BIO: Samuel W. Reigart, 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.

430  BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

  REV. SAMUEL W. REIGART, pastor First Presbyterian Church, 
Mechanicsburg (called from the church of Sunbury, Penn.), entered upon 
his pastoral duties October 25, 1868, although, at his own request, his 
formal installation by the presbytery was deferred until June 15, 1869.  
He was born at Lancaster, Lancaster Co., Penn., July 29, 1837; son of 
John Franklin and Caroline (White) Reigart, natives of Pennsylvania.  
J. Franklin Reigart held various public appointments in Lancaster, 
Penn., including State offices.  He and his wife were members of the 
Presbyterian Church; they had three sons and two daughters.  Samuel W., 
the eldest, graduated at the Lancaster High School and afterward at 
"Franklin and Marshall College," in 1859, and took the second honor in 
his class; was appointed principal of Lancaster High School in 1869, 
and held the position five years.  While teaching he read theology, 
under the direction of the Rev. Walter Powell; received his degree of 
A. M. in 1862, and was licensed to preach the gospel by the presbytery 
of Donegal (now Westminster) October 4, 1864, and the next year was 
called to the pastorate of the church of Sunbury, and was ordained and 
installed as pastor of the church by the presbytery of Northumberland, 
Penn., October 17, 1865, which position he held until 1868, when he was 
called to the church at Mechanicsburg, and here preached his 
introductory sermon October 25, 1868.  He was married, December 31, 
1860, to Miss Anna E. Hodgson, born in Columbia, Lancaster Co., Penn., 
daughter of the Rev. Francis Hodgson, D. D., and Agnes (Long) Hodgson, 
the former of whom was for many years a prominent minister and residing 
elder in the Methodist Episcopal Church, his field of labor being 
principally in Philadelphia and New York.  To Mr. and Mrs. Samuel W. 
Reigart have been born five children, four now living:  John Franklin, 
Agnes H., Caroline W. and Mary H.  Our subject's labors have been very 
successful building up a strong church from a weak one and increasing 
its membership over 300 souls.  Mr. Reigart is a descendant of one of 
the oldest families in the State, who settled in Lancaster County, 
coming from Germany, more than 100 years ago.