BIO: John Bricker, Cumberland County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter

Copyright 2011.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/
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History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania.
Containing History of the Counties, Their Townships, Towns, Villages, 
Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and 
Prominent Men; Biographies; History of Pennsylvania; Statistical and 
Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc.  Illustrated.  Chicago: Warner, Beers 
& Co., 1886.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/beers/beers.htm
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                                PART II.

             HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

                              CHAPTER LVI.

                        SILVER SPRING TOWNSHIP.

535  SILVER SPRING TOWNSHIP.

  JOHN BRICKER, farmer, P. O. Hogestown.  The Bricker family, which 
stands among the first families of Cumberland Valley, sprang from 
Strong German stock, who settled in Lancaster County at an early date.  
Jacob Bricker, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Lancaster 
County.  He married Miss Mary Fry, of the same county, and a few years 
later moved with his family to Cumberland County, and settled in Silver 
Spring Township (this was about the year 1812).  He soon bought the 
Silver Spring Mill, prospered in business, and by his energy and 
thrift, accumulated $80,000, which he left at his death to his two 
sons.  The estate consisted of six farms, embracing over 900 acres of 
land, the mill property, and a house in Mechanicsburg.  His wife bore 
him two sons; Lewis and Peter.  A very stout man, he was very active 
and industrious, and noted for his thrift and strong common sense.  He 
lived to the patriarchal age of eighty-four years. 

536  BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

Peter Bricker, the eldest son, was born in Lancaster County, Penn.  He 
married Miss Kate Buttorf, of Cumberland County.  To this union were 
born six children:  George, Peter, Jacob, Samuel, Mary and Susan.  His 
father gave him a farm which he had purchased of George Bobb in 1829, 
and here he settled after marriage, and in the old house built by Mr. 
Bobb in 1817 all his children were born.  His wife died, and he then 
married Miss Mary Bricker, of Cumberland County.  To them were born ten 
children:  David, Lewis, Joseph, John, Levi, Christine, Eliza, 
Catharine, Clara, and Ella.  Peter Bricker continued to reside on the 
same farm until 1860, when he moved to another of his farms, now owned 
by Jacob Meily.  By perseverance, prudence and energy, Mr. Bricker 
accumulated property which, at his death, was valued at $162,000, which 
was legally divided among his children.  John Bricker, our subject, was 
born in the old homestead July 11, 1848.  In 1871 he married Miss Sarah 
M. Gross, of this county.  They have been blessed with eight children:  
James, Peter, Lemuel, Clarence, Lawrence, Naomi, Bertie, and Mary.  At 
his father's death he went to live with his family in the old 
homestead, where twenty-nine members of the Bricker family first saw 
the light of day and passed out to fight the battle of life.  Since 
1829, when Jacob Bricker bought the old homestead, none but Brickers 
have tilled the soil of the old farm.  It is the cradle of the 
descendants of Peter Bricker.  Like his father before him, John is a 
prosperous man, and well known for his industry, thrift, and honesty.