My Genealogy Hound

ANSON GRANT MENTZER, one of the enterprising and progressive men of West Pennsboro township, Cumberland Co., Pa., was born in West Pennsboro township in 1865, a son of B. F. Mentzer. The grandfather was born in Frankford township, where he worked as a day laborer, and was an industrious, honest man. His children were: Catherine, living in West Pennsboro township; Elizabeth, who died in Frankford township Feb. 9, 1904; Henry, who died in Newville; John, who died in Frankford township; Margaret, living at West Hill, this county; Sarah, living in Frankford township; Mary, living in Dickinson township; William, who died when a young man; Mrs. Leopard, who died in Frankford township; and B. F., who was born in Frankford.

B. F. Mentzer attended the public schools of Frankford and West Pennsboro townships, coming to the latter township when he was sixteen years of age. He followed farming and was successful in his work. In 1855 he married Maria Yoter, of West Pennsboro township, and for ten years after his marriage farmed in that township, then buying a farm of 128 acres in Frankford township. However, after two years, he returned to West Pennsboro, and farmed the Dr. Zitzer farm for twenty years. In 1890 he bought a small tract of thirteen acres adjoining that farm, which he is now cultivating. Children as follows were born to himself and wife: Fannie C. married James Bloser, and is living in West Pennsboro; Edwin Y. married Maggie King, and lives in this township; Jennie M. married George Derrick, and lives in this township; Anson G. is mentioned below; Elizabeth M. married John Grider and lives in this township. In politics, B. F. Mentzer is a Democrat, and has served his township as supervisor and tax collector. He is a very highly respected man.

Anson Grant Mentzer went to the district schools until he was eighteen years of age. and worked for his father until his marriage, in 1890, to Alta Clay, daughter of Levi and Mary Ann Clay, of West Pennsboro township. The young people settled on their present home, and in 1900 bought the farm, which consists of 132 acres. This he has improved considerably, putting in new fencing throughout, and now has a property which is one of the best in the township. Mr. Mentzer has a threshing machine, and during the season carries on a very large threshing business, having more calls upon him than he can fill, from farmers in both West Pennsboro and Frankford townships. He has been engaged in this line of business for seven years, in connection with his farming. Mr. Mentzer also kills beef and sells by the quarter, never neglecting a single opportunity to advance his business interests and enlarge his field of operations. The children of this happy family are: Bertha F., born in 1892; Floyd Frank, born in 1894, and Francis M., born in 1897, all at home. Mr. Mentzer is a Democrat. The family attend the Lutheran Church of Frankford township, in which they are very popular, as they are throughout the neighborhood.