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 54
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In 1844, he engaged in boat building, in Milton, which Isiness he followed some thirty years.
In the Autumn of 1875, he was elected, on the Democratie ticket, to the office of Sheriff of this County, which position he is filling with ability. He is also assisted in this office by his son, Melanethon Strine, n> Depnty-sheriff.
Though, himself, deprived of any more extended advantages for learning, than those afforded by the early common schools of the Cunoty, Mr. Strine has ever been an carnest advocate of popular education, and for a period of six years was a member of the Milton Board of Education, and contributed not a little to the advancement of the edneational interests in that place. For some thirty-five years, both he and his companion have been connected with the Lutheran denomiontion, in which church he has for many years held responsible, official positions, among them, that of dencon and elder. He has also been an netive worker in the Sunday-school, serving for upwards of a quarter of a century, as superintendent.
fle is a gentleman of pleasant address, liberal views, and of grent kindness of heart, and is held in high esteem, both in the church and community.
His first Deputy is
J. HAMMOND MCCORMICK,
who is n grandson of Seth McCormick, one of the first settlers of Lycoming County, Pa., and a great maternal grandson of Matthew Brown, one of the framers of the first Consti- tution of this Commonwealth.
ITe was born in Lycoming County, February 3d, 1811. At the age of eleven, he was left fatherless, and, being the eldest in a firmnily of tive children, was compelled, not only to earn his own living, but also to contribute to the support of his wirlowed mother, and her family. The carly-day common school supplied all his privileges for learning. After arriviog at his majority, he learned the harness-maker's trade, which he followed for some forty years, and has acenmulated a comfortable competence.
Hle polled his first vote for General Jackson, and has voted for every Democratie president since. He has always been a warm and earnest advocate of an "undivided union," and, during the late National struggle, he contributed of his influence and money, as much as nny mon of his means, to put down the "unholy rebellion."
Mr. McCormick is n decidedly positive man, plain in his manners, and very outspoken and independent-so much so, that he has never been popular with the masses, Int he has held, by appointment, various responsibile and honurable positions in the emnmunity.
On January 1st, 1876, he was appointed Deputy-sheriff of Northumberland County, and is filling the position with great erult, alike to himself noil to the publie.
He has a wife, live daughters, and a son, and resides in Milton.
IION. JEREMIAHI SNYDER.
It is a well-known fret in the history of President Anitrew Johnym that he reached his young mmunhuwel before he could read or write, and that he received instruction in these elementary branches from his faithful wife, who, irne to the nuble instincts of her sex, gladly embraced min opportunity to assist a companion less favored thun herself. It is to be supposed, however, that while widing her hushanul in this particular, she little drenmed that she ma teaching a President !
151
HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
The history of the subject of this sketch contains an incident that furnishes a striking parallel to a portion of the experience of the illustrious statesman, Mr. Snyder was ocarly twenty years of age before he could read or write. This fact is a sufficient commen- tary upon the toengreness of his early educationnl facilities.
IIe is the oldest son and second child in a family of ten children of George A. Snyder and Cathrine Schoch, and was born in whit was then Union, but now Snyder County, Pennsylvania, Tuve 18th, 1831. The first twenty years of his life were proved partly on the farm and partly in the saw and grist-mill of his father. He then began to attend a common school during the Summer months, and worked in the mill during the Winter.
He had now arrived ut an age when he felt most keenly the need of un education. Ile, therefore, applied himself with great diligence both in and out of school. Frequently he would be found with n book in his hand, while superintending the running of the mill, n circumstance that greatly amused many of his associates equally ns ignorant as himself, mul of which some of them were greatly disptred to make no little sport.
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"O wad some power the giftte gle us, To heu ourselves as fitiers see us; It will from many a utunder frac us, And foolish notion."
Nothing dannted, however, by these derisive taunts, and the oft-repented slur that he wns "u big boy getting turning ont of a book," young Snyder stuck to his studies with a perseverance that meant nothing Unt victory, Ind in n short time became qualified to impart instruction to others in the common English brauches, and taught school for a few winters in the vicinity of his home, and also, for a short time, in New Berlin. While thus engaged in teaching, he began the study of law by himself, beading all his energies in thut direction, and improving all his spare time therein. During this time he received ucensional instruction from Ismae Slenker, Esq.
When about twenty-five years of nge, he entered the law-office of Charles Hower, Esq., in Selinsgrove, where he finished his preparation for his profession, and in March, 1861, was ndenitted to the bur in Middleburg, Snyder Connty. In the previous Summer, Mr. Snyder had served as a delegate of the Democratic party to the Charleston Con- vention.
When, in April, 1861, the call was issued by President Lincoln for seventy-five thousand volunteers to nid in quelling the Southern Rebellion, Mr. Snyder offered him- self for the service of his country, and was the first man who enlisted from Snyder County. He was electedl corporal in company G, of the Fourth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. After the three months' service, he was honorably discharged, and returned to his home in Middleburg. In June, 1862, he recrniteil company F, of the One Hundred and Thirty-first Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and although he wns the unanimous choice of the company, yet, owing to political influences, he yielded the houor to George W. Ryan, of Snyder County, who obtained the position. Mr. Snyder was then elected lieutenant of the company. Unfriendly politienl influences, however, were still brought to bear against him, and he resigned his position at Hagerstown, Maryland, and returned home.
In the Winter of 1862, he removed to Shamokin, where he entered upon the practice of his chosen profession, bnt, in the following April, camo to Sunbury, where, both ns a Inwyer and a citizen, he has won a very favorable reputation.
In the Fall of 1865, he was elected District Attorney, and re-elected in 1868, serving in all six years. The duties of this responsible office Mr. Suyder discharged with credit, nlike to himself and to bis constituents.
In August, 1868, he was n delegate from the Fourteenth Congressionni District of Pennsylvania to the Union Convention in Philadelphin. In 1873, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and still ocenpies the position,
In the Fall of 1876, Mr. Snyder was elected by the Democratie party of Nortimmber- land County as Representative in the Lower Honse of the Pennsylvania Legislature.
Mr. Snyder is a man of plain, unassuming manners, but of very genial nature, and by his gentlemanly bearing has made friends of many who differ from him on political issues.
On April 24th, 1862, he was married to Miss Harriet Smith, daughter of Henry A. Smith, of Middleburg, Snyder County, Pennsylvnuin. To the frugality and other noble qualities of this estimable lady, he is indebted in no small mensure for his various successes.
A. S. CUMMINGS, M. D.
The subject of this biographical sketch is a son of John Cummings and Catharine Swineford, both natives of Pennsylvania. He is the youngest in a family of seven sons and six daughters, and was born in Union County, Pennsylvania, January 3d, 1817.
His early edventional advantages were those of the common school of that day, which was little short of a burlesque on the improved organizations of the present time. He posessed, however, a great thir-t for knowledge, and made the best of the meagre facilities that he had, and diligently improved what spare time could be obtained from his work on his father's farm. When alot twenty years of age, he entered Pennsylvania College, ut Gettysburg, in which he acquired a liberal knowledge of Latin, Greck, and nil the English branches. Ilis means not being sufficient to support his growing ambi- tion for an education, he was then compelled to leave and seek further support, and, therefore, ut the time, was unable to take o full course, which he was seeking and trying to obtain. However, in another sense, he did not leave ; he left college, it is true, but never left off studying, and so great was the progress in his nequi-itions in a knowledge of the few branches in which he was lacking, for the want of money, when he left, that in a very short time afterwards, ujinn examination, he was mulvised to go back and take his diplomm.
At this point in the history of this young man, being so alsorbed in business and a preparation to attend medical lectures, he was in on little trouble in deciding as to what he should do. Upon reflection, however, he concluded, if he had no ability, he could never make his mark with it, and that by hard study and perseverance, if he had the ability, he would run the risk of his mark without one, and the consequence was he never went back, and to-day stands in history where the reader of this sketch now sees him-1837. After leaving school, he immediately entered upon the study of medicine in Lewistown, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, noder the direction of Dr. Joseph B. Ard. He attended lectures at the Pennsylvanin Medical College, Philadelphia, and sulse- quently nt .Jefferson Medical College, in the same city, and from the latter institution grmlunted in 1842. To accomplish this extended course of ulucation, young Cummings surmounted many difficulties and passed through severe struggles. The young people of the present duy, surrounded, as they are, with all the conveniences, comforts, and even Inxmie, that modern science and civilization have brought into being, ean bot poorly appreciate the trials and privations of their fathers in their start in the world.
The early life of the subject of this sketch was one of hardship and self-denin). His father, having a large family to care for, could give him but little maistance, and young Cummings wns compelled to borrow money to enable him to prosecute his studies, anıl when he htul finished lus course, he found himself from fifteen hundred to two thousand dollars worse off' than nothing. This, however, was only a financial view. In a disci- plined intellect and well-stored mind he had obtained a capital that was not to he esti- mated in dollars and cents. Yours lefire he realized the fact that a good education was the best fortune that a young mun could seek, even as it is the best legacy that a purent can leave his children.
This he lind now obtained, and iu once entered into a partnership practice with his former preceptor, Dr. Ard, of Lewistown, which arrangement continned three years. This was followed by an independent practice of about four years in the same place.
But even after his settlement in his profession, he was the subject of the same hurd- ships as before. For the first two years of his practice, all the property he had was a horse nud saddle, and those not paid for. With a heavy fond of debt pressing upon him ; with such temptations to resist as are incident to almost any man of hisnge; and when, at every turn, confronted by the tempter to join in the alluremente and fascinations of society, and, in many instances, would demoralize, ruin. anıl take from a legioner a hard and well-earned professional reputation, he pressed onward, for the sake of saving and making, and the accumulation of that knowledge and the name he and his friends can now enjoy.
In this way he struggled, and with an energy worthy the imitation of the prondest intellect, until he competed with snecess, side by side, with his preceptor, Dr. Ard, and Drs. Culbertson, World, Hoover, und Vanvalzah, and in a very short time made a good living, and paid his debts.
On February 20th, 1849, he married Miss Louisa E., danghter of Peter Richter, Esq., of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, This union has been honored with two sons and tuu daughters-the former deceased, the latter of whom have received a good education. The older, Lizzie K., graduated at Oakland Female Institute, at Norristown, near Phila- delphin ; the younger, Nellie M., at the University Female Institute, at Lewisburg, June 27th, 1876.
In 1852, Dr. Cummings moved to Selinsgrove, Snyder County, and surrendered his office and practice in Lewistown to his brother, Dr. S. S. Cummings, also a graduate from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. Whilst bere, for several years, the doctor paid very little attention to his profession, on necount of his health, being almost irrecoverably broken down by a laborious practice, from which his brother had now relieved him, and from which, in order to realize tho hope of recovery, he was advised, for the present, to divert his attention, and, as a speeinity, make use of such menns as he und his friends, in consultation, and in their judgment, might think would restore his health, and enable him again to resume the duties of his culling. For this purpose, after, ay he thought, he
152
HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
had exhausted his own skill, he went to Philadelphia, to consult and get the opinions and prescriptions of all the most eminent authors upon the science of medicine, and more particularly of that brunch relating to hepatization and enlargement of the liver, the result, as it turned out to be in the case of Dr. Cummings, of n very violent and protracted attack of congestive fever.
After giving a fair trial of the remedies prescribed by all the scientists in the city and elsewhere, and no manifestation of permanent, nor even of temporary relief, he again fell back upon the resources of his own skill, and prescribed for himself, as a last resort, the use of the Bedford water-a place he visited for three consecutive seasons ; and from that day to this, any one, to see him now, would conclude that he never had an hour's sickness in his life. To this and traveling through all the Westera States and Territories, from 1856 to the breaking out of our late Civil War in 1861, Dr. Cummings attributes his entire recovery and his present state of good health.
After the recovery and enjoyment of his good health for a few years, he again resumed the responsibilities and arduous duties of his profession, and continued in it until some time in the Fall of 1872, when he was elected President of the Augusta Bank, located in Cuke's Addition to Snobury, and in November following moved to that place.
After organization and several meetings of the Board of Directors, and discovering the irregularity with which he conceived the business of the bank was projused to be transacted, Dr. Cummings resigned, and come to Sunbury and took a place in the front ronk of the medical profession in thut town. In February, 1875, with great reluctance on his part, but by the persuasion of his friends, at an annual meeting of the Board of Directors of the Sunbury Fire Insurance Company, allowed himself to be elected presi- dent of that institution, in which copneity he remained for nearly three months, and upon an investigation of the standing of the company, the linbilities and amount of assets to meet them, he discovered that the company was insolvent, and as our State Insurance Commissioner said, "a frand ," he again resigned this position, in connection with the Hon. A. Jordan, then acting with the doctor as vice-president.
In the late war, he was surgeon in charge of the United States hospital at ITurris- burg. The doctor and his family ure all connected with the Presbyterian denomination.
This sketch of the life of Dr. Cummings is presented to the young people of North- umberlund County as an example, which, for industry, self-reliance, perseverance, and Christian integrity, is well worthy of emulation.
JACOB SHIPMAN.
The subject of this notice was born in Northumberland County, July 27th, 1833. His parents were Jolin B. Shipmoun and Keziah Reeder. His grandfather, Jnerb Ship- man, emigrated from New Jersey, and settled in this County at a very early date. His maternal ancestors were natives of Germany.
His father-a resident of Limestone Valley-was a prominent member of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, being a cluss leader and exhorter, und was a very zealous, active Christian worker. He organized a number of Sunday-schools in his neighborhood, and was instrumental in the accomplishment of great good. He is held in grateful remem. brance by many whose characters attest the moulding power of his consistent, Christian example.
In the Spring of 1858, he left this County, and located in Louisa County, Iowa, where, on the tenth of the following December, he passed away to his reward.
At the age of sixteen, young Shipman was apprenticed to the printer's trade, in the office of the Sunbury Americun, where he remained till he was twenty-one. For two or three years he served as foreman in the office of the Miltonian. While here he learned the art of telegraphy, and was subsequently employed for about two years in the Milton office of the Catawissa Builroad, as assistant agent and operotor.
In March, 1859, he came to Sunbury as clerk and operator, in the ticket office of the Northera Central Railway. In 1868, he was appointed joint Ticket Agent at this place, of the Philadelphia and Erie and Northern Central Railways, and still occupies the posi- tion, being one of the most reliable agents on the line.
Abont 1865, he also served for about a yeor, as clerk in what is now the First National Bank, of Sunbury.
In the Autumn of 1865, he began the business of Life Insurance, to which, in the following Summer, he added that of Fire Insurance. Under his enterprising manage- ment, the business of both of these departments has grown to handsome proportions.
On September 1st, 1857, Mr. Shipman was married to Miss Catharine R., dunghter of John S. and Julia Peterman, of Milton. He has had four sons and as many daughters, of whow two of each have died.
For upwards of eight years, he was a Director of the "Sunbury Mutund Savings Fund and Building Association," which started business in September, 1867.
Of the Fort Angustn Building and Loan Association, which wns incorporated in March, 1869, he was one of the organizers, and has since been, a Director, and the Secretary.
He was also one of the organization members of the "Accommodation Savings Fund and Loan Association"-incorporoted in November, 1870-and has, from that time, been a Director, and the Secretary. For n period of six years likewise, he served as Clerk of the borough of Sunbury.
In politics, Mr. Shipman is a Republican, and, in religions views, a Lutheron. For a number of years he has been Sunday-school Librarian, and to his netive and efficient interest, is largely due the excellent system of library management in that school.
Mr. Shipman is a gentleman of retiring manners, and is rather inclined to be reti- cent, but possesses n very obliging, accommodating spirit. His active public enterprise, and high-toned integrity, moreover, have rendered him a very useful and highly- respected member of the community.
S. B. BOYER.
The subject of this biographical narrative, is one of the most energetic and wide- awake Attorneys at the Sunbury bur. His parents were Jobn Boyer, of Berks County, and Elizabeth Bixler, of Schuylkill County, Pn. The former died in January, 1876. The family consisted of five sons and six daughters-one of each now dead-of whom the subjeet is the eldest son. He was born in Northumberland County, January 4th, 1829, and up to the age of sixteen, was reared mon a farm. At this time, his father engaged in the mercantile business, and young Boyer was sent to Philadelphia to purchase a stock of goods, and then was employed as store-clerk until he was twenty-one. From this time up to the age of twenty-seven, he worked at the carpenter's trade.
On August 25th, 1850, he was married to Miss Esther Haupt, daughter of Benjamin Haupt, of this County.
Mr. Boyer has had two children, a son and a daughter. The son, Francis, a promis- ing lad of nine years, met a melancholy death by drowning, on the 16th of February, 1864. He was skating on the Sunbury Canal, and the ice broke and he fell through.
In 1851, Mr. Boyer was elected Justice of the Peace of Cameron township, and served five years.
At the age of twenty-seven, Mr. Boyer commenced rending Inw in the office of Horatio J. Wolverton, and was admitted to the bar, in Sunbury, August 5th, 1858, and subsequently, in the counties of Snyder, Union, Lycoming, Columbia, Schuylkill, Dauphin, Clinton, Allegheny, Montour, Chester, and Philadelphin.
While engaged in his law sentlie, he was elected Coroner of Northumberland County, and hell the position three years.
Mr. Boyer was elected Chief Burgess of the borough of Sunbury, and was three tines re-elected, holding the position four years.
Under his administration, various important improvements in the town were put under wny, nmong which may be mentioned, the grading of certain sidewalks, and the Inying of the first pavements. He made a very energetic und efficient Chief Burgers.
Mr. Boyer has for some time been prominently connected with various benevolent organizations. Jle is a Jending meruber of the I. O. O. F., of Sunbury, and for six years held the position of District Deputy Grand Master of Northumberland County, and for four yeors was District Deputy Grond Patriarch. He was also for a year District Deputy Grand Chancellor in the Knights of Pythins.
lle is, likewise, a prominent member of the Masonie Fraternity, being now Master Mason of the Shamokin Lodge, No. 255. In 1875, he was elected Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of 1. O. O. F., of Pennsylvania, and in 1876, was made Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the State.
Mr. Boyer's legal practice has been u gratifying success. He never enjoyed the ad- vantages of a collegiate, or even neademic course. His fine onturol abilities, however, coupled with his great energy and close application, have placed him in the front rank of the profession.
On October 5th, 1860, he was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the Com- monwealth; and shortly afterwards in the District and Circuit Court of the United States, of the Eastera and Western Districts of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Royd is a gentleman of fine social qualities, and is an influential member of the community.
DR. R. H. AWL.
This gentleman has been a member of the medical profession for a period of nearly forty years. He was bors in Northumberland County, December 27th, 1819, and is the son of Sumuel Awl, Esq., and Mary Maclny, who had a family of five sons and five daughters, of whom the subject of this notice is the youngest child. His father wus
153
HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
born in Dauphin County, in 1773, and died in Upper Augusta, in 1842, at the age of sixty-eight. He was, for many years, Justice of the Peace of old Augustn township, and also filled some rounty offices.
His wife was the daughter of W'm. Maclay, who was the first Register and Recorder and Clerk of the Orphuas' Court for Northumberland County. He was an old surveyor, and was extensively engaged in that work in the State at a very early day. From 1789 to 1791, he was also United States Senator from Pennsylvania, and his brother, Samuel Maclny, oconpied the same position from 1803 to 1808. He had previously, in 1794, been the first Represcatative in Congress from Northumberland and Dauphin counties.
The Muclay family wero of Irish extraction ; and at an carly day, in that country, bore a title -" The Baron Fingle." The following statement briefly indientes their genealogy :
CHARLES MACLAY,
by his first wife, had three sons-Owen, Charles, and Henry-all officers in King James, Army before the battle of the Boyne, in which engagement Henry was killed.
The second wife of Charles, Sr., MILs a Scotch Indy, by the name of Hawthorn, by whom he had a son,
JOHN,
who also became the father of three children-Charles, John, and a daughter.
The sons emigrated to the United States, and settled near Shippensburg, Franklin Connty, Pa., where they both died, Charles leaving five children-John, William, Charles, Samuel, and Eleanor.
The second son, William MacIny, wus, as before stated, the muternal grandfather of Dr. R. Il. Awl. William Maclay's wife, or the maternel grandmother of Dr. Awl, was Mary ITarris, a daughter of John Harris, Jr., who assisted in laying out the city of Harrisburg. This John Harris married n Miss Elizabeth MeClure, snid to be one of the loveliest women of her day. It may here be added, that a sister of this John Harris, (daughter of John Harris, Sr., an English immigrant, in the settlement of William Penn, and Assistant Surveyor, in the laying out of the city of Philadelphia,) become the wife of Dr. Willinm Plunket, a high-toned gentleman of the old school, and a near relative of W. C. Plunket, Lord High Chancellor of Ireland. Previons to the removal of the Pennsylvania Capitol from Lancaster to Harrisburg, John Harris, Jr., donated to the Commonwealth four acres of the plot of ground on which is now located the State Capitol.
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