BIO: Joseph McElwain, Cumberland County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter

Copyright 2010.  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 XLVIII.

               HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP AND BOROUGH OF NEWBURG.

488  BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

  JOSEPH McELWAIN, retired, P. O. Newburg.  The remote ancestry of this 
family in this country dates back much more than a century, for 
Ebenezer (father of subject) was born to Joseph McElwain, near 
Eckhard's mill, about 1717.  His parents had resided in this country 
prior to that date.  Although the territory on this side of 
Conodoguinet Creek then belonged to the Indians, a number of whites 
were living on it, and sometimes when a quarrel would arise the 
settlers would fly for safety across the creek, which was considered 
the boundary line.  A building was burned near the residence of the 
McElwains about 1720, and the occupants (Mr. White and family) were all 
murdered, except a little child, who was rescued.  Jean, a daughter, 
was born in 1802 (to Joseph McElwain), followed by Mary, Joseph, 
Andrew, William, Elizabeth and Ebenezer.  Ebenezer McElwain was 
married, September 24, 1801, to Elizabeth Crow and after their marriage 
they settled near "Three Square Hollow," and there their children were 
born.  Our subject learned the trade of miller, and for many years 
operated a saw and grist-mill erected by his father in an early day.  
He was married, in May, 1848, to Elizabeth, daughter of James and 
Elizabeth Cook, of Perry County, Penn.  This union has been blessed 
with nine children, six living:  Sarah J., wife of John Mowery; Amanda, 
wife of Thomas Diven; Margaret, wife of Ira Fylar; Mary, wife of Allen 
Kuhn; Joseph A. and Laura B.  All were born on the homestead, near the 
mill, where so many of their name have been born and reared.  Joseph 
McElwain has always been an exceptionally prosperous man, and during 
the years spent in the Hollow amassed a nice competency.  In 1875 he 
disposed of the mill and purchased the fine farm on which he now 
resides.  The log house was erected more than a century ago, but it 
contains a family who have long been noted as among the best in the 
land.  Four generations have been born in Cumberland County bearing the 
name of McElwain.