My Genealogy Hound

JOHN A. HILDEBRANDT, one of the leading residents of Carlisle, Cumberland Co., Pa., was born in that city July 24, 1866, a son of Henry and Elmira (Adams) Hildebrandt.

The father was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, Aug. 9, 1835, and when a lad of eighteen years came to America and located in New York City, where for three years he worked in a confectionery store. In 1858 he enlisted in the United States regular army, in which he continued until 1868, being a musician in the cavalry department. His term of service included the entire period of the Civil war. After his discharge he located in Carlisle and engaged in a grocery business on East Main street for ten years. He then purchased a lot on the northeast corner of Bedford and North streets, and there he erected a business block and residence combined and continued his grocery establishment until 1886, when he was succeeded by his son John A. and retired. During a long and useful life he had amassed considerable property through his own efforts. Like so many of his countrymen he was a fine musician, and from earliest childhood was carefully trained in music. He passed away Aug. 23, 1895, a consistent member of the Lutheran Church. His wife, who was born in Perry county, Pa., Oct. 15, 1847, still survives. A family of five children was born to them: John A., our subject; Mary, unmarried, who is at home; Harry, unmarried, at home, and two deceased.

John A. Hildebrandt was reared in Carlisle and educated in the public schools, and when he was fourteen years of age began to learn the carpenter’s trade, continuing to work at same for five years. When only nineteen years of age he succeeded his father and for nine years carried on the business successfully, retiring at the end of that time. He is one of the broad-gauged, public-spirited men of the city, and wields considerable influence among his fellow citizens. In addition to other interests he owns seven excellent properties in Carlisle, and has a life interest in thirteen others. After retiring from his grocery business Mr. Hildebrandt embarked in a poultry enterprise which has been very successful, establishing the Carlisle Poultry Farm, located two and one-half miles northeast of the city. This farm contains 110 acres of land well adapted for the purpose. In politics Mr. Hildebrandt is a Democrat, and he represents the First ward in the city council, having been very active in public affairs. Fraternally he is a member of the K. of G. E., No. 110; I. O. O. F., No. 91, and Royal Arcanum, No. 502.

On Sept. 18, 1890, Mr. Hildebrandt was married to Miss Elizabeth Jane McFeaters, daughter of P. W. and Rosa (Reeder) McFeaters, who was born in Juniata county, Pa., May 16, 1869, and two children have been born of this union, Harry W. and John R. The family reside in a beautiful home at No. 207 North Bedford street. They are consistent members of the First Lutheran Church of the city.