My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM H. STONESIFER, auctioneer and prominent citizen of Carlisle, Pa., was born Jan. 17, 1850, son of William J. and Eliza (Freitz) Stonesifer, both natives of Carroll county, Maryland.

The Stonesifer family is of old German extraction, and was founded in America at an early day, the ancestor taking a grant of land from the Penns, near York, Pa. The father of our subject was in his eighty-first year when he died; his father Daniel was eighty-four years of age at his death, while the great-grandfather was eighty-six years old when he died, so that it may be seen the family is noted for longevity.

Daniel Stonesifer served on the bench as judge in one of the counties of Maryland, was one of the leading members of the Bar of that State, and was noted for his considerate and courteous bearing, and dignified presence. He was married twice, the maiden name of his first wife being also Stonesifer, and by her he had the following children: Augustus, a prosperous miller; William J.; Jesse, who died soon after serving through the Civil war; Henry, who died in Lewisberry. By his second wife Mr. Stonesifer also had children, nearly all of whom live in the South.

William J. Stonesifer, son of Daniel, was born and reared in Carroll county, Md., but after his marriage he came to Monroe township, Cumberland Co., Pa., and engaged in farming. Early in life he was a Republican, but later became a Democrat. The following children were born to him: Ishmeal, of Duncannon, an extensive butcher; Martin L., deceased; William H.; Newton K., a brewer of Williamsport. Pa.; James C., of Wilmington, Del., in the employ of the Pullman Car Company; John, a hotel man at Williamsport. In religious views the father was a member of the German Reform Church while the mother was a Lutheran.

Like many country boys, William H. was reared to work at agricultural pursuits, and was educated in the public schools, and at Dickinson College. Soon, thereafter, he discovered his vocation in life, and became an auctioneer, and has made a great success of this line of business. He covers a large tract of territory, and handles all kinds of merchandise, buying and selling anything from a rolling pin to a complete stock of merchandise in any portion of the country. His salesrooms are conveniently located at No. 36 North Hanover St., and he also has large warerooms and storage facilities, he renting the latter. Mr. Stonesifer also attends all the horse sales within a radius of 300 miles, as well as conducting sales himself. He also auctions off all kinds of personal property or real estate, and is acknowledged to be the best in his line of business in this portion of the State. Mr. Stonesifer is a member and director of the Building & Loan Association of Carlisle, and is also a director of the Agricultural Society.

Mr. Stonesifer was twice married, first in 1872 to Miss Emma Glass, who bore him two children: Charles F., of Newark. N. J., a traveling representative of the Chautauqua, and married to Miss Maud Thomas, of Williamsport; and Harry F., of Williamsport. The second wife of Mr. Stonesifer, whom he wedded May 6, 1903, was Annie Raudabaugh, of Harrisburg. Both Mr. and Mrs. Stonesifer are very prominent in the good work of the First Lutheran Church of the city, and they are most highly esteemed by a large circle of friends. The family residence is at No. 36 North Hanover street, Carlisle.