BIO: J. C. MENTZER, 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, page 264
  _____________________________________________________________

  NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios:
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/zeamer/

  
    J. C. MENTZER, one of the extensive land owners of Frankford township,
  Cumberland county, and a man widely and favorably known, is a son of John J.
  Mentzer, and grandson of Henry Mentzer. The family is of German descent, but
  the exact time of its establishment upon American soil is not definitely
  known.
    
    John J. Mentzer was born in Cumberland county, Feb. 21, 1830, and located
  in North Middleton township. He followed the blacksmith trade, all his life.
  In 1852 he married Annie B. Beistline, daughter of Michael and Catharine
  (Zimmerman) Beistline, and in 1853 he removed to Frankford township, where he
  purchased a farm. He met his death by falling off a wagon, Jan. 21, 1885. His
  widow is living with her son, in Frankford township. Children as follows were
  born to Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Mentzer: J. C. is mentioned below; Anna C. died in
  Illinois; Laura J. married W. W. Thumma, and lives in Frankford township;
  Maggie M. married Charles Bowman and lives in North Middleton township; John
  H. died in Frankford township.
    
    J. C. Mentzer was born in 1852, in North Middleton township, this county,
  and as he grew up attended the schools of Frankford township until he was
  nineteen years of age. Then he devoted himself to farming, and remained at
  home until he was twenty-two years old, when he went to Illinois. He remained
  there for two years, engaged in farming, and returning home at the expiration
  of that time worked for two years for his father. He then went to work for
  Jacob Kost, in his tannery, where he is still employed, being yard boss of
  the plant and engineer. Mr. Mentzer owns three fine farms in Frankford
  township, but does not farm them for himself, - his time being entirely
  occupied by his duties at the tannery.
    
    On Feb. 17, 1887, Mr. Mentzer married Annie S. Erford, daughter of J. J.
  Erford, an extended sketch of whom appears elsewhere, and one child, Olivia
  Blanch, was born to them Feb. 12, 1888.
    
    In politics Mr. Mentzer is a Democrat, although he does not confine himself
  strictly to party lines, preferring to vote for the man he deems best suited
  to the position in question. He is a man of probity, uprightness and
  integrity, well qualified for his position of trust, and one capable of
  maintaining his own under any circumstances.