My Genealogy Hound

JONATHAN BEAR (deceased), for many years a prosperous farmer of West Pennsboro township, Cumberland county, was a native of that township, born July 4, 1819. He was a grandson of John Bear, and a son of Samuel Bear, who married Sarah Zeigler, daughter of Philip Zeigler. They settled in what is now known as Bear’s district, in West Pennsboro township, and there Mr. Bear passed the remainder of his days, dying April 30, 1855, in his sixty-eighth year. His widow died in Plainfield, Dec. 26, 1871, aged eighty years and five months. They were the parents of ten children, eight of whom reached maturity: Catharine (Mrs. Steiner), Jonathan, Mary (Mrs. Seitz), Rebecca, Elizabeth, John, David and Philip.

Jonathan Bear was reared and educated in his native township, and on commencing farming on his own account settled on the farm near Conedoguinet creek, where he resided until August, 1884. He then moved to the place which has since been the family home, a beautiful little tract of six acres near Elliottson, and also retained the ownership of a fine place of 132 acres in West Pennsboro township, now owned by S. L. Eppley, his son-in-law. On Jan. 11, 1849, Mr. Bear married Miss Maria Bear, daughter of Henry and Polly (Bear) Bear, of Lancaster county, Pa., and to this union were born nine children, four of whom survive: Abner, Mary (Mrs. Eppley), Sarah and Elizabeth, the two last named now living at the home in West Pennsboro left them by their father. Abner is living in Mechanicsburg; he married Rebecca Huston, and they have had five children: Charles, who is in New York; Harry L., in Waynesboro; Bessie M., who is teaching school in Mechanicsburg; and Dale and Clarence, who are still going to school. Of the deceased, Ellen died when seventeen years old; Emma, when fifteen; Samuel, when nineteen; and Rebecca and Catharine died when small.

Mr. Bear lived retired for the last few years preceding his death, which occurred in 1895, and the wife passed away in 1896. He and his family adhered to the faith of the Reformed Mennonite Church. They are among the best people of the community, and the family has always been noted for thrift and integrity.