My Genealogy Hound

JACOB GARVER (deceased) was one of the well known and successful farmers of York and Cumberland counties for a period of forty years. He was born in Fairview township, York Co., Pa., Aug. 12, 1823, a son of Christian and Nancy (Hursh) Garver.

Jacob Garver was reared to manhood on his father’s farm and secured the ordinary district school education of the day. As his parents were well-to-do, he was given rather better advantages than many others, but was put at farm work as soon as old enough, and he remained with his father until his marriage, Dec. 24, 1846, to Miss Elizabeth Musselman. She was born April 24, 1828, at New Kingston, Cumberland county, where she was educated, and was a daughter of Samuel and Anna (Eberly) Musselman, the former of whom was born in Lancaster county. The mother of Mrs. Garver was born in East Pennsboro townhip, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Eberly. Samuel Musselman was a farmer near New Kingston, to which place he retired some years prior to the close of his life, dying there in 1874, at the age of seventy-five years; he was survived by his widow for ten years. The children of Samuel Musselman and his wife were as follows: John, who married Margaret Musser, and died in Mechanicsburg; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Jacob Garver; Anna, who married William Senseman, of New Kingston; and Simon, who located at Dayton, Ohio.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Garver settled on his farm in Fairview township, York county, where they lived for fifteen years. They then removed to a farm just north of New Cumberland, where Mr. Garver continued to carry on agricultural pursuits, with much success, for twenty-five years. Forty years is a long time to continue active work as a farmer, and at the close of this period, which had been one of prosperity and of much enjoyment to him, in spite of its many hardships, he retired to New Cumberland, where he resided until his death, Aug. 6, 1899.

In his death the M. E. Church lost a faithful member and officer and a liberal supporter. He served for many years as steward and trustee and set an example of true Christianity. Mrs. Garver also joined the church with her husband, soon after marriage, and she has always been one of its active and useful members. Mr. Garver was a domestic man, taking pleasure in his own fireside with his books, papers and family. Although he voted regularly the Republican ticket, believing in its principles, he never sought office.

Children as follows were born to Jacob Garver and his wife: Catherine, Mrs. Charles Kutz, of Middlesex township, Cumberland county; Lizzie, who is at home; John M., who married Lizzie Beck and moved to Aberdeen, Kans.; Mary, married to Geraldus Hartman, of Mechanicsburg; Samuel, who married Cora Grove, of Valley Center, Kans.; Benjamin, who married Annie Hartzler and resides in New Cumberland; and Carrie, wife of Edward Snavley, of Sparrows Point. Maryland.

Christian Garver, father of Jacob Garver, was born in Lancaster county, and his wife was a native of York county. After marriage he settled on a farm in Fairview township, York county, and died at New Market, whither he had retired after a long and busy life, aged seventy-five years. His wife was accidentally killed in a runaway some ten years previously. In religion both were Mennonites. Their children besides Jacob were: Christian, of New Cumberland; Anna, who married John Musselman and died at Churchtown; Mary, who died unmarried; Susan, Mrs. Samuel Eberly, who died in Cumberland county; and Fanny, who became the second wife of Samuel Eberly.