and was always a member of its State Committee. In 1859 he in- vented and patented a fire-place heater, among the first of its class. He subsequently obtained patents for a fruit can, a washer; and stove drum. In 1884 he became the editor and proprietor of the Newburg Telephone, and became noted as a writer of force and wit. In 1882 he wrote his new discoveries in physiology on the "Functions of the Spleen." In 1883 he wrote his new discoveries in physiology on the "Ductless Organs and Their Func- tions." In these works he claims to have discovered the functions of these organs, which had previously been unknown. Ile claims. as his discovery; that the functions of these organs are to regulate the circulation of the blood; and that they are the cause of sus- pended animation of life; and that they act as a positive and negative for the purpose of electrifying the blood, producing human electricity; besides many other ideas that are new in physiology. Colleges, physicians and schools of medicine have received these ideas and theories in astonishment; and while none have yet been able to controvert them, some have admitted to him that pathological tests and observation proves his theory to be truc: and that they must stand until proven false. He says he desires to be the "chosen vessel," to make these discoveries for the use of mankind, and esteems them to be "the crown," the glory and the honor of his life! In a later work on physiology he explains the cause of fever heat, which had previously been unknown. He takes a deep interest in common and Sunday-schools. In religion he holds that those Christians who settle disputes by fighting are frands, and that baptism, as taught by most churches, is idol- atrous.

ENOCH STAVER, wagon-maker, Newburg. John Staver, the grandfather of our subject. emigrated from Germany as early as 1795, in company with two brothers, and all settled in Lancaster County, Penn. One was a minister, another a lawyer, and the third. John, was a farmer. He was married probably a few years after his arrival, for his son John was born in 1797 and Samuel in 1799, following whom came Solomon, Emanuel and two others. Of these, Samuel married Elizabeth Rudy, in 1821, by whom he had ten children: Matilda, Lydia, Sophia, Lucy, Nancy, Fanny, Rudy, Enoch, Samuel and John, all of whom were born and reared in Lancaster County, Penn. In 1841, Samuel Staver sold his farm and came with the most of his family to Cumberland County, settling near the line of Franklin County, on the farm now owned by Andrew Gross. Later he dis- posed of that tract and moved to Newburg, remaining there until his death in 1882, his

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wife preceding him four years. Enoch, son of Samuel Staver, was born in 1831; learned the wheelwright's trade in Orrstown, Penn., with Solomon Bashore, commencing in 1847. He was married to Susannah, daughter of Adam Hamshoer, of Franklin County. Their married life was commenced in the village of Newburg, and continues to this date in the same social manner as when their troth was plighted. They have had six children: Alonzo, James, Harvey, Cora and Charles are living. and Mary died in childhood. Alonzo mar- ried Bertie Baucher, James married Fanny Glosser, Harvey married Sallie Lantsabaugh. For thirty-three years Mr. Staver has been a coach and wagon-maker in Newburg, his brother Felix being a blacksmith next door. He has in his possession a brass kettle which had been the property of his grandmother, and has been an heirloom in the family for 153 years. Our subject has been several times elected to official positions in the village and township, in all of which he has well discharged his duties.

CHAPTER XLIX.

LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP AND BOROUGH OF NEW CUMBERLAND .*

JACOB BARBER, farmer, P. O. Lisburn. The many reminiscences of the early days in the history of the various townships are replete with interest, and none more so than that of the Barber family, which, since 1790, has been well known in this and adjacent counties. The father of George C. Barber resided at Boiling Springs, Monroe Township, before George was born, which event occurred in 1794. There were eight children in his family: George C., Joseph, David, James, William, Mary, Elizabeth and Margaret. George C., the father of our subject, left home at the age of eighteen and went to York County, the next year was married to Barbara Rinehart, of that county, and in 1839 re- moved to New Cumberland, and in 1810 purchased the farm on which his son now resides. To George C. and Barbara Barber were born nine children: William, Jacob, John, Nancy, Martha, Elizabeth, Barbara, Susan and Sarah (the last named is the only one who was born in Cumberland County). George C. Barber, by trade a mason, con- tinued in that calling until 1840 and scores of buildings remain as monuments to his skill in this and Dauphin Counties. In 1870 he died at the ripe age of seventy-six years, having had the satisfaction of seeing his children grown to be useful men and women. Jacob Barber was born in 1828; at the age of twenty-one he went to California, sailing from Balti- more on the clipper "Flying Cloud." the journey taking one year and nine months. When he arrived at Fiddletown, near Sacramento City, Cal., he purchased the necessary tools and commenced digging for gold, and from the first was quite successful. Having formed an attachment for Miss Elizabeth Hoff, of York County, Penn., prior to his Western trip, Mr. Barber returned to his native State in 1857, and in December of the same year the marriage ceremony was performed by Rev. Mooney, of Harrisburg. They commenced home life on the Barber homestead. and have reared a family of four children: Mary E., Harry, George C. aud Charley. The well-known business qualifications of Mr. Barber early brought him forward as a candidate for official honors and he was first elected supervisor, which position be filled for three terms; three years he served as an official in the public schools, and in 1873 he was elected county commissioner, re-elected in 1875, and again in 1878, for a term of three years. During all these years of public service Mr. Barber was never known to do a thing that would detract from his good name.

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

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