Gettysburg Pennsylvania

Philadelphia To Steubenville

On October 4, 1819, Dr. Hall and the author departed Philadelphia, traveling through fine weather and well-cultivated lands. They stopped in West Chester, where they noted the plight of a man imprisoned for debt. The journey continued to Strasburg and Lancaster, with observations on the industrious German residents and the notable Susquehanna bridge. As they passed through various towns, they encountered trials such as rough terrain, bad hospitality, and even a violent election incident. The travelers reached Pittsburgh, a smoky industrial town, on October 12, and left for Steubenville, where they took a restful day amidst the bustling village.

Biography of Holmes Dysinger, Rev.

Rev. Holmes Dysinger, born March 26, 1853, in Pennsylvania, has devoted over thirty years to ministry and education. He has served as dean of the Western Theological Seminary since 1910 and has held various pastoral roles across the United States. A graduate of Pennsylvania College and the Gettysburg Theological Seminary, he also studied in Germany and earned multiple advanced degrees. He married Ada Frances Ray in 1886 and they have five children. Dysinger’s family has deep roots in Pennsylvania, tracing back to their German origins.

Biography of Rufus Benton Peery

Rufus Benton Peery, born in Virginia on April 9, 1868, became president of Midland College in 1912, following a distinguished career as a Lutheran minister and missionary in Japan. His family has deep Revolutionary roots, with ancestors who fought for independence. Peery was educated at Roanoke College and Princeton Theological Seminary, and he published works on Japan while serving there. Married in 1895, he and his wife Lettie had six children, continuing the family’s legacy of service and education.

Biography of J. T. B. Gephart

J. T. B. Gephart, born in 1848 in Maryland, has been a significant figure in Valley Falls, Kansas, for over thirty-four years, mainly in banking. He became president of the Citizens State Bank, the successor to the Hicks, Gephart Company founded by his father and W. C. Hicks. Originally a physician, he shifted focus to banking in 1882 after joining his father. Gephart is also noted for his civic involvement, including serving on the school board, and is a member of multiple fraternal organizations. He married Clara S. Tutt and has five children.

Biography of William Gardner Smyser

William Gardner Smyser, born in Gettysburg in 1845, is a retired railroad engineer with a rich family history, tracing his lineage back to early German immigrants in Pennsylvania. His grandfather, George Smyser, was a banker and War of 1812 veteran, while his father, Daniel M. Smyser, was a notable lawyer and state legislator. After studying civil engineering, William worked on significant rail projects, including the Kansas Pacific Railroad. He later joined the Santa Fe Company, retiring in 1908. A devoted member of the Episcopal Church, he resides in Topeka, Kansas.

Biography of Samuel Hummer

Samuel Hummer, born in 1811 near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, was a notable Kansas pioneer who settled in the state in 1868. A farmer by trade, he focused on livestock and became a respected figure in the community, noted for his moral character and deep religious convictions as a member of the Dunkard Church. Married to Anna Heller, they raised nine children. Hummer lived until 1891, leaving a legacy of hard work and integrity. His son, Clayton W. Hummer, continued the family’s agricultural success in Shawnee County.

Biography of James McGrew, Hon.

Hon. James McGrew, a significant figure in Kansas history, was instrumental as a free state proponent and served as the state’s lieutenant governor. Born in Pennsylvania in 1822, he migrated to Iowa and later to Kansas, where he became a prominent merchant and helped establish the packing industry in Kansas City. McGrew held various political positions, including mayor of Wyandotte and senator, and played a key role in shaping local affairs. He married twice and fathered five children, passing away in 1911 at his home, McGrews Grove.