BIO: JAMES F. NAYLOR, Esq., 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 625-626 _____________________________________________________________ NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/zeamer/ JAMES F. NAYLOR, Esq., one of the substantial, representative and esteemed citizens of New Cumberland, Cumberland county, was born Feb. 13, 1837, in Lisburn, this county. His boyhood was spent in Fairview township, York Co., Pa., on a farm just two miles from his birthplace, to which he was taken by his parents while small. Mr. Naylor was educated in the local schools and taught school for one year, and then worked at the carpenter's trade, which he followed during the summers from his sixteenth year. When the Civil war broke out he was one of the first to respond to the call for soldiers, enlisting in April, 1861, in the 15th P. V. I., and went through the first campaign of three months. In September, 1861, he re-enlisted, entering Company H, 47th P. V. I., under Lieut. Col. (later Lieut. Gov.) Gobin. Mr. Naylor faithfully served for three years and was honorably discharged at Berryville, Va., in 1864. He served a short time after, in the construction department, and assisted in the building of military roads and bridges. During his three years' service Mr. Naylor had many adventures and, with his regiment, bore many hardships. The 47th was stationed at Fort Jefferson, on the Dry Tortugas, was later sent to New Orleans on the Red River campaign, and later marched 800 miles to 626 CUMBERLAND COUNTY. Morganza Bend, on the Mississippi river, where they camped for a time, going from there in transports to Washington, via Fortress Monroe; they were ordered to Washington, D. C., to protect that city. Later this regiment took part in the Shenandoah campaign under Sheridan and went on many other dangerous expeditions. Mr. Naylor was promoted to sergeant and at one period was appointed assistant inspector of Beaufort, S. C. The regiment made a record and no old soldier can help thrilling with pride as he recalls the gallant 47th. At the close of this long and expensive war Mr. Naylor returned to his home and in 1866 was united in marriage with Miss Matilda Kline, of York county, daughter of John and Jane Kline. After his marriage he removed to Harrisburg and worked at his trade until 1870, in January of that year accepting the position of foreman at the State Hospital, at Danville, Montour county. He held the position for three years and resided there until 1894, engaging in general contracting. While residing at Danville he served as school director for six years and was president of the school board for four years. In 1894 Mr. Naylor removed to New Cumberland, where he has since been engaged in carpenter work and contracting. In 1901 he was elected justice of the peace, for a period of five years. In politics, he is a Democrat in national affairs, but independent in local matters. While residing in Danville the family belonged to the Mahoning Street Presbyterian Church, and they attend the M. E. Church in New Cumberland. Mr. and Mrs. Naylor have four children: Jennie, a teacher; Jessie, at home.; Mabel, Mrs. William Drayer, of New Cumberland; and Catherine, Mrs. Logan Reiff, also of New Cumberland. William Naylor, father of James F. Naylor, was of Scotch-Irish descent and was born at Birmingham, Pa. At different times he was merchant, hotel-keeper and farmer, and died on his farm in York county in 1876, aged eighty-three years. He served in the war of 1812 and was stationed mostly at Baltimore. He married Miss Lydia Depew, who was of French descent and a native of York county. Her father, Isaac Depew, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war; her mother, Catherine Ketterman, was a native of Pennsylvania, of Dutch extraction. The children of William Naylor and his wife were as follows: James F., the subject of this sketch; John, who was a volunteer in the 2d Ohio Infantry, a brave soldier of the Civil war, and lost his life at the battle of Stone River; Jane, wife of James May, of Camp Hill; Isaac, another member of this loyal family, who belonged to the 130th P. V. I., was wounded at the battle of Antietam, and died eventually at his home in York county; and Catherine, Mrs. Kreitzer, of New Cumberland.