Dauphin County PA Obituaries and Death Notices

James Adair

The Adams Centinel (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
September 28 1803

Died on Tuesday the 20th instant, at the house of David Hays, in Dauphin county, Mr. James Adair, minister of the gospel of this county (Adams) in the 32d year of his life, and the 2d year of his minstry. His complaint was billious fever and of a short continence.

Colonel Jacob Cooke

Newspaper: The Carlisle Gazette, and The Western Repository of Knowledge

Submitters Name: Charles T.Cooke IV

Obit: Death Notice of Colonel Jacob Cooke, - Carlisle, November,12, 1789

On Thursday Colonel Cooke, of Dauphine county, member of convention for said county, Died.

Obituary of Henry C. Demy

Astoria Argus, May 14, 1940

Special

Henry C. Demy, 75, died yesterday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Ghlee Walters, in Beardstown. He was taken to his daughter's home several months ago when he became ill.

He was born July 17, 1865 in Pennsylvania, a son of John and Mary (Sellers) Demy. Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Walters, Mrs. Thomas Harn and Mrs. George Ring, all of Beardstown. There are three grandchildren, Mrs. Don Armstrong, Peoria, and Robert and Margaret Anne Harn, Beardstown. A brother and sisters are J. C. Demy, Champaign; Mrs. C. C. McLaren, Farmington, and Mrs. C. E. Blemler and Mrs. William Burgard, Astoria.

Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday afternoon at the Horton Funeral Home by the Rev. Fred Thompson. Burial will be in Astoria cemetery.

submitted by LouAnn Cameron

John C. Demy - submitted by LouAnn Cameron

Obituary of John C. Demy

Astoria Argus, Mar. 18, 1914

Answers Call.

John C. Demy, an honored and highly respected citizen, passed away at his home on East Broadway Sunday at 4:50 p.m. after an illness covering a period of several weeks. Death was due to Bright's disease.

Funeral services were held at the church of Brethren Wednesday at 1:30 o'clock, conducted by Elder S. G. Bucher. A more complete obituary will be given in next week's issue.

Astoria Argus, Mar. 25, 1914

Mrs. Demy and children take this method of extending their heartfelt thanks to all friends for the manifestation of their love and sympathy during the sore affliction of husband and father; also especial gratitude to the neighbors for their help after his death, and a high appreciation of the ministerial services so well and appropriately delivered and the singing so well rendered, which was one of the highest delights of our father's beautiful life.

A number from this vicinity (Oak Grove) attended the funeral of Rev. John Demy held in Astoria Wednesday.

Astoria Argus, Apr. 1, 1914

John C. Demy was born in the state of Pennsylvania September 7, 1832 and died at his home in Astoria, March 15, 1914. He was of German descent, his great-grandfather having come to America from Germany and settled in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, where Christian Demy, the father of John C., was born in 1798. In 1831 Christian Demy was married to Sarah Harverstick, who was also a native of Pennsylvania and to whom eleven children were born. Christian Demy died November 22, 1872 and his wife died January 16, 1878.

John C. Demy was reared in his native state and there learned the trade of a carpenter, which he followed until one year after his marriage. He then engaged in farming and followed this line of work until 1888 when he retired.

He was married to Mary Sellers at Lancaster, Penn., January 24, 1856, Rev. J. J. Strine officiating. To this union were born ten children: Mrs. Sarah Mohler, Naperville, Illinois, Mrs. Emma Landis, Burlington, Kansas; Mrs. Alice Kontz, Longmont, Colorado; Mrs. Ella McLaren, Farmington, and J. L., H. C., Miss Lizzie, Mrs. Amanda Burgard, Mrs. Dilly Blemler of Astoria and John S. who died in infancy.

Mr. and Mrs. Demy have been members of the Church of the Brethren since 1861, when they were baptised in Hanover, Penn.

In 1871 they moved to Edgar County, Illinois. Two years later he was elected to the ministry. In 1877 they moved to Astoria, where they have since resided.

The deceased suffered with kidney trouble, neuritis and a sciatic condition. For nearly five months he bore his intense suffering patiently and with the aid of Christian assurance. His congenial presence will be sorely missed in the home and neighborhood. His sparkling eyes and pleasing smile has left an indelible impress upon the hearts of his children. Many will remember him as a frequent visitor of the sick and afflicted.

It was his privilege to have all of his family at his bedside a few weeks before he died where they united in family worship at which time he used II Timothy 2, as a lesson.

His last sermon was preached at the South Fulton House, Oct. 19, 1913; text I Cor. 13:3. Bro. Demy was a man of strong convictions of right for which he was always willing to sacrifice, if need be. The family alter has been kept burning all through his Christian life. He was a constant attendant at all religious services when it was possible for him to be there, where he will be greatly missed. For forty-one years he served in the ministry, filling the office conscientiously and to the best of his ability. He was a great reader of the Bible, delighting in the promises. Some months before death he selected the text to be used at his funeral Rev. 14:13.

Funeral Wednesday at the Astoria House, conducted by Elder S. G. Bucher, Interment in the South Fulton cemetery. (also called Dunkard Brethren Church Cemetery)

George Donohue

Taken From the Gettysburg Compiler, Gettysburg, PA
September 23 1916

George Donohue of Harrisburg was struck and instantly killed by an automobile near Hummelstown. Donohoe was on his way home after helping thresh at one of the farms near Hummelstown when struck by an automobile whose driver was racing with a trolley car. He was a son of Daniel Donohue and was born in York Springs about 38 years ago but has been a resident of Harrisburg for many years. The body was brought to York Springs on Monday and interment made in Sunnyside cemetery.

Clarence Bates of Lebanon was arrested and charged with driving the automobile that caused the death of Donohue. Bates pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the case, and was sentenced to one year in the penitentiary. Bates who was riding with Miss Martha Gross, 18 years old, and her parents, said he didn't stop after the accident because he was excited.

Mrs. Pauline Dove (nee Garrison)

Taken From The Bradford Era (Bradford, Pennsylvania)
August 11, 1949

Husband Quizzed In Wife's Death
Harrisburg (AP) - Clifford Dove spent all day yesterday while under questioning in the death of 22-year old wife, Mrs. Pauline Garrison Dove, at their nearby Hummelstown home. The 26-year old highway worker, police said, declared he knew of no reason why anyone should have killed his wife or why she should have committed suicide. State Police Sgt. George Funk said it has not been established whether the woman's death by shotgun was murder or suicide. Dove reported he found his wife's body, Funk added, on his return from work. The tree Dove children, the eldest 5 years old, were asleep in the other room of the two-room house.

Clarence R. Duncan

Taken From The Charleroi Mail (Charleroi, Pennsylvania)
November 30 1954

Harrisburg Man Is Car Collision Victim
Harrisburg, Nov. 30 (AP) - A Harrisburg couple's long Thanksgiving holiday with their families in Cleveland ended in sudden tragedy Monday night a few miles from home. Clarence R. Duncan, a 34 year old foreman at the Thompson Products Co. plant here, his wife, Irene C. Duncan, and their two children were nearly home when their car rammed a stalled auto on Carlisle Pike just west of Camp Hill. Duncan was thrown from the car and crushed beneath it. He died at th scene. The Duncan's son, Michael, 6, was also injured, and Mrs. Duncan, 32, and Sharon, 12, less seriously. The operator of the stalled car, Mrs. Clara B. H. Rodeffer, 44, Hummelstown, RD1, was not injured.

Walter Enders

Indiana Evening Gazette (Indiana, Pennsylvania)
December 23, 1908

Typhoid Patient Kills Himself
Harrisburg, Pa., Dec. 22 - Walter Enders, a resident of Highspire is dead from the effects of attemping to jump through a window. Enders had been suffering from typhoid fever and in his delirium jumped at a window being terribly cut by the broken glass.

Mrs. Walter Floody

Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) June 16 1824

Harrisburg, June 8

Suicide

On Sunday last, the body of Mrs. Floody, widow of Walter Floody, was found suspended by a silk handkerchief, to one of the rafters of the house in which she had resided. She is supposed to have been driven to this rash deed, in consequence of her poverty. She had three little children, the oldest who m is not more than six years, who were dependent upon her labor for their sustenance; and it is probable that their cries for food may have driven their unfortunate mother to this desperate extremity. She always bore the character of an industrious and peaceable woman and was highly respected by her neighbors. But she had once been in easy circumstances and misfortunes, in consequence, sat doubly heavy upon her.

Mrs. Pauline Dove (nee Garrison)

Taken From The Bradford Era (Bradford, Pennsylvania)
August 11, 1949

Mrs. Charles M. Kaylor

Taken From the East Berlin News, East Berlin, PA
February 7, 1930

Mrs. Charles M. Kaylor, Hanover, formerly of Harrisburg, died suddenly at her home after a heart attack on Wednesday. She was aged 27 years and was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Winfield Sanders, Harrisburg. She is survived by her husband, a daugther and a son at home; her parents, one sister and one brother. Funeral was held on Saturday at Hummelstown.

John W. Krebs

Taken From the Indiana Gazette, Indiana PA
September 20 1905

Harrisburg, PA Sept 18
John W. Krebs , aged 65, of Northumberland, was burned to death by being overcome with gas and falling on a hot plate at the Central Iron and Steel works

Edward Lauchs

Taken From the Indiana Gazette, Indiana PA
September 27 1905

Harrisburg, Sept 22
Five men were killed and eight others seriously injured in a collision between a pay train and a combination passenger milk train on the Philadelphia, Harrisburg and Pittsburg branch of the Philadelphia and Reading railroad near Mount Holly Springs. None of the passengers among whom were three women were injured. The dead are: Ephraim McCleary and C. J. Shearer of Harrisburg; John Hill and Edward Lauchs of Reading; Thomas Marion, Pottsville. Hill died on the way to the Harrisburg hospital. The other four were killed outright. The injured are: John E. Amole; D. E. Zellers, Alfred Haven, Isaac McHose, Robert Richwine, George O. Sarvis, John Miller and Harry Bomberger, all trainmen.

The pay train consisting of one locomotive and one coach, was going east to pay the men along the division. The combination train composed of locomotive, combination coach and two passenger trains was coming east. The two trains ran together at the curve, which is a sharp one and is flanked by a heavy clump of trees. Amole jumped from his engine and landed at the foot of a 25 foot enbankment. McCleary was found on top of the engine with the whistle cord in his hand, it having been pulled clear off the machine and all the breaks on the train set. The pay train contained about $50,000 in checks, which were scattered about the track. The checks were picked up by trainmen and turned over to John W. Wetzel attorney for the company at Carlisle.

Rev. H. F. Long

Taken From the New Oxford Item, New Oxford, Pennsylvania
February 25, 1925

Rev. H. F. Long, retired Luteran minister and Civil War veteran and pastor of the Arendtsville and Bendersville Lutheran charge many years ago, died in the Harrisburg hospital from injuries received when struck by a Hummelstown street car, at Harrisburg, a week before his death. He was 83 years old and resided at Harrisburg.

Gideon Peachley

Taken From The Bradford Era (Bradford, Pennsylvania)
August 8, 1952

Mrs. John Hoerner, 20, of nearby Hummelstown died of polio in Harrisburg Hospital today, the second victim of the disease at that hospital this week. Gideon Peachley, 16 of Belleville, died at that hospital Sunday.

Benjamin G. Peters

Daily Gazette and Bulletin (Williamsport, Pennsylvania)
November 11, 1876

Harrisburg, Nov 10 - Benjamin G. Peters, a well known resident of this city (Harrisburg) and proprietor of the Farmer's Hotel was accidently killed at Highspire about one o'clock this afternoon. The particulars are as follows: Mr. Peters who is interested in distillery at that point, intended to come home on the first mail west but in some manner missed it. He then proposed to take the second mail and came to the house of J. F. Klugh, Esq., on the south side of the track, thinking that the pay train which reached the depot was the train he proposed taking. In crossing he was struck by the engine of the second Union line east and thrown some distance on the opposite tracks, near the old warehouse. He was picked up and placed on a sofa and died in about 10 minutes. His forehead was badly crushed and a portion of his brains oozed out on his arm. The body was brought to the dead house of the railroad company in this city, and the coroner notified. Mr. Peters was well known and highly respected by nearly all the citizens of this county.

Melchoir Rahm

Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
November 15 1820

Died at Harrisburg, on Tuesday the 31st October, Melchoir Rahm, Esq., one of the electoral candidates, in the 59th year of his age.

Raymond Rahter

Taken From the New Oxford Item, New Oxford, Pennsylvania
March 18, 1898

Raymond Rahter, of Hummelstown dropped dead on last Tuesday, at his home, of heart disease, aged 38 years. The deceased was a son of the late Harry Rahter and was born and grew to manhood in Littlestown. His brother Charles of Baltimore, dropped dead, just as suddenly a few months ago.

Mrs. Caroline Rife

Gettysburg Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
September 10, 1921

Mrs. Caroline Rife, native of Adams county, widow of John Rife, died Saturday at the home of her son, Abraham Rife, in Highspire, near Harrisburg, aged 82 years, 7 months and 3 days. She was born and raised in the vicinity of McSherrystown and lived there until two years ago when she went to Highspire to make her home with her son. She is survived by these sons, John Rife of Gettysburg; Levi Rife of Middletown; Clinton Rife of Harrisburg; Abraham Rife of Highspire; and one sister Mrs. Joseph Heagy of Littlestown. Funeral services were held Tuesday at Flohr's church in interment in the cemetery at the church.

George Romig

Altoona Mirror (Altoona, Pennsylvania)
October 25, 1906

Harrisburg, Oct. 25 - George Romig of Highspire was swept over the dam at York Haven and drowned. Romig was shooting duck and went after some dead birds in a skiff.

Henry Ross

Taken From the Gazette and Bulletin, Williamsport, PA
September 22 1913

Harrisburg, Sept 21 - The Middletown and Hummelstown train on the branch of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad company in the eastern part of Dauphin county struck a farm motor truck driven by Henry Ross, killing him and seriously injuring Charles Zerfoss.

Unknown

Taken From the New Oxford Item, New Oxford, Pennsylvania
July 15 1915

A.P.&R. express struck a team at a railroad crossing in Hummelstown, killing five of the occupants and fatally injurying another.

Harold H. Zeigler

The Warren Tribune (Warren, Pennsylvania)
September 19, 1927

Highspire, Sept 19 - Knocked from the side of a freight car on which he was riding in the yards of the Pennsylvania railroad here, Harold H. Zeigler, 44, a railway conductor, was almost instantly killed under the (article not finished)

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