BIO: Samuel Witmer, 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 L. 

                           MIDDLESEX TOWNSHIP. 

500  BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

  SAMUEL WITMER, farmer, P. O. Middlesex, was born in Cumberland County 
March 4, 1825, and is a son of Joseph and Catharine (Eberly) Witmer, 
natives of Lancaster County, Penn., and of German descent.  His 
grandparents came to Cumberland County in 1791, and settled in 
Middleton (now Middlesex) Township, where they owned a good tract of 
land, and the house, erected by the grandfather when he first came to 
the county, is still standing.  The grandfather was at one time quite 
wealthy, bur his wealth was considerably reduced on account of the 
excise tax, which he was obliged to pay on whisky in which he dealt at 
that time.  He lived on the old homestead until his death.  Joseph 
Witmer was born in 1785, and died in 1853.  He was one of the 
successful farmers of the day, made his own way in the world, and at 
his death owned 315 acres of valuable land.  He was a member of the 
Mennonite Church, the father of nine children, three of whom are 
living:  Mrs. Elizabeth Givler, Samuel and Mrs. Daniel Kutz.  Samuel 
was reared on the farm, and when twenty-nine years of age started in 
life for himself.  In partnership with his brother, Abraham, he farmed 
the homestead for fourteen years, and in 1868 sold out his interest to 
his brother, and bought 94 acres of land, where he now lives.  His farm 
is well improved with good buildings, and he now owns 460 acres, also a 
house at Middlesex Station, which was erected in 1874.  It is a large, 
two-story brick grain warehouse, and affords a commodious store-room 
and a good shipping point for the vicinity.  Mr. Witmer is ticket 
agent, freight agent and postmaster of the station, the postoffice of 
which was established in 1878.  November 5, 1863, he married Clarissa, 
daughter of Samuel and Catherine (Waggoner) Williams, and to them six 
children were born, three of whom are living:  Annie M., Joseph and 
Abram.  Mrs. Witmer is a member of the German Reformed Church of 
Carlisle.  Politically Mr. Witmer is a Republican.  His mother was one 
of twelve children, all of whom lived to be married and have families.