BIO: Joshua E. Van Camp, Cumberland County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter

Copyright 2011.  All rights reserved.
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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 LX.

                       WEST PENNSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP.

588  BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

  JOSHUA E. VAN CAMP, physician and surgeon, Plainfield, was born 
February 22, 1844, in Perry County, Penn., son of William and Melvina 
(Huffman) Van Camp, natives of the same county.  Among the Holland 
settlers in Delaware was a family of Van Camps.  Three of the sons, 
William, Maj. Moses and Jacobus, were farmers, and were among the 
Indian fighters of the early colonial wars and also of the Revolution.  
Their history is very fully depicted in Dr. Egle's History of 
Pennsylvania.  William, above mentioned, was the great-grandfather of 
our subject through his son Andrew and grandson William, who all lived 
in Perry County, Penn., and the original estate is still in possession 
of the family.  The property is on the Juniata, within four miles of 
Newport.  There our subject was brought up among the wild beauties of 
one of nature's most charming spots.  After completing the course the 
schools of the home district afforded him, he took a literary course at 
the Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg.  He took up the study of medicine 
in the spring of 1867, under Dr. J. E. Singer, of Newport, and 
graduated from the Michigan University, with the degree of M. D., March 
30, 1870.  After practicing two years in Markelsville, Perry Co., 
Penn., he located in Plainfield, this county, in 1872, and practiced 
his chosen profession.  He has made a fine reputation as a skillful and 
scientific physician, and has built up a large and influential 
practice.  In the fall of 1880, the Doctor established a drug and 
grocery store, which he still carries on.  He was married, November 3, 
1870, to Miss Rachael M., daughter of David Keiser, of Middlesex 
Township, this county, and to this union have been born three children:  
David W., Anna M. and Rosa Alberta.  During the late war, Dr. Van Camp 
enlisted, in August, 1862, in Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-third 
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the 
battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville; re-enlisted in 
September, 1864, in Company E, Two Hundred and Eighth Regiment 
Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and took part in the battles of 
Hatcher's Run, Fort Steadman, Black Water and the final charge on 
Petersburg.  He was honorably discharged at the close of the war, with 
rank of sergeant.