BIO:  J. A. POIST, 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 393

J. A. POIST, cigar manufacturer, McSherrystown, was born February 4, 1850, in 
Mountpleasant Township, this county.  His grandfather kept the “Three Mile 
House,” near Baltimore, and was supposed to have been of French extraction.  
James Poist, our subject’s father, was born in 1812, and died in Conowago 
Township, this county, July 15, 1869.  He was, by occupation, a farmer; married 
Susannah Fleshman, who was born in Mountpleasant Township, this county, daughter 
of Philip Fleshman.  The children born to this union were Anna S., Mary, 
Sylvester (deceased), Philip, William, John A., James, Ignatius and Harry.  John 
A. Poist was educated in Adams County, Penn.  In early life he was a farmer.  He 
came to McSherrystown in 1870, and learned and followed the plasterer’s trade, 
after which he learned and became an expert in the cigar-making business.  He 
commenced business for himself, on a small scale, in 1877; worked his way up, 
until now he is one of the leading manufacturers in this place, and is a 
successful business man.  He makes about 1,500,000 cigars annually, selling them 
mostly by wholesale.  J. A. Poist was married in McSherrystown, Penn., to Miss 
Clara Hombach, who was born here, daughter of Dr. William Hombach.  They have 
two children:  Mary and Estella Poist.