BIO:  Ephraim BOLLINGER, Adams County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

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History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania
Chicago:  Warner, Beers & Co., 1886
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Part III, History of Adams County, Page 388

EPHRAIM BOLLINGER, P.O. Sell’s Station, was born September 30, 1836, on the 
first farm below Hanover on the York road, Pennsylvania.  The genealogy of this 
family dates back to Switzerland whence the great-grandfather, Jacob Bollinger, 
immigrated to America when the Indians roamed over this county; he settled in 
York County, Penn., where some of his descendants yet live.  The men in this 
family followed milling, the trade descending from father to son.  Jacob 
Bollinger's son Jacob had a mill six miles below Hanover, which burned down 
about 100 years ago, and which was one of the first in York County.  Jacob 
Bollinger, Jr., reared a family of eight children, of whom four survived, and of 
these, Jacob M., who was a miller in early life, married and then became a 
farmer.  He moved to Carroll County, Md., and, after living there nineteen 
years, returned to Pennsylvania twenty-nine years ago, and settled near Christ 
Church, in Union Township, this county.  He died in Conowago Township, Adams 
County, March 13, 1886, aged seventy-nine years.  He was for three years 
director of the almshouse in Gettysburg, and filled minor township offices; was 
well known and esteemed, and for over sixty years was a member of the Reformed 
Church, serving as an elder and filling other responsible offices.  He was a 
major in the Pennsylvania Militia and by most people was known as Maj. 
Bollinger.  He was married in York County, Penn., to Miss Nancy, daughter of 
Daniel Sprenkel, and who is yet living, the mother of six children:  Louise, 
Ephraim, Benjamin (deceased), Eli, Jessie and Mary.  Ephraim Bollinger was 
reared on a farm and has chiefly followed agricultural pursuits.  For the last 
twenty years he has owned and operated the old Kitzmiller mill, built in 1738.  
Over the mill door is a large stone on which is inscribed the following names 
and dates:  “Hanson Martin Kitzmiller, Aug. 1738; Ano 1755; I. H. G. K. M., May 
12, 1791.”  Probably the dates of the building and re-building of the mill.  
Ephraim Bollinger was married December 24, 1876, to Miss Sarah Loho, who has 
borne him two children:  Mary Irene and Jacob Roy.  Politically, though our 
subject is identified with the Democratic party, he votes for the best man.  He 
has himself filled minor township offices and has been also assessor, collector, 
auditor, etc.