BIO: H. M. Glessner, Cumberland County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter

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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 XLV.

        EAST PENNSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP AND BOROUGH OF CAMP HILL.

  H. M. GLESSNER, merchant, West Fairview, is son of John Glessner, who 
emigrated

468  BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

from Mecklenburg, Hessen-Cassel, Germany, in 1833, when sixteen years 
old, and remained in Philadelphia three years, working as a shoe-maker; 
then he went to Lancaster City, where he was married, in May, 1841, to 
Margaret Berg, a native of Darmstadt, Germany.  In October, 1844, John 
Glessner removed to West Fairview, Cumberland Co., Penn., where he 
carried on his business until 1861, when he established the grocery 
business in the building, corner of the square, which has been carried 
on by his son, H. M., since 1874.  At one time he held the position of 
postmaster.  He accumulated considerable means, buying the store 
property and another near the river.  After his retirement he was in 
ill health, and died of apoplexy, August 26, 1876, aged fifty-nine 
years.  His widow still lives in their old home with her two youngest 
children.  They had nine children:  H. M., born February 7, 1847; 
William, born May 6, 1856, living with his mother; Jennetta, born March 
7, 1842, wife of F. G. Sparrow, of Sharpsburg, Md.; Elizabeth, born 
February 28, 1844, wife of George Rowan, of Bellefonte; Elonora, born 
August 20, 1853, wife of C. C. Montelle, of Norristown, Penn., and 
Margaret, born February 16, 1861, single.  Those deceased are:  John, 
Reuben E. and Margretta.  H. M. Glessner attended school until 1861, 
when he went into the nail factory, working as a feeder until the 
burning of the mill, when he worked on the premises until March, 1867, 
when for five months he attended the business college at Harrisburg; 
then clerked for his father until he succeeded him.  In 1879 he failed 
in business and compromised with his creditors for 40 per cent, but has 
since, like an honorable man, paid every dollar of his indebtedness in 
full.  This indicates his sturdy integrity, and is a record he and his 
family may justly be proud of.  In 1871 he married Margery Armstrong, 
of Mechanicsburg, this county, who died in 1873, leaving a son, John 
A., now fourteen years old, and in 1877 Mr. Glessner married Emma L. 
Eckman, of Columbia, Lancaster Co., Penn., and they have had five 
children, two of whom died within a few days of each other.  The living 
are Thomas C., born in 1878; Milton F., born in 1882, and an infant 
daughter.  Mr. Glessner well merits the regard shown him by his 
neighbors.  He is a member of the United Brethren Church. 

1860 East Pennsboro, Cumberland County census -
John Glessner, 43 
Margarett M. Glessner, 39 
Jenett L. Glessner, 18 
Elizabeth Glessner, 16 
Hosiah J. Glessner, 13 
Lenora, Glessner 6 
Wm. H. Glessner, 4