BIO: W. Scott Bruckhart, Cumberland County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/ ______________________________________________________________________ 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 ______________________________________________________________________ PART II. HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA. CHAPTER XLII. BOROUGH OF SHIREMANSTOWN. DR. W. SCOTT BRUCKHART, Shiremanstown, was born March 10, 1848, near Columbia, Lancaster Co., Penn. His father was born on the same farm, and his grandfather in the same neighborhood. His great-grandfather was one of a colony which came to this country from Switzerland early in the last century, coming directly to Philadelphia, Penn. From there the party went to Virginia, bur shortly after returned to York and Lancaster Counties, where many of their descendants are yet to be found; here he engaged in farming, as did his son, the father of our subject, latter acquiring a competence by his industry. Our subject's father and mother still live on the original farm; he is also interested in mining enterprises in Chestnut Hill District; his wife was Catherine Habecker, of the same place; they have seven boys living, of whom the Doctor is the eldest. Our subject stayed on the farm until he was sixteen years of age, then taught school for three winter terms, attending the normal school at Millersville in the summers. In 1868 he began the study of medicine with Dr. A. K. Rohrer, of Mountville, one of the most prominent physicians in that part of the State, regarded as high authority on the treatment of typhoid fever. Here Dr. Bruckhart stayed for two or three years, taking at the same time a full course of lectures in the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, where he graduated in March, 1870, at the early age of twenty-two years. The following month he removed to Mount Joy, Lancaster County, and commenced the practice of his profession. In February, 1874, he came to Shiremanstown, where he has ever since devoted himself to the practice of his profession. During this time several other physicians have located in the borough, at different times, but all have retired from the field in turn, leaving Dr. Bruckhart the sole 457 BOROUGH OF SHIREMANSTOWN. practitioner in the neighborhood, in which he has, by his skill and knowledge of his profession, as well as by his other good qualities, acquired the confidence and esteem of his neighbors. In December, 1872, he married Attilla, daughter of John Strickler, of Mount Joy, a retired farmer. They had three children, of whom only one, Paul Holmes, survives. The Doctor is a member of Columbia Lodge, No. 286, F. & A. M., and Corinthian Chapter and Cyrene Commandery, No. 34, all of Columbia. He is also a member of Irene Lodge, No. 425, K. of P., of Shiremanstown, and is likewise president of the Beneficial Society of Shiremanstown, an incorporation of residents of the vicinity for mutual aid. Dr. Bruckhart has held the office of school trustee ever since the second year of his residence in the borough, and has during all that time been secretary of the board. He also served two years as burgess, and, as will be seen by the above, is one of the most active members of society in this part of the county. He has, in a very marked degree, the confidence and esteem of his neighbors, who will probably call upon him to serve them in a higher capacity. He is well qualified to adorn any position for which he may be chosen.