Franklin County Pennsylvania Biographies
| DAVID L. POWDERS, retired, Orrstown,
was born April 23, 1841, in Orrstown, Franklin Co., Penn. His grandfather,
John Powders, came from Lancaster County, and settled in the southern part
of the State, and while freighting, he disappeared, team and all, and was
never again heard of. The family are of German extraction. John Powders,
our subject's father, came to this county at the age of seven years, and
remained with an old Dunkard minister until he was fifteen. He then returned
to Cumberland County, where he learned his trade, and at the age of twenty-one
came again to Franklin County. His wife, Mary, daughter of David Lesher,
died here in August, 1881, aged sixty-seven years, the mother of six children,
David L. and Lydia, wife of Joseph Karper, surviving. Our subject was educated
here and in the agricultural College at Centre County, Penn. He taught school
a number of terms. He also learned and followed the shoemaker's trade. He
enlisted in the nine months' service in the fall of 1862, in Company D, One
Hundred and Twenty-sixth Regiment. In the fall of 1864 he was appointed
recruiting officer and assisted in forming Company F, Two Hundred and Seventh
Pennsylvania Volunteers; was elected first lieutenant of the company and
served until the close of the war. He assisted in the battles of Fredericksburg
and Chancellorsville and minor engagements, also in the capture of Fort Steadman,
siege of Petersburg and others of less importance. After the war he returned
to Orrstown and engaged in mercantile business; also was postmaster until
1874, when he removed to Sac County, Iowa, and farmed until the spring of
1884, when he returned to his old home. He received injuries in the service
which caused him to lead a retired life, and for which he draws a pension
from the Government. He married in the fall of 1865 Miss Mattie E., daughter
of Jacob and Martha (Bowman) Bear, and they have three children. Mr. and
Mrs. Powders are members of the Church of God. Politically he is a Democrat.
History of Franklin Co., Pennsylvania, published by Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, IL, 1887, p. 923. - Transcribed and Donated by Carol Parrish |
| JAMES ADAMS, engineer, Chambersburg,
was born in Adams County, Penn., October 10, 1810; a son of Ignatius and
Mary (Hoffman) Adams. He was reared on a farm until eighteen years of age,
and received such an education as was generally given to farmers' sons. He
then commenced an apprenticeship at the cooper's trade, which he completed
at Chambersburg, to which place he came in the spring of 1820, and remained
with his employer, Robert Stewart, as journeyman for some years; then, in
1835, he engaged in the same business for himself, and in this he was occupied
until 1841 or 1842, when he entered the employ of the Cumberland Valley Railroad,
first as striker in the blacksmith department, and was soon advanced to the
position of fireman on a locomotive. He served as fireman two years, when
he was promoted to the responsible position of engineer, (this was the day
of strap-rail track, and open cab on the engine), and in such capacity served
until February, 1882. In April, that year, he commenced working in the Cumberland
Valley Railroad shops, where he is still employed. Our subject married April
23, 1835, Martha Stewart, daughter of Robert Stewart, a former resident of
Chambersburg, where she was born in March, 1817. To this marriage were born
six children, three of whom are living: James R., a resident of Chambersburg;
Martha J., wife of Dr. John E. Kline, a physican, of Chambersburg, and Mary
E., who resided with her father. The family belong to the Catholic Church.
Mr. Adams is said to be the oldest engineer on the Cumberland Valley Railroad
now living. In politics he is a Democrat.
History of Franklin Co., Pennsylvania, published by Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, IL, 1887, p. 617. Transcribed and Donated by Carol Parrish |
| JAMES R. ADAMS, baggage-master,
Chambersburg, was born in Chambersburg, this county, February 15, 1845, son
of James and Martha (Stewart) Adams, and was educated in the schools of his
native town. In July, 1864, he entered the employ of the Cumberland Valley
Company and acted as brakesman and baggage-master until 1878; then was conductor
of a mixed train two or three years, and after that till 1882 was conductor
of passenger trains. In December, 1882, he was appointed baggage-master at
Chambersburg. He also fills the position of special conductor. The subject
of this sketch was united in marriage, in 1879, with Sophia M., daughter
of Adam Christ, a well-known citizen of Chambersburg. Mr. and Mrs. Adams
are members of the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Adams has never desired a political
position. He is a Democrat.
History of Franklin Co., Pennsylvania, published by Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, IL, 1887, p. 617. Transcribed and Donated by Carol Parrish |
| PROF. M. R. ALEXANDER, Chambersburg,
was born in Lewistown; Mifflin County, Penn., January 14, 1846, eldest son
of James H. and Elizabeth (Rothrock) Alexander. He was reared on a farm and
received the rudiments of an education in the neighboring schools, and in
a preparatory school. In 1872 he entered Lafayette College, and was graduated
from that institution four years later, being a member of the class of 1876.
While in college he fitted himself for the profession of teaching. For seven
years from 1876, he was assistant principal of the "Hill" school at Pottstown,
Penn. In August, 1883, he came to Chambersburg and took charge of the
Chambersburg Academy, and has since conducted the same with ability. In 1880
Prof. Alexander was married to Margaret Hutchison, and they are the parents
of two sons. Prof. and Mrs. Alexander are identified with Falling Spring
Presbyterian Church.
History of Franklin Co., Pennsylvania, published by Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, IL, 1887, p. 617-618 Transcribed and Donated by Carol Parrish |
| J. C. ANDERSON, builder and contractor,
Chambersburg, was born in Waynesboro, Penn., September 28, 1838, eldest son
of Joseph and Amelia (Taylor) Anderson, the former of whom was a tailor by
trade. The father of our subject was born in Franklin County, Penn., in 1811,
was a son of John Anderson, a weaver by trade, who came from Ireland in the
early days and settled in this county. Joseph Anderson reared to maturity
a family of nine children, of whom eight are living - three daughters and
five sons - and died in 1883. Our subject was educated in the public schools
of his native borough and when sixteen commenced an apprenticeship (of four
years) at the cabinetmaker's trade with Jacob Henning, of Chambersburg, Penn.
He then worked as journeyman for some years. About 1862 he took charge of
the sash and blind factory of William A. Hazlit there, and this he conducted
for some seven years, thence went to Greencastle, Penn., and took charge
of J. B. Crowell & Co's sash and blind factory there for eight years.
He returned to Chambersburg about 1877, but one year later again became a
resident of Waynesboro, Penn., where he remained for three years. He returned
to Chambersburg, Penn., about 1881, and began building and contracting, which
business he has since followed. He is a successful builder, employing at
times as many as twenty-five hands. Mr. Anderson was married, in 1858, to
Sarah R., daughter of David Lippy, a former resident of Chambersburg. Mr.
and Mrs. Anderson have one daughter, Mollie J., now the wife of John J. Corbett,
of Waynesboro, Penn. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. Anderson is a member of the I. O. O. F.
History of Franklin Co., Pennsylvania, published by Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, IL, 1887, p. 618. Transcribed and Donated by Carol Parrish |