My Genealogy Hound

MAJOR ISAAC WAGNER, late one of the prominent and highly esteemed citizens of Newville, was born Aug. 11, 1821, near Walnut Bottom, Cumberland county, son of Joseph and Hannah (Rodes) Wagner, early settlers of the county. Joseph Wagner, his grandfather, came of German parentage. He married a Miss Walters.

Major Isaac Wagner was reared a farmer boy and was educated in the district schools of his locality. After reaching his majority he entered the service of his country, joining Company F, 126th P. V. I., in which he served faithfully for three years, being promoted from time to time for soldierly gallantry. He was honorably discharged in 1864, with the rank of major. After his discharge he went to Green Springs, Cumberland county, where he engaged in general farming and stockraising, meeting with much success. He became a prominent man, was a director of the Newville Bank, was assessor and tax collector of his township, and was frequently chosen to administer estates. In politics he was a strong Democrat of the Jeffersonian type. His death occurred Oct. 24, 1886.

In 1869 Major Wagner was united in marriage with Mary J. Christlieb, of Green Springs, widow of Charles Christlieb. They had two sons born to them, Walter and Homer J. The latter, a graduate of the State Normal School at Shippensburg, is principal of the High School and professor of General History at Centralia. Wash.; he married Belle Over, of Newville, and they have one son, J. Homer.

By her former marriage, Mrs. Wagner had two children, viz: Isaac Clark Christlieb, of Hutchinson, Minn.; and Joseph Linsay Christlieb, a skilled machinist in Washington. She was born in 1832 in Cumberland county, a daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Shillerbarger) Linsay. The Linsay family is of Scotch-Irish descent. Mrs. Wagner is a valued member of the United Presbyterian Church at Newville. Major Wagner belonged to Newville Post, G. A. R., where he was held in high esteem by his comrades.