My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM HENRY SEILER, one of the prosperous men of Silver Spring township, Cumberland county, was born about a mile from Hogestown, Aug. 30, 1854.

Henry Seiler, his paternal grandfather, the first ancestor of whom there is any definite record, was also a resident of Silver Spring township, and lived about four miles northeast of Hogestown. He was a tailor by trade, and a very excellent man in every respect, hardworking and thrifty. His wife, Catherine Fireoverd, was a descendant of one of the early settlers of the county. They were the parents of twelve children.

Simon Peter Seiler, son of Henry and father of William Henry, was born in Silver Spring township, Aug. 4, 1825. He followed the occupation of blacksmithing from the time he was nineteen years of age until about six weeks prior to his death. He married Mary Ann Fink, who was born Nov. 18, 1830, daughter of William and Mary (Lutz) Fink, residents of the same township, but formerly of Lancaster county. William Fink was born Sept. 28, 1805, and died Sept. 8, 1879, while his wife was born March 18, 1808. They were the parents of ten children, of whom Mrs. Seiler was the eldest, the others being: Benjamin, born Aug. 7, 1832; Edward, Oct. 21, 1835; Matilda, Dec. 25, 1837; John. Sept. 3, 1839; Eliza, Oct. 16, 1841; Catherine, May 27, 1844; Adeline, Feb. 15, 1847; Ellen, Feb. 23, 1851; and William H., Oct. 1, 1853. To the marriage of Simon Peter and Mary Ann (Fink) Seiler came four daughters and one son, namely: Elizabeth married J. W. Loose, son of John Loose, a merchant of Hogestown; William H. is our subject; Miss Laura Emma, twin to William H., is at home; Mary Ellen married Alfred J. Loudon, of Silver Spring township; Clara died when two years old.

Of the above family, William H. Seiler was educated in the common schools of his vicinity, which he attended until he was fifteen years of age. He then became a clerk in the store of his brother-in-law, J. W. Loose, and thus continued for two and one-half years, when he began to work at his father’s trade of blacksmithing, and was so successful that he has since continued along these lines.

On Feb. 8, 1881, Mr. Seiler was married to Miss Annie E. Senseman, daughter of William and Anna (Musselman) Senseman, of New Kingston. Their only child died at birth. Mr. Seiler has been a Democrat since casting his first vote, but has never aspired to political distinction. He is a stanch member of the Presbyterian Church, and gives very liberally towards its support. For forty-seven years Mr. Seiler has been an honored resident of Hogestown, and has followed his trade here for thirty-two years, achieving success through industry, integrity and thrift, and of him it may be truly said that he is an excellent example of the substantial men of Cumberland county.