BIO:  FINK and SHORB, Littlestown, Adams County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
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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 423

FINK & SHORB, grain dealers, Littlestown.  This firm has been in existence under 
its present proprietors, J. J. Fink and John A. Shorb, since 1880, and does an 
extensive business in grain and produce of all kinds, averaging from $80,000 to 
$100,000 per annum.

JOSEPH J. FINK, of the above firm, was born in Hamilton Township, this county, 
near East Berlin, September 28, 1850, and is a son of Pius P. and Matilda 
(Shorb) Fink.  When he was but two years of age his mother suffered from a 
severe attack of typhoid fever, and to remove him from the chance of taking the 
disease, he was taken by his uncle, Joseph L., and his aunt, Sally A. Shorb 
(brother and sister, both unmarried), which resulted in his being reared by them 
until his fourteenth year with all the care and tenderness that could have been 
bestowed upon him had he been a son instead of a nephew.  When fourteen years 
old he became a student at Calvert College, New Windsor, Md., where he remained 
two years, and later attended, for eighteen months, St. Charles College near 
Ellicott City, Howard Co., Md.  On his return home he occupied himself on his 
father’s farm for several years, and February 27, 1873, became a partner with 
his uncle, Samuel J., in the grain business at Littlestown, in which he 
continued until his uncle’s death.  Mr. Fink is a genial gentleman and one of 
Littlestown’s reliable and substantial business men.

JOHN A. SHORB, also of the above firm, was born in Mountpleasant Township, this 
county, October 17, 1855, and is a son of Samuel J. and Catherine (Parr) Shorb.  
He was reared on the farm until the age of eleven years.  His father then 
engaged in business at Bonneauville, where he remained three years; thence moved 
to Littlestown, and here established the business to which Fink & Shorb have 
succeeded.  John A. obtained his education partly in the Adams County schools, 
but when fifteen years of age was sent to Calvert College, New Windsor, Md., 
where he studied for two years, and afterward completed his studies in St. 
Francis College, Loretto, Penn.  He then returned to Littlestown and was 
employed in his father’s business until 1877, when he became a partner with a 
one-third interest.  The firm then consisted of Samuel J. Shorb, Joseph J. Fink 
and John A. Shorb.  On the death of his father, Samuel J., in 1880, the business 
was continued by John A. and his remaining partner.