BIO: David G. Eyster, 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/
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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 XLV.

        EAST PENNSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP AND BOROUGH OF CAMP HILL.

467  EAST PENNSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP.

  DAVID G. EYSTER, farmer, Camp Hill, is a great-great-grandson of 
George Eyster, who immigrated to this country in the seventeenth 
century, locating in Berks County, Penn., where he prospered.  One of 
his sons married there, and was the father of Jacob, who became the 
husband of Magdalene Burkhouse, and they were the grandparents of David 
G.  They lived in Abbottstown, York Co., Penn., and had three sons and 
one daughter.  His wife having died, Jacob Eyster, about the year 1780, 
leaving his oldest son (who was a hatter) and his daughter in 
Abbottstown, took his two young boys to relatives at Adamstown, 
Lancaster County, and started for Virginia to buy a farm, intending to 
return for the boys and his girl, but was never after heard of.  At 
this time a man was robbed and killed on the Baltimore road, on which 
he was traveling, and his family supposed him to be the murdered man.  
The boys stayed at Abbottstown for awhile, Abraham learning the trade 
of a tailor, and George (father of David G.) going to his grandfather 
Eyster, in Berks County, and afterward to Wolferts Mills.  As soon as 
he was able he took up the occupation of driving team on the Pittsburgh 
and Harrisburg road, which he followed for eight years.  He then went 
for four years into the milling business, during which time he was 
married to Elizabeth, daughter of Nicholas Keisicker, of Berks County, 
Penn.  Subsequently he bought the farm of 250 acres in East 
Pennsborough Township, which is still owned by David G., who is an only 
child.  George Eyster died in 1846, and his widow a few years later.  
David G. Eyster, who was born in 1808 at Milltown, Allen Township, 
Cumberland County, three miles from Harrisburg, spent all his life as a 
farmer until, in 1859 he retired from active duties, renting his farm 
and building the house in Camp Hill, in which he lives.  In 1838 he 
married Miss Hannah Bechtel, who lived near Reading.  To this union 
seven children were born, three of whom are now living.  The eldest, 
George B., is sheriff of Cumberland County; David is on a cattle ranch 
in Texas, and the daughter, Magdalene, lives with her father.  The 
mother died in 1875.  Mr. Eyster is liked in the community for his 
strong upright character, which commands universal respect.