My Genealogy Hound

JOHN SCOTT STERRETT, who passed away Feb. 10, 1868, is still remembered among the older business men of Carlisle and Cumberland county. He was born June 4, 1803, in Lancaster county, and there grew to manhood. His first business venture was merchandising in Mt. Joy, that county, and he was a man of thirty-five when he came to Cumberland county, where he resided on the farm in Dickinson township now occupied by his children. This place came into the possession of its present owners (heirs and children of John Scott Sterrett) through the mother, to whom it had been presented by her father, Capt. Samuel Woods, who was known as “the poor man’s friend.” Capt. Woods earned his title through service in the war of 1812. He was a prosperous, generous and kind-hearted man, and his death was sincerely mourned by scores of people, the friends who admired him and the numerous recipients of his benevolence. He married Lillias Ker.

John S. Sterrett married Mary Jane Woods, daughter of Capt. Samuel and Lillias (Ker) Woods, and to this union were born the following named children: Lillias, who is living at the old home; Martha E., wife of A. Foster Mullen, of Mt. Holly Springs, this county; Samuel Woods, of Rochester, N. Y., a lumber merchant; Mary E., at the old home; William Ker, who died in childhood; J. Thomas, deceased; J. Calvin, living retired at the old home; and Alice Irene, who died in childhood. The mother, who was a devout Christian woman, passed away Dec. 26, 1880. Mr. Sterrett was an earnest member of the First Presbyterian Church of Carlisle and a Christian who lived up to the principles he professed. He was well versed in the Scriptures and made a practice of holding family worship in his home.

Mr. Sterrett was well known in financial circles in Carlisle as a bank officer and organizer, and his ability and integrity in such matters were never questioned.