My Genealogy Hound

J. C. REESER, one of the well-known citizens of Mechanicsburg, who is engaged in the real estate and auctioneering business, was born May 6, 1838, on a farm two miles west of this borough, son of Jacob and Sarah (Coover) Reeser, of Cumberland county. The latter has the distinction of being the oldest resident of Cumberland county, and probably of Pennsylvania, her birth having taken place April 5, 1797. This venerable lady, whose span of life is truly remarkable, is a daughter of George Coover, who was born in Lancaster county, and was one of the earliest German settlers in the Cumberland Valley.

J. C. Reeser was reared on a farm where he remained until the age of fifteen years, when he became a clerk in the general store of David Leidigh, in Silver Spring township, where he remained for two years, and then came to Mechanicsburg, entering the hardware house of Robert Garrison & Co., in the capacity of clerk. He continued to follow clerking, later at Shepherdstown, and then in Harrisburg, where he was employed by a mercantile firm for four years. Returning to Mechanicsburg he embarked in business as an auctioneer, and also engaged in the butchering business, later becoming proprietor of the “Trindle Spring Hotel.” In 1879 he returned to Mechanicsburg, since which time he has been interested in real estate and in auctioneering, being favorably known all over the county in the latter capacity as a man of ability and wit. In addition to the business lines in which Mr. Reeser has been engaged, his record as a soldier must not be forgotten. In 1862 when the war cloud had already shadowed so many lives, and mothers and wives were holding back their loved ones in terror, there were found loyal men who were ready to dare all danger and go forth to fight for their country. Among these was our subject, who enlisted in Company A, 158th P. V. I. He saw much hard service in this regiment, participating in a number of battles, including the dreadful one of Gettysburg. He was honorably discharged in the fall of 1863. His home was then in Monroe township, and there he returned, and during that time served there as school director and as road supervisor. In Mechanicsburg he as taken an active part in politics, being a stanch Republican, and he has served on the town council.

In 1860 Mr. Reeser was married to Sarah R. Strock, daughter of Joseph Strock, of Monroe township, and three children were born to this union, namely: Harry H., of New York; Elizabeth, wife of Charles H. Herring, of Mechanicsburg; and Grace, wife of Talbert Orris, of Mechanicsburg. Both Mr. and Mrs. Reeser are consistent members of the Bethel Church of God, of Mechanicsburg. Fraternally, he is a Mason of high standing, a Knight Templar, and is also a member of the Golden Eagles and the Knights of Malta. He was one of the organizers of the Col. H. I. Zinn G. A. R. Post, No. 415, of Mechanicsburg, of which he has been commander, and in which he has filled its other official positions.