My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM WILT (deceased). For many years the late William Wilt was one of the most highly respected citizens of Cumberland county, Pa. He was a self-made man, starting out in life as a poor boy and gaining an ample fortune and the esteem of all who knew him, entirely through his own efforts.

Mr. Wilt was born Nov. 3, 1823, in Manchester township, York Co., Pa., a son of John and Julia (Mosey) Wilt, farming people and natives of York county. When he was eight years of age, his parents moved to a farm near Yocumtown, York county, and here he had very few educational opportunities, starting to work when a mere lad. This was before the day of railroad transportation through this section and much necessary teaming was done to Baltimore. It was no unusual sight to see William Wilt starting off for the long journey over dangerous roads, with a valuable cargo in charge, and there is no recorded instance when he did not return with business satisfactorily attended to.

On March 5, 1846, Mr. Wilt was united in marriage with Sarah Smith, daughter of Michael and Catherine (Miller) Smith. They located first on Dr. Young’s farm in Cumberland county, but later went back to York county and some years after, Mr. Wilt bought the Michael Smith farm of 150 acres, and here Mrs. Wilt died, July 8, 1882. She was a member of the Lutheran Church.

In 1885 Mr. Wilt removed to New Cumberland, where he resided until his death, April 2, 1903. For a number of years he had lived retired. He was identified politically with the Republican party for many years but latterly had voted with the Prohibitionists. He was a consistent member and liberal supporter of the Lutheran Church.

Mr. Wilt was married (second), May 9, 1893, to Catherine Miller, born in Silver Spring township, Cumberland county. She is a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Steen) Miller. Daniel Miller was born May 14, 1800, in Silver Spring township, and died June 8, 1876, one of the most highly esteemed citizens of his community. The mother of Mrs. Wilt was born Feb. 16, 1802, at New Holland, Lancaster Co., Pa., a daughter of John and Margaret Steen, an old and honorable family of that locality.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Wilt were: Catherine died in childhood; John, who married a Miss Chapman, was accidentally killed at Steelton; Joseph, residing on the home farm, married a Miss Beckley; Julia married Lewis Kilmore, of York county; Harry married a Miss Gross and is in business at Steelton; and Ella is the wife of Jacob Lefever, of New Cumberland.