My Genealogy Hound

H. S. MOHLER, a prominent citizen of Mechanicsburg, who has been a justice of the peace for the past twenty years, was born Dec. 7, 1837, in Upper Allen township, three miles east of Mechanicsburg, son of Solomon and Sarah (Suavely) Mohler, the latter of whom still survives, at Mechanicsburg, in her eighty-sixth year.

John Mohler, his great-grandfather, was one of the early settlers at Ephrata, Lancaster county, probably about 1720. At that time two brothers accompanied him from Switzerland and all settled in the same locality, a part of the religious community of the German Baptist Brethren.

Daniel Mohler, son of John, was a German Baptist minister. He settled in Cumberland county about 1800, and was the father of six children, namely: John; Solomon; Jacob; Nancy, who married Jacob Studebaker; Hannah, who married Moses Miller; and Polly, who married Jacob Landis.

Solomon Mohler, son of Rev. Daniel, was born on the home farm in 1814, and he died Oct. 20, 1876. In 1835 he married Sarah Snavely, and to this union children were born as follows: H. S., of this sketch; Elizabeth, who married George Rupp; Mary A., who married Reuben Miller; and Annette, who married Hiram Enck. In his early political life, Solomon Mohler was a strong Whig, but became identified with the Republicans after the formation of that party in 1852.

H. S. Mohler was reared on his father’s farm where his boyhood was passed assisting in agricultural duties, and in attendance upon the public schools. In 1862 Mr. Mohler offered his loyal services to his country, enlisting as a private in the 3d Pa. Heavy Artillery, and June 16, 1865, was mustered out of the army as a brevet-captain. For gallantry he was successively promoted, and has an army record of which he may well be proud. He participated in many battles, notably those of Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Deep Bottom, New Market Heights, and the first and second attacks on Fort Fisher, and he was twice seriously wounded, once at the blowing up of the mines before Richmond, and the other at Fort Fisher.

After the close of the war, Mr. Mohler was appointed revenue surveyor of distilleries and gauger in the United States Internal Revenue Department for the First District of Virginia, coalprising twenty-one counties, which position he held until 1870, when he resigned. Returning to Cumberland county, he settled down to farming until 1888, hen, he removed to Mechanicsburg. Here he embarked in a general insurance business, which does not interfere with his duties of justice of the peace. Since 1883 he has served as secretary of the Patrons Mutual Insurance Company, of Southern Pennsylvania.

On Jan. 12, 1860, Mr. Mohler was married to Miss Eliza Byers, a daughter of Jacob Byers, of York county, and this marriage has been blessed with six children, namely: Minnie, wife of A. L. Holler, of Harrisburg; Grant, of Hamilton, Mo.; Sarah V., wife of Geary Brenner, of Mechanicsburg; Alexander, of New York; and Frank, of Mexico City, Mexico; and Solomon, who died in young manhood.

Fraternally, Mr. Mohler belongs to F. & M., Lodge 302, Mechanicsburg; the S. C. Perkins, Royal Arch Chapter, No. 309; St. John’s Commandery, No. 8; and has attained the 32nd degree in Masonry. He belongs also to the K. of P., Shiremanstown, No. 425; and to G. A. R. Post, No. 415, of Mechanicsburg. In politics he has been a life-long Republican. In religious views Mr. Mohler is independent. For many years he has been considered one of the leading men of Mechanicsburg, and is held in universal esteem.