BIO: Elias B. Eyster, 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.

528  BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

  ELIAS B. EYSTER, P. O. Walnut Bottom, was born in Columbiana County, 
Ohio, July 16, 1809, son of John and Susan (Booz) Eyster, natives of 
Berks and Adams Counties, Penn., respectively, who, after their 
marriage, moved to Columbiana County, Ohio, where they remained until 
their death.  They were among the earliest and most respected pioneers 
of Ohio.  Elias B. Eyster left Ohio when he was twenty-one years of 
age, and came to Berks County, Penn.  He there married, December 5, 
1835, Miss Helena Dresher, and in 1837 they came to Oyster Point, this 
county, within two miles of Harrisburg.  They kept the "Oyster Point 
Hotel" for five years, and then moved up the Cumberland Valley to the 
place where they now reside, in Penn Township, this county.  They 
purchased "Long Meadow Hotel," and conducted it for a period of forty 
years (the house was built in 1780 and is still standing and occupied).  
Elias B. Eyster was a genial and popular landlord, and his house was a 
favorite resort for travelers seeking entertainment, good-cheer and 
rest, in the good old days long past.  In 1855 Mr. Eyster purchased the 
mill on Yellow Breeches Creek, since known as Eyster's Mill, which he 
still owns, and in addition he has acquired here five farms, 
aggregating over 500 acres of fertile and well improved land, much of 
which he has given to his children.  September 20, 1878, Mrs. Eyster 
departed this life, aged sixty-six years, six months and eight days.  
To our subject and wife have been born the following named children:  
Thomas Jefferson (deceased), Angelina, Elias G., Helena Jane, Mrs. 
Sarah Ann Moore, Charles J. (deceased), Mrs. Frances Josephine Myers, 
Laura Elizabeth (deceased), Margaret M. (deceased) and William L.  Mr. 
Eyster is a life-long Democrat.  He has filled most of the township 
offices at various times, and has held the position of director of the 
poor for one term (1870-73).  He and his family attend the Lutheran 
Church.  His wife has been a member of that church nearly her entire 
life.  Mr. Eyster has led an active and useful life, and is honored and 
respected by his descendants and his fellow-citizens of this county.