BIO:  BENJAMIN FRANKLIN VAN SCYOC, 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 731-732
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  NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios:
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/zeamer/

  
    BENJAMIN FRANKLIN VAN SCYOC, a prosperous and public-spirited farmer of
  Southampton township, Franklin county, was born in Fannett township, that
  county, May 4, 1858, son of Benjamin and Barbara Ann (Emery) Van Scyoc. The
  Van Scyoc family is of French origin, and when the ancestors of the American
  branch emigrated to the Colonies, they settled on a farm near Philadelphia.
    
    Benjamin Van Scyoc, the great-grandfather of Benjamin Franklin, was a
  merchant and surveyor in Philadelphia. He took up a large tract of land in
  Fannett township, Franklin county.
    
    John Van Scyoc, son of Benjamin, was born in Philadelphia. He settled on
  his father's land in Fannett township, and lived there until his death, April
  1, 1857, at the age of seventy-seven. By occupation he was a farmer. His
  children, fourteen in all, were: Nancy, Margaret, Rachel, William and Samuel,
  who all died in Illinois; Smith, who was killed in the army; and John,
  Elizabeth, Hannah, Mary, Jane, Holmes, James and Benjamin, all of whom died
  in Franklin county. Five of the sons enlisted for service in the Civil war,
  John and William in Illinois regiments, and Smith, Samuel and Benjamin from
  Pennsylvania, making a rec-
    
    732  CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
    
  ord of which the family may well be proud.
    
    Benjamin Van Scyoc, son of John and father of our subject, was born in
  Fannett township-in 1829, and he died April 19, 1900. His entire life was
  devoted to farming. He married Barbara Ann Emery, who was born in the same
  township as her husband, in 1838, daughter of James Emery, who married
  Elizabeth Stake, of Lancaster county; she is still living. The Emery family
  came originally from Ireland, and the Stakes from Germany. To Benjamin and
  Barbara Ann (Emery) Van Scyoc were born children as follows: Samuel C., of
  Franklin county'; Mary A.; James Sheridan; Alice C., wife of James Kyle;
  Nancy A., who married A. Schumaker; William M.; Harry H.; Rebecca J.; and
  Benjamin F. During the Civil war Benjamin Van Scyoc served fourteen months in
  Company F, 49th P. V. I., gallantly risking his life at the call of his
  country.
    
    Benjamin F. Van Scyoc attended the district school until he was twelve
  years of age, and then being one of a large family, he was obliged to work
  upon the farm to help his father care for them all. Thus he continued until
  his twenty-third year, when he married. He then settled in Franklin county,
  and for several years engaged in making post rail fence. In 1895 he moved to
  what is known as the Reese Himes farm, situated one mile north of
  Shippensburg, which he occupied as a tenant. There he was actively engaged in
  fanning and dairying, and was regarded as one of the best farmers of this
  locality. The farm contains 150 acres of excellent land, upon which is a good
  bank barn, comfortable residence and necessary outbuildings. On March 24,
  1904, he removed to the George H. Stewart farm in Southampton township,
  Franklin county, two miles from Shippensburg.
    
    On Oct. 20, 1881, Mr. Van Scyoc married Miss Rebecca J. Varner, of Fannett
  township, daughter of Solomon and Margaret (Logan) Varner, who were born and
  reared in Franklin county. Mr. Varner was a laborer. Besides Mrs. Van Scyoc,
  his children were: James; Mary; Agnes, deceased; and William G., of Allegheny
  county, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Van Scyoc are the parents of the following children:
  Jessie F. and Mary M., at home; Della May; Bertha A.; Elmer B., at home; and
  Dennie W. In politics, Mr. Van Scyoc is a Republican, although he has never
  aspired to public office. He and his family are members of the U. B. Church
  at Shippensburg.