The Cumberland County Historical Encyclopedia is an expanding publication on the history of the Cumberland County. Covering a wide range of topics and the entire Cumberland County geographic region, the Encyclopedia seeks to be an initial entry point to those interested in the County's history. Entries seek to provide a list of resources available as well as showcasing some of the Cumberland County Historical Society's own collections.
In January 1773, merchant Samuel Wharton wrote the following observations about tea drinking in America.
"The use of teas, and of the black sort in particular, is so common and fashionable in America that it is usually drank twice a day, even by the Frontier inhabitants of all the colonies...
Throughout the nineteenth century and into the early twentieth century, temperance movements were prominent in Cumberland County.
In Carlisle’s Old Graveyard at the corner of East South and South Bedford Streets is located an eight foot Celtic cross commemorating the burial place of Brigadier-General William Thompson.
James Francis Thorpe was born in 1887 to Hiram Thorpe and Charlotte Vieux in a one-room cabin near Prague, Oklahoma. Hiram was a farmer and Charlotte, a Pottawatomie Indian, a descendant of the last great Sauk and Fox chief Black Hawk, a noted warrior and athlete.
“… All through the meadows the horses and cattle:
All of the sights of the hill and the plain
Fly as thick as driving rain;
And ever again, in the wink of an eye,
Painted stations whistle by …”1
John Trough was the only potter in Carlisle from 1806 through at least 1835. Trough (spelled Drach in German) was the son of Adam and Eve Drach of Haycock Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.1 Rudolph Drach, possibly John’s relative, was also a Bucks County potter, and several examples of his signed pieces are known.
As a tribute to Mr. and Mrs. Trout’s standing the community, the Daily Evening Sentinel ran a lengthy obituary on December 28, 1893. “Death of Mrs. Trout. A Prominent Carlisle Woman Passes Away.
During the nation’s history, many military units have been called up for service. Each has fought in one, or several conflicts concerning the United States. But the longest serving unit is the 28th Infantry Division, otherwise known as the Iron Division.
Samuel Otterbein Rebok (1874-1933) owned a butcher shop at 17 Main Street, Newburg, Hopewell Township, and Frank A. Latsbaugh (B: about 1878) owned one at #34 of the same. Both appear at these addresses in the 1930 census. The shops were located about 5.5 miles from Shippensburg University.
Encouraged by the editor of the Carlisle Herald newspaper to submit reminiscences for the entertainment of his readers, James Miller McKim wrote several lengthy articles under the pen name AGC. (A Genuine Carlisler.) The February 8, 1872 edition of the newspaper contained McKim’s reminiscences of Carlisle in the 1820s and 1830s and included memories of Nicholas Ulrich and his tavern. McKim wrote: