BIO: SAMUEL N. EMINGER, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Joe Patterson OCRed by Judy Banja Copyright 2004. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/ _____________________________________________________________ >From Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Chicago: The Genealogical Publishing Co., 1905, pages 517-519 _____________________________________________________________ NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/zeamer/ SAMUEL N. EMINGER. Among the prominent and time-honored citizens of Mechanicsburg who have recently passed from the scene of their earthly labors was Samuel N. Eminger, who for many years stood high in the political and business circles of Cumberland county. He held numerous official positions from 1855, when he became deputy sheriff, until his death, at which time he was serving as justice of the peace. Andrew Eminger, grandfather of Samuel N., was a native of Baden, Germany, and coming to America at an early day settled in Cumberland county, Pa., where he passed the remainder of his life, being a resident of Silver Spring township. He was one of the large land owners of the day. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. His wife was Miss Christiana Bruner. David Eminger, father of Samuel N., was born in Silver Spring township, and became a farmer there. He was quite a prominent man in his day, and held various public positions, having been elected director of the poor in 1838. Subsequently he ran as a Masonic candidate for the Legislature, but was defeated in the anti-Masonic raid by twelve votes. He married Magdalena Miller, a native of Washington township, Franklin county, Pa., and to their union were born eleven children, seven sons and four daughters. We have record of the following: John, who is now residing in Harrisburg, Pa., aged ninety-two years; Jacob, who was born Oct. 21, 1816, and died at the age of eighty-four; Samuel N., mentioned below; William W., deceased; Andrew J., of Ohio; Mary, wife of George Hauck, and Anna, Mrs. Cromleigh. All the early members of the family affiliated with the Democratic party, and were Lutherans in religious faith. Samuel N. Eminger was born Feb. 19, 1829, in Silver Spring township, and was reared on the paternal farm there, receiving his early education meanwhile at the public schools of Mechanicsburg and the Eminger schoolhouse in his native township. Later he was a student for two years in the first Cumberland Valley Institute, under Franklin Gillan, at which time it was opened on the Van Huff property, opposite what was subsequently the site of Eckels drug store. In 1844 he commenced to learn the trade of coachmaker from his brother-in-law, George Hauck, and during his young manhood, from 1849 to 1851, passed some time in the West and South, traveling over Virginia and the Carolinas, Tennessee and Florida. On his return to Cumberland county and Mechanicsburg he bought the first patent, and brought the first wire tooth sulky 5I8 CUMBERLAND COUNTY. rake into Cumberland county, commencing the manufacture of same in partnership with George W. Miller, but he afterward sold his interest to Frederick Seidle, who at that time had a factory in Mechanicsburg. He embarked in this enterprise about 1852. Subsequently, to the close of his days, he gave his time for the most part to public duties, though from 1868 until 1873 he was with D. M. Osburn & Co., who carried on the manufacture of reapers. During the Civil war he enlisted in Company F, 1st P. V. I., which served only a short time, however, being called temporarily for the defense of the State; he was elected lieutenant and promoted to quartermaster. From early manhood Mr. Eminger took an active part in the work of the Democratic party, and his career as an officeholder began in 1855, when he was nominated deputy sheriff under Sheriff Bowman. Resigning this position in the fall of 1856, he was elected register of wills in the fall of 1857, and served as such for three years. For a similar period he served as jury commissioner, on the appointment of Judge Graham. In 1864 he was appointed special agent of the Treasury Department, under President Johnson, resigning this incumbency on March 1, 1868. His resignation went into effect in June, after which, for about five years, as previously stated, he was engaged in business. From 1873 until I877 he was again in the sheriff's office, serving as deputy register under Martin Guswiler, and continuing thus until elected clerk to the county commissioners, in 1879. The latter position he filled for many years, with eminent satisfaction to all concerned. In 1878 he was elected councilman of the North ward of Mechanicsburg, though it was generally conceded to be a Republican ward, and served as such faithfully for three years. On his return to Mechanicsburg at the close of his service as a county official Mr. Eminger was elected a justice of the peace, and continued to hold the position until his death, displaying much natural ability for the duties which came to him in that capacity. Being well read on legal matters he proved particularly efficient, and was consulted by many in such affairs, his good judgment and fairness appealing to all who knew him. He was a most active member of the party, and as a stanch adherent of the principles of Jeffersonian Democracy could be relied upon in all its councils and work. He served as delegate to many of the State conventions, served twice as chairman of the County committee, and in many other ways contributed to the success of the party with which he always allied himself. He was one of the best known men in any walk of life in the entire county, and was popular with all, for he had a congenial disposition and a big heart, always ready to help even at a sacrifice, and his keen wit and retentive memory made him a congenial companion wherever he went. Socially, he was a Mason, affiliating with Eureka Lodge, of which he was a past master, and he also united with Lodge No. 215, I. O. O. F. He was one of the foremost citizens of Mechanicsburg until his death, which occurred there Oct. 17, 1903. On Sept. 4, 1856, Mr. Eminger was united in marriage with Miss Rachel Singheiser, daughter of George and Mary (Halbert) Singheiser, and a member of an old family of Cumberland county. Children as follows were born to this union: Arabella, who became the wife of David A. Ulrich, of Upper Allen township, now of Mechanicsburg; Harry Foster, who died at the age of forty, unmarried; Fannie, who died young; and Luella, who received a good education CUMBERLAND COUNTY. 519 and is still at home with her mother. They are among the most highly esteemed residents of Mechanicsburg, sharing the respect and good-will which the members of this family have won for themselves in whatever community they have settled.