BIO: John Greider, Cumberland County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter

Copyright 2011.  All rights reserved.
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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 LX.

                       WEST PENNSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP.

580  BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

  JOHN GREIDER, retired farmer, Plainfield, was born October 1, 1812, 
in Silver Spring Township, Cumberland Co., Penn.  His parents, Jacob 
and Anna (Bowers) Greider, natives of Lancaster County, Penn., were 
among the early settlers of Silver Spring Township, this county.  Jacob 
Greider was stricken down with apoplexy in 1827; his widow survived him 
until 1858, and was nearly eighty-five years old when she died.  Of 
their nine children three are living:  Henry, of Kosciusko County, 
Ind.; Mrs. Anna Railing, of Des Moines, Iowa, and John.  Our subject 
was brought up on his father's farm, and attended the schools of the 
home district.  He was married, September 4, 1834, to Miss Catharine, 
daughter of John and Catharine (Keiser) Heikes, the former a native of 
York County, and the latter of Perry County, Penn., and who settled in 
West Pennsborough Township, this county, in very early times, and now 
lie buried on the farm.  Of the six children of Mr. and Mrs. Heikes all 
lived to an advanced age:  Mrs. Rachel Paul, George, Mrs. Elizabeth 
Leas, Mrs. Catharine Greider, David, Mrs. Rebecca Weisley - all now 
deceased but Catharine.  Mrs. Greider, after farming for three years, 
kept store three years at West Hill and in 1844 located on Conodoguinet 
Creek, and has resided here since that year.  They possessed a fine 
estate of 300 or 400 acres at one time, most of which they have divided 
among their children, but still own the West Hill Mill, which is a fine 
property.  To Mr. and Mrs. Greider have been born eight children - six 
of whom are now living:  Mrs. Rachel Zolen (of Steele City, Neb.), 
Jacob, John, David and Mrs. Anna Diller (twins, now living near Steele 
City, Neb.) and George (of Belle Plain, Kas.).  Mr. Greider, though a 
Republican in politics, has not cast a vote since he voted for Henry 
Clay, in 1844.  He was an acquaintance and admirer of Bayard Taylor.  
He has been a man of very active life and industrious habits; has been 
a careful and extensive reader, a close observer of men and affairs, 
and being a natural orator has been called to preach at funerals, etc., 
for the past twenty-five years.  His children, all well educated, are 
taking a high position in business and society.