BIO:  Alexander S. HIMES, New Oxford, Adams County, PA

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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 497

ALEXANDER S. HIMES. P. O. New Oxford, youngest son of Col. George and Helen 
Catharine (Barnitz) Himes, whose family history is given in a sketch of William 
D. Himes, is a native of Adams County, born in the old family mansion at New 
Oxford, in the year 1828.  He received a fair education, first attending Oak 
Ridge Academy, a select school at Gettysburg; then pursued a course of study in 
the academy of Dr. Pfeiffer at New Oxford.  Two years later he engaged with 
Thomas Himes, his brother-in-law, in mercantile business in Lancaster County, 
where he was occupied two years, and in company with his brother-in-law, who was 
interested in the Margaretta furnace, took charge of a store in that vicinity.  
One year later he entered the employ of John A. Weiser, a merchant of York.  The 
next year the death of his father occurred, and Alexander S. returned to the 
home of his boyhood, and in company with his brother, William D., engaged in 
mercantile business, in which he continued until 1861.  In 1870 Mr. Himes was 
married to Mrs. Sarah F. Reed, daughter of Hon. R. G. Harper, of Gettysburg.  
One son, Harper A., has blessed this union.  Soon after his marriage Mr. Himes 
again engaged in mercantile business in New Oxford, and two years later disposed 
of the same to his nephew, George T. Himes.  In 1866 Alexander S. Himes was 
elected a director of the First National Bank of Hanover, and has since held the 
same position.  He was, prior to 1865, a director of the bank of Gettysburg.  
His attention is now devoted to the management of his extensive farms in Adams 
County.  His handsome residence in New Oxford was erected the year of his 
marriage, every brick of which Mr. Himes selected with his own hands; Eli Roth 
was the builder, and the site was purchased of John R. Hersh, upon which was 
formerly located the first tannery in the borough.