My Genealogy Hound

ADAM NELL, the first member of his family to come to Cumberland county, was born in Adams county, Pa., where his ancestors settled at an early day. He is a member of the fourth generation in the United States.

The family is of German origin, Henry Nell, the great-grandfather of Adam and the first of the name in this country, coming hither from Heidelberg, Germany, and settling in Adams county. Descendants of Henry Nell settled at Bermudian, Adams Co., Pa., and from there members of the family have scattered all over the United States, one son emigrating to Canada. Henry Nell married for his first wife a Miss Brough and for his second a Mrs. Bushey. His children were as follows: Jacob, who went to Canada, as before mentioned; Mary, Mrs. Snyder; John, deceased; Susan, who married John Elicker; Henry, who married Margaret Bushey; Lydia, who married Samuel Walker; Leah, who married Daniel Hartman; and Christine, who married Nicholas Bushey.

Henry Nell, grandfather of Adam, lived on the old homestead in Adams county. He married Margaret Bushey, and they became the parents of the following named children: John married Miss Firestone; Jacob married Miss Leathery; Rebecca married K. Albert; Henry married Miss Leathery; Polly married M. Firestone; Abraham, father of Adam, is mentioned below; Sarah was twice married, first to Mr. Yost and second to Adam Border; Noah is deceased; Michael married a Harboldt; William was twice married, first to Miss Eurick and second to Mrs. Koons; Leah married Solomon Border; Levi is deceased; Susan married Nathaniel Binder.

Abraham Nell also lived on the old homestead in Adams county, and there brought up his family. He married Miss Catherine Hess, who was born in Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, a goldsmith’s daughter, and came to this country when a child. To this union were born children as follows: Adam is the subject proper of this sketch. Levi first married Miss Agnew and second Miss Belle Brown. George married Lucy Nitchman. Amanda married John Zinn. Matilda died unmarried. Henry married Miss May Hosford, and lives in Anaconda, Mont. Abraham, who is unmarried, lives in Ward, Colo. Catherine is the wife of Oscar Eppley and lives in Cumberland county, Pa. Sara married William Walton and lives in Adams county, Pa. John married Miss Zeigler, and he is deceased. William died unmarried. Emily is deceased.

Adam Nell was engaged at farming, lime burning and stock raising from early manhood until 1892, when he secured a position with the McCormick Harvesting Machine Co. as blockman. He traveled for that company five years, in 1897 giving up his position with the McCormick people and taking a similar position with the Johnston Harvester Co., in whose employ he has ever since remained. When twenty-one years of age he came to Cumberland county, and has continued to reside here up to the present time.

Mr. Nell married Miss Phianna Diller, a member of an old Cumberland county family, and children as follows have been born to this union: C. Emery, who married Miss Eleanora Brandt and has three children, John, Adam and G. Emery; Anna; Cora, wife of E. M. Ensminger; Laura; John A., deceased Emily, and R. Boyd.