USA > Pennsylvania > Northumberland County > History of Northumberland Co., Pennsylvania. With illustrations descriptive of its scenery, palatial residences, public buildings, fine blocks, and important manufactories > Part 53
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IRA T. CLEMENT.
Tin subject of this biographienl notice is a native of the Sinte of New Jersey, and was born on January 11th, 1813. He is the posthumous son of Thornton Clement # solcher in the war of 1812.
When he was about three years old, his mother located in Northumberland County ; and at the early age of four, he was indentoneel to a farmer, the articles of apprenticeship being expressed in the usual quaint style of old-fashioned times. The articles specifici among other things, that he was to serve bis mnster faithfully until the age of eighteen' und that during the many years of his indenture, he should receive "four quarter years of bellooling !" It will be seen from this, that Mr. Clement's educational advantages were exceedingly meagre,
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HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Young Clement's tastes, however, did not lie in the pursuit of agriculture, but rather in that of the mechanic. He accordingly devoted the three remaining year of his minority to learn the carpenter's trade.
He entrequently, in 1838, accompanied a corps of engineers in the survey of the Sunbury and Erie -- now the Philadelphia and Eric Railroad, The country through which passes this public thoroughfare, thungh now dotted over with cities, towne, and villages, was then an almost mubroken wilderness.
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In the Antumm of 1842, he enabarked in the mercantile business in Simhury, und in 1845 he created a saw-mill, and a number of years later, n planing-mill.
In May, 1876, Mr. Clement received the contract for the erection of the Northnn- herland County Prison, which building is now in process of construction.
For many years he has been the leading business mann of the borough, and hans taken a very prominent part in the building np of the place. He possesses busines- talent of a superior order, an indomitable energy, and unimpeachable moral integrity.
In 1835, Mr. Clement married Miss Sarah, daughter of David Martz, of Northum- berland County, and has a family of three sons and nine daughters, of whom two sons and five danghters are deceased.
In politics, Mr. Clement was formerly an old line, but is now a Republican.
A. N. BRICE, EsQ.
Before entering upon a sketch of the life of this gentleman, we will briefly notice his ancestry.
His paternal grand-parents were natives of Ireland, and immigrated to this country about the beginning of the present century. They resided, for a while, in Washington City, D. C., but subsequently removed to Southwark, Philadelphia.
Upon the breaking out of the war of 1812, the father, Thomas Brice, and grand- father of the subject of this notice, entered the service of his adopted country and was killed.
HIis widow, then left with five small children, engaged as nurse and doctress in at- tendance upon the sick and wounded soldiers who were brought to the upper end of the city. She gained a fine reputation as a female physician, was very efficient in her pro- fession, and became very popular on account of her ministrations of kindness to the suffering. She subsequently married Andrew Nebinger, who lind also served in the war with tireat Britnin, and was wounded in the same.
By him she had three sons and two daughters, one of cach now deceased. The three sons became members of the medicol profession, in Philadelphia. The surviving daughter is married, and also resides in Philadelphia. Both parents lived to an advanced age, and died some fifteen years since,
THOMAS BRICE, JR.,
father of A. N. Brice, was born in Washington City, D. C., in the year 1808.
Under the then dormant and linekward condition of popular education, bis acquire- ments, in this direction, were obtained principally at odd intervals and at night-schools, At an early age he was bound out by his mother to learn the shoemaker's trade, at which he served seven years.
Inspired, however, by a restless desire to travel, after finishing his trade, he left home and started out to seek his fortune, wending his way to New York ; and, finally, at a somewhat advanced nge, settled in the Keystone State, in Lewisburg, Union County.
His wife was Mary Wenek, whose mother was a native of Holland. The latter having some difficulty of a domestic nature, resulting from the conduet of a step-mother, resolved to make her way to America, which had been represented to her as an "asylum of the oppressed anil down-trodden," and where poor boys and girls could rise to position and affluence by their own exertions. Accordingly, near the close of the Inst century, she embarked on a vessel, at the age of but seventeen, without friends or money, and, after a three months' ride on the surging billows of the Atlantic, arrived at Philadelphia, a stranger in a strange lond.
Mr. and Mrs, Thomas Brice, had two sons and six daughter, one of each now dt- ceased. Of this family, the oldest child is A. N. Brice, Esq., of Sonbury. He was born in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, February 2d, 1840. When he was about eleven years of age, his father met with a financial reverse which materially interfered with the education of his children. Young Brice, therefore, was compelled to "shift for himself," anil for several years hired ont at such labor as he could perform, engaging principally on a farm, and in a tannery. He subsequently served un apprenticeship to the printer's trade in the office of the Sunbury Gazette, undl then became foreman on the Northamherlam! Chanty Democrat. While thus acting as foreman, he commenced reading law umler Julge Jordan, with whom he remained two year -.
In the Summer of 1862, he masisted in recruiting company (', One Hundred and Thirty-first Pennsylvanin Volunteer Infantry, in which he was made first lieutenant, and served about nine months, during which time he participated in the engagement of Antietam, Fredericksburg, Burnside's " Muddy March," anil of Chancellorsville, lle subsequently re-enlisted in a six months' Independent Cavalry company, and was in the service before Gettysburg. Ile again enlisted in company 11, Fifth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and performed ardnous servire under Generals Krantz, Mckenzie, amil Sheridan. In a cavalry fight, while on special anty, with a detachment of men, on the Darbytown road, near Richmond, on the 14th of December, 1864, he was captured by General Longstreet's comminnit, but escaped. In his flight, however, he was slightly wounded in the right side hy a musket-ball, and his elothes were riddled by three other balls.
He was also in the battle of Five Forks, Dinwiddie Court House, South Side Rail- road, and nt the surrender of Lee, at Apponinttax, on the 9th of April, 1865.
On July 31st, 1862, he married Miss Rebecen Friling, by whom he has lind two sons and a daughter.
After the close of the war, he engaged, for a few years, in various departments of the mercantile business. In January, 1869, he was admitted to the bar, and has since licen engaged in his profession in Sunbury.
In October, 1870, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and re-elected in '1875. Among other positions which he has held, may be mentioned that of Overseer of the Poor, Assessor, and also a member of the Town Council.
On May 30th, 1875, Decoration Day, Mr. Brice delivered an oration, giving the military record of Sunbury and vicinity. It was a fine production, and prepared at a cost of months of time and labor. The minuteness of its detail rendered it very valuable, and it will be found, in substance, in the foregoing History of Northumberland County.
The omtion closes with the following beautiful tribute :
" And now we go forth in the performance of the solemn duty of the day. Thought- fully let us move among the mounds of the dead. The humblest of these men were martyrs in the conse of their country. They sleep their last sleep. They are not manved by the trend of friend or ine. Their quiet is nodisturbed by our song and muffled strains of music. We will some day rest with them, and the country we served side by side will be left to our children and to strangers. In the language of the great Lincoln, as he stood by the dead on the field of Gettysburg: "It is for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before ns, that from these honored dend we take increased devotion to that enuse for which they gave the full measure of devotion; that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation, under God, shull have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, und for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
Squire Brice is a gentleman nf genial and obliging manners, an industrinus worker, and public spirited citizen. In politics he is a Republican, and is the Chairman of the Republican County Committee.
L. T. ROJIRBACII.
The gentleman whose name stands at the caption of this biographical notice, is now serving his second term as Prothonotary and Clerk of the Criminal Conris of Northum- berland County.
Ile is the fourth son, and sixth child, in a family of nine,-six sons and three daughters-of whom there survive four of the former and two of the Intter.
JJis father is George Rohrbach, # well-known business man and highly respected citizen of Sunbury, who has, for many years, been engaged in the foundry trade.
Prothonotary Rohrbach was born in Upper Angusta township, this county, on the 22d day of January, 1840. His facilities for acquiring an education were, to a grent degree, those of his own making.
IInving obtained some rudimentary knowledge in the common schools of Sunbury, he spent a year in Pennsylvania College, at Gettysburg, when he returned to the former place, and was employed as teacher for some two or three years. He subsequently spent a year in what was known as the Missionary Institute, in Nelinsgrove, under the tuition nf Professor Bourne.
Returning to Sunbury, he resumed the work of teaching, and at the same time com- menced the reading of Inw in the office of Horatio Wolverton. Upon Mr. Wolverton's ileath, Mr. Rohrbach placed himself under the instruction of Wni. M. Rockefeller, with whom he finished his legal studies, and was admitted to the bar, in Sunbury, on Murch 10th, 1803.
Upon the breaking out of the late Civil war, Mr. Rohrbach enlisted in the three months' service, in Company F, of the Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, under the command of t'aptain Charles J. Bruner, of Sunbury.
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HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Subsequent to serving ont his enlistment, he was appointed clerk in the Di-buring Office of the Government, at Harrisburg, under the control inf Major R. I Dodge, of the United States Army, where he remainedl for upwards of two years.
IIe then returned to Sunbury, und began the practise of law, in the office of Mr. Rockefeller, which arrangement continned for some for years, till 1871, when Mr. Rockefeller was elected Judge of this Judirint District.
Upon this event, Mr. Ruhrbuch formed a legal partnership with George W. Ziegler, of Sonbury, bit on December 2d, 1872, the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Rohrbach having been in the Fall of this year, nominated hy the Republican party, and elerted to the office of Prothonotary and Clerk of the Criminal Courts of this county. In the Autumn of 1876, he was honored by n re-election to the sine important office.
On the 21st of Dreember, 1866, Mr. Rohrbach was married to Miss Jennie C., daughter of John Hans, Esy., of Sunbury. This union has been blessed with the hirth of three sons, the eldest now deconsed.
DAVID C DESSINGER.
This gentleman is the present popular Treasurer of Northumberland County.
He was born in Schaefferstown, Lebanon County, I'n., on March 5th, 1840, und was the youngest son in n family of cleven children-eight sons and three daughters-of John Dessinger and Catharine Connor, both natives of Pennsylvania.
His parents were poor, and having n large family to provide for, were able to give their children hunt very meagre opportunities for acquiring an education, uml some eight months inside of a common country school-honse would comprise all the privileges in this respect enjoyed by the subject of this sketch.
When about eleven years of age-at which time his mother died-he was appren- ticed to the tailor's trade, where he remained five years.
At the age of sixteen he went to Lebanon, the county seat of his native county, and hired out for four years to the stone entter's trade. Just before the expiration of this time, the late Civil war broke out, and young Dessinger enlisted for the three months' service, in company E, Fourteenth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. At the expira- tion of this time he returned to Schaefferstown, nud with Captain Jobn S. Long, recruited company F, which was joined to the Ninety-third Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, at Camp Coleman, at Lebmin. Of this company, Me. Long was mule captain, and Mr. Dessinger, 1st lieutenant. Their first engagement was at the battle of Williamsburg, Va., upon which occasion the command of the company fell upon Lientenant Dessinger, in the absence of the captain. The next engagement was the battle of Fair Oaks, in which company F, in connection with company A, of the Ninety-third, and several other com- panies, served as the advance pieket guard. These companies were surrounded by the enemy on the first day's fight, and were in great danger of being captured, but were saved from this fate by the remarkable presence of mind and heroic daring of Lieutenant Dessinger, who in the wild pluie that prevailed, drew his revolver, and with wonderful coolness and in commanding military style, ordered the terror stricken men into line, and, losing no time, led the flight, and at night, arrived safe at the rifle pits, with more than n regiment of men.
For this gallant and meritorious exploit, Lieutenant Dessinger received the highest compliments from General Peck.
After the seven days' fight, that resulted in the defeat of the Union forces, at Harri- son's Landing, Mr. Dessinger, on necount of sickness, was taken to the hospital in Wash- ington, and three weeks pussiog without mueb progress towards his recovery, he resigned his position anil returned to his home in Lebanon, where he assisted in recruiting a com- pany for the emergency service.
After a year spent in Lebanon, in the book and stationery business, he went West, und was engaged at his trade for a period of about six months in each of the cities of Fort Wayne and Chicago, and was present at the Chiengn C'onvention which nominated General MeClellan for the Presidency, in the Summer of ISU4. He then returned to his native State and followed his trade for a mumber of yentr.
On the 24th of September, 1865, he enme to Sunbury and opened the first marble- shop in the place.
Ou April 10th, 1866, Mr. Desiuger was married to Miss Fannie, daughter of Ia T. Clement, of Sunbury, and has had a family of four sous nul que daughter, two of the former being now deceased
In April, 1867 or '68, he formed a partnership with Philip H. Moore, in the mer- cantile business. In -, Mr Ira T. Clement bought ont Mr. Movie's interest in the store, and Messrs. Dessinger and ifement still continue to condart the business in jxirtnership.
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In 1871, Mr. Dersinger, in uminpany with Mr. P. IT. Moore, erected the fine hotel, on Third street, called the Clement House, and which was named in honor of linn. Ira T. Clement. In the sse year, also, these gentlemen put up the imposing structure on the corner of Market und Third, known as Moore und Dessinger's block. It forms the finest Isiness block in the borough, and is a highly creditable monument to the public spirit and enterprise of it- builders, Mr. Dessinger has also erected a row of houses-eight in numlı-on the east side of Third Mreet, above the depot, which is known as "Dewin- ger's Row."
For a number of years, he has been prominently enuneeted with three building associa- tions, in Sunbury, having been the heaviest stockholder in the same, und hns dlevoted his special attention to the interests of these institutions, and to them he very largely attribute> bis primiaty success,
In 1872, Mr. Dessinger was brought forwaril as a candidate for nomination for the Legislature, and came within two votes of securing said nomination, which nmuination would have been regarded as about equivalent to an election
In 1873, Mr. Dessinger erected his present beautiful residence, on Chestnut street, which is a model of convenience and beauty.
In the Fall of 1875, he was elected Treasurer of Northumberland County, by the handsome majority of eight hundred and fifty-seven, carrying the borough of Sunbury by one hundred and twenty-seven majority, which Intter was a greater vute than wits ever before given in any demweratie nominee. The doties of this responsible position he is discharging with a strict integrity and an impartial obedience to the requirements of the law.
Great eredit is due Mr. Desinger, not only for his efficiency as a publie officer, Int also for the persevering public spirit and enterprise which he has exhibiteri in all that conduces to the welfare and builling up of the borough.
Mr. Dessinger's father is still living in Camphell-town, Lebanon County, at the ndvnweed age of eighty-six.
THE SHIPMAN FAMILY.
Representatives of this family have been residents of Northumberland County from a very early day. They seem to have emigrated from the State of New Jersey, where lived
WILLIAM SHIPMAN,
whose wife was Catharine Campbell, both of Sussex, now Warren County. This William Shipman had a son,
JOHN SHIPMAN,
who married a Mary Mckinney, who was a daughter of Abraham Mckinney and Abigail Lamison, of Virginia, though both originally from New Jersey. John Shipman settled in Northumberlandl County in May, 1794. The MoKinney family were here some time hefure.
JUDGE ABRAHAM SHIPMAN,
a son of John Shipmann, was born in Lower Augusta, March 6th, 1810. When a young mian, he serveil as orderly sergeunt, for a period of nine years, in a volunteer militia enm- pany, called the "Jackson Rifles," and communded by C'aptain John Weiser. Said company was recruited in Soubory and Lower Augusta.
Mr. Shipman studied survering under David Nulrews, and entered upon the jimo- fession in March, 1836, his first work being performed for Colonel Jolm Saydler, of this County.
In connection with David Rockefeller, unw deceased, and whose biography appear anunng these sketches, he has been for many years engaged in all the important land cases in northern Pennsylvania. He married Elizabeth Yoxtheimer, of this County, February 1-4th, 1837, mul has had a family of seven sons and fimr ilanghters. One son diei in infancy, and another, Mark, served in the late war, and died about four years after his return home.
For some ten years, Mr. Shipman was one of the Associate Judges of Northumber- lund P'hunty. For a considerable time, also, he served as County Surreyor, He is now Justice of the Pence of Lower Augusta. In 1854, he engaged extensively in the milling business, hut lust largely by the failure of the Trevorton d'oal Compumy.
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HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Judge Shipman is a man of remarkably robust constitution, and a very industriuns worker. His oppurtunities for becoming wealthy have been very considerable, but his benevolent disposition has prompted him to bestow manifold Ervers ujem his friends, surl as going bail, loaning money, etc., by means of which he has lost largely. The Judge IN still actively engaged in his profesion nf surveying, and of his presence, the old land marks of this il adjuining euunties will for many years to come bear witness; while his profesional arts mul deeds will be rehearsed in conrts of justice, Inng after he shall have passed away from the scenes of his netive and useful life.
LEMUEL SHIPMAN.
This gentleman is the eldest child of Abraham Shipman, just noticed. He was born in Northinterland County, December 15th, 1838. When a boy, he was conployed in the saw and grist-mill of his father, and his education was confined to the Winter attend- linee of a common country schoul, supplemented by a short course in the nemlemy, in New Berlin, under the supervision of Profesor Hendricks.
On September 27th, 1860, he married Miss Maria, daughter of William Bloom, of Lower Augusta township. The ancestors of this family were residents of this County from a very early day, and some of them were remarkable for their longevity-Mvor Bloom's grandmother having diedl n few years since, at the advanced age of nine-four. Mr. Shipman has had four sons and two daughters, one of each now deceased.
In the Antumn of 1802, he enlisted in company D, Third Pennsylvania Artillery (352d in line), in which he made eighth sergeant, but was subsequently promoted respectively, to first sergeant, second lieutenant, and first lieutenant.
Shortly after his promotion to lientenant, he was presented, by his company, with a sword, sash, belt, and revolver, bearing the following inscription:
" From the Enlisted Men of his Company. To Lieut. L. Shipman."
Upon the reception of which, Mr. Shipman responded, in substance, as follows:
"That, jo accepting these emblems of authority, as a token uf your appreciation, I shall the more highly prize them, as I have so lately been one among yon; and, in my promotion, I shall still cherish in grateful remembrance the many happy hours we have spent together, ns comrades. Yet, in the discharge of my duty, I shall be as rigid ant faithful as in my former position. And when duty and country call for the unsheathing of this sword, I can assure yon thut it shall never be returned in dishonor. And, when victory shull perch upon onr banners, and our country shall have beco restored to penee and prosperity, and we shall have been disbanded, and returned to our homes, these emblems will he to me a priceless memento, not only of the struggles through which we have passed, but also of the patriotism and valor of the noble men of this company."
Upon the illness of the Captain, in the early part of 1865, the command of the company fell npon Lieut. Shipman, which position he filled through his lerro of service. In this cajuwity, he made a most efficient and popular officer, to which fact the men under his command bear anipile testimony, of whom upwards of thirty reside in this County. The company had the reputation of being amung the best drilled ones in the service. It was selected by General Butler, as guard of the head-quarters of his depart- ment, anil was retained by General Ord, who succeeded General Butler, until after the fall of Richmond.
After the capture of Jeff. Davis, this company returned to Fortress Monroe, the head- quarters of the regiment, and Mr. Shipmao performed the natalile service of conducting Jeff: Davis from the boat to his prison-cell in the Furt. Two other distinguished prisoners accompanied Davis-Clement C. Clay, Jr., of Imateville, Ala,, and John Mitchell, the Irish patriot.
Mr. Shipnuan also delivered to Mr. Davis his first rations in his prison. They con- sisted of brendl and coffee. Mr. Shipman was in the service for upwards of three year-, but was never off of duty on necount of sickocss.
In making up the company's rolls, he was assisted hy Dr. F. M. Thomas, of Mt. Carmel, who was quartermaster's sergeant and company's clerk. He was maistered out of service in Philadelphia, November 9th, 1865; and, after his return to his home, in Lower Angusta, was engaged for samme seven years in the mercantile trade. For sume eight snecesive years he filled the position of Auditor of his ternship.
Ile has always taken a live and active part in educational atlairs, and has been a lender in advancerog the school interests of his neighborhood. Ile is the present Secretary of the Board of School Directors of Upper Angusta.
In the Full of 1873, he was elected to the offices of Register of Wills, Recorder of Deeds, und Clerk of the Orphans' Conrt for Northumberland County, and led his ticket by upwards of two hundred votes,
In April, 1874, he moved to Sunbury, and now owns and occupies the late residence of the Hon. Truman IT Purdy.
In the Antnain of 1876, he was re-nominated on the Dentoweratie ticket, for his present county office, a nomination which is regarded as almost equivalent to an election. Out of one hundred and twelve delegates, he received one hundred anti three votes on the first ballut.
Mr. Shipman jussesses great energy and netivity, is firm in his convictions, and very persevering in his undertakings. A. an officer, he is faithful in anty, andl ns a citizen, social and popular.
GEORGE W. STRINE.
This gentlenian is the present Sheriff of Northumberlandl County. He is the fifth son, and eiglith child, of a family of nine, of Matthias Strine and Catharine Welshans, both natives of York County, Pa,, and was born in Union County, Pa, March Ioth, 1818. In the fullming April, the family moved to Milton, Northumberland County, where the parents spent the remainder of their life.
Froin the age of fourteen to twenty-six he was engaged in boating on the Pennsyl- vanin canal. On Octuber 14th, 1841, he was married to Miss Mary Burman, of Miltun, daughter of Freilerick Burman, of that place. Mr. Strine has had a family of two sons and three innghters- one of each decensed.
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