BIO: Jacob Hemminger, 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 LI.

                            MIFFLIN TOWNSHIP.

  JACOB HEMMINGER, retired, Newville, was born in Mifflin Township, 
this county, March 16, 1810.  His parents, Jacob and Susan (Ramp) 
Hemminger, were both born in Berks County, Penn., and with their two 
children, John and Elizabeth, came to Cumberland County in 1804, 
remaining the first year with Mr. Hemminger's brother near Carlisle, 
Penn.  About 1806 He purchased the farm where our subject now resides 
and on which he was born.  Two children, Mary and Catharine, were born 
on this farm prior to Jacob, and Benjamin was born afterward.  
Catharine married Jacob Bowman and, with her brother (of whom we 
write), represents the entire Hemminger family of the original stock.  
The house now owned by our subject was built prior to the purchase of 
the farm by his father, but has since been repaired and is yet a 
handsome substantial dwelling.  Jacob Hemminger, Sr., was a prominent 
man in the Lutheran Church; he cared little for politics.  He was a 
tailor by trade, which occupation he followed in the winter, devoting 
the summer to farming.  He died in 1830 and his widow in 1862.  Jacob 
Hemminger, Jr., purchased the homestead in 1838, and in 1844 wedded 
Mary, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Sensabaugh) Brehm, of this 
township, Rev. John Heck performing the ceremony.  On the farm where he 
was born and reared, Jacob and his young wife commenced their domestic 
life, and there were born their six children:  John D., Samuel H., 
Susan M., Elizabeth, Mary and Annie M.  John D. married Maria Fry, and, 
after her death, Mrs. Elizabeth Green; Samuel H. wedded Martha J. 
Lenny; Susan M. and Elizabeth reside with their father; Annie M. is the 
wife of Samuel J. Zeigler; Mary married John E. Lehman.  Our subject 
learned the wheelwright's trade of John Albert, who, in 1830, had a 
shop near Conodoguinet Creek.  A few years later Mr. Hemminger 
established a shop on his own farm, and has carried on the business 
steadily for more than half a century.  He has been a successful 
business man, and has reared a family who do credit to the old name 
they bear.  The death of Mrs. Hemminger occurred in 1857, since which 
time the daughters mentioned above have been housekeepers for their 
father.  Our sub-

504 	BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

ject voted for Gen. Jackson and Martin Van Buren, but after that time 
was a Whig, and since the formation of the party has been an ardent 
Republican.  He is one of the oldest living residents of Mifflin 
Township, and bears a reputation for honesty and uprightness.  Eight 
grandchildren look up to the venerable man, and it is hoped that his 
last days will be pleasantly spent on the ancestral manor amid peace, 
comfort and plenty.