BIO: John D. Mains, 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.

583  WEST PENNSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP.

  JOHN D. MAINS, farmer, Newville, was born in 1852, at Shippensburg, 
within a short distance of the Cumberland County line.  His great-
grandfather, Marshall M. 

584  BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

Mains, came with his family from Bucks County, Penn., almost a century 
ago, and of his children Marshall M. (grandfather of subject) married, 
and had the following children:  Marshall M., William, Griselda and 
Sarah; of these William and Marshall inherited the large farm near the 
then village of Shippensburg.  The elder son married Sarah M. Bell, by 
whom he had five sons and two daughters:  Thomas B. (enlisted in the 
Second New York Cavalry, and, for bravery, was promoted first 
lieutenant of a colored regiment, and met his death while gallantly 
fighting in the battle of the Wilderness), William J., James M., John 
D. (our subject), Robert K., Jane M. and Margaret S.  On the maternal 
side Mrs. Mains was a direct descendant of the Dunlaps, who for more 
than a century lived in West Pennsborough Township, and in their day 
were a numerous and influential family.  John D. was in his third year 
when his mother died, and he then came to reside with John.  Sarah, 
Nancy and Mary Dunlap, who lived in Mr. Mains' present residence, and 
here he was reared and educated.  Sarah Dunlap, who was born in the old 
log house that stands nearby, in 1792, died at the patriarchal age of 
ninety-three.  John D. Mains became heir in part to the original Dunlap 
estate.  Our subject chose farming' was married, December 1, 1875, to 
Emma J., daughter of David G. and Griselda (Linn) Duncan.  Their 
married life has been passed on the fine farm previously mentioned, and 
their children - Glenn D., Sarah G., Robert M. and Thomas B. - were the 
first born in a house that for three-quarters of a century has been 
occupied by a renowned family.