BIO: John M. Loudon, 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 LVI.

                        SILVER SPRING TOWNSHIP.

542  BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

  JOHN M. LOUDON, farmer, P. O. Mechanicsburg.  The great-grandfather 
of this gentleman was the first of the name of whom there is any 
record.  He was of English origin, and settled on the State Ridge, in 
Silver Spring Township, this county, and when he died his farm was left 
to his children, but was afterward bought by his son, James, who later 
sold it.  In these early times the Indians were very numerous, and 
their depredations troublesome.  At one time when some children were 
going to school they saw a party of Indians, and on reaching the 
schoolhouse told their teacher, who did not seem to fear any trouble, 
for he told them to recite one lesson, and then he would let them go 
home.  In a few moments the "red-skins" were upon them, and, thought 
the teacher begged for mercy for the children, they were all 
mercilessly killed and scalped but one, who escaped to tell the horrors 
of the tale.  At this time Silver Spring Township was covered with 
small oak scrubs.  The first settlements were made on the ridge, on 
account of water being easy to reach there.  James Loudon, grandfather 
of our subject, was born on his father's farm.  He married Mary 
Pinkerton, and by her had one son - Mathew - who was born in 1812, on 
the old homestead.  He (Mathew) married Catharine Myers, of Monroe 
Township, this county, and to this union were born John M., Albert J. 
and Elizabeth.  After his marriage Mathew Loudon began farming near 
Trindle Spring, where he remained for about seven years.  He then 
bought a farm in Silver Spring Township, where he reared his family.  
He and his wife were members of the Lutheran Church.  In politics he 
was a Republican.  In 1881 he bought the present homestead, then called 
the Longsdorf farm.  He was a careful, honorable man, and attended 
strictly to his business, rearing his family to the principles of 
industry and truth.  John M. Loudon, his son, was born on the old 
homestead May 27, 1841, and passed his early life on his father's farm, 
gaining his education in the common schools.  In 1875 he was united in 
marriage with Miss Eliza, daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Jones) 
Ellis, English people, who first settled in Tennessee.  This union has 
been blessed with four children:  Mary E., Mary C., John Matthew and 
Lillie E.  In politics Mr. Loudon is a Republican.  He owns one of the 
best farms in this township, and the entire family have the respect of 
the community.