My Genealogy Hound

THOMAS RUDOLPH, J. P., of Shippensburg, is, perhaps, the oldest man in Cumberland county, holding the position of justice of the peace. He was born in Philadelphia, Oct. 1, 1814, son of Benjamin P. Rudolph, who was born in Darby, Pa., in the vicinity of Philadelphia, in 1781.

His paternal grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and a close friend of General Washington. He married Miss Mary Rudolph, and at the close of the war, he engaged in business, and a short time thereafter, was engaged in the navy yard.

Mr. Rudolph became a manufacturer of writing paper, and thus continued for a number of years, his plant being located on Darby Creek. He also had another mill on Crumb Creek, and this took the name of the Battle Ax works. Still later, he moved to Montgomery county to operate what is known as McDowell paper mills, and he was connected with these mills until the time of his death which took place in Chester county, Pa., in 1865. The mother of Thomas Rudolph was Elizabeth McPeters, born at Darby, Pa., who lived to be ninety-four years of age. She was the mother of nine children, all of whom lived to maturity, and four still survive, residing in Chester county.

The school days of Thomas Rudolph were passed in Montgomery county, and Philadelphia. Upon leaving school he learned the trade of shoemaker with Thomas McGarigle. When he had completed his apprenticeship, Mr. Rudolph went to York county, Pa., and there followed his trade for five years. His next location was Mt. Holly, Cumberland county, where he started a shoe shop, making boots and shoes, and working a force of men. He built up a large business and conducted it until 1878, or for a period of thirty-eight years. During his residence at Mt. Holly, Mr. Rudolph lost his first wife, and he then moved to Shippensburg, where he still resides, having been engaged in several lines of business.

In 1884. Mr. Rudolph married Mrs. Catherine Wingert, of Shippensburg, a most estimable lady, widow of David Wingert, By his first wife, who was Miss Eliza Engelberger, a native of York county, Mr. Rudolph had the following children: Wesley, of Mt. Holly, who is in a paper mill; Charles W., a baker of Mt. Holly; Emma, who married Samuel Gleim, of Craighead Station; Marion M., a druggist of Boston, Mass.

In 1882 Mr. Rudolph was elected justice of the peace, which office he has held continuously ever since. For over twenty years he has administered the duties of his office judiciously and wisely, and none of his decisions have been reversed. He and his wife attend the Presbyterian Church. Their home, surrounded by beautiful grounds, is a very pleasant one, and there they make welcome their many friends.