BIO: John J. Gettel, 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 XL.

                        BOROUGH OF SHIPPENSBURG. 

444  BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

  JOHN J. GETTEL, merchant, Shippensburg, was born in Franklin County, 
Penn., June 19, 1857, son of Miley and Mary (Wengert) Gettel, natives 
of Pennsylvania, of German descent.  Miley Gettel was a carpenter in 
early life, but later became a farmer.  Of his family of six children, 
five of whom are now living, John J. is the fourth.  Our subject was 
reared on the farm, and acquired a common school education.  He worked 
on the farm until he was sixteen years of age; then clerked in a store 
for about three years, all of which were spent in Shippensburg, and in 
1876 he embarked in business, in Shippensburg, as a general merchant.  
He has met with marked success, and carries an extensive stock for a 
town of the size.  Mr. Gettel was married, in 1879, to Zora L. Hollar, 
daughter of Henry Hollar.  They have three children:  Raymond, Velva 
and Harold.  Mr. and Mrs. Gettel are members of the Church of God, in 
which he is deacon and also assistant superintendent of Sabbath-school.  
In politics he is a Republican; has been assessor for two years.