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 94

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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 94
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 94

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GEORGE B. LUTZ, farmer, P. O. Allen. The great-grandfather of our subject was born in Switzerland, and immigrated to this country, on account of religious persecutions,

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about the year 1772, and settled in Lancaster County, Penn. George Lutz, his sou, was born on board ship, while on the passage to this country. He early learned the wagon- maker's trade, and came to this county about 1790, and hegan the business which his son and grandson have since followed, in the same shop, for nearly one hundred years. George Lutz married Miss Wolf, of this county, and to this union were born nine chil- dren: Samuel, George, Baltzer, John, Henry, Philip, Catharine, Mary and Rosanna. IIe was a member of the German Reformed Church, an old-line Whig, and lived to the patri- archal age of eighty-eight years. He was a remarkably hale and hearty man in his old age, and retained his full vigor to his last day. He was respected by all who knew him. John Lutz, his son, born in this county, followed the trade of his father. He married Catharine Miller in 1830, and had ten children: Samuel W., Henrietta E., William H., Catharine, Emeline, Mary. John, George B., Chester C. and Myra. John Lutz was a member of the German Reformed Church; in politics a Republican. It could well be said of him that his word was as good as his hond. He was a good financier and, although money came slowly in his day, he accumulated a handsome property. George B. Lutz was born in Cumberland County, Penn., in 1848, and learnel his father's trade, which he now follows. In 1868 he married Miss Sarah, daughter of Henry Brecbill, of this county. This union was blessed with five children: Cora K., John C., George O., Franklin B. and Edna G. By energy and industry our subject has accumulated a fine property, largely increasing the business left him by his father. He is a practical mechanic and under- stands every detail of his business. He can make, with his own hands, every part of a buggy, including the wood-work, trimming and iron-work. He is a prompt, reliable business man; in politics a strong Republican.

JACOB M. NIESLEY was born in Monroe Township, Cumberland Co., Penn., in the year 1851. He was married, in the fall of 1872, to Mary E. Pressel, of the same township. Having been reared a farmer, he followed this occupation for several years, when, on ac- count of ill health, he left the farm and turned his attention to clerking, moving to Churchtown and working for his uncle, George Brindle, in Boiling Springs, in whose em- ploy he remained several years. He then clerked for J. Frank Moist, in Churchtown, in J. N. Plank's building, and now in the same store, with A. G. Burtner as proprietor. He uow fills the important office of director of schools in his native town, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, George Brindle, who once helped to direct the affairs of the State, as Legislator, in 1843-44.

GEORGE O'HARA, farmer and teacher, P. O. Allen. Stephen O'Hara, the grand- father of our subject, immigrated to this country and settled in Philadelphia, Penn., many years ago. He married a Miss Fruger, of Lancaster County, Penn., and was the father of five children, the sons being James and Henry. James O'Hara, son of the above and father of our subject, was born in Philadelphia, Peun., October 15, 1799. He went with his mother to Churchtown, Lancaster Co., Penn., after the death of his father, which oc- curred when James was very young. He passed his early life on a farm and always fol- lowed that occupation. About the year 1830 he married Miss Anna M., daughter of George and Elizabeth Youndt, who were descended from the first settlers of Ephratah, Lancaster Co., Penn. The original deeds to their lands bear the signature of one of the Penns. They had six children: Leah. George, Jessie, Henry. Charles and Anna. Mrs. O'Hara is a member of the Lutheran Church, and is still living at the advanced age of eighty-two. Mr. O'Hara was a strong supporter of the Republican party, making political speeches on many occasions. He was a well-read man, although he acquired his educa- tion in the common schools and by his own unaided efforts. In 1857 he moved to Cum- berland County, Penn., and purchased land. He died at the age of seventy-six years. He was generally respected as an honorable business man. He brought up his family to be- lieve and practice the principles of truth and justice. George O'Hara, our subject, was born in Lancaster County, Penn., in 1835; passed his early life on the farm of his father, and when about eighteen year of age begau teaching school, and taught continuously for twenty-five winters, following farming during the summer. His education was gained at White Hall Academy and Mount Pleasant College. In 1869 he married Miss Anna C. Ja- cohs, of Cumberland County, aud their union was blessed with five children: James, Mary, Horace, Stuart and Charles. In 1880 he bought his present farm and residence. Mr. and Mrs. O'Hara are members of the Lutheran Church, Politically he is a Repub- lican. He is very much interested in the temperance question, took an active part in favor of local option, and now votes the Prohibition ticket. Mr. O'Hara frequently made addresses in the temperance cause, which he firmly believes will ultimately prevail.

DAVID K. PAUL, farmer, P. O. Allen, was born in this county in 1840. His father, Henry Paul, was born in York County, and in the course of time learned the miller's trade; he married Rachael Heikes, of Cumberland County, Peun., and to this union were born six children: Catharine, John, David K., Henrietta. Auna and Emma. In politics he was an old line Whig. but afterward a Republican. He was a man of mild disposition, and while striet in his family was always kind and generous. Prompt in all his business dlealings, he had the confidence of all who knew him. It could truly be said of him that his word was as good as his hond. He was a man of few words, and not given to idle

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talk. He died, aged seventy-six years, after accumulating a handsome property, which he left to his children, one of whom now owns the original homestead. David K. Paul passed his early life with his father. He married Miss Lucy Strickler, of Cumberland County, daughter of Joseph Strickler, and to this union were born five children, all living: Cora E., wite of William Givler, of this county; Emma N., Ida R., Henry S. and J. Frank. Mr. Paul is a Republican in politics. In 1876 he bought his present homestead, which is pleasantly situated, and the buildings are substantial structures, bidding fair to last for many generations. Mr. Paul is regarded as a careful, honorable man by the com- munity.

JACOB PLANK, the veteran plow-maker, was born within four miles of Reamstown, in the northeastern part of Lancaster County, October 15, 1792. llere his father, Nicholas Plank, who was one of five brothers and four sisters, was possessed of a small tract of land, thirty acres in extent, and followed the occupation of a weaver His grandfather came from Switzerland. When Jacob was in his fifteenth year his father died at the age of forty-five years. In 1809 Jacob engaged himself with Fred Gerhart to learn the busi- ness of wheelwright or wagou-making. lle set in on his apprenticeship on Christmas day, 1809, In the summer of 1810 Mr. Gerhart sohl his property in Lancaster ('ounty, and moved to Cumberland County, which then bore the same relation to Lancaster County as the far West does to Pennsylvania now-a-days. Mr. Gerhart bought a property lying along the road leading from Mechanicsburg to Williams' Grove, in the lower part of what is now Monroe Township. Jacob Plank was induced to accompany Mr. Gerhart to Cum- berland County by a promise that three months should be taken off his term of appren- tireship, making the term two years and three months. Mr. Gerhart. while yet in Lancaster County, made old fashioned wooden plows, and a MIr. Zeigler, a blacksmith, left the same neighborhood in Lancaster County, and came to Cumberland a year prior to Mr. Gerhart's coming, made known the fact that Mr. Gerhart, "a good plow-maker," was coming to set up business near his (Zeigler's) shop. Mr. Gerhart brought with him, besides Mr. Plank, a Mr. Burkholter, a journeyman, who assisted in making plows. After arriving, the de- mand for plows was so great that Mr. Gerhart prevailed upon Mr. Plank to stop working at wagon-making and assist at plow-making. In the spring of that year George Lutz, a wagon-maker, who then lived a short distance west of where Churchtown now stands (the same place at which George B. Lutz, son of John, and grandson of George Lutz, is ex- tensively engaged in the business of manufacturing wagons and buggies, etc.), hearing that Mr. Gerhart had brought some journeymen with him from Lancaster County, came to see if he could not employ the services of some. Mr. Plank then had eleven months to serve before his term of apprenticeship would expire, and consequently could not go, but Mr. Lutz stipulated with him that he should go as soon as his apprenticeship was eom- pleted. The following April. 1812, he was free, and on Easter Monday he set out on foot to find Mr. Lutz's workshops, passing what is now Churchtown, which at that time was a place without a name, and consisted only of one house and a blacksmith shop, standing where the hotel is situated, and a log house standing where the store property of John N. Plank, son of Jacob Plank, is at present situated. Mr. Plank helped to build another log house in this same village. It was erected by Judge William Line, and two days were re- quired for the raising of it. The time, however, was mostly occupied at playing "long butlets, " a game that was very popular in those early days, and consisted in casting a bullet weighing a half or three quarters of a pound, the man throwing it the farthest win- ning the game. The first work that Mr. Plank engaged at with Mr. Lutz was to make a a new wagon, for which he received the sum of $9. In the year 1813 he made his first grain eradle without any instructions from any one, merely using another cradle for a pattern, after improving it to some extent.

He sold this cradle for $7, which was con- sidered a big price. The year following he made two more, and the next year he made four. He remained with George Lutz over three years, and left him July 4, 1815, to enter the employ of Adam Stoneberger, who lived eight miles above Carlisle, in Frankford Town- ship. Mr. Stoneberger's business was principally that of making wagons, but he also made wooden plows and grain cradles, and had Mr. Plank work at the latter. He worked with Mr. Stoneberger until 1817. when he went to the south side of the county and worked several months at plow-making for Mr. Adam Heensey, after which he returned to Mr. Stoneberger's, and remained untit February, 1818. He then went to Mount Rock, to work for Mr. Samuel Spangler at plows, and remained until the following August. November 28, 1818, he married Mary Reifsnyder, whose parents lived on the State road, one mile east of Newville. The next day he rented a house with the privilege of erecting a house on the property for his use. That same fall he built his shop, and in the spring of 1819 moved to his new home and engaged in the business of plow-making in his own name, having made a reputation as a plow-maker for himself while with Mr. Spangler at Mount Rock. Hle made 106 plows here, but remained only a year, as he bought a property, con- taining 100 acres, near the ridge in South Middleton Township. Here he moved in the spring of 1820, built a large shop, and carried on the business of plow-making extensively. In 1835 he applied for a patent on bis invention of a plow, which was granted June 2, 1836, and upon it are to be found the autographs of Andrew Jackson, then President of

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the United States; John Forsyth, Secretary of State; B. F. Butler, Attorney-General, and as witnesses the names of William P. Elliott and John Goodyear, Jr., the latter being at one time prothonotary of Cumberland County. This is a rare old document, and one which he prized very highly, and in order that it might be cared for, a few weeks prior to his death in 1879, he presented it to his grandson, A. W. Plank, the inventor of the cele- brated Plank, Jr., plows. Mr. Plank continued in the plow business until 1844, when he bought a farm in the lower end of Monroe Township. His son Samuel had a shop on the same place; owned and carried on the business of wagon-making and plow-making. Samuel Plank remained on the place until the year 1852. at which time he bought the property in Churchtown, built a large shop, and carried on plow-making successfully until 1879, when he retired from active business. During the time he manufactured plows he invented the Plank Shifting Beam Plow, which has plowed more acres in the Cumberland Valley than any other plow manufactured in the State. He made other valuable improve- ments in the plow, and retired from the business. He was succeeded by his son, A. W. Plank, who continued to manufacture the shifting heam until he found it necessary to get up a new plow, which he did on four different patents, each plow proving a success. These plows are noted for being easily conducted and turning all kinds of soil. Jacob Plank lived to be eighty-seven years old, and was highly successful, and was pleased to see his son and grandson successful in their plows. It will be fifty years June 2, 1886, since his plow was patented, and there are at this time many of the Plank Coulter Plows in use in this county. No farming implement has ever gained a stronger and more lasting reputation in the Cumberland Valley.

GEORGE W. PRESSEL, retired farmer, Boiling Springs. The great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, John Valentine Pressel, came from Prussia to America Septem- ber 18, 1733, and settled in Lancaster County, Penn., but later moved to York County, Penn. The grandfather of our subject was born in that county in 1766; married Miss Mohler, of Cumberland County (whose family is one of the oldest and best in the county), and to this union were born four children: Michael, John, Joseph and Susanna. Mr. Pressel, a farmer and land-holder, accumulated considerable property which he left to his children, and some of this land has remained in the family for more than a hundred years. He was a member of the German Baptist Church, known as Dunkards. John Pressel, his son, born in York County, Penn., November 29. 1798, in course of time became a farmer, inheriting his land from his father. He married Miss Abigail, daughter of Valentine Paup, of York County, Penn., who came from Wales about the year 1780, and settled on the south side of Conowago Creek; he was a weaver by occupation, a Quaker in faith, and a very kind father and husband. By this union John Pressel has four children: Eliza J., George W., Lewis J. and Henry W. He was a Lutheran in religion and a Democrat politically. He was a very hardworking, industrious man, and owned at least 400 acres of land. After 1831 he passed his life on same farm. He was a kind husband and loving father. He assisted his son to buy farms, and was noted for his honesty and morality. He died September 29, 1883, at the patriarchal age of eighty-five years. His widow, who is still living, is in her eightieth year. George W., son of John and Abigail Pressel, was born in York County, Penn., October 27, 1827, in the old homestead built by his grandfather. August 30, 1849, he married Miss Eliza A. Reed, who died May 10, 1862, and to this union were born three children: Samuel A., a farmer; Mary E., and John La Fayette (died October 30, 1862). Mr. Pressel, the second year of his marriage, moved to his present farm and homestead in this county. He was married, on second occasion, October 27, 1863, to Mrs. Catharine (Corman) Huchinson, and this union was blessed with four children: George Brinton Mcclellan (died October 1, 1870), Penrose W. M., Charles H. and Orrin A. Of Mr. Pressel's children, Mary E. is the wife of Jacob M. Niesley, and Penrose W. M. is teaching in South Middleton Township, this county. Charles H. and Orrin A. are going to school. Mrs. Pressel is a member of the German Reformed Church. Our subject is a well educated man and has taught school. Mr. Pressel intends giving his children good education. He is a surveyor and has studied civil engineering; has filled many local offices promptly, but uever desired them; has been on different committees, to draft constitutions for Sabbath-schools, the "Northern Sunday-School" and the " Mount Zion Sunday-School" at Churchtown. Since the late Rebellion of the South he is very independent in politics and in religious views very strong in faith with the Friends or Quakers.

JOHN F. SENSEMAN, farmer, P. O. Williams Mill. The great-grandparents of our subjeet were born in Germany, and his grandfather was born in Lancaster County, Penn., and worked at his trade, that of a miller, near Ephratah. He was the father of eight chil- dren: John, Joseph, William, Samuel, Daniel, Rebecca L. and Hannah. Samuel, the fourth son (father of our subject), was born in Ephratah, Lancaster Co., Penn., in 1796, and in early life learned carpentering. He married Miss Elizabeth Haines, also a native of Lancaster County, and ten children were born to them: Susan, Jeremiah, John. Harriet, Lydia, Samuel, David, Adam, William and Sarah. Samuel Senseman, Sr., moved to this county in 1828, and bought a farm in Silver Spring Township. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran Church. In politics he was a Democrat. The confidence of the people in his integrity and ability is shown in the fact that in settling many estates every

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dollar was strictly accounted for and the estates wisely administered. John F. Senseman was born in Lancaster County, Penn., in 1822; he came with his father to this county and passed his early years on the farm. In his life he had many experiences, having traveled a great deal through his native country, engaged in different mercantile pursuits. In 1854 he married Miss Mary L. Landis, of this county. lle then began agriculture, near Mechanicsburg, and remained thirty-two years on the same farm. To our subject and wife were born five children: Charles, George W., Ilarry, Auna and David E. In 1878 Mr. Senseman traveled in Europe, visiting its principal cities and the Paris Exposition. In 1885 he purchased his present homestead, which is pleasantly situated, with fine, sub- stantial buildings. Mr. Senseman is a self-made man in every sense of the word, and has secured his property by industry. His life is a good illustration of what can be attained by energy and perseverance.

GEORGE W. SOUDER, farmer, P. O. Allen. The great-grandfather of this gentle- man came from Germany at an early day, settling in Perry County, Penn., and there his son George was born. He was an agriculturist, aud his farm at Shermansdale is still owned by a lineal descendant, having been in the Souder family for more than a century, He (grandfather of subject) was a soldier in the Revolutionary war; married a Miss Sheivly, of Perry County, Penn., and was the parent of four sons: Jacob, Henry, John and George. Of these John was born on the old homestead, in this county. in 1811. IIe, too, was a farmer; be married, in 1837, Miss Sarah A. Fenical, of Perry County, Penn .; moved to Cumberland County in 1838; and to this union were born the following named children: George W., Susan, Margaret, Henry, Caroline, Elizabeth, Sarah, and Mary. After marriage, in 1837, John Souder moved to Cumberland County and settled on a farm in South Middleton Township. In 1850 he removed to Silver Spring Township, and there (from 1859 to 1865) purchased four farms, comprising 500 acres. Ilis first wife died, and, in 1885, he married Mrs. Dunkeberger, of Perry County, Penn. He is now a hale, strong man of seventy-four years, and is well known for his great energy, perseverance and industry. George W., his son, was born in Perry County, Penn., in 1838, and was brought to this county by his parents when an infant. He lived with his father on the farm until twenty-four years of age. and greatly assisted him in accumulating property. In 1862 George W. Sonder married Miss Emma E. Shoop, of this county. This union has been blessed with seven children: David L., Amy B., George O., Cora L., John V., Jacob J. and Bertie I. D. L., the oldest son, a teacher by profession, acquired his education in the common schools and at State normals. Ile has been teaching near Fortress Monroe, Va. After marriage our subject farmed a farm owned by his father, where he remained five years, when he bought a farm near Mechanicsburg, and there he lived thirteen years. In 1881 he purchased his present farm and homestead, which is pleasantly situated near Churchtown. Mr. and Mrs. Souder are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics Mr. Souder is a Republican. The entire family is well known for respectability and worth.

GEORGE W. STROCK, farmer, P. O. Allen, was born in Cumberland County, Penn., in 1854. His great-grandfather came from Germany, when a young man, and settled near Churchtown, Cumberland Co., Penn., and bought 300 acres of land. He was the father of two children: Joseph and Jacob. The date of his coming to this county is lost, but the second home that he built here has the date 1775. Jacob Strock, his son, born in the old homestead, married Elizabeth Wire, of this county, and to this union were born nine children: Joseph, George, Jacob, David, John. Mary, Elizabeth, Rachel and Rebecca. Of these. John was born in this county in 1823; learned the trade of saddler, and was a farmer and land holder. He married Elizabeth Stephenson, of this county, and to this union were born six children: Clara K., Howard K .. George W., Mary, Alice and Laura A. Mr. and Mrs. Strock were members of the Winebrennerian Church. Ile was a Re- publican in politics. George W. was born in this county in 1854. In 1880 he married Miss Barbara A. Herman, of Churchtown, Penn., daughter of George T. B. and Barbara (Brindle) Herman. Mr. Herman was for many years a merchant in Churchtown, but has now retired from business. He is a member of the Lutheran Church. Politically he is a Democrat. Mr. Strock and wife have but one child, John Roy. In 1884 our subject bought his present home, which is pleasantly situated near Churchtown. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church. Politically he is a Republican.

JAMES WILLIAMS (born October 28, 1775) was the youngest son of John Williams, who immigrated to this country from England many years before the Revolutionary war. John Williams married Mary Wilson, and settled on the Yellow Breeches Creek, on the farm now owned by his grandson Abram. Ile was one of the earliest settlers in the Cum- berland Valley He became a large land owner, and was one of the good men of his day. He had ten children. At bis death, part of his land became vested in his three sons: Abraham. David and James. His youngest son, James, succeeded him upon the old home- stead. Ile, like his father, was a farmer by occupation. He was married August 25, 1808, to Elizabeth Myers, and had eight children: David M., Mary, Catharine, John, Elizabeth, James. Abram and Ilenfy H. He was a man of strong convictions, dignified in appear- ance, and noted for bis kindliness, honor and charity, and never had a law-suit. Ile lived to be eighty-two years of age. Some years before his death he divided a part of his

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real-estate between his four surviving sons. Abram succeeded his father on the mansion- farm. The Williams family have always settled their own business, and there has never been a public sale on the mansion farm. In religion they have been Presbyterian, and liberal and earnest supporters of their church. In politics they have been Democrats, but would never accept office.

THOMAS U. WILLIAMSON, farmer, P. O. Allen. The Williamsons were among the very oldest settlers of this county, and are of the hardy Scotch-Irish stock, which first settled in Silver Spring Township. The great-grandfather of our subject was the first of this name to settle in Cumberland County, buying a large tract of land from the Indians, for which he gave a web of cloth and $200. lle was a Scotch Presbyterian. His son Thomas was three years old at the time of the settlement, and at the death of his father he inherited land and lived on the old homestead all of his life. Thomas Williamson kept the tavern on the Trindle Spring Road near the west end of the township, for many years. He married a Miss Anderson, of Silver Spring Township, this county, and had three children: James, Samuel and Susan. Thomas Williamson's first wife died. and he subsequently married a Miss Brown, of this connty, by whom he had three children: Re- becca, Elizabeth and Thomas. He was also a Presbyterian. Of his children, James was born on the old homestead, and there lived nearly all his life. He married Miss Mary, daughter of Thomas Ulric, of this county, who bore him one son: Thomas U. This wife died, and he married Miss Catharine, daughter of Joseph Kanaga, of this connty. To this union nine children were born: Susan R., Anna M., James A., John J .. William S., Samuel H., Catharine A., Elsetta J. and Rebecca E. In political opinions James Williamson was a stanch Democrat. He held several township offices. lIe was colonel of a regiment at the time of the old militia, and lived to the good old age of eighty years. Thomas U., his son, was born on the old homestead bought by his great-grandfather from the Indians. In 1855. he married Miss Maria E., daughter of John and Elizabeth (Beltzhoover) Her- man. This union has been blessed with eight children: Mary E., Thomas U., James W., Jennie L., C. Herman, Cora M., Lillie G. and Linda F. Mr. Williamson hegan farming in South Middleton Township, where he remained twelve years, and then bought a por- tion of the old tract owned by his great-grandfather, where he lived for seven years; then moved to his present residence in Monroe Township. Our subject served for ten months as a member of Company A, Fifty-eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer In- fantry, under Col. D. B. McKibbir, and was honorably discharged at Chambersburg, Penn., August 10, 1863. Politically Mr. Williamson is a Democrat. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Lutheran Church.

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

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