BIO: George W. Pressel, 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/ ______________________________________________________________________ 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 ______________________________________________________________________ PART II. HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA. CHAPTER LII. MONROE TOWNSHIP. 514 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: GEORGE W. PRESSEL, retired farmer, Boiling Springs. The great- grandfather of the subject of this sketch, John Valentine Pressel, came from Prussia to America September 18, 1733, and settled in Lancaster County, Penn., but later moved to York County, Penn. The grandfather of our subject was born in that county in 1766; married Miss Mohler, of Cumberland County (whose family is one of the oldest and best in the county), and to this union were born four children: Michael, John, Joseph and Susanna. Mr. Pressel, a farmer and land-holder, accumulated considerable property which he left to his children, and some of this land has remained in the family for more than a hundred years. He was a member of the German Baptist Church, known as Dunkards. John Pressel, his son, born in York County, Penn., November 29, 1798, in course of time became a farmer, inheriting his land from his father. He married Miss Abigail, daughter of Valentine Paup, of York County, Penn., who came from Wales about the year 1780, and settled on the south side of Conowago Creek; he was a weaver by occupation, a Quaker in faith, and a very kind father and husband. By this union John Pressel has four children: Eliza J., George W., Lewis J. and Henry W. He was a Lutheran in religion and a Democrat politically. He was a very hardworking, industrious man, and owned at least 400 acres of land. After 1831 he passed his life on same farm. He was a kind husband and loving father. He assisted his son to buy farms, and was noted for his honesty and morality. He died September 29, 1883, at the patriarchal age of eighty-five years. His widow, who is still living, is in her eightieth year. George W., son of John and Abigail Pressel, was born in York County, Penn., October 27, 1827, in the old homestead built by his grandfather. August 30, 1849, he married Miss Eliza A. Reed, who died May 10, 1862, and to this union were born three children: Samuel A., a farmer; Mary E., and John La Fayette (died October 30, 1862). Mr. Pressel, the second year of his marriage, moved to his present farm and homestead in this county. He was married on second occasion, October 27, 1863, to Mrs. Catharine (Corman) Huchinson, and this union was blessed with four children: George Brinton McClellan (died October 1, 1870), Penrose W. M., Charles H. and Orrin A. Of Mr. Pressel's children, Mary E. is the wife of Jacob M. Niesley, and Penrose W. M. is teaching in South Middleton Township, this county. Charles H. and Orrin A. are going to school. Mrs. Pressel is a member of the German Reformed Church. Our subject is a well educated man and has taught school. Mr. Pressel intends giving his children good education. He is a surveyor and has studied civil engineering; has filled many local offices promptly, but never desired them; has been on different committees, to draft constitutions for Sabbath-schools, the "Northern Sunday-School" and the "Mount Zion Sunday-School" at Churchtown. Since the late Rebellion of the South he is very independent in politics and in religious views very strong in faith with the Friends or Quakers.