BIO: George Landis, 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 LX.

                       WEST PENNSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP.

581  WEST PENNSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP.

  GEORGE LANDIS, farmer, P. O. Newville, a son of George and Elizabeth 
Landis, was born in Franklin County, Penn., January 30, 1826, his 
father dying a few days before.  Our subject came with his mother and 
other children (Jacob and Anna) to Mifflin Township, this county, in 
February, 1826.  They were quite poor, and after coming to Mifflin 
Township the mother supported her family by the labor of her own hands 
until they were 

582  BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

able to care for themselves.  Mrs. Landis was married to John Negley 
about 1831, and by him had one son:  John, now a resident of South 
Middleton Township, this county.  George Landis remained with his step-
father, working for his board and clothes, until he was thirteen years 
of age, when he was indentured to Andrew Snoke to learn the 
blacksmith's trade, which apprenticeship he completed in four years, 
and then found himself the possessor of $100, having received $25 per 
year for his services, he furnishing his own clothes.  He worked the 
next year for his brother Jacob, for $5 per month, nearly all of which 
he saved, and then for five years worked in Newville, saving during 
that time enough money to establish himself in business.  Having won 
the affection of Elizabeth H. Hoover, they were married, February 17, 
1848, and in the spring moved to Mifflin Township, this county, where 
Mr. Landis worked four years at his trade, and then purchased the farm 
now owned by George Hosler.  Full of enterprise, he rapidly improved 
his farm, for which he paid $1,800, and a few years later sold it for 
$6,000.  Since then he has purchased other farms, and now owns not only 
his fine homestead in this township, but another farm in Mifflin 
Township.  Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Landis, eight 
now living:  Margaret E., widow of John Lay; Eliza J., wife of P. A. 
Ployer; Levi F., married to Mary A. Brehm; William H., married to 
Elizabeth Brehm; George A., married to Ella Strohm; John M.; Harvey and 
Samuel (the last three named are still single).  The success of Mr. 
Landis has been phenomenal.  He still does his own smithing, has 
followed the trade in all forty-seven years, and is one of the oldest 
blacksmiths in the county.