My Genealogy Hound

HON. J. CALVIN RUMMEL, Burgess of Shippensburg, Cumberland county, Pa., and president of Rummel, Himes & Co., manufacturers of clothing, is one of the prominent and enterprising citizens of this portion of the State.

Mr. Rummel was born March 7, 1846, in Antrim township, Franklin county, Pa., son of John and Catherine (Miller) Rummel, also natives of Franklin county. They were most highly respected residents of their locality, and lifelong members of the Reformed Church.

J. Calvin Rummel attended the district school until eleven years of age, beginning his business career at that age as a clerk in the general store at Middleburg, Franklin county, where he was employed five years. He then accepted a position as clerk with Samuel Ogliby at Flagerstown, Md., remaining at Hagerstown five years. From there he went to Philadelphia with the firm of Wood, Marsh, Haywood & Co., and then located at Mercersburg, where he entered into a business partnership with John Rearick, which continued for five years under the firm name of Rearick & Rummel, dealers in dry goods, and conductors of a general store. At the expiration of five years Mr. Rummel sold his interest and retired from the firm.

After his marriage Mr. Rummel located at Newville, Cumberland county, Pa., embarking in a mercantile business which he successfully conducted for two years, and then disposed of his stock to William R. Titler, who succeeded in the business. After a short residence in Franklin county Mr. Rummel came to Shippensburg, Aug. 18, 1877, where he engaged in a mercantile business from 1877 to 1888, when he disposed of this business. At this time Mr. Rummel organized the Shippensburg Manufacturing Company, of which he was made president. In 1903 the name of the firm was changed to Rummel, Himes & Co., Incorporated, with J. C. Rummel, president, George W. Himes, treasurer, and Charles L. Rummel, secretary. Their factories are located at Shippensburg, Mongul and Fayetteville, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Rummel has had other business interests, having been president of the Shippensburg Electric Light Co., and is now senior member of the firm controlling the People’s Coal and Ice Co. However, his greatest interest, outside of politics, is in the business which he established, and which has grown to such large proportions. The present plant at this city is of brick, and is equipped with modern machinery, both water and steam power being used. Employment is given to nearly two hundred. Mr. Rummel is also interested in a company operating an immense peach farm, probably the largest venture of the kind in Cumberland county, and in the People’s National Bank of Shippensburg.

Since 1878 Mr. Rummel has been a member of the board of trustees of the Presbyterian Church, and was a member of the building committee when the church and manse were erected, and for many years was superintendent of the Sabbath-school and a director in the Cumberland County Bible Society. In 1903 Mr. Rummel was elected, on the Prohibition ticket, Burgess of Shippensburg, a position he fills with dignity and efficiency. Since 1884 he has zealously worked for Prohibition principles in local as well as national issues. He has been for years State committeeman and county chairman, and was a candidate for his party for State senator, receiving a large vote in 1896.

Mr. Rummel married Miss Alice Parker Lowe, of Mercersburg, daughter of Charles Gillespie and Mary (McFarland) Lowe. Two children were born to this union: Charles L., a graduate of Shippensburg high school, who is secretary of Rummel, Himes & Co., was married June 17, 1903, to Miss Mary Bender, daughter of Dr. John W. Bender, of Shippensburg. Mary Catherine, a graduate of the Shippensburg high school, and also of Wilson College, at Chambersburg, was married June 2, 1904, to Jeremiah S. Omwake, of Shippensburg. She is a lady of many accomplishments, and is gifted in music.