My Genealogy Hound

EDWARD J. WISE, who resides in Monroe township, Cumberland county, comes of a family which has long been located in Pennsylvania, and which is of German origin.

Frederick Wise, the grandfather of Edward J., settled in Lancaster county, Pa., and there followed farming. In 1800 he came to Cumberland County, buying and settling upon a fine farm in South Middleton township where he engaged in farming and passed the remainder of his days. His children were as follows; Jacob died in Springville, Cumberland county; Margaret Annie died in Carlisle; Frederick is mentioned below; Eliza died in Springville; Susan died in Carlisle; Henry died in Shippensburg.

Frederick Wise, father of Edward J., was born in South Middleton township, and received a common-school education. He worked with his father, at farming, until his marriage, in 1844, to Maria Lowbough, daughter of Samuel Lowbough, of York Springs, Adams Co., Pa., after which he continued to live on the homestead for another five years. Thence he moved to Boiling Springs, where he was engaged for three years at trucking and hauling, and during the next three years he was in the draying business at Carlisle. However, he went back to farming, buying a fine farm of ninety-two acres along the Oxford road, upon which he lived for thirty-two years, carrying on its cultivation very successfully. In 1883 he sold that place and bought a neat little home on the turnpike, where he lived retired until his death, in 1890. Mrs. Wise also died there, in 1891. Twelve children were born to this worthy couple: (1) John died in infancy; (2) Joseph T. died at Mt. Holly Springs when forty-seven years old; (3) Jane is the wife of John Spidle, and lives at Barnitz; (4) Matilda is the wife of Peter Gottshall, a resident of Boiling Springs; (5) Frank, (6) Abner, (7) Annie, (8) Margaret and (9) Willie all died young; (10) Edward J. is the subject proper of these line ; and (11) Ella and (12) Lizzie are both deceased.

Edward J. Wise was born in 1862, in South Middleton township, on the family homestead along the Oxford road, and there attended the public schools, receiving a good practical education. He remained on the home farm, assisting his father with the agricultural work, until his marriage, in 1881, to Miss Barbara Smith, daughter of William O. and Leah (Stambaugh) Smith, of Cumberland county, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Wise first resided at Boiling Springs, where he was employed in the iron works for seven years, and when that establishment closed down he entered the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company, continuing thus for six years. For the next two years he was at the Reading ore mines in 1895 commencing the milling business, which he has ever since continued in the employ of Mr. Bacastow. His home is in Monroe township, near the mills. Mr. Wise has always been an industrious and thrifty man, being a representative member of one of the good old families of Cumberland county, and he is accordingly respected wherever he is known. He is an active member of the Methodist Church of Boiling Springs, in which congregation he has filled all the offices. In his political faith Mr. Wise is a Democrat, and though interested in the success of his party does not seek any personal favors. He served as inspector while a resident of South Middleton township.

Mr. and Mrs. Wise have become the parents of eight children, viz: William (who married Katie Wise and is living in Monroe township), Harry, Elsie, Joseph, Ralph, Carrie, Elmer and Mildred, all but the eldest living at home.