BIO: Abraham Ernst, Cumberland County, PA

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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 LIII.

                            NEWTON TOWNSHIP.

518 	BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

  ABRAHAM ERNST (deceased) was a native of York County, born June 4, 
1838.  His father was also born in that county, and died there in 
April, 1885.  He had lived several years in Perry County and in Mifflin 
Township, this county, where Abraham was principally reared until he 
was thirteen years old, when he came to Jacksonville, Newton Township, 
and worked for James Kyle in the winter in the store and in the summer 
on his farm, and part of the time engaged in other business.  December 
27, 1860, he married Tabitha Ewing, who was born April 8, 1839.  Her 
father, George Ewing, died on his farm in this township in 1849.  After 
their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Ernst farmed in Mifflin Township for a year 
and in Franklin County for three years.  In August, 1864, he and George 
Clever, of Cleversburg, bought the store in Jacksonville (to which he 
moved the following spring), and in 1867 built the new brick store, in 
which he carried on business until his death.  In 1874 he built a fine 
brick residence adjoining, in which he died March 5, 1882.  While 
living here he also bought a farm at Jacksonville.  He and Mr. Clever 
also bought a store and dwelling in Milltown, Dickinson Township, still 
owned by Mrs. Ernst; also had stores at White House, Centreville, Lee's 
Cross Roads, and Morversville, Mr. Clever being partner with Mr. Ernst 
in all business transactions up to the latter's death.  Mr. and Mrs. 
Ernst had eleven children, four of whom died in infancy.  Those now 
living are George Ewing, born June 19, 1861, who conducts the store, 
and is universally known as an energetic, pushing and rising young 
merchant of excellent habits and character; Anna Ella, born November 
21, 1862, wife of Dr. H. H. Longsdorf, of Centreville; Lincoln 
Williams, born December 3, 1865, working his mother's farm; Bradford 
Patterson, born February 20, 1868; Alice Belle, born May 25, 1872; 
Conrad Clever, born May 27, 1874, and Oren Roscoe, born May 26, 1880.  
Mr. Ernst, though taking much interest in political affairs, never held 
office.  He was a regular attendant at the United Presbyterian Church 
at Newville, of which his widow is a member.  He left to her and his 
children not only a competence, but the better heritage of a good name.