BIO:  SAMUEL N. EMINGER, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
   
  Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Joe Patterson
  OCRed by Judy Banja

  Copyright 2004.  All rights reserved.
  http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm
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  _____________________________________________________________

  >From Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania,
  Chicago: The Genealogical Publishing Co., 1905, pages 517-519
  _____________________________________________________________

  NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios:
  http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/pa/cumberland/zeamer/


    SAMUEL N. EMINGER. Among the prominent and time-honored citizens of
  Mechanicsburg who have recently passed from the scene of their earthly labors
  was Samuel N. Eminger, who for many years stood high in the political and
  business circles of Cumberland county. He held numerous official positions
  from 1855, when he became deputy sheriff, until his death, at which time he
  was serving as justice of the peace.
  
    Andrew Eminger, grandfather of Samuel N., was a native of Baden, Germany,
  and coming to America at an early day settled in Cumberland county, Pa.,
  where he passed the remainder of his life, being a resident of Silver Spring
  township. He was one of the large land owners of the day. He was a soldier in
  the Revolutionary war. His wife was Miss Christiana Bruner.
  
    David Eminger, father of Samuel N., was born in Silver Spring township, and
  became a farmer there. He was quite a prominent man in his day, and held
  various public positions, having been elected director of the poor in 1838.
  Subsequently he ran as a Masonic candidate for the Legislature, but was
  defeated in the anti-Masonic raid by twelve votes. He married Magdalena
  Miller, a native of Washington township, Franklin county, Pa., and to their
  union were born eleven children, seven sons and four daughters. We have
  record of the following: John, who is now residing in Harrisburg, Pa., aged
  ninety-two years; Jacob, who was born Oct. 21, 1816, and died at the age of
  eighty-four; Samuel N., mentioned below; William W., deceased; Andrew J., of
  Ohio; Mary, wife of George Hauck, and Anna, Mrs. Cromleigh. All the early
  members of the family affiliated with the Democratic party, and were
  Lutherans in religious faith.
  
    Samuel N. Eminger was born Feb. 19, 1829, in Silver Spring township, and
  was reared on the paternal farm there, receiving his early education
  meanwhile at the public schools of Mechanicsburg and the Eminger schoolhouse
  in his native township. Later he was a student for two years in the first
  Cumberland Valley Institute, under Franklin Gillan, at which time it was
  opened on the Van Huff property, opposite what was subsequently the site of
  Eckels drug store. In 1844 he commenced to learn the trade of coachmaker from
  his brother-in-law, George Hauck, and during his young manhood, from 1849 to
  1851, passed some time in the West and South, traveling over Virginia and the
  Carolinas, Tennessee and Florida. On his return to Cumberland county and
  Mechanicsburg he bought the first patent, and brought the first wire tooth sulky
  
    5I8  CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
  
  rake into Cumberland county, commencing the manufacture of same in
  partnership with George W. Miller, but he afterward sold his interest to
  Frederick Seidle, who at that time had a factory in Mechanicsburg. He
  embarked in this enterprise about 1852. Subsequently, to the close of his
  days, he gave his time for the most part to public duties, though from 1868
  until 1873 he was with D. M. Osburn & Co., who carried on the manufacture of
  reapers. During the Civil war he enlisted in Company F, 1st P. V. I., which
  served only a short time, however, being called temporarily for the defense
  of the State; he was elected lieutenant and promoted to quartermaster.
  
    From early manhood Mr. Eminger took an active part in the work of the
  Democratic party, and his career as an officeholder began in 1855, when he
  was nominated deputy sheriff under Sheriff Bowman. Resigning this position in
  the fall of 1856, he was elected register of wills in the fall of 1857, and
  served as such for three years. For a similar period he served as jury
  commissioner, on the appointment of Judge Graham. In 1864 he was appointed
  special agent of the Treasury Department, under President Johnson, resigning
  this incumbency on March 1, 1868. His resignation went into effect in June,
  after which, for about five years, as previously stated, he was engaged in
  business. From 1873 until I877 he was again in the sheriff's office, serving
  as deputy register under Martin Guswiler, and continuing thus until elected
  clerk to the county commissioners, in 1879. The latter position he filled for
  many years, with eminent satisfaction to all concerned. In 1878 he was elected
  councilman of the North ward of Mechanicsburg, though it was generally
  conceded to be a Republican ward, and served as such faithfully for three
  years.
  
    On his return to Mechanicsburg at the close of his service as a county
  official Mr. Eminger was elected a justice of the peace, and continued to
  hold the position until his death, displaying much natural ability for the
  duties which came to him in that capacity. Being well read on legal matters
  he proved particularly efficient, and was consulted by many in such affairs,
  his good judgment and fairness appealing to all who knew him. He was a most
  active member of the party, and as a stanch adherent of the principles of
  Jeffersonian Democracy could be relied upon in all its councils and work. He
  served as delegate to many of the State conventions, served twice as chairman
  of the County committee, and in many other ways contributed to the success of
  the party with which he always allied himself. He was one of the best known
  men in any walk of life in the entire county, and was popular with all, for
  he had a congenial disposition and a big heart, always ready to help even at
  a sacrifice, and his keen wit and retentive memory made him a congenial
  companion wherever he went. Socially, he was a Mason, affiliating with Eureka
  Lodge, of which he was a past master, and he also united with Lodge No. 215,
  I. O. O. F. He was one of the foremost citizens of Mechanicsburg until his
  death, which occurred there Oct. 17, 1903.
  
    On Sept. 4, 1856, Mr. Eminger was united in marriage with Miss Rachel
  Singheiser, daughter of George and Mary (Halbert) Singheiser, and a member of
  an old family of Cumberland county. Children as follows were born to this
  union: Arabella, who became the wife of David A. Ulrich, of Upper Allen
  township, now of Mechanicsburg; Harry Foster, who died at the age of forty,
  unmarried; Fannie, who died young; and Luella, who received a good education
  
    CUMBERLAND COUNTY.  519
  
  and is still at home with her mother. They are among the most highly esteemed
  residents of Mechanicsburg, sharing the respect and good-will which the
  members of this family have won for themselves in whatever community they
  have settled.