John Beltzhoover (1798 - 1881)

Born 3 Jan 1798 in Cumberland, Pennsylvania, United States

Died 29 Apr 1881 at age 83 in Churchtown, Cumberland, Pennsylvania, United States

Biography

John is born in 1798. He was the son of George Beltzhoover and Catharina Michaels. He passed away in 1881.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: MONROE TOWNSHIP

Page 506
Chapter LII
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: MONROE TOWNSHIP

GEORGE BELTZHOOVER, farmer, Boiling Springs. The grandfather of the subject of this sketch, George Beltzhoover, the first of this name of whom we find any record, served in the War of 1812; moved from York County to this county, and here bought land. He was the father of eight children by his first wife: Catherine, Michael, George, Elizabeth, Jacob, John, Rachel, Sarah; by his second marriage with a Mrs. Gross he had one son, Daniel, who lived to be over seventeen years of age. His son, John, was born in York County, Penn., in 1798, came to this county with his father when a boy, and became a farmer. He married Margaret Smith, in 1822, and had three children: George, Ann, and Mahala. Mr. and Mrs. John Beltzhoover were members of the Lutheran Church; in politics he was a Republican.

He was a land-holder (part of the estate is still in the family), and lived on his farm near Boiling Springs over fifty years. His house was the scene of one of the most cowardly and brutal robberies ever perpetrated. At the time (July 29, 1878), his household consisted of his aged wife, over seventy-six years of age, a female servant, 60 years old, and himself, about 80. The old gentleman and lady slept down stairs and were awake at the time the robbers effected an entrance, who bound him and his servant with a cord from the bed, after beating Mr. Beltzhoover with a club until his head was cut open.

The old lady, though treated roughly, was not injured severely, and was forced to act as their guide. Bueau drawers were ransacked and were thrown "on her feet so that the nails came off her toes," and their contents scattered on the floor; the house was thoroughly searched for about two hours and over $100 in silver coin and greenbacks secured. The alarm was given by the servant, who worked herself loose and made her escape while the robbers were in the house, and saved the house from fire and probably the lives of the aged couple, by bringing timely assistance. Word was sent to all the different places in the county and a reward of $100 offered for their arrest. Constables Johnston and Altland, of Dillsburg, got on their trail the morning after the robbery and tracked them to a barn about six miles below Dillsburg, where they were secreted in a hay-mow.

On going in one entered on his toes and the other on his heels. In the morning the constables searched the hay-mow but failed to find them, but in the evening the barn was again visited, and on hearing a slight noise in the mow, they proceeded to the spot and probed with a pitch- fork, when one of them said he would come out. Two rough looking men crawled from their hiding place, and were immediately taken before Mr. and Mrs. Beltzhoover, who identified them as being the party who twenty-four hours before had disturbed their quiet home by cowardly ill-treating and robbing them. J.C. Lehman, Esq., of Boiling Springs, before whom they were next taken, then committed them to jail. One of the men came from Pottsville and the other from Harrisburg, and their names were John Lemon and John Myers, both of whom were recognized by the jail officials as tramps, both being young men not over twenty-one years of age, heavy set, but not tall. On being searched the money taken from Mrs. Beltzhoover was recovered, also a watch and chain, two revolvers and a razor.

The money was equally divided between them. Mr. Beltzhoover paid the reward at once. The prisoners were sent to the penitentiary. Mr. Beltzhoover lived to be nearly eighty-four years of age, considered one of the best citizens of the county, and always contributed largely of his means to build up the township. George Beltzhoover, son of the above, was born in Monroe Township, this county, in 1823, on his grandfather's farm. He married, in 1846, Miss Maria C. Niesley, of this county, daughter of Jacob Niesley, and this union was blessed with six children: Mary E., John A., Margaret A., Maria C., Clara E., and Monroe C. Mr. and Mrs. Beltzhoover are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics he is a Republican.^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ "History of Cumberland County Pennsylvania" by P.A. Durant and J. Fraise Richard with Bennett Bellman published 1886 by Goodspeed Publishing, Chicago, Illinois

• Find A Grave: Memorial #13555057