BIO: Henry T. Myers, 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 LV.

                              PENN TOWNSHIP.

532  BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

  HENRY T. MYERS, tanner and currier, was born in the Kingdom of 
Bavaria, Germany, in the year 1836.  He immigrated, with his parents, 
two brothers and one sister, to America in 1853, all landing at Boston, 
Mass.  From there the family separated, going to remote sections.  Our 
subject, Henry T., was apprenticed at Cape Cod, West Brewster, Mass., 
with Mr. William Winslow, one of the descendants of the noted Pilgrims 
that came over in the "Mayflower," to learn the tanning and currier 
trade, for a term of three years.  After serving his apprenticeship he 
worked as journeyman at the same place for nearly another year.  He 
then, on account of the business panic which occurred in 1857, came to 
Carlisle, this county, namely, Cumberland.  Business being very dull, 
the first job he got was to saw and split two cords of hickory wood for 
a doctor, James Irvin, the stipulated sum being $1.50 for the job.  He 
was paid $1 in gold and the half dollar in silver.  He lost the gold 
dollar before he got to his place of abode, and never could be 
persuaded to take another job of that kind.  However, not discouraged, 
he soon got employment at his chosen avocation, namely, finishing 
leather.  Two years later, March 15, 1859, he married Miss Victorene 
Williams, a native of North Middleton Township, this county, two 
children being born to them.  He enlisted in 1862 in Company E. One 
Hundred and Thirtieth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, then 
organizing in Newville for the United States service for the term of 
nine months, the official record of that regiment, the One Hundred and 
Thirtieth, being 409 men killed and wounded in action.  He was 
discharged by reason of having served his time, May 21, 1863, and he 
again re-enlisted in 1864, "the breakfast job now being over," for 
another year.  Discharged again in 1865, he at once located in 
Centreville, Penn Township, where he still lives, doing a good business 
in the way of tanning.  He had also carried on the harness trade for 
seven years, which he relinquished in 1880.  His son, George M., having 
learned the harness trade, is now carrying on that branch.  To Mr. and 
Mrs. Myers have been born nine children:  John H., George M., Mrs. 
Annie E. Stouffer, Willis K., Agnes C., Alex. C., Daniel K., Laura J., 
and Henry T. (deceased).  Mr. Myers has been a life-long Democrat; has 
been a member of the school board of education for three years, and 
president for one year.  He was appointed by the Hon. Postmaster-
General, William F. Vilas, postmaster of Dickinson postoffice, on July 
18, 1885, in which capacity he is serving the public at present.  Being 
well educated in the German language, he has acquired a good education 
in the English by private study in his adopted country.  Mr. Myers and 
his worthy wife have ever encouraged education, and are consistent 
members of the German Baptist Church.  He is an active business man, 
and an honest and upright citizen.