My Genealogy Hound

W. H. GIBB, the popular blacksmith at Barnitz, Cumberland county, comes of substantial German ancestry. His grandfather, Henry Gibb, was born in 1777 in Lancaster county, and there received a limited education in such schools as the neighborhood afforded. During the war of 1812 he was in the service of his country, and when he returned home at the cessation of hostilities he worked at blacksmithing. In 1840 he located at Barnitz, Cumberland county, where he continued until a short time before his death, which occurred at Carlisle in 1861. His children were: John, deceased; Henry, deceased; Elizabeth Wilson, deceased; Susanna, deceased: William; H. H.; Fannie; and David, Viola and George, all deceased.

William Gibb, son of Henry, was born in Lancaster county, where the public schools afforded him his literary training. He was seventeen years of age when his father moved to Cumberland county, and he learned the blacksmith’s trade in his father’s shop at Barnitz, later working at same with C. Carmon, at Mooredale, Dickinson township. In 1860 he went to Carlisle, and there for four years carried on his trade, at the end of that time removing to Canton, O. While in Ohio he was also employed by the Buckeye Reaper Manufacturing Co. At the end of a few years he went to Fort Wayne, Ind., where he still resides. He married M. Matilda Simpson, of Lancaster county, and three children came to bless their union: W. H.; John S., who married Annie Hepkin, daughter of Samuel Hepkin (their son Joseph, as a member of Company I, 47th Pennsylvania Reserves, saw service in the Spanish-American war at San Juan, and later served in the Philippines; and James B., who died at the age of two years.

W. H. Gibb was born in South Middleton township, Cumberland county, in 1853, and received a good education in the schools of Carlisle and in Middlesex township. At the age of nineteen years he began to learn the trade of blacksmith with his uncle, John Gibb, at Barnitz, and after serving his time started in business for himself in Dickinson township. At the end of a successful two years he bought out his uncle’s place of business at Barnitz, where he is found to-day, actively engaged at his trade. He has built a new shop, and has made all the improvements necessary for a thoroughly up-to-date blacksmith establishment. Being a natural mechanic, his wonderful ability in his chosen line has made his name known throughout the county, and his reputation for thoroughness in his work has won him patronage from far and near. He is the typical blacksmith, jovial in disposition, the perfection of physical strength, and absolutely honest in word and deed.

On July 23, 1878, Mr. Gibb was married to Julia Ann Peffer, daughter of Lafayette and Susanna Peffer, the ceremony being performed at Harrisburg, by Rev. Lee Himan. Their home was brightened by the following children: John Lee, born Jan. 8, 1879, married Blanche Neely, of Adams county, Pa., and is engaged in the printing business at Mt. Holly; Charles Peffer, born March 28, 1886, died Feb. 22. 1887; Galey G., born March 19, 1887, carried the mail at Barnitz. Mrs. Julia A. (Peffer) Gibb died Jan. 1, 1888, at the age of thirty-four years, and is buried in the Mt. Holly cemetery. On Sept. 22, 1892, at Carlisle, Mr. Gibb was married, by Rev. J. C. Reaser, to Maggie E. Rohn, daughter of Thomas and Mary Jane (Clepper) Rohn. Two children have been born of this union, Robert H. and Elsworth J., both attending school in Dickinson township. In his political belief Mr. Gibb is a stanch Democrat, and he has been active in local affairs, serving as school director for a number of years. He and his family attend the Methodist Church at Barnitz, where they are highly esteemed.