Bios: Selected biographies and genealogy data: Durand and Richard: Cumberland Co, PA
Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Joe Cannon.
joecan@symix.com
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INDEX
42. BAKER, JOHN R.
13. BELTZHOOVER, JACOB & AGNES ECCLES
5. BRICKER, DAVID
6. BRICKER, PETER
43. CLEVER, GEORGE
44. CLEVER, GEORGE H.
45. CLEVER, JOSEPH
16. DALLAS, SAMUEL
9. DUNCAN, W. LINN
30. DUNLAP, JAMES
41. EYSTER, DAVID G.
40. EYSTER, ELIAS B.
39. GIVIN, ROBERT
38. GIVIN, SAMUEL
14. GRAHAM, JAMES
14. GRAHAM, JAMES HUTCHINSON
14. GRAHAM, JOHN
1. HAYS, JOHN
19. HENDERSON, HON ROBERT M
17. HOLLINGER, REV JACOB
34. HURST, EDWIN W.
35. HURST, JACOB
28. KIMMEL, COL DAVID H
24. LEEPER, DANIEL
32. LEFEVER, REV DAVID
23. LIEB, CHRISTIAN
7. MENTZER, several
37. MEIXEL, JACOB H.
33. MILLER, ABRAHAM
36. MOHLER, DAVID S
36. MOHLER, LEVI
29. MORRISON, JOHN
15. MOWERY, ADAM
8. OTT, several
4. REIGERT, REV. SAMUEL W
10. REINHARDT, several
20. RUPP, GEORGE
21. RUPP, HENRY
22. RUPP, JOHN
12. SIPE, PETER
11. SNYDER, SIMON
18. TAYLOR, SAMUEL
3. WALTERS, WILSON P
27. WATTS, HON FREDERICK
31. WEAKLEY, JAMES B
2. WILSON, ROBERT
25. WOLF,JOHN
26. WOLF,THOMAS
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Selected synopsized biographies and genealogy data from:
History of Cumberland County: P A Durand and J Fraise Richard; 1890.
Check lookup section of the Cumberland County PA USGenWeb Project for
additional information on this work.
1. JOHN HAYS was the president of the Carlisle Deposit Bank.
Adam Hays was descended from a Holland family that came to the US early on,
settling in New Castle on the Delaware. Adam came from New Castle to
Cumberland Co in 1730. He had sons Adam and Joseph.
Joseph had 3 sons: Adam, John and Joseph.
John was born Aug 1794. He married twice: Jane Pattison (they had a
daughter Annie) and Eleanor B Wheaton. John died 4/29/1854. He had 3
children: Robert Blaine Hays, Mary Wheaton Hays and John Hays.
John Hays married Jane Van Ness Smead. Children: Anna, Elizabeth,
George, Raphael and Eleanor.
2. ROBERT WILSON, born in Baltimore MD 11/29/1810 the
only child of Robert and Susan (Armstrong) Wilson. He married Sarah
Schock on 12/22/1831, They had 8 children. 7 who lived: George W,
William H, Julia, Mary, Ida, Susan, and Elizabeth.
3. WILSON P WALTERS. Grandson of John Walters and son of Daniel Walters
and Margaret Weibby.
Children of John Walters: John, Daniel, Joseph, Henry and Jacob.
Children of Daniel and Margaret: Levi, Jacob, Margaret, Wilson P,
John H, David, Mary, Sarah, and Ephraim.
WIlson P was born 9/8/1836. He married Mary Sadler 11/17/1859. They
had 2 children: Julia A b 1/18/1861 and William Franklin b 12/2/1863.
4. REV. SAMUEL W REIGERT: b 7/29/1837 so of John Franklin and Caroline
(White) Reigart. Married 12/31/1860 to Anna E Hodgson, dau of Francis
Hodgson and Agnes (Long) Hodgson. Children: John Franklin, Agnes H,
Carolin W, Mary H.
5. DAVID BRICKER: A native of Lancaster Co. Son of David Bricker who
came from Germany with his brother Christopher. David Bricker married a
Miss Erb. He came to Newville in 1794. He lived until almost 90. They
had 6 children: Levi (died in Westmoreland Co), John, Jacob, David, Mrs
Mary Dork and Mrs Margaret Ann Heffleman. His son John married Eliza
House. John died 2/16/1875 at the age of 84. They had five sons:
John H, William H, P D, Samuel, and George S.
6. PETER BRICKER son of John Bricker and Mary Fry was born in Lancaster
Co and married Kate Buttorf. They had 6 children: George, Peter, Jacob,
Samuel, Mary and Susan.. He next married Mary Bricker and had 10
children with her: David, Lewis, Joseph, John, Levi, Christine, Eliza,
Catherine, Calara and Ella.
7. MENTZER'S mentioned:
Abner D
Abraham
Ann
Annie
Barbara
Catherine
Christiana
David
Eliza
Elizabeth
Ellen
Eva
Francis
Frederick
Harriet
Henry
John
Kate D
Mamie
Mrs Margaret
Martha
Mary
Mina
Minnie Catherina
Polly
Sarah
Simon
Dr. William
William H
8. OTT'S Mentioned:
Carrie
Florence
Jacob
James
Mary
Simpson
Susan
William
9. W. LINN DUNCAN. Grandson of John Duncan. John Duncan had 11
children: Wm, John, Alexander, Samuel, David D G, Mary, Jane, Theresa,
Eliza, Sarah and Rebecca. David D G Duncan is W Linn's father.
W Linn's mother was Grizelda Linn (dau of William Linn of Franklin Co).
David and Grizelda had 11 children also: W Linn, Samuel A, David Glen,
John Knox, James Patterson, Mary Gilbreath, Emma Jane, Elizabeth Ann,
Sarah Ann, Flora, and Eva.
W Linn Duncan was born 12/5/1845. 12/19/1867 he married Arabella
Davidson. She died 1/15/1872. Children of this marriage were Hugh Linn
(10/25/1868) and Hudson Davidson (2/9/1870).
W Linn married Lydia Belle Tritt 9/21/1876. Children of this marriage
were James Linn Patterson (6/10/1877), David Daniel Glenn (7/29/1879) and
Charolotte Grizelda (11/27/1882). Lydia Belle is g-g-granddaughter of
Isaac Lefevre.
10.
REINHARDT:
Amelia
Augusta
Christina S
Ernest E
Ferdinand
Harriet
John
Mary
Minnie
Wilhelmina
RINEHART:
Barbara
11. SIMON SNYDER b 10/24/1819 in Frankford Twp to Henry and Elizabeth
(Mentzer) Snyder (of Manor Twp, Lancaster Co)
Henry died 3/29/1847
Elizabeth died 12/1868
Children of Henry and Elizabeth: George, Mrs Elizabeth Failor, Mrs
Catherine Camrey, Mrs Mary McCrea, Mrs. Barbara McCrea, Simon, Henry,
Mrs Sophia Wise, Mrs Ellen Jacoby.
12. PETER SIPE was born 9/1829 in Franklin Twp, York Co, PA to Martin and
Mary (Freisinger) Sipe. Martin and Mary had 12 children. Sarah, Jake,
Lydia, Peter, Leah and Maria were still living at the time of
publication (1886). Martin died when Peter was about 8 or 10 years old.
Peter lived with Peter Wolford in York and Franklin Counties until he
was about 14. He then moved to Churchtown, Cumberland Co and worked on
a farm for Henry Lutz for 4 years. Then he worked for Hon. William R
Gorgas in Lower Allen Twp. During this time he married Caroline Wilson
2/29/1848 (dau of Jacob and Sarah (Warts) Wilson). Peter then moved
around: Harrisburg PA, Wheeling WV, and New Orleans LA.
Peter and Caroline had six children who lived: Mrs. Mary Murdock, Mrs.
Sarah Strasbauch, Mrs Clara Bricker, Mrs. Barbara Glace, Mrs Ella Stone
and David.
13. AGNES ECCLES b 2/15/1821 d. 4/11/1852. Married JACOB BELTZHOOVER in
1840. Her children were:
Francis Eckels Beltzhoover (member of 46th, 47th, 52nd, and 53rd Congresses)
George Morris Beltzhoover (member of WV legislature)
Margaret (Beltzhoover) Hocker
John Clendenin Beltzhoover
Agnes is the daughter of Francis Eckels and Isabella Clendenin:
Isabella Clendenin was born 2/2/1790 and is the daughter of John
Clendenin and Elizabeth Caldwell:
Francis Eckels was born 4/1/1791 and is the son of Nathaniel Eckels and
Isabella Huston.
14. JAMES GRAHAM: (gr-grandson of James Graham from Ireland in 1685):
gr-son of James Graham and Miss Lytle, son of John Graham and Helen
Taylor: b 6/25/1823 married Louisa Stalter.
JAMES HUTCHINSON GRAHAM (gr-grandson of Jared Graham) gr-son of James
Graham . Son of Isaiah Graham: b 9/10/1807
JOHN GRAHAM (gr-gr-grandson of Jared Graham) gr-grandson of James
Graham, grandson of Thomas Graham, son of George Graham:
Robert Graham son of William Graham: b 11/12/1837 m Rebecca J McKeehan.
15. ADAM MOWERY: The first Mowery in Cumberland Co came from Berks Co and
is thought to be named Andrew. He had a son named Adam.
ADAM MOWERY was in the War of 1812 under Col Fenton. He married Mary Horting
of Berks Co. They had 3 children: David, Christian and Lavinia (m. a Givler).
Christian was killed in a gold mine in CA in 1854. Adam's
second wife was Mary Finkenbinder. Adam died 1/1874 and Mary died in 1882.
16. SAMUEL DALLAS was born in 1849 and raised by his grandparents. He
was justice of the peace and had a weekly publication called The
Telephone from 1879 - 1884. In 1869 he married Melissa Jane Rea dau of
J A and Elizabeth Rea. They had 3 children: Archie, Carrie and Moss.
17. REV JACOB HOLLINGER born Monroe Twp 8/22/1827. His gr-grandfather
came from Switzerland. His grandfather was Jacob Hollinger and his
father was Daniel Hollinger . Daniel Hollinger married Catherine
Dillinger. They lived in York Co. before moving to Cumberland Co. They
had 11 children 9 lived to maturity and 6 were alive when this was
written: Daniel, Jacob, John, Elizabeth, Catherine, Rebecca
Jacob married Mary Sheaffer 10/4/1849. 7 children were still alive:
John Edward, George William, Florence, Elizabeth, Jacob, Anna, Alice Eva
18. SAMUEL TAYLOR born 10/15/1815 Franklin Co Pa to John and Mary
(French) Taylor. His grandfather was also a John Taylor from Ireland
who was the fist settler of Southampton Twp.
19. HON. ROBERT M. HENDERSON, was born March 11, 1827. in the same house where his
father was born, on what is now known as the McDowell or Miller farm, one mile east
of Carlisle, Penn. In 1832 his parents moved to the old farm on which his father
still resides, a part of which is now in the borough of Carlisle. Our subject worked
on his father's farm, and was one of the first to graduate in 1838 from the high
school of' Carlisle under the present common school system. In 1845 he graduated
from Dickinson College studied law with Hon. John Reed, and was admitted to the bar
August, 25, 1847, and at once began the practice of his profession in Carlisle.
In 1851 he was elected, by the Whigs of Cumberland County, a member of the
Pennsylvania Legislature, and re-elected in 1852. He was appointed additional law
judge of the Twelfth Judicial District of Pennsylvania, in April, 1874, and was
elected to the same office without opposition, in November of the same year. January
1, 1882, he became president judge of the district. In March, 1882. he resigned this
position and resumed the practice of law in Carlisle. At the outbreak of the
Rebellion he raised Company A, Seventh Pennsylvania Infantry Volunteer Reserves, and
was elected and commissioned captain of this company, April 21, 1861. He served
through the Peninsular Campaign, and was wounded in the left shoulder by a minie
ball, at Charles City Cross Roads, Va, June 80, 1862. July 4, 1863 he was promoted
lieutenant-colonel of the Seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Infantry Volunteer Reserves,
and returned with his regiment from the Peninsula, when
the reserves joined the Army of Northern Virginia under Gen. Pope. The regiment
remained with that command, was engaged in the second battle of Bull Run, and during
the battle, on the eve of August 30, 1862, while making a charge, Col. Henderson was
shot through the body with a minie ball, and carried from the field. He rejoined his
command January 2, 1863, at Belle Plain, and remained with his regiment until May 1,
1863, when he was appointed provost-marshal of the Nineteenth District of
Pennsylvania, under an act of congress, and held that position until the close of
the war. March 13, 1865, he was made brevet colonel and brevet brigadier-general for
services and gallantry on the Peninsula during the seven days fights and at the
second Bull Run. Judge Henderson, as a soldier, judge and citizen always discharged
the duties imposed upon him faithfully. He and his wife are members of the First
Presbyterian Church, of which for many years lie has been trustee. In 1871 he was
elected ruling elder in the church, which position lie still retains. Judge
Henderson married June 7, 1853, at Baltimore, Md., Miss Margaret A. Webster, a
native of Baltimore, a daughter of John S. and Elizabeth (Thornburg) Webster,
natives of Maryland and of English descent. Mr. and Mrs. Henderson have five
children: William M., a miller and merchant of Carlisle: John Webster, attorney and
partner in the office of Henderson & Hays; Margaret T. residing at home with her
parents: Elizabeth P., wife of H. C. McKnight, a wholesale merchant of Pittsburgh,
and Rebecca, at home. William M. Henderson, father of the judge. was born May 28,
1795, and is still living at the advanced age of ninety-one years, possessed of all
his faculties. He is a son of Matthew and Margaret (Miller) Henderson, natives of
Pennsylvania. Matthew Henderson moved to Perry County, where he died near Gibson's
Rock. William M. Henderson worked at milling, and farming all his life. He married
Elizabeth Parker of Cumberland County, a daughter of Andrew and Margaret (Williams)
Parker, Scotch Presbyterians and early settlers of Cumberland County.
20. GEORGE RUPP grandson of George Rupp (b Lancaster Co 5/21/1772) and
son of George Rupp
Aunts and Uncles: Daniel, Jonas, Mary, Elizabeth, Jacob, Martin, John,
Jane, David, Henry, and Francis.
Wife: Elenora Sadler (dau of Joseph Sadler and Annie Grove)
Children: George and Joseph
21. HENRY RUPP Son of George Rupp Wife: Nancy Hursh Children: Lizzie
Landis and 4 others not listed
22. JOHN RUPP b 3/1844 A descendant of Jonas Rupp; Wife: Ellen Spidle
23. CHRISTIAN LIEB b. 2/4/1816 S. Middleton Twp, Cumberland Co
Parents: John Leib (b 1871) and Mary Wise
Married: 1836 Nancy Walter (Dau of Jacob)
Children: Mary, Christian, Charles, and John
24. DANIEL LEEPER
Born Dickinson (now Penn) Twp. 7/24/1819
Parents: James Leeper (of Lancaster Co) and Eliza Fort (of NJ)
Wife: Nancy Warren 3/21/1844
Children: Anna Eliza (Helm), John, Mary (Sheaffer), Amanda, Susan (Hewitt),
Daniel, Sallie (Danner), David, and Grant
25.JOHN WOLF b. 7/6/1834 son of David and Anna (Corman) Wolf. John's
grandfather John Wolf died in 1822. David died 1878. John Wolf married
Margaretta Wert 1/8/1857. They had one son Joseph who died at the age of 10.
11/10/1864 he married Catherine Wetzel. They had 6 children:
David H, Raymond S, Anna C, Mary E, Charles H, and Cora.
26. THOMAS WOLF b. 1/3/1848 son of George and Nancy (Wolf) Wolf. George
was born in Germany. Thomas was married in 1869 to Annie M Fleming [dau
of Issac and Susan (Sheffler) Fleming]. They had 3 children:
Grace, Mary, and George R
27. HON FREDERICK WATTS b. 5/9/1801 Carlisle Son of David Watts.
His mother was the daughter of Gen Miller of Rev War and War 1812 (no
name given). His grandfather was Frederick Watts who was a member of the
executive council of PA before the Revolution. His wife was Henrietta Ege.
Brother Wm Miles Watts and sister Julia Watts (married Gen Edward M Biddle)
28. COL DAVID H KIMMEL was born in Shippensburg 3/15/1835 to George and Mary
(Swiler) Kimmel. 11/26/1857 he married Miss Kate Hoover of Mechanicsburg
dau of John and Mary (Martin) Hoover. Their children were : Frank H (b.
3/3/1859), Minnie E, John G (b 3/3/1868), and Sarah B.
David's grandfather, Valentine Kimmel, was born in Lancaster Co.
29. JOHN MORRISON was born 7/1/1818. His father was William Morrison.
William married Sarah Wolf (dau of William Wolf). William Morrison died
in 1834 and Sarah died 2/20/1872. Children of William and Sarah:
Margaret, Ann Knopp, John, William, Samuel and James. John married Jane
Lockhart (dau of Samuel and Catherine Lockhart) on 2/24/1842. Children
of John and Jane: Grizelle Hollinger, Winfield Scott, Caroline Stouffer,
William H, Sarah Catherine Martin, Anna Mary Martin, Frank G, John S and
Martin L.
Winfield Scott Morrison was born 5/12/1844. He married Della Frehn
12/1865. Children of Winfield and Della: Harry Grant, Charles Monroe,
Stella Blance, and Arthur Ray.
30. JAMES DUNLAP b. 2/20/1819
Father: William Dunlap d. 10/1826
Mother: Elizabeth Sproat d. 1839
Siblings: William in Urbana, Ohio, James, and Nancy E.
Wife: Lucetta Hays (married 2/26/1846)
Children of James and Lucetta: WIlliam S, Robert Hays, Mrs Margaret Jane
McCullough, John Armstrong, LIllie Belle, Fred S, and James Wallace.
31. JAMES B WEAKLEY b. 11/16/1819 d. 2/28/1886
Father: Nathaniel Weakley
Grandfather: James Weakley
Spouse: Martha Eliza Bell (married 1854) of Adams Co.
Children: Martha J (wife of Thomas M Craighead. They had one child:
James Bell Weakley Craighead)
Second born of five children.
Other Weakley tidbits
The Graveyard at Meeting House Springs:
James Weakly, died June 6, 1772 aged 68
Jane Weakly [wife], died Nov 30, 1768 aged 53
James Weakly [infant son of Samuel and Hetty] died Sept 4 1777
Earliest list of Taxables for Cumberland Co:
James Weakly, West Pennsborough 1751
James Weakley, West Pennborough 1762
There's a James Weakley as early as 1749.
Mount Holly (originally called Trent's Gap): James B Weakly lived on the
land originally settled by his grandfather James Weakley.
32. REV DAVID LEFEVER
Born: 3/5/1823 Cumberland Co, PA
Married: 12/29/1847 to Mathilda Cunningham (Died 1/8/1885)
Father: John LeFever (Died 9/13/1864)
Mother: Rebecca Rine (Died 12/1875)
Children: Henry Rine, David Landis, Joseph C, Mrs Margaret Smith,
Mathilda, Mrs. Clarinda Eysterand Fannie
Grandfather: Lawrence LeFever
Grandmother: Veronica Alter
Gr-Grandfather: George LeFever
Gr-gr-grandfather: Phillip LeFever
Gr-gr-gr-grandfather: Dr LeFever (From France) (probably Isaac)
>From the LeFevre article we see that ISAAC LeFever came to Boston in 1708 and
settled in Lancaster CO, PA. He married Catherine Fierre in 1712. His
son Philip was born 3/16/1710 in Boston. PHILLIP had 8 children: Issac,
George, Adam, Jacob, Catherine, Esther, Eve and Elizabeth.
Philip's son GEORGE married Anna Barbara Slaymaker and they had 12
children: Elizabeth, LAWRENCE, Isaac, Mary Jacob, George, Adam, Peter,
Anna Barbara, Samuel, John and Daniel.
Lawrence married twice First to Veronica Alter (so this is the same
family as above) in May 1792. They had: Margaret, George, Jacob,
Elizabeth, JOHN, Isaac, Fannie, Esther, David Alter and Joseph Ritner.
His second wife was Salome Line. They had Phillip, Anna Maria and
Louisa Elbe.
33. ABRAHAM MILLER came to the US in 1738 and settled in Lebanon CO, PA. He
laid out what was then Millerstown but is now Annville. He came to
Cumberland Co about 1765 and bought land in Allen Twp. He married
Rebecca Epwright of Harrisburg (born in England). They had 6 sons and
one daughter.
His 6th son Abraham married Elizabeth Boyer (dau of Frederick Augustus
Boyer). Abraham the younger had 5 sons and 2 daughters, His son Andrew
G MIller was born in 1811 at the old family homestead.
Andrew G miller served in the senate from 1869 - 1871. He married
Eleanor Umberger (Eleanors' paternal ancestor, John Leonard Umberger,
came to the US on the ship Hope in 1732.) Andrew and Eleanor had 6
children: William E, Mary, John R, Ellen, Henrietta, and Andrew G.
WILLIAM E MILLER was born 2/5/1836 at West Hill, Cumberland Co, PA. He
married Elizabeth Ann Hocker in 1856. William and Elizabeth had 2
children: Caroline and Elizabeth. Elizabeth died in 1859 from typhoid
fever. On 6/25/1868 WIlliam married again to Anna De Pui Bush of Tioga
Co PA (Dau of J S Bush a lumber merchant).
NOTE: [Abe's *father*, Andrew came to America I believe in 1730 on the ship
Hope & was married in 1738 in Lancaster co. Abe is the eldest son,
so he *should* have been born *after* 1738!] [Note provided by family member
Linnea Miller 12/97]
34. EDWIN W. HURST, leading merchant tailor of Mechanicsburg, was born in
Philadelphia, Penn., December 31. 1829, son of Jacob Bricker and Susan
(Hershfeldt) Hurst. Jacob B. Hurst was born near Dillsburg, York Co.,
Penn., son of John and Catharine (Cocklin) Hurst, who were the parents
of three sons and four daughters: Edwin W., the eldest; Jacob, a
merchant, of Mechanicsburg, Penn.; Lydia, wife of William Spahr,
superintendent of the city railway stables, Harrisburg, Penn.; Ellen, wife
of William Nelson, a farmer near Dillsburg, York Co., Penn.; Kate,
wife of Robert Mateer, hardware merchant, Harrisburg, Penn.; Templeton
B., who married Miss Jennie Lyman, a daughter of Col. Lyman, attorney
at Lock Haven, Penn. (he, Templeton B., served all through the war of
the Rebellion); Mellie, wife of George W. Hackett, a hardware merchant at
Sunbury, Penn. Our subject, when an infant, was brought by his parents to
Dillsburg, Penn., where his father engaged in the tailoring and merchant
tailoring and was postmaster and who later opened a general store.
Edwin W. assisted his father learning the tailoring of him. He was
married in August, 1851, in Newville, Penn., to Miss Sarah Miller,
born in Fishing Creek Valley, York Co., Penn., daughter of Henry and
Catharine (Roth) Miller; former a son of John Miller. In 1855 our
subject went to Philadelphia, Penn and worked at his trade some ten
years, then came to Mechanicsburg and did the merchant tailoring for his
father who had opened a dry goods store here. In 1872 he established his
present business here. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian
Church. They have six children: Annie C., wife of John P. Eckels, of
Decatur, Ill., a traveling salesman for Morehouse, Wells & Co.,
wholesale hardware dealers, Decatur, Ill.; J. Harry, born in Dillsburg,
York Co., Penn., February 21, 1854, married December 23, 1879, to Miss
Sarah A. Eberly, born in Upper Allen Township, daughter of Jacob and
Mary (Hertzler) Eberly, (he, J. Harry, is a tailor of Mechanicsburg, has had
two children, one now living: Hattie Maude Hurst); Ida, who died aged
two years; Charles M., hardware merchant, junior partner in firm of
Morehouse, Wells & Co., and who married Miss Rella Shockley, and resides
at Decatur, Ill.; Maude, who died aged eight years; Robert T., born in
Mechanicsburg, Penn., died in 1876, aged three years. Our subject is a
member of Humane Lodge 342, I. 0. 0. F., York County, Penn., and a member of
the American Mechanics, and Knights of the Golden Eagle,
and Commandery, and a member of the G.A.R., Capt. Zinn Post, No. 415. He
is an enterprising representative businessman, and stands high in the
estimation of all who know him.
35. JACOB HURST (originally spelled Horsh), dry good merchant, Mechanicsburg
is a native of York Co, Penn born at
Dillsburg August 13, 1882, son of Jacob and Susan (Herchfeldt) Hurst, former
of whom born near Dillsburg York Co. Penn., January 7, 1808, was a
son of John (who was a farmer) and Catharine (Cocklin) Hurst, who were
the parents of four sons and three daughters, who lived to be men and women.
Jacob B. was raised on a farm until be was fifteen, when he began
to learn the tailor's trade with William Gilbethorp; four years
later he went to Harrisburg and Philadelphia, and after working at
his trade a number of years returned to Dillsburg and opened a tailor shop
on his own account in 1831. He afterward (in 1855) opened a
general store, and in the spring of 1866 came to Mechanicsburg and
established the dry goods house of J. B. Hurst & Son. He was a director of
the First National Bank and a man of high honor and sterling
worth. He and his wife were earnest Christians and members of the
Presbyterian Church, in which he was elder for a number of years.
Jacob B. Hurst stood high in the estimation of all as an upright, honest
Christian gentleman. He departed this life November 18, 1875; his
widow is living in Mechanicsburg. This couple had seven children, three sons
and four daughters: Edwin W., a merchant tailor of Mechanicsburg; Jacob our
subject; Lydia B., wife of William A. Spahr, a stock-dealer,
residing in Harrisburg; Mary E., wife of William B. Nelson,
resides on a farm near, Dillsburg, Penn.; Templeton B., of East Saginaw,
Mich,, an ex-soldier from Company H Seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Reserves.
Kate M., wife of Robert B. Mateer, a hardware merchant of Harrisburg, Penn.;
Melizena M., wife of George W. Hackett, a hardware merchant of Sunbury,
Penn. The subject of our sketch attended school until he was
fifteen, then assisted his father in the merchant tailoring and
general store at Dillsburg until the fall of 1865, when he came
with his father to Mechanicsburg and formed a partnership with him, under
the firm name of J. B. Hurst & Son. Three months after his
father's death he purchased the entire stock and has since
conducted the business alone; he now carries a full line of dry goods and
notions, carpets, etc., valued at $17,000. September 5, 1872, Mr. Hurst
married Julia Wilson, born in Carlisle, Penn., daughter of Robert
and Sarah (Shock) Wilson. To Mr. and Mrs. Hurst have been born two
children: Wilson and Corliss. Mrs. Hurst is a member of the Lutheran Church.
Our subject is one of the leading business men of Cumberland County,
and stands high in the estimation of all as an upright business man.
The family is of German descent, and is one of the oldest in Pennsylvania.
36. MOHLERS
DAVID S. MOHLER, farmer, P. 0. Mechanicsburg, is a grandson of Christian and
Magdalena (Springer) Mobler,.who were born in Cumberland County, Penn., the latter
March 7 1780 and after their marriage resided in this county, mostly in this township.
They are the parents of sixteen children, of whom Samuel, the father of our subject,
was the eldest son, and only one. Mrs. Esther Hoover, is now a resident of this county.
Samuel Mohler married Miss Rachael, daughter of Henry Miller, of this county. Three
of Mrs. Mohler's brothers and one sister reside in Cumberland County. Four daughters
and two sons of the family of Samuel Mohler are now residents of this county. David S.
Mohler, the subject of this sketch, was united in marriage, June 19, 1860, with Miss Mary
Bowman. October 15, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, Third Regiment Pennsylvania
Artillery, and served as a musician during his term of enlistment, being stationed at
Fort Monroe, Va. He was honorably discharged, on account of disability, February 20, 1864.
After farming for seven years he engaged in mercantile business unti 1879, at Shiremanstown,
this county, since when he has resided on the farm upon which he was born. Mr.
and Mrs. David S. Mohler have two children living: Ida M. and Myrta V.; the second
born died at his birth. Our subject has served his township as supervisor and for five
years as school director. For many years be was engaged in teaching vocal and instru-
mental music, and for seven years had charge of the Harmonic Society of Shiremanstown,
an organization noted throughout this and adjoining counties.
LEVI MOHLER, farmer, P. 0. Mechanicsburg, a representative of one of the first
families that settled in this township, was born August 20,1845, on the old homestead, the
second son of Samuel and Rachael (Miller) Mohler, who were for many years residents of
this beautiful valley. Their children, ten in number, were all born on the old homestead,
and Elizabeth, David, Mary, Priscilla, Levi and Hetty are still living in this county. Mrs.
Mohler died February 8, 1870, and Samuel Mohler June 1, 1885. Both were for many
years devout members of the German Baptist Brethren Church, and their children were
reared in that faith. The parents of Samuel Mohler, Christian and Magdalena (Springer)
Mohler, came from Germany to this county, and early settled on the farm now owned by
our subject, and which has been in possession of the Mohlers over three-quarters of a cen-
tury. They reared a family of fourteen children, who are now scattered over the States
and Western Territories. Levi Mohler was educated in the common schools and adopted
farm life. He married, July 4, 1869, Miss Fanny Beelman, of York County, Penn.,
daughter of Rev. Adam Beelman, who for thirty years was a minister in that county.
The first year of Mr. and Mrs. Mohler's wedded life was spent with her parents, since
which time they have resided on the Mohler homestead. They are the parents of five chil-
dren: Harry B., Martha, Mary, Clara and Annie. The remote ancestors of Mrs. Mohler
were from Germany, but her father, Rev. Adam Beelman, was born in this county, and
her mother, Mattie (Hurst) Beelman, was a native of York County, Penn. This aged and
worthy couple are living, and Rev. Beelman supplies a pulpit, being the oldest minister
in the Lower Cumberland District of the Middle District of Pennsilvania. George and
Eve (Metzgar) Beelman, grandparents of Mrs. Mohler on the father's side, were the par-
ents of six children: George, Adam, John, Fanny, Sarah and Joseph. On the mother's
side her grandparents were Abraham and Elizabeth Hurst, who reared a family of nine
children: Christian, Fannie, Abram, Henry, Maria, Eliza, Nancy, Martha and Hetty.
37. JACOB H. MEIXEL, farmer and stock grower, P. 0. Boiling Springs, was born in
South Middleton Township, Cumberland Co., Penn. January 22, 1846, son. of George
and Catharine (Hoover) Meixel, natives of Pennsylvania and of German origin. George
Meixel was born in this county, and is a farmer by occupation, but in early life
was a freighter; he now resides at Boiling Springs; he was a deacon in the Church of God.
He raised three sons and one daughter: Jeremiah F., a minister in the Church of God;
Jacob H., Zachariah T., teaching in-the high school, Hanover. York Co., Penn.; and Sally,
wife of Charles W. Otto. Our subject, was reared on the farm, receiving his education
in the township schools, the Iron City Commercial College, and at the Commercial
College of Philadelphia, Penn. He is a first-class penman. and traveled through the
West teaching penmanship. He was married, January 11, 1876, to Crara, daughter of
Peter Bricker, of German origin. To this union were born four children, three now living:
Jacob B.. Rolland H., George G., and Christ. Mr. Meixel is a Republican in politics.
He enlisted when he was eighteen years old, in Company I, One Hundred and
Ninety-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, served his term of enlistment,
and then re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-ninth Independents, and became
a non-commissioned officer. Mr. Meixel has traveled in two-thirds of the States
of the Union. He is owner of 214 acres of land, is a first-class farmer, and
raises thoroughbred chickens, turkeys, hogs, and cattle.
38. SAMUEL GIVIN, president of the Mount Holly Paper Company, Mount Holly Springs was
born in Cumberland County, Penn., July 6, 1804, son of James and Agnes (Steel) Given;
the former a native of Ireland, the latter of Pennsylvania. James Givin came to
this county in 1790, and for many years was a merchant in Carlisle and a prominent man.
In early life he was a Democrat in politics, but in later years became a Republican.
He was a member of Carlisle Town Council. Of the eleven children born to James and
Agnes Givin seven attained maturity. Samuel Givin, the seventh born, grew up in
Carlisle and there received his education, and early in life embarked in mercantile
business, in which he continued until 1828, when he built a mill at Mount Holly Springs,
near the site of the brick mill now owned by the Mount Holly Paper Company, and there
for several years manufactured carpets, whose beauty in deslgn and texture are said to
have equaled the celebrated carpets of Kidderminster, England. In 1865 the paper company
was incorporated, with a cash capital of $200,000, and Mr. Robert Givin was elected
president, acting as such until his death in 1878. when Samuel Givin was elected
president, which office he still holds. He is a Republican in politics, and has served
as president of town council. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
39. ROBERT GIVIN (deceased), late banker and manufacturer of Carlisle, was a native of
Cumberland County, born at Carlisle June 11, 1810, son of James and Amelia (Steele) Givin,
former a native of Coleraine, Ireland, and the latter of Cumberland County, Penn, James
Given was for many years a dry goods merchant of Carlisle. Our subject received his
education in his native village, and January 18, 1841, was married to Miss Sarah H. Gibson,
at Romney, W. Va., the place of her birth. Her parents were David and Eliza (Armstrong)
Gibson, natives, he of Winchester, W. Va., and she of the vicinity of Romney, W.
Va. David Gibson was a merchant and farmer. After the marriage of our subject and
wife they moved to Mount Holly Springs, in Cumberland Co., Penn., where Mr. Givin,
with others, had established the Mount Holly Paper Mills, of which company he was
president from its organization until his death, which occurred February 9, 1879,
at Carlisle to which point he had previously removed. At the organization of the Farmers
Bank, Mr. Givin became its president, and remained as such until his death. The
children born to Mr. and Mrs. Givin were David Gibson Givin, who died when a young man;
James (deceased); Samuel G. (deceased), who married Miss Ella Mark; Robert A., and
Amelia S., who resides with her mother. Mr. Givin was an active, energetic business man
and citizen, always taking special interest in anything that promised progress to his
county. He was a man of the highest honor, enjoying the confidence and respect of all.
As a friend, neighbor and citizen he possessed all the noblest qualities. His widow
lives in her elegant residence in the Farmers Bank building. She and her daughter
are members of the Second Presbyterian Church.
40. ELIAS B. EYSTER, P. 0. Walnut Bottom, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio July
16,1809, son of John and Susan (Booz) Eyster, natives of Berks and Adams Counties,
Penn., respectively, who, after their marriage, moved to Columbiana County, Ohio,
where they remained until their death. They were among the earliest and most
respected pioneers of Ohio. Elias B. Eyster left Ohio when he was twenty-one years
of age, and
came to Berks County, Penn. He there married, December 5,1835, Miss Helena
Dresher,and in 1837 they came to Oyster Point, this county, within two miles of
Harrisburg. They kept the Oyster Point Hotel for five years, and then moved up the
Cumberland
to the place where they now reside, in Penn Township, this county. They purchased
the Long Meadow Hotel, and conducted it for a period of forty years (the house
was built in 1780 and is still standing and occupied). Elias B. Eyster was a genial
and popular landlord, and his house was a favorite resort for travelers seeking
entertainment, good-cheer and rest, in the good old days long past. In 1855 Mr.
Eyster purchased the mill on Yellow Breeches Creek, since known as Eyster's Mill,
which he still owns, and in addition he has acquired here five farms, aggregating
over 500 acres of fertile and well improved land, much of which he has given to his
children. September 20, 1878, Mrs. Eyster departed this life, aged sixty-six years,
six months and eight days. To our subject and wife have been born the following
named children: Thomas Jefferson (deceased), Angelina. Elias G., Helena Jane, Mrs.
Sarah Ann Moore, Charles J. (deceased), Mrs. Frances, Josephine Myers, Laura
Elizabeth (deceased), Margaret M. (deceased) and William L. Mr. Eyster is a
life-long Democrat. He has filled most of the township offices at various times, and
has held the position of director of the poor for one term (1870-73). He and his
family attend the Lutheran Church. His wife has been a member of that church nearly
her entire life. Mr. Eyster has led an active and useful life, and is honored and
respected by his descendants and his fellow-citizens of this county.
41. DAVID G. EYSTER, farmer, Camp Hill, is a great-great-grandson of George Eyster, who
immigrated to this country in the seventeenth century, locating in Berks County.
Penn., where he prospered. One of his sons married there, and was the father of
Jacob, who became the husband of Magdalene Burkhouse, and they were the grandparents
of David G. They lived in Abbottstown, York Co., Penn., and had three sons and one
daughter. His wife having died, Jacob Eyster, about the year 1780, leaving his
oldest son (who was a hatter) and his daughter in Abbottstown, took his two young
boys to relatives at Adamstown, Lancaster County, and started for Virginia to buy
a farm, intending to return for the boys and his girl, but was never after heard of.
At this time a man was robbed and killed on the Baltimore road, on which he was
traveling and his family supposed him to be the murdered man. The boys stayed at
Abbottstown for awhile, Abraham learning the trade of a tailor, and George (father
of David G.) going to his grandfather Eyster, in Berks County, and afterward to
Wolferts Mills. As soon as he was able he took up the occupation of driving team on
the Pittsburgh and Harrisburg road, which he followed for eight years. He then went
for four years into the milling business, during which time he was married to
Elizabeth. daughter of Nicholas Keisicker, of Berks County, Penn. Subsequently he
bought the farm of 250 acres in East Pennsborough Township, which is still owned by
David G, who is an only child. George Eyster died in 1846, and his widow a few years
later. David G. Eyster, who was born in 1808 at Milltown, Allen Township, Cumberland
County, three miles from Harrisburg, spent all his life as a farmer until, in 1859,
he retired from active duties, renting his farm and building the house in Camp Hill,
in which he lives. In 1838 he married Miss Hannah Bechtel, who lived near Reading. To
this union seven children were born, three of whom are now living. The eldest, George
B., is sheriff of Cumberland County; David is on a cattle ranch in Texas, and the
daughter, Magdalene. lives with her father. The mother died in 1875. Mr. Eyster is
liked in the community for his strong upright character, which commands universal
respect.
42. JOHN R. BAKER, carriage-maker, Shiremanstown, was born October 20,1845, and
is a son of John S. Baker, now living near Shepherdstown, Upper Allen Township, where
John R. was born. The elder Baker was born in York County, Penn., in 1813, where he
lived with his parents, until he came to this county, over forty years, settling on
the place where he now lives. The family consists of the father (the mother is but
a few months deceased), three sons and two daughters. John R., who is the second son,
lived at home until he was ten years of age, when he went to his grandfather's for
three years. There he was hired out until be joined the Union Army, in the spring
of 1862, when but sixteen years of age, a volunteer in the Eighty-seventh Regiment
Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, in the Army of the Potomac, in which he saw a great
deal of service. He participated in the battle of Winchester, the battles in the
Wilderness, Mine Run, Spottsylvania Court House, Cold Harbor, the capture of the
Weldon Railroad,the battles of Cedar Creek and Monocacy River, the siege and capture
of Petersburg and the final fight at Appomattox. His time had expired a few days
before this last event, but he preferred to stay and see the war out. Though but
a boy he became a veteran. and in spite of the many battles in which he participated,
beside skirmishes innumerable, be never received a wound. On the field of Appomattox
he got his well-earned honorable discharge, and afterward, with the rest of his
comrades of the historic Army of the Potomac, was mustered out of the service at
Washington. On his return home he apprenticed himself to John Palmer, of
Mechanicsburg, to learn carriage painting. In 1872 he and his brother Henry
established a carriage factory at Camp Hill, in East Pennsborough Township. Here they
remained for eight years, when John R. bought Henry's interest, and after stayiug
there one year more, removed to Shiremanstown, where he has been engaged in the
business ever since, building up a large and constantly increasing trade by
honest work. He was married, in 1867, to Annie, daughter of Simon Dean, of
Mechanicsburg, and they have seven children-two boys and five girls. Mr. Baker
is a member of the Winding Hill Reformed Mennonite Church, and among his
fellow-men bears a welI-deserved reputation as a man of probity whose word
can always be relied upon, for what he promises he will perform. Yet a young man,
a long and honorable career lies before him.
43. GEORGE CLEVER P. 0. Cleversburg, was born in this county January 4, 1819,
son of Conrad and Catherine (Walters) Clever, natives of Lancaster County,
Penn., of German descent. Conrad Clever was brought to this county when
he was six years of age, and was raised here. He chose farming and
lumbering as his occupation, and was very successful. He died in 1861, at
the advanced age of eighty-one years. He had filled most of the town
offices. He was a man of large stature and noted for his great strength,
a man of unblemished character. Of his four sons George is the youngest. Our
subject was brought up on the farm; has made farming and lumbering the
principal business of his life, and hat also engaged largely in the
manufacture of iron and in shipping iron ore. In 1850 George Clever laid
out the town of Cleversburg, this county, and in the same year he
embarked in mercantile trade, in connection with his other business. He now
owns several stores in different parts of Pennsylvania, and also several
farms, as well as real estate in Cleversburg and other places. Mr. Clever
was married, in 1845, to Miss Isabella Kelso sister of Maj. Kelso, of
Shippensburg, Penn., and a daughter of Samuel and Catherine, (Stough)
Kelso, who were of Scotch-Irish descent. To Mr. and Mrs. Clever have been
born eight children, of which four are living: Conrad, a minister of the
Reformed Church, in Baltimore, Md.; Samuel R., residing at home; George
G., married and a resident of Southampton Township, Penn.; and Jennie S.,
residing at home. Our subject and wife are members of the Reformed Church
Shippensburg, in which he has been deacon and trustee for many years. In
politics he is a Republican, but not a politician. He has served one term
as jury commissioner.
44. GEORGE H. CLEVER, retired farmer, P. 0. Cleversberg, was born in
this county on the farm where he now resides, son of George and Elizabeth
(Hippenstell) Clever, natives of Southampton Township, this county, of
German descent, former a farmer. Our subject now owns the farms where his
parents were born. Our subject's father was born in l790, and his mother
in 1800. His grandfather, Barnhart Clever, was an early pioneer farmer of
this county, and the deed given him by William Penn, in 1788, is now held by
George H. Clever. At the time this deed was made out Southampton Township
was called Hopewell Township. Our subject, the fourth child and only
son in a family of six children, has followed farming as an occupation,
and now owns 621 acres of land. He was married, in 1849, to Sarah,
daughter of Adam Warner, who was a farmer and of German descent, a native
of Pennsylvania. The children of this marriage are Elizabeth. wife of George
Miller; Cyrus, a farmer in Franklin County, Penn.: Emily, wife of William B.
Bowers; Susan, wife of John C. Raybuck (he is a farmer in Franklin
County, Penn.); Henry B., married and a farmer, and Samuel A., attending
school. Mr. and Mrs. Clever are members of the United Brethren Church,
of which church he has been class-leader and trustee and has been
superintendent of the Sabbath-school. He has also been an exporter for
several years. Mr. Clever is an earnest advocate of the cause of Christ, and
has done much good. He votes the Democratic ticket, and has served his
township as justice of the peace for fifteen years.
45. JOSEPH CLEVER, farmer, P. 0. Lee's Cross Roads, was born in Shippensburg in
October, 1835, son of Henry and Elizabeth (Buehman) Clever, natives of
Southampton Township, this county, and of German descent, the former a
farmer by occupation. Joseph's grandfather, Barnhart Clever, was an early
pioneer of this county. Our subject, the third in a family of thirteen
children, eleven of whom grew to maturity, received his education in
Southampton Township, this county, and has made agriculture his business.
He has resided on his present farm since he was two years of age, and is now
the owner of 182 acres of land. Mr. Clever was married, in 1859, to
Georgianna, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Dice) Waddle; the former was a
farmer by occupation, and both of Irish descent. Mr. and Mrs. Clever have
eight children: Clara E., John D., Martha C., Julia B., Harry W., Franklin
E., Charles C. and Nellie M. Our subject and wife are members of the
Reformed Church. In politics he is a Democrat. He has served nine
consecutive terms as school director in his district.