My Genealogy Hound

JACOB E. WISE, of Boiling Springs, Cumberland county, is one of the representative citizens of this county, and comes of good old German stock.

Frederick Wise was the first of the family to locate in Cumberland county, and is the first of whom there is any definite knowledge. His parents were of German birth, but it is not known whether they came to America or not. He located at South Middleton, Cumberland county. Pa., and became the owner of considerable real estate, upon which he lived and reared his family, becoming one of the good, sturdy citizens of his day. He was recognized and admired for his sterling qualities, and his close adherence to law and order. The rules which governed his life were made to apply to his children, and they grew up honorable men and women. He lived to an advanced age, and was a stanch believer in the principles of true Democracy, casting his vote for the candidates of the Democratic party. In religious matters he was a consistent member of the Lutheran Church. He was united in marriage with a widow, Mrs. Salander, who had two sons, Daniel and John Salander. She bore her second husband the following children: Eliza, who died unmarried; Catherine, who married William Morrison, of Cumberland county; Jacob, the father of Jacob E.; Frederick, who was a farmer of Cumberland county; Ann, who became the wife of David Zeigeler, of Cumberland county; Susan, who died unmarried; Henry, who was a farmer of Cumberland county; and Margaret, who married Frederick Ryder, of Cumberland county.

Jacob Wise was born and reared in Cumberland county, and there spent his life, passing the greater portion of it in South Middleton. His death occurred in 1899, when he was eighty-six years of age. He was a man of diversified occupations and accomplishments, for he could turn his hand to almost anything, and he was a natural-born mechanic. This faculty has descended to his sons. He was a farmer of considerable importance, owning a good farm, but in later life carried on his operations upon a smaller scale. In his private life he was a devout Christian gentleman, and early in life connected himself with the Lutheran Church, but in 1855 he united with the United Brethren Church, as it was more convenient to attend the services of that denomination. In that organization he became one of the most active workers, and held the office of trustee, , serving also as steward and class-leader, discharging the duties pertaining to these various positions with a conscientious zeal which made him a recognized leader in church circles. He was also a very liberal contributor of material aid, and his loss was long felt in the church after he had passed to his reward. Politically, he was a Democrat, filled the offices of tax collector and supervisor, and was recognized by the community as one of the solid men of the county.

Jacob Wise married Miss Sophia Zeigler, a daughter of Philip Zeigler, of Cumberland County, a very prominent man in this locality some years ago. Mrs. Wise is still living. She was born in Cumberland county March 15, 1813, being at this writing well along in her ninety-second year. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Wise: (1) Sarah E. became the wife of Henry Burn, a traveling salesman for a grocery house, and resides at Harrisburg, Pa., where Mr. Burn was formerly in the grocery business. Previous to that he was a school teacher and carpenter. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Burn, Ida May, who is the wife of De Witt Fry; Emma S., widow of George Zimmerman, of Harrisburg; and Carrie E., who died at the age of seven years. Mr. Burn served in the Civil war, in Company A, 209th Regiment, P. V. I., as sergeant major, under Capt. John B. Landis. He first enlisted in 1864, was out nine months, and again enlisted toward the close of the war. He originally entered the service as a teamster, and later was a wheel-wright. He is now a member of G. A. R. Post No. 58, at Harrisburg, Pa. (2) One daughter died in infancy. (3) Charles F. is a mechanic of Boiling Springs. (4) A son died in infancy. (5) Jacob E. is mentioned at length further on. (6) Amanda S., is the widow of C. R. Lutz, of Boiling Springs, who died in 1900, his widow and their only child, Clarence, residing at Boiling Springs. Mr. Lutz was a butcher. He was a soldier in the Civil war, enlisting twice, first for six months, June 24, 1863, and was mustered out as a corporal in January, 1864, having served in Company D, 20th Pa. Cavalry. He then re-enlisted in Company A, 29th P. V. I., under Capt. Landis, for nine months. (7) John F. resides at Littleton, N. C., where he engages in farming. His first marriage was to Clara Day, by whom he had no children, and his second wife was Clara K. Gleine, by whom he has two daughters, Nettie E. and Sarah S. (8) George H. resides at Mt. Holly Springs, where he is a machinist, (9) Alfred Z., a resident of Portsmouth, Va., married Miss Lena Gensler, and they have a son, Howard G.

Jacob E. Wise was born Feb 11, 1844, on his father’s farm at Boiling Springs, and was educated in the common schools of his neighborhood. In 1867 he married Miss Martha J. Myers, a daughter of Nicholas A. Myers, and one son has been born to them, Albert M., a tinner by trade, who is one of the leading stove dealers of Boiling Springs, doing a general business in tinning, roofing, etc. He is one of the live, ambitious business men of the town, and his volume of trade is annually increasing. In October, 1891 Albert M. Wise married Miss Minnie E. Dutrey, daughter of George and Mary ( Shaffer) Dutrey, and one child has been born of this marriage, De Witt Dutrey Wise.

Jacob E. Wise is one of the representative citizens of Cumberland county, a strong exponent of the cause of liberty, as was evinced in 1861, when he took up the cause of the Union. His business career has been somewhat varied, and as he is an adept at anything he undertakes he has been able to amass a considerable fortune in the pursuit of various lines of work. For sixteen years he was in the employ of the Ahls in their iron industry, where he proved an efficient mechanic. He has also followed painting, and at times assists his son at tinning, so that no matter where he is placed, this capable man can always find employment for his nimble fingers. For some years he was engaged successfully in farming and carpentering.

The war record of Mr. Wise is an interesting one. On Sept. 16, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, 87th P. V. I., and was mustered out Oct. 13, 1864. Although he saw over three years of hard and continued service, participating in twenty-three hard fought battles, he was mustered out without a scar. He had some very narrow escapes, however, and his clothing was often perforated by bullets. Not only was he thus wondrously preserved, but his health was excellent, and he was ever ready and willing to do his duty. Among other notable battles in which he participated may be mentioned those of Winchester, Mine Run, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Berryville, etc. When he entered the service he was a lad about seventeen, but he went forth fearlessly to do his duty as a soldier and patriotic citizen, and his services to his country in her time of need should never be forgotten. Mr. Wise is a member of Capt. Colwell Post, G. A. R., of Carlisle. He and his family are consistent members of the U. B. Church. For thirteen years Albert M. Wise has been a Christian, and he is a member of the board of trustees of the church.