BIOS: Gideon F. SCHMUCKER, Lincoln Twp., Somerset County, PA

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW, Vol. XXXII, Containing Life Sketches of Leading 
Citizens of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania. Boston, 
Biographical Review Publishing Company: 1899, pp 261-262.

  Gideon F. Schmucker, a leading farmer of Lincoln township, Somerset 
County, was born in Somerset township on October 20, 1833, a son of 
John and Rachel (Walker) Schmucker.  He is of German descent, and a 
representative of the fifth generation of his family in America, being 
the great-grandson of Jacob Schmucker, who was born on shipboard while 
the immigrant ancestors were coming from the Fatherland.
  Jacob Schmucker lived with his parents in Philadelphia for a time, 
and subsequently at Carlisle, Pa.; but when he reached the age of 
maturity he established himself on what is now called the Emert farm, 
in Somerset County.  He was one of the first settlers here, this 
section being then a part of Bedford County, and he had to encounter 
Indians and wild beasts.  He cleared a tract of land, and carried on a 
successful farming business for a long period.  He was noted for his 
great physical strength, and in late life for his long gray beard.  He 
died at the age of ninety years.  Jacob Schmucker was twice married, 
but the names of his wives are not known.  It is known he had an only 
son, but whether he had daughters is not certain.
  The son, John Schmucker, Sr., was born in Chambersburg, Pa., and 
throughout life followed the farmer's calling.  He was twice married - 
the first time to a Miss Casebeer, who bore him three children, and the 
second time to a Miss Wagner.  After his second marriage he removed to 
Shade township, where he died at the age of eighty-seven.  He was a 
member of the German Baptist Church.
  John Schmucker, Jr., was the second of three children of John, Sr.  
After his marriage he purchased his father's farm, and in 1830 he 
erected the present farmhouse.  Twenty-five years later, in 1855, he 
sold the place to his son Gideon, and removed to a village in Somerset 
town called Friedens, where he carried on farming until his death, at 
the age of seventy-two.  His wife, who was the daughter of Frederick 
Walker, of Brother's Valley, Pa., died at the age of seventy-nine.  
Both were members of the Lutheran church.  The husband was a Whig and 
later a Republican.  He was hard working, and highly respected by all 
who knew him.  Of the six children born to this worthy couple, two are 
living - Gideon F. and Jonathan.  The last-named married Ellen 
Barnhartt, of Somerset, and has a family of seven children; namely, 
Frank, John, Annie, William, Mollie, Harry, and Minnie.  Frank, the 
eldest, married Mary Emert, of Somerset, and has three children - 
Edward, Alpha, and Orin J.  John married Annie Friedline, who is now 
deceased, and has one child, Nevin.  Annie is the wife of John Gnahy, 
of Somerset, and the mother of six children; namely, Harry, Edna, 
Galen, George, Oran, and Guie.  Harry Schmucker married Emma Switzer.
  Gideon F. Schmucker attended the schools of his native place, and 
subsequently worked with his father on the home farm until at about the 
age of twenty-two, when he became owner of the property, the land being 
a part of that cleared by his great-grandfather.  Mr. Schmucker now has 
a farm of about one hundred and seventy-nine acres, and carries on 
general farming.  He is one of the leading agriculturists of the 
county, and commands the esteem of all who have dealings with him.
  On December 28, 1854, he was married to Nancy Good, daughter of Jacob 
and Susan (Swank) Good, and one of a family of eight children.  She has 
a brother and a sister living - Michael and Maria.  The later is the 
wife of Frank Barnhartt, of Somerset, and the mother of the following 
named children: John; Harvey, who married Ellen Mowry, of Stoyestown; 
Mildred; George, who married Jennie Wilson, of Stoyestown, and has two 
children - Blanche and Ruth; Maggie, who is the wife of J. Titon 
Collier of Friedens, and the mother of three children - Frank, Elsie, 
and one other; Catherine, who is the wife of Harvey Shaffer, of 
Stoyestown, and the mother of one child, Olive; and Martha.  Mrs. 
Schmucker's brother Michael, who married Sarah Barron, now deceased, 
has children as follows: Charles; Maud, who is the wife of Jacob Bear, 
and the mother of George, Emma, and Harvey Bear; Franklin, who married 
Ellen Bittner, and has one child, Etna; Frederick; Dr. S.; and William, 
who married Cora Schrock, and has one daughter, Nellie by name.
  Mr. and Mrs. Schmucker are the parents of two children - Charles H. 
and Martha.  The former married Elnora Mowry, and has four children - 
Lucy, Harvey, William, and Nancy Alma.  Martha, who is the wife of John 
Jacobs, of Jefferson, Pa., has two children - Alfred and Norman.  Both 
Mr. and Mrs. Schmucker are members of the Lutheran church, and the 
former has occupied the offices of Deacon, Elder, and treasurer for the 
last twenty-four years.  In politics he is a Republican.  For many 
years he has been a School Director, Auditor of Somerset County and 
Poor Director.