My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE W. HIMES, secretary and treasurer of Rummel, Himes & Co., of Shippensburg, is one of the leading business men of that city. The business was established in 1888 with a capital stock of $50,000, and through the energy and executive ability of Mr. Himes has been built up to its present mammoth proportions. In addition to his connection with this concern Mr. Himes is a member of the People’s Coal Co.; of Rummel, Himes & Co., fruit growers, and vice-president of the People’s National Bank of Shippensburg, which financial institution was organized in August, 1903.

George W. Himes is a native of Cumberland county, born in 1869, the only son of Rees C. and Cecilia H. (Himes) Himes. The father died in February, 1904, at seventy-five years of age, leaving a large estate. His birth occurred in Gasconade, Mo., but he was reared in Cumberland county, and at sixteen went to Philadelphia where he was educated. In young manhood he returned to the Cumberland Valley, to take charge of his father’s business, and here remained. He married Cecilia H. Himes, a native of Gap, Pa., daughter of Rees C. and Sarah (Eckert) Himes, and she still survives, at the age of seventy years.

George W. Himes, father of Rees C. Himes and grandfather of our subject, was born at Honeybrook, Chester county, Pa., in the old “Anthony Wayne Hotel,” of which his father, Thomas Himes, was proprietor. Thomas Himes married Catherine Clemens. George W. Himes was reared at Honeybrook. He married Miss Johanna Sturgis, daughter of Dr. John Sturgis, of New Holland, Lancaster county, Pa., and after marriage went to what is now St. Louis, Mo., making the entire trip out and back in a Conestoga wagon. For a time he owned and operated a sawmill on the present site of St. Louis, and his daughter Louisa E. was the first white child born in that section. Thence the family removed to Gasconade, Mo., where Mr. Himes also operated a sawmill. Later he returned to Pennsylvania, settling in Southampton township, Cumberland county, where he owned considerable property, comprising three good farms which are still in the possession of the only descendant of the family, George W. Himes, whose name introduces this sketch. Here he spent the greater part of his remaining days, and here his death occurred. However, he lived in Philadelphia for a time in order to give his family better educational advantages. Mr. Himes was always successful in the real estate business, and was an extensive owner of real estate in different parts of the country.

After finishing the public school course George W. Himes, our subject, entered the Cumberland Valley State Normal, and still later took a course at a select school in Newark, N. J., where he completed his education.

In 1893 Mr. Himes married Miss Annie Slaymaker, who was born at Gap, a sister of Dr. J. M. Slaymaker, who is now a resident and prominent physician at Gap. To Mr. and Mrs. Himes two children have been born, Cecilia and Rees S. Mr. and Mrs. Himes are members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he is a member of the board of trustees, and be is also a member of the Y. M. C. A., and very active in all the work of the church. Fraternally, he is a member of the Loyal Legion of America. The residence of the family is on North Normal avenue, in Shippensburg, and in addition to this valuable property Mr. Himes owns some very desirable city property and two good farms.