My Genealogy Hound

JAMES C. FLEMING, editor and proprietor of the Shippensburg News, was born April 30, 1861, in the borough of Shippensburg, son of George Fleming, and grandson of James Fleming, who was born at Coatesville, son of John Fleming, a native of Coatesville, Chester Co., Pa., of Scotch-Irish descent.

George Fleming, father of James C., was born September 3, 1818, at Coatesville. In early life he was associated with the iron business, and then became connected with the forwarding business on the Cumberland Valley Railroad, traveling from Shippensburg to Philadelphia and Baltimore. After 1862 he devoted himself to farming, and died Feb. 11, 1884. His family consisted of four sons.

James C. Fleming completed the common school course, and then spent two years in the Cumberland Valley State Normal school. Entered the printing office of the Annville Gazette, he remained there until he had learned the business. Upon his return to Shippensburg he became foreman on the News, a position he held for six years. In June, 1900, he purchased the plant and good will, and is the proprietor of one of the leading journals in this section of the State. It is a folio, 26x40, Republican in politics, and has a large and constantly increasing circulation, both in the city and country. This newspaper was established in 1844, and has had the following editors and proprietors: John F. Weishample, from 1844 to 1846; J. L. Baker, 1846-1848; Jacob Bomberger, 1848-1853; Bomberger & D. K. Wagner, 1853-1854; D. K. Wagner, 1854-1855; Curriden, Miller & Co., 1855-1856; Edward W. Curriden, 1856-1864; D. W. Thrush, 1864-1866; D. K. Wagner, 1866-1867; D. K. & J. C. Wagner, 1867-1893: and J. C. Wagner, 1893-1900, when Mr. Fleming took charge.

Mr. Fleming has been associated in a business way with a number of the successful enterprises of Shippensburg, had been a member of the directing board of the Shippensburg Manufacturing Company, and was one of the seven original stockholders of the Shippensburg Electric Light, Heating and Power Company, which was organized Oct. 3, 1890, but has disposed of his interests in both companies, confining his energies to the production of a first-class newspaper.

On Jan. 14, 1886, Mr. Fleming was married to Minnie F. Shade, second daughter of George W. and Mary C. (Elsrode) Shade, and they have two children, Nellie M. and George Clark. Fraternally, Mr. Fleming is a member of Cumberland Lodge No. 90, I. O. O. F., Valley Encampment, No. 34, I. O. O. F.; Hazel Rebekah Lodge, No. 82, I. O. O. F.; and Shippensburg Council, No. 995, Royal Arcanum.