BIO: PETER PLANK, 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/
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  >From Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania,
  Chicago: The Genealogical Publishing Co., 1905, pages 241-242
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  NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios:
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/zeamer/

  
    PETER PLANK (deceased) was for a number of years engaged in the nursery
  business at Trindle Spring, near Mechanicsburg, in Cumberland county, and was
  one of the successful men of the locality in his day. His widow has made her
  home in Carlisle since his decease, and is one of the most highly esteemed
  residents of that place.
    
    Mr. Plank was born in 1828 in South Middleton township, this county, and
  was a son of Jacob and Anna Mary (Reifsnyder) Plank, who were natives of
  Lancaster coun-
    
    242  CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
    
  ty, Pa., and Newville, Cumberland Co., Pa., respectively, and were married in
  Cumberland county. Jacob Plank was a farmer by occupation, and followed that
  calling in South Middleton and Monroe townships, this county, When he retired
  from agricultural pursuits he. took up his home in Churchtown, this county,
  where he died, and his wife passed away at the home of a daughter, in
  McKnightstown, Adams Co,, Pa. They were the parents of nine children, namely:
  Samuel is deceased. Dr. Jacob died in York Springs. Abraham is a resident of
  Churchtown, Cumberland county. Daniel lives in York Springs. David, M. D.,
  died in Bedford county, Pa. Peter is mentioned below. Anna married Rev. Abner
  Kramer, and lives in Bedford county. Mary E., Mrs. Gressinger, has her home in
  North Middleton township. Sarah C. is the wife of John C. Lawer, and resides
  in Hagerstown, Maryland.
    
    Peter Plank attended the district schools in Monroe township, whither his
  parents removed when he was a small boy, and during his young manhood he
  taught school for a short time. He grew up on the farm, and was reared to
  agricultural pursuits. Shortly before his marriage he located near Lynchburg,
  Campbell Co., Va., where he engaged in the nursery business. Returning to
  Cumberland county in 1855 he married and took his bride back to Virginia with
  him, the young couple remaining near Lynchburg until the Civil war broke out,
  when Mr. Plank sold his business interests to his brother Abraham, who had
  married a Southern woman. Coming back to Cumberland county, he embarked in
  the nursery business at Trindle Spring, near Mechanicsburg, and did a very
  successful business until his death, which occurred at his home there Oct.
  20, 1865. Though still a young man he had gained fine standing as a
  substantial citizen and influential resident of his section of the county,
  and he was esteemed by all his associates, whether in business or private
  life. He was a stanch Republican in political faith, and he attended the
  Presbyterian Church with his wife. On October 16, 1855, Mr. Plank married
  Miss Jane M. McIlhenny, and three children blessed this union: Two died in
  infancy, and Williams died when fourteen years old.
    
    John McIlhenny, father of Mrs. Plank, was a native of Adams county, Pa.,
  and was married at Pine Grove, Pa., to Jane (Ege) Cox, of Pine Grove; after
  that event settling near Greenville, Darke Co., Ohio, where his daughter,
  Mrs. Plank, was born. He died at that place, and his wife, who survived him,
  died at Newark, Licking Co., Ohio. Mrs. Plank was a young child when her
  father died, and she grew to womanhood in Cumberland county, Pa., where
  during young womanhood she engaged in teaching, keeping a private school for
  two terms. She is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Carlisle, in
  whose work she has taken an active part, and is well known for her kindness
  of heart and charitable disposition.