My Genealogy Hound

SOLOMON PERRY GORGAS, deceased. Among the well-known and honorable citizens of Mechanicsburg who have joined the congregation in the Great Beyond was Solomon Perry Gorgas, whose death took place at his home in the city Oct. 20, 1887. He was born Aug. 3, 1815, in Lower Allen township, Cumberland county, a son of Solomon and Catherine (Fanestock) Gorgas. Both the Gorgas and Fanestock families are of German extraction, and well known in Cumberland county.

The father of Solomon P. Gorgas was born and married in Lancaster county and came to Cumberland county in 1803, settling on the farm in Lower Allen township, which is still in the possession of the family. He was an excellent business man, and showed enterprise in operating a store and hotel on his farm, one of the first in that section of the county. He was a man of more than usual intelligence also, and was twice chosen a member of the State Legislature. His death occurred Sept. 21, 1838, and that of his widow Aug. 9, 1853, his age being seventy-four years and hers seventy-nine years. They were both worthy members of the Seventh-Day Baptist Church. They had a family of four sons and three daughters, the youngest being Solomon P., whose name opens this sketch.

Solomon Perry Gorgas was married May 8, 1845, to Elizabeth Eberly, who was born March 3, 1822, in Hampden township, Cumberland county, daughter of Benjamin and Barbara (Kauffman) Eberly, who were of German ancestry, but born in Lancaster county. A family of nine children was born to this union, four of whom grew to maturity: Kate E., who married Dr. J. Nelson Clark, of Harrisburg; William F., at one time connected with the First National Bank of Mechanicsburg, but now deceased: Anna B., who married Jacob H. Kahler, a prominent business man of Mechanicsburg; and Mary E. who married William C. Hicks, a business man of Harrisburg.

Mr. Gorgas followed farming in Fairview township, York county, until 1850, when he came to Mechanicsburg. In 1855 he purchased fifty-six acres of land, now included in the eastern part of the borough of Mechanicsburg, a very valuable investment. He was a man with very clear ideas on business matters, and in 1859, in association with Levi Merkel, Jacob Mumma, Jacob Levi, Frank and Samuel Eberly, William R. Gorgas. John Nissley and John Brandt, formed a banking company under the firm style of Merkel, Mumma & Co., with John Brandt as president and Levi Kauffman as cashier. This was a strong combination of capital, and the high standing of the incorporators immediately invited confidence. In 1861 the great volume of business made it desirable to effect a reorganization and the bank became the Mechanicsburg Bank, chartered under the State law, with Levi Merkel as president. In February, 1864, the bank was rechartered as the First National Bank of Mechanicsburg, with Solomon P. Gorgas as president. In February, 1883, it was rechartered, and Mr. Gorgas was again made president, which honorable position he held until his death.

Mr. Gorgas was identified with the interests of Cumberland county for over seventy years and there were few successful enterprises in his locality in which he had not shown an interest. He was one of the founders and one of the most liberal donators to Irving College, giving the ground for its site, and through life was very liberal in his gifts. In politics Mr. Gorgas was a stanch Democrat; he never sought political prominence. For many years he was a leading member of the Methodist Church at Mechanicsburg. His memory will long be cherished in this city as one of its most useful and upright business men and as a most highly esteemed citizen.