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Below is a family biography included in the Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania published in 1905 by The Genealogical Publishing Company.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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WILLIAM WISE (deceased). In 1869, at Boiling Springs, Pa., passed away one of Cumberland county’s representative men, at his home in that town. For many years he was an honored and respected citizen, and his loss was deeply felt by many outside the home circle.

John Jacob Wise, father of William, was born in Lancaster county, Pa., in 1767, and devoted his life to farming. After attending school in his native township, and when quite a large boy, he came to Cumberland county with his father. He enlisted in the War of 1812 and when it was over returned to his native township, and there bought a tract of woodland, consisting of about 100 acres. He lived to see the timber cleared off, his land placed under cultivation, and excellent buildings on the property. John Jacob Wise was one in the following family, all of whom are now deceased: George, John Jacob, Frederick, Leonard, Michael, Mary and Susanna. His own children were: Elizabeth, who died in 1873; Joseph, who died at the age of nineteen years; and William.

William Wise was born in 1812, and died as before stated, in 1869. Like the other boys of his neighborhood, he attended the public schools of South Middleton township, and worked upon his father’s farm. In 1833, he married Rebecca Brechbill, a daughter of Frederick and Anna M. Brechbill, of South Middleton township. The young couple went to live with the parents of William on the home farm, and remained there until 1869, when he removed to Boiling Springs. That same year he died. The following family was born to himself and wife: Anna M., in 1875, married Joseph Pipher, who died in 1893, in Boiling Springs, South Middleton township, and in 1900 she came to live with her sister at Boiling Springs; Jacob married Amelia Zug, daughter of John and Elizabeth B. Zug, of Mt. Holly, and he died Oct. 28, 1902, at Boiling Springs (he owned a farm in South Middleton township); Henrietta married John Shupp, and died in 1886 at Boiling Springs, her husband passing away the same year; Elizabeth A., born in 1841, at Boiling Springs, has traveled extensively throughout the country, and is a very charming and accomplished lady; William F. married Jane Bushman, daughter of Eli and Sarah Bushman, and lives in South Middleton township; Clarissa, died in 1847, in Boiling Springs, South Middleton township; Catherine, born in 1850, lives with her sister Elizabeth A., at Boiling Springs; George, born in 1853, died in 1856, at Boiling Springs, South Middleton township; John P., who married Rebecca Deitch, daughter of David and Catherine Deitch, owns a farm in South Middleton township, but lives in Monroe township.

In politics the late William Wise was a Republican, and in religious connection both he and his wife were consistent members of the Lutheran Church, in which he held several offices. For some years he was a school director, and served as supervisor of South Middleton township, and was one of its most respected and influential citizens.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania published in 1905 by The Genealogical Publishing Company. 

View additional Cumberland County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Cumberland County, Pennsylvania Biographies

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