My Genealogy Hound

JOHN ILGENFRITZ, a prosperous farmer of Middlesex township, Cumberland county, was born there June 28, 1843, son of Frederick and Mary (Eversole) Ilgenfritz.

The paternal grandfather, Jacob Ilgenfritz, resided at different points in Pennsylvania, in both York and Cumberland counties, but finally moved to Monroe, Mich., and died there at the home of one of his sons. His son, Frederick, was born near Dover, York county, about 1815, but when about fifteen years old the family moved to Cumberland county. There he was employed in driving a team to Baltimore for a Mr. Paul. He married first Miss Mary Eversole and after her death in 1860, chose for his second wife her sister, Sarah, who has also passed away. Mr. Ilgenfritz was the father of three children by his first wife, namely: Henry, who died in infancy; John; Rebecca, who married Amos Sheffer, of Williamsport, Pa., and is the mother of eleven children. John Eversole, the maternal grandfather of these children, was a native of Pennsylvania, lived for many years in Cumberland county and finally died in Plainfield.

John Ilgenfritz grew up on his father’s farm, assisting in all the work of the place. His education was such as could be acquired in the country schools of that day, and most of his training has been gained in the practical school of life. He was married when rather young, and for a year afterward remained at home, but then rented a farm in Middlesex township and lived there fourteen years, meantime managing his father’s farm as well. At the end of that time, in 1882, he returned to the latter place and for the next nine and a half years made it his home. On Sept. 22, 1891, his father died, followed only nine days later by his wife, and the home farm became by inheritance the property of the son. He was made the executor of his father’s estate, while later both his father-in-law and Mrs. Lackey entrusted to him similar responsibilities, all of which were discharged with the greatest ability and faithfulness. At various times, too, he has been chosen appraiser for several of the most valuable estates in that section.

Mr. Ilgenfritz is a large property owner, as before his father’s farm fell to him he had already purchased one of fifty-eight and a half acres in that immediate locality, and since his father’s death has bought a further tract of 110 acres in the same township. Modern and progressive in all his methods, he has been a highly successful farmer and is daily becoming more prosperous still. In his view of political issues he is a Republican, and is proud of the fact that his first vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln. In religious matters he stands with the United Evangelicals, and is a member of that church.

In 1867, Mr. Ilgenfritz was united in marriage with Miss Mary Bricker, daughter of Elias and Sarah (Stickle) Bricker, of North Middleton township. Elias Bricker died in October, 1891, and his wife died Oct. 5, 1895. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ilgenfritz: Fannie, who died Aug. 15, 1888, was the wife of William M. Kutz; her daughter, Ethel Romaine Kutz, has made her home with her grandparents since she was five months old. Albert, the son, married Emma Swarner.