My Genealogy Hound

LEONARD GUTSHALL, one of the leading men of North Middleton township, Cumberland Co., Pa., was born in 1825, in the township in which he now lives, son of Jacob and grandson of Jacob Gutshall.

Jacob Gutshall, the grandfather, was born in Berks county, Pa., and came to Cumberland county when a young man, following farming. He brought up the following children: John, who died in Berks county; Jacob; Sarah, who married Daniel Bob, and both died in Berks county; Leonard; Mary, who died in North Middleton township; and Eliza, who died in Frankford township, Cumberland county.

Jacob Gutshall, father of Leonard, was born in Berks county, and came to Cumberland county, where he learned the trade of a mason. Later he purchased a farm in North Middleton township, consisting of 120 acres, upon which he farmed and worked at his trade. He married Susan Stauffer, of Cumberland county, and died at the age of seventy-five years in North Middleton township, where his wife also passed away; both are buried in Middlesex township. Their children were: John and Jacob, who died in North Middleton township, and Leonard.

Leonard Gutshall was well educated in North Middleton township, and learned the wagonmaking trade, at which he worked for a short time. He then turned his attention to farming. In 1850, he married Mary Wetzel, daughter of John Wetzel, of Carlisle, Pa., and located where he now resides, the farm coming to him upon his father’s death. Of the children born to this marriage three attained maturity: Amos, living in Middlesex township, who married Ettie Albright; Ellen, who married John Lane, and is living in North Middleton township; and Laura, deceased wife of John Waggoner. In 1877 Mrs. Mary Gutshall died, and in 1880 Mr. Gutshall married Louise C. Salee, daughter of David and Elizabeth Salee, of North Middleton township.

For the past twenty-five years Mr. Gutshall has been living retired on the old homestead. In politics he is a Democrat, but he has never taken an active part in local affairs. He is a steadfast member of the German Reformed Church of Carlisle Springs, and Mrs. Gutshall also belongs to the same denomination. Although Mr. Gutshall has attained to a venerable age he is active, retains all his faculties, and enjoys discussing current events, upon which he is remarkably well posted.