My Genealogy Hound

HARPER B. ENCK, justice of the peace at Mt. Holly Springs, Cumberland county, is a native of Churchtown, this county, born May 22, 1867. He is a son of Reuben and Catherine (Whitmer) Enck, both of whom are living at Churchtown.

(I) Henry Enck, his great-grandfather, came from Germany with a brother, and they located permanently in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania.

(II) Henry Enck, the grandfather, was born in Lancaster county, was reared and married there, and by his first wife had one child, Henry, who is deceased. His second wife bore him children as follows: George, died in Cumberland county; Jacob died in Cumberland county; John died in Cumberland county; Elizabeth (deceased) was the wife of Samuel Bricker, of Cumberland county; Anna died unmarried; William is a farmer of York road, near Churchtown; Kate is unmarried; Hiram is a dealer of Churchtown; Mary is the widow of John Greegor, of Churchtown; Reuben is mentioned below; Levi is a butcher of Churchtown; Isaac is a farmer of Boiling Springs.

Henry Enck, the father of the above mentioned children, was the founder of the family in Cumberland county, and was one of its well-to-do residents, a successful farmer, and an active Republican. He took an influential part both as an officer and member of the German Reformed Church.

(III) Reuben Enck, the father of Harper B., was born in Lancaster county, and was reared upon the farm. His education was received in the public schools of Lancaster and Cumberland counties. When he reached manhood’s estate he began agricultural life and became an extensive farmer. He was one of the progressive, public-spirited men of the county, a Republican in politics, and a member of the German Reformed Church, in which he was a member of the official board. He married Catherine Whitmer, who still survives, and they had children as follows: Oliver Thomas died when about eight years of age; William G. is a farmer near Bowmansdale; Harvey C. is a farmer on the homestead; Harper B. is mentioned below; Charles M. is a dealer of Churchtown; Elizabeth died in infancy.

(IV) Harper B. Enck was reared upon the farm, and was educated in the public schools and the select schools of the neighborhood. He finished his education with a course at the Shippensburg Normal School, and when only eighteen years of age began teaching in the district schools of Cumberland county. After four years of teaching in this county he went west to Illinois, and taught school for a year, when he returned to Cumberland county, and for ten years followed his profession. In 1894 he came to Mt. Holly Springs as a teacher in the Grammar school, and until 1899 was one of the most popular teachers of this place. Since then he has been teaching at Upper Holly. For the past fifteen years he has devoted himself to educational work. During summers he has taken up agency work, and is the valued correspondent of the Daily Sentinel of Carlisle. He is one of the active supporters of all things tending toward the betterment of the community in general. In politics he is an active Republican, and in 1901 was elected justice of the peace. He has also served as township clerk, and a member of the Republican county central committee, still retaining the latter connection. Fraternally he is a member of the K. of P., Allen Lodge, No. 299; P. C.; of the I. O. O. F., Mt. Holly Lodge, No. 671, P. G.; of the Jr. O. A. M., No. 71. P. C.

On June 22, 1891, Mr. Enck was united in marriage with Miss Bella Martin, who was born at Good Hope, Cumberland county, in 1866, the accomplished daughter of John and Elizabeth Martin. Two children have been born to this marriage: Milton J., who died at the age of five months; and Paul M. Mrs. Enck is one of the consistent members and active workers of the Lutheran Church, toward which Mr. Enck is a very liberal contributor.

As an educator, justice of the peace, politician and private citizen Mr. Enck stands very high in the community. Cumberland county owes him much for his untiring efforts in behalf of educational matters. Some of the most important improvements made in the schools of his locality can be directly traced to him, and he is very popular with his pupils, for he possesses the ability to impart knowledge in an easy, pleasant manner, while at the same time he teaches as well as hears lessons. As a justice of the peace he is making a most excellent record. Although one of the youngest justices of the peace in Cumberland county, his decisions are received with commendation by those in the higher courts, and all who know this talented young man are convinced that a very brilliant future lies before him.