My Genealogy Hound

J. H. HIMES, now engaged in milling at Huntsdale, Cumberland county, has been engaged in that business and in merchandising in different places in the county, and has become widely known all over that section of Pennsylvania as an able business man and upright citizen. He was born in 1846, in York county, Pa., son of George Himes, who was also a native of York county.

George Himes was a miller by occupation, and very skillful in his line, which he followed in York, Adams and Cumberland counties, Pa. His mill in York county was a sixty-horse power establishment, and one of the largest in the State at the time. In 1850 George Himes came to Cumberland county, locating along the Yellow Breeches creek, in South Middleton township, where he followed milling for five years. At the end of that time he bought the old Weakley mills at Huntsdale, which his son, J. H., now operates, as well as a tract of about fifty acres, and here he remained for a number of years, taking his place among the enterprising citizens of Huntsdale. When, in 1874, he removed to Kansas, his going away was looked upon as a distinct loss to the community, where he had made many warm friends by his upright life and honorable dealings with all. He lived retired in Kansas for the remainder of his days, dying in 1891. Mr. Himes was married to Catherine Linebaugh, daughter of George Linebaugh, of York county, and she passed away in 1882. They were the parents of children as follows: Mary married George W. Smizer, who is now deceased, and she makes her home at Russell, Kans. Elizabeth married H. M. Cocklin, whose father at one time was judge of the Cumberland county courts. William B. married Rachel Webbert, of Boiling Springs, Cumberland county, and they reside in Kansas, where he is a Dunkard preacher. Catherine married James G. Weekly, of Russell county, Kans., where they reside. George A. J. is married and living in Oklahoma. J. H. is mentioned below. Solomon married Lena Claussen; he is a resident of Wilson, Kans., where he is engaged in the hardware business. Jennie married Edward Moore, and they live in Russell, Kansas.

J. H. Himes was but a boy when his father came to Cumberland county, and he received his early education in the district schools. He attended high school at Centerville. and acquired a good practical training, subsequently teaching for three years in Penn and Dickinson townships. He learned the milling business of his father, and followed it for sixteen years after commencing life on his own account. Locating in Bowmansdale, Cumberland county, he then embarked in the mercantile business as a member of the firm of Himes & Goodhart, which continued for ten years. Mr. Himes and Mr. Goodhart then dissolved partnership, after which he came to Huntsdale, where he also engaged in merchandising. He carried on the business for six years, and then lived retired for seven years, on Dec. 15, 1903, resuming milling at the old Weekly mills at Huntsdale. Mr. Himes has been successful in all his business ventures, and has accumulated a comfortable competence, and he is the owner of four fine houses in Huntsdale, in which place he is looked upon as one of the representative business men.

Though Mr. Himes has devoted himself to business matters he has always found time to interest himself in the various activities of the community, and local public matters have received considerable attention from him. Realizing that a business man, especially, reaps much benefit from local improvements, he has encouraged every movement looking to the public welfare. He has also been active in political affairs as a member of the Republican party, has served as clerk of election, and though not an office-seeker has served six years as school director in Penn township and three years in Upper Allen township. He has also taken a prominent part in church work as a member of the Lutheran Church, was superintendent of the Sunday-school of that church at Bowmansdale for six years, and is now assistant superintendent of the Lutheran Sunday-school at Centerville, holding membership in the church there.

In 1868 Mr. Himes was married to Miss Lavina Crebs, daughter of Solomon Crebs, of Centerville, Penn township, and she passed away at Huntsdale in 1881. She is interred in the cemetery of the Dunkard Church, of which she was a member. Four children blessed this union, namely: William; Sallie B., wife of W. B. Gumpert, of Harrisburg; Charles D., who married Maria Hosfeld; and Joseph C. a barber in Carlisle, who is unmarried. Mr. Himes was married, in 1882, to Miss Clara Williamson, daughter of Jason Williamson, of Huntsdale, and to this union has come one child, Clarence, who died in infancy, and is buried at Centerville.