BIO: John Samuel Burkhart, 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 LV.

                              PENN TOWNSHIP.

526  BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

  JOHN SAMUEL BURKHART, tinner, P. O. Dickinson, was born in Newville, 
this county, March 8, 1839.  His father, Jacob, son of Jacob and 
Elizabeth Burkhart, residents of this county from childhood, married 
Martha, daughter of John and Elizabeth Diller, who were also children 
of early settlers of this county.  The ancestors on both sides were of 
the old Mennonite faith.  After attaining his majority our subject 
moved, with his widowed mother and half brother, to Selins Grove, 
Snyder Co., Penn., where he entered a missionary institute, to prepare 
for the ministry; he taught in the intervals and had the care of the 
family.  In August, 1862, Mr. Burkhart enlisted in the One Hundred and 
Thirty-first Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry.  He took part in 
the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, and was discharged 
in May, 1863, with the rank of orderly sergeant, leaving a record as a 
brave and faithful soldier.  Returning to Snyder County, Penn., he was 
compelled to give up his course for the ministry, on account of an 

527  PENN TOWNSHIP.

affection of the throat contracted while in the army.  In 1865 he 
purchased a tin and stove store, which was destroyed by fire February 
25, 1872.  Our subject married Miss Elizabeth A. Schock, February 25, 
1868, and they returned to this county in May, 1872.  After devoting 
some years in looking after the interests of his mother's farm, and two 
years (1876-78) in teaching, he established his shop in the village of 
Centreville, this county; he does a general business, roofing, 
spouting, repairing and dealing in stoves, tinware, etc.  Mrs. Burkhart 
died April 29, 1882, a devoted wife and mother, an earnest Christian, 
and her death was mourned by a large circle of friends.  Of her eight 
children only three are now living:  Mary Emma, Miriam May and Samuel 
Bruce.  Mr. Burkhart is a life-long Republican; an earnest member of 
the Lutheran Church.  He is an upright and worthy citizen, highly 
respected.