My Genealogy Hound

JOHN R. ROUSH, now a prosperous farmer on the old Roush homestead in Dickinson township, Cumberland county, where he was born, is a son of George and Leah (Peffer) Roush, in their day well-to-do farming people.

George Roush was born in Cumberland county, near Newville, and in the district schools of that vicinity obtained his education. In early manhood he came to Dickinson township, and purchased the old Peffer homestead of 117 acres, on which he made many improvements, and where he died in March, 1900, at the advanced age of ninety-seven years. He married Leah Peffer, who bore him the following children: Jane M., T. Jefferson, Catherine, Martha, Sarah E. and John R.

John R. Roush was born April 7, 1844, and makes his home on his birthplace. He attended the schools of the neighborhood, and under his father’s tuition mastered all the duties appertaining to farm work. At the death of the latter he purchased the farm, and has since been engaged in its cultivation, meeting with great success in his undertaking. His land is fertile, and being cared for in a practical manner yields excellent returns for the work expended upon it.

In 1866 John R. Roush was married to Miss Maria C. Peffer, daughter of Lafayete and Jane Ann Peffer, and to their union have come children as follows: Gertrude B. married Calvin Hefflefinger, of Huntsdale, Penn township, Cumberland county; Minnie C. married Edward Swarner, who died within a few years, a good Christian man, and she now lives in Carlisle; George P. married Clara Stambaugh, and lives in Dickinson township; Effie J. married Edward Rice, and lives in Cumberland county; John W. is at home; Annie L. married Wilber P. Roctey, and resides in South Middleton township; William A. and Jessie M. are at home. Mr. Roush has been active in local affairs, and for fourteen years has served most acceptable as school director in his district. He is a believer in purity in politics, and has endeavored to cast his vote for men whose lives have been clean. His political belief is that of the Democratic party.