BIO: NAILOR Family, 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 http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/pa/cumberland/ _____________________________________________________________ >From Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Chicago: The Genealogical Publishing Co., 1905, pages 441-443 _____________________________________________________________ NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios: http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/pa/cumberland/zeamer/ NAILOR. The Nailor family, of Upper Allen township, trace their descent back to Germany. Their forefathers in America settled originally in York county, Pa. On the maternal side, the Otto family settled in the same county at the beginning of the eighteenth century, and the present generation of Nailors comprises the great-great-grandchildren of the first Otto who came to America. Jacob Nailor, the grandfather of the Nailors of whom this sketch treats, was born in York county. His trade was that of carpenter and bridge builder, and his skill was employed in the construction of many bridges which, at that time, were considered great feats of engineering, notably the "camel-back" bridge at Harrisburg. His death occurred at the age of fifty-one years. Jacob Nailor was married twice, first to a Miss Grissinger, and second to Mary Sprenkle. The children of the first union were: William H.; Sarah, now deceased, who was the wife of David Gilmore, a farmer residing near Lisburn; Anna Mary, who is the wife of John R. Moore, a farmer near Lisburn; and Catherine, deceased. William H. Nailor was born in 1845, near Lisburn, and died in 1897, in Cumberland county, aged fifty-two years. He was a well-known horse and cattle dealer. He married Elizabeth Otto, a daughter of Christian Otto, the latter now living in Champaign county, Ohio, at the advanced age of ninety years. Elizabeth Otto had three brothers and three sisters, namely: Jacob, Benjamin, James and Frances, all of Ohio; and Katie and Sarah, both deceased. The children of William H. Nailor and his wife are: Jacob S.; John R., who is a prominent business man of this county; Anna, who is the widow of Amos Baker, and resides on the Baker homestead, near Mechanicsburg; George W., who is also a successful business man in Upper Allen township; Irwin, who married Mabel Coover, daughter of Samuel Coover, and is engaged in the feed business at Harrisburg; and Charles H. and Edwin E., who are equally prominent with their brothers. These sons of William H. Nailor are all reputable business men, and favorably known throughout Cumberland county. JACOB S. NAILOR, eldest son in the above family, was born in 1868, in Cumberland county, and after completing a common school course at the Mumma school continued to assist his father on the farm up to the age of twenty-two years. He then spent two years on the John Good farm, but for the last twelve years he has lived on his present place, which consists of 150 acres, and is considered one of the finest farms in 442 CUMBERLAND COUNTY. the Cumberland Valley, a section noted for its exceeding natural beauty, fertility and general productiveness. On Nov. 26, 1891, Jacob S. Nailor married Caroline Crist, a daughter of Samuel Crist, of Upper Allen township. The Crist family came originally from Adams county, and the wife of Samuel Crist was Sarah E. Cocklin, a member of the old Cumberland family of that name. Jacob S. Nailor and his wife have children as follows: Leroy C., Paul H., Jacob S., Carroll O. and Helen E. Mr. Nailor is identified with the Democratic party, and at various times has served on the election board in his township. JOHN RANKIN NAILOR, the second son of the family, was born in 1869, near Lisburn, where he received a part of his education, completing his schooling in Upper Allen township. After this he successfully engaged in farming until March, 1904, when he entered into a new enterprise, embarking in the stock business with a partner, under the firm name of Lease & Nailor. They purchased a suitable tract of land from William Westover, which is conveniently located on the Mechanicsburg road, but a short distance from the city, and this they propose to use as the site for a general stockyards business. They are men of progressive ideas and of business experience, and doubtless will be eminently successful in their undertaking. In 1894 John R. Nailor married Agnes Hess, a daughter of Harry Hess, of Cumberland county, and they have two children, Lloyd R. and Charles H. John R. Nailor has followed politically in the footsteps of his father and is a strong supporter of the principles of the Democratic party. His pleasant home is located in Mechanicsburg. He is a member of the school board at that place, and on various occasions has been called upon to serve as inspector of elections. GEORGE W. NAILOR was born in 1871, in Lisburn, Upper Allen township, and his school days were spent at the Mumma school near Mechanicsburg. His father was a practical man and reared all his sons to take part in agricultural work. When George was twenty-four years of age he left the home farm and engaged for the succeeding three years with D. A. Uhrich in the implement business, at Mechanicsburg. Then he embarked in the stock business, to which he has mainly devoted his attention for the past six years. He is considered a very shrewd buyer and seller of cattle And horses, and keeps closely in touch with stock conditions over the country, and with the city markets. Mr. Nailor has a pleasant home and family circle. He married Mary Hess, daughter of Simon Hess, of York county, and they have two children, William H. and Anna Mary. Mr. Nailor is identified with the Democratic party. CHARLES H. NAILOR was born, in 1873 in York county, and was brought to Cumberland county while very small. After completing his education in Upper Allen township he followed farming for some years, with his father, and in 1903 he bought his present farm of fifteen acres, from Deter Steiner. This property he has continued to improve, with the result that he owns a very comfortable home and productive farm. On Oct. 18, 1900, Mr. Nailor married Ada Yost, daughter of Eli Yost, a very prominent Mennonite preacher, and one daughter, Isabella Catherine, has been born to this marriage. Although a stanch Democrat, like the other members of his family, Mr. Nailor's personal standing is so high with every one in Upper Allen township that he has been repeatedly elected judge of elections, at the last contest overcoming the CUMBERLAND COUNTY. 443 regular normal Republican majority of fifty-three votes. EDWIN E. NAILOR was born Feb. 11, 1876, at Brocker's Bridge, in York county, not far from Dillsburg, and obtained his education at the Mumma school and at the Center Square school, in Upper Allen township. He worked for his father, after completing his education, until he was twenty-two years of age, and then assisted his brother John on the farm. At present he is residing at Mechanicsburg, engaged as foreman for the firm of Soltau & Baker, produce and water cress dealers. On Oct. 24, 1899, Edwin E. Nailor was united in marriage with Bessie Jane, daughter of Dr. J. T. Bressler, of Upper Allen township. They have two sons, Edwin Soltau and Vance O'Tonner. Politically, Mr. Nailor follows the bent of the family, and is a Democrat. The Nailor family, represented by these honorable and successful men, stands very high in public esteem in Cumberland county. All have prospered through legitimate business methods, and all are valued and respected citizens.