My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in the Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania published in 1905 by The Genealogical Publishing Company.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

HENRY D. HIPPENSTEEL, the owner of a fine peach orchard containing 4500 peach trees, which yields him a handsome income in a peach year, is also the popular groceryman of Cleversburg, where he has been located for some years. The Hippensteel family is of German origin. John Hippensteel, the grandfather of Henry D., was born in Germany, and on emigrating to America he settled in Southampton township, Cumberland county, where he became quite prosperous. He married Susannah Hippensteel.

John Hippensteel, father of Henry D., was born in Southampton township, in 1796. He learned the carpenter’s trade, and became one of the most skillful workmen in the county, building many of the best dwellings and barns. He died in 1870. His politics were Republican, and his views on religious subjects were quite liberal. He had an abiding faith in the brotherhood of man, and was quite charitable to the faults and misfortunes of others. He married Susan Quarterman, who was born in Southampton township in 1806, daughter of Valentine Quarterman, one of the pioneers, whose father emigrated from Ireland. She died in 1882, the mother of eleven children: Henry D., Elizabeth, Nancy, John (deceased), Barbara, Isabella (who died in her tenth year), Caroline (deceased), Susan, William, Sarah, and one that died in infancy.

Henry D. Hippensteel, the youngest in the family of children born to John and Susan Hippensteel, was born near Franklin Furnace, in Franklin county, June 3, 1849. He attended a select school in Washington county, Md., and then, at the age of fourteen, he returned home, and assisted his father on the home farm, continuing under the parental roof until he was twenty-one years of age. After his marriage he located in Cleversburg, and there gave his attention to farming, and also to milling. He was determined to enter the business world, and to equip himself to that end he engaged for a time as a clerk for George Clever, of Cleversburg. He carefully studied the methods of that successful business man, and thoroughly mastered all he could learn there. Then, embarking in the grocery business on his own account, he was prepared to meet all the exigencies of the business, and today is one of the prosperous merchants of his county. Having been brought up on a farm, he has not entirely abandoned agricultural pursuits, but has a choice farm of thirty-four acres, a portion of which is devoted to his very fine peach orchard in which he takes a pardonable pride. He was for nine years the assistant postmaster at Cleversburg, but the establishment of the rural free delivery system caused that office to be abandoned.

On Nov. 3, 1871, Mr. Hippensteel married Anna Mixell, daughter of Squire John Mixell, of Franklin county. Both Mr. Hippensteel and his wife are members of the United Evangelical Church and active in its work. For the past twenty-five years he has served as class leader, and for twenty years has been superintendent of the Sunday School, the length of his service being a mute testimony not only of his ability, but of his Christian character and general manliness.

* * * *

This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania published in 1905 by The Genealogical Publishing Company. 

View additional Cumberland County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Cumberland County, Pennsylvania Biographies

View a historic 1911 map of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania

View family biographies for other states and counties

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.