My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE BRUBACHER, who is one of the prominent business men of Shiremanstown, engaged in a meat line, was born Jan. 28, 1852, in Mechanicsburg, Pa., son of George W. and Elizabeth (Fry) Brubacher, and grandson of Samuel Brubacher, who lived and died in Rohrerstown, Lancaster county. Samuel Brubacher was twice married, his wives being sisters by the name of Smith. A large family was born of the first marriage, and one child of the second.

George W. Brubacher was born Sept. 11, 1819, in Lancaster county, and died Dec. 2, 1895. He was reared there and secured the usual district school education. In youth he learned the carpenters trade and was an industrious man all his life. At the age of twenty-one he came to Cumberland county, and located at Mechanicsburg. There he married Elizabeth Fry, born Feb. 23, 1827, in Upper Allen township, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Bressler) Fry. She is still living, and is bright and active for her years. She has been a faithful member of the Mennonite Church since her young girlhood.

Jacob Fry was born June 20, 1803, and died Jan. 26, 1880; and his wife was born March 20, 1799, and died Sept. 18, 1852. He came from Lancaster to Cumberland county and located in Upper Allen township, early settlers of the New Mennonite faith. To Jacob Fry and wife were born the following children: Elizabeth, mother of our subject; Peter, born Dec. 11, 1828, married Anna Creek, and they reside in Harrisburg; Jacob, born Sept. 8, 1830, married Louise Dill, and they reside in Good Hope; Isaac, born June 20, 1832, died young; Mary, born June 2, 1835, is the widow of Daniel H. Miller, and resides in Harrisburg; Amanda, born Nov. 30, 1837, died young; Daniel, born April 18, 1839, is deceased; and Catherine, born May 8, 1840, is also deceased.

On the Bressler side, George Brubacher is descended from Peter (son of John and Eve Bressler) and Elizabeth Bressler, who lived and died in Lancaster county. Their children were: Mary, Anna, Catherine, Lydia, Elizabeth and Isaac. Peter Bressler was born March 1, 1757, and died Sept. 17, 1843. His wife was born Aug. 12, 1768, and died Feb. 21, 1853. Both these families are very prominent ones in southeastern Pennsylvania.

The children of George W. Brubacher and wife were: Albert, born Oct. 9, 1847, married Ellen Umberger; Mary, born June 1, 1849, married Michael Grafful, and they reside in Lancaster City, Pa.; Abner, born Nov. 2, 1850, died in infancy; George; Elizabeth, born Nov. 6, 1855; Jacob, born in September, 1858, died in infancy; Catherine, born Dec. 17, 1859, died March 10, 1862; Fanny, born May 2, 1862, died in infancy; Ellen, born Dec. 20, 1866, married Jacob Goodyear, of Philadelphia; and Caroline, born Sept. 14, 1868.

George Brubacher was educated at Mechanicsburg and at Cedar Spring, where his parents located and lived until 1859, and later he was a student under Amos Landis at Oak Hill. He recalls that he earned his first dollar by catching and selling trout. He continued to live at home until his marriage, which occurred Dec. 16, 1880, to Miss Anna M. Hoover. He then located in Fairview township, York county, where he engaged in butchering for four years, and continued in the same business in Lower Allen township until 1886, when he removed to Shiremanstown, where he has since resided, engaged in butchering for the Harrisburg market. He has been very successful in his business enterprises, and has also become prominent in civic affairs. In politics a Republican, he has served as chief burgess of the borough for one term, a member of the council for two terms, and has also served as school director.

Mr. and Mrs. Brubacher have seven children, viz: Catherine, Mrs. Clayton Wolf, of Siddonsburg, York county; Elizabeth, Mrs. M. L. Bigler, of Shiremanstown; George W., Hoover E., Lynn R., Annie M. and Harry M., all at home. Fraternally Mr. Brubacher is a Knight of Pythias and past commander of local Lodge, No. 425, Shiremanstown.

Elijah Hoover, father of Mrs. Brubacher, was born Aug. 20, 1827, in Manchester, York county. In young manhood he located and married in Fairview township, where he engaged in farming, and was also the master of a number of trades. His death took place Oct. 25, 1895. His wife was born in 1834, and still survives. The children of Elijah Hoover and wife were: Elizabeth; Anna M., Mrs. Brubacher; Jennie, Mrs. Harry Hake, of York county; James, Clara, Catherine, Oscar and Elijah, all died in infancy.

Peter Hoover, grandfather of Mrs. Brubacher, died at the home of his son in Fairview township. He married Elizabeth Shoff, and she also died in the same township. They had these children; Elijah; Eli, who married Margaret Kutz; Abraham, a resident of St. Louis, Mo.; Frederick, a resident of St. Louis; Elizabeth, who married George Shettel, of York county; Anna, who married Adam Drawbaugh, of York county; and Peter, who married Mary Miller, of York county.