BIO: Jacob S. Zearing, 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. 

501 	MIDDLESEX TOWNSHIP.

  JACOB SWILER ZEARING, county commissioner, P. O. Middlesex, is a 
native of Cumberland County, born in Shiremanstown, January 18, 1843.  
He attended school and clerked in a general store until eighteen years 
of age, when he began clerking in the drug store of Dr. C. W. Reiley, 
president of the Harrisburg Bank.  For 8 years he was located in 
Mechanicsburg, engaged in the drug business for himself.  His present 
fine farm of 100 acres, beautifully situated in Middlesex Township, he 
purchased in 1875.  Mr. Zearing was elected auditor, by the people of 
Cumberland County, in November, 1882, which office he held three years, 
when he was elected to his present office of county commissioner.  Mr. 
Zearing is a son of Jacob and Eliza (Swiler) Zearing, both natives of 
Cumberland County.  The old gentleman died December 25, 1885, but his 
widow is still living, a member of the Bethel Church.  Mr. and Mrs. 
Jacob Zearing had two sons:  Jacob S., and Henry M., who resides at 
Shiremanstown.  Our subject married, January 16, 1873, Miss Kate 
Witmer, daughter of Jacob and Hannah (Senseman) Witmer, both natives of 
this county, and to this union were born two children:  Robert W. and 
Katie H.  The mother died February 2, 1881, a member of the Lutheran 
Church.  Mr. Zearing is one of our leading representative citizens, and 
stands high in the estimation of the people of Cumberland County, among 
whom he has lived all his life.