BIO: David Lefever, Cumberland County, PA

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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 LV.

                              PENN TOWNSHIP.

530  BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

  REV. DAVID LEFEVER, minister of the Christian Church and farmer, P. 
O. Huntsdale, Cumberland County, was born March 5, 1823, in West 
Pennsborough Township, this county.  In the year 1708 a Dr. Lefever 
came from France and settled in Boston, Mass., and from him, probably, 
sprung all of the Lefevers in the United States.  He was one of the 
famous Huguenots who fled from religious persecution to find a refuge 
in the New World.  The line from him down is Philip, George, Lawrence, 
John and David.  Lawrence moved from York County, Penn., to this 
county, with his father, in 1785, and resided here until his death.  
His wife was Veronica Alter, of the well-known Alter family.  (She was 
sister of the wife of Gov. Joseph Ritner.)  Their son John married Miss 
Rebecca Rine.  He was a farmer by occupation, but took an active part 
in public affairs.  Being one of the few native citizens who could 
speak the German language fluently, he was appointed associate judge by 
Gov. Ritner about 1835, and, after rendering distinguished services, he 
retired from the position with honor.  He was a man of very correct and 
methodical habits and kept an accurate diary for forty years.  He was 
converted at the age of forty years, and at once rode 51 miles to 
Beaver Creek, Washington Co., Md., to be immersed.  He did active duty 
in the Christian Church, as a preacher, until his death, which occurred 
September 13, 1864.  His widow died in December, 1875.  Rev. David 
Lefever is the eldest of their seven children, of whom he and Mrs. 
Maria Myers, of Adams County, Penn., are the sole survivors.  Our 
subject married, December 29, 1847, Miss Matilda Cunningham, a niece of 
Gov. Ritner, and they at once settled in Penn Township, this county, 
and began to develop a home.  They continued in a successful course 
until they acquired 3 fine farms, comprising 375 acres of fertile and 
well improved valley land, besides a tract of 115 acres of timber land 
on South Mountain.  Mr. Lefever bought a foundry, on the edge of 
Shippensburg, Penn., in 1870, which he still owns.  He carried it on 
for several years, residing in Shippensburg from 1876 to 1878.  Mr. 
Lefever's wife departed this life January 8, 1885.  She was a devoted 
wife, the mother of nine children, seven of whom are now living:  Henry 
Rine, David Landis, Joseph C., Mrs. Margaret Smith, Matilda, Mrs. 
Clarinda Eyster, and Fannie.  Our subject united with the Christian 
Church at the age of nineteen years; was chosen elder in 1855; began 
preaching in 1864, and has continued in the work of the gospel ever 
since.  He built, almost entirely unaided, a handsome stone church on 
his land, and deeded it to the congregation.  He has been a Republican 
most of his life.  In 1885 he espoused the cause of the Prohibition 
party, and has devoted himself actively during the campaign, delivering 
lectures on the subject of temperance.  He is a speaker of great force 
and energy, and wields a great influence for good among a large circle 
of friends and acquaintances.