BIO: Thomas H. Mauk, Cumberland County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter

Copyright 2009.  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 XXXIX. 

                        BOROUGH OF MECHANICSBURG.

423  BOROUGH OF MECHANICSBURG.

  THOMAS H. MAUK, undertaker, Mechanicsburg, was born within eight 
miles of Stuttgart, at Lauffen, on the River Nager, Wurtemberg, 
Germany, December 22, 1833, a son of Gottleib and Gottleiben (Metzler) 
Mauk.  The former was a cabinet-maker and undertaker, and the father of 
two girls and two boys:  Gottleiben, Dorothea C., Thomas H. and Jacob.  
The last named resides at Broken Bow, Custer Co., Neb.  Dorothea C. is 
the widow of Christian Metzgar, and resides in Philadelphia.  
Gottleiben resides in Germany.  Thomas H. was but seven years old when 
his father died.  He attended the common schools until fourteen; he 
then learned the cabinet and undertaking trade until he was seventeen 
at Lauffen; then went to Stuttgart and worked until 18_8 when he came 
with his brother Jacob to America, landing in New York after a voyage 
of eight weeks.  Later he came to Philadelphia, where Thomas worked at 
his trade two years; then moved to Churchtown and remained eight 
months, after which he came to Mechanicsburg and worked for Samuel 
Worst, cabinet-maker and undertaker, three years.  He then went to 
Shiremanstown and opened a shop of his own, and while there was married 
to Miss Elizabeth Houmburg, May 3, 1856.  She was born in Hessen-
Cassel, a daughter of Beltzer and Charlotte (Holts) Houmburg.  In 1859 
Mr. Mauk came to Mechanicsburg and worked for Samuel Worst until 1865, 
and in 1866 formed a partnership with William S. Diehl in the furniture 
and undertaking business.  In 1882 Mr. Mauk sold his interest in 
furniture but retained the undertaking business, which he has since 
continued.  He has the leading establishment of the kind in this part 
of the country.  He is a member of Shiremanstown Beneficial Society.  
He and his wife are members of the Bethel Church.  They have had ten 
children, viz.:  John J. married Miss Malinda Myers, and is engaged in 
the undertaking, cabinet and furniture business at Mechanicsburg, Ohio; 
Thomas M. married Miss Louisa Walker, of Bendersville, Adams County, 
and is engaged in the cabinet and furniture business at Mechanicsburg, 
Penn.; Charles H. is engaged in the undertaking and cabinet business at 
York Springs, Adams Co., Penn.; Kate S. resides with her parents, as do 
Mary E., Edward G., Samuel T. and Elizabeth C.