Prisoner of War Camps and Cumberland County
Cumberland County has played host to Prisoners of War at times during its history, most notably during the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and during World War II.
Browse Encyclopedia
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.
John Proctor: Whitesmith (1784-1847)
“John Proctor was a well-known figure in the industrial world of Carlisle in the early days; he made bits when they were made and filed and plated by hand, silver money being melted to get material for the plating.” Proctor was working in Carlisle as early as 1812 according to a bill he submitted to the County Commissioners for work done at the jail and the court house. The work included making locks, keys, and hinges for window shutters.
Publications of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School
During the 39-year duration (1879-1918) of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, students and faculty worked together to produce several news publications for the School’s students and those interested in its work.
Judge Sylvia Rambo – Chief Judge
Born in Royersford, Pennsylvania, Rambo received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Dickinson College in 1958 and a Juris Doctor from Dickinson School of Law in 1962.
Henry M. Rathgueb aka “French Ory: Marble Cutter
“Carlisle’s strongest white man was “French George” who had a brother “French Ory,” and a sister who was the wife of Jimmy McCarter the carpet weaver. Rathgueb was the family name. We question if the old town has since boasted of male citizens of equal strength.”1
Conrad Reep: Mt. Holly Springs Cabinetmaker & Undertaker
Conrad Reep, his wife Catharine (Lizman) and their two young daughters emigrated from Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany in 1848. Reep’s brother-in-law, John Lizman, also from Hess-Darmstadt, had immigrated earlier and was a cabinetmaker in Carlisle. Reep settled in Mount Holly Springs, six miles south of Carlisle. In 1856, he declared his intent to become a citizen and was naturalized on November 10, 1858.
Jane Deeter Rippin
Born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on May 30, 1882, Jane Deeter was the middle child of five and the youngest of the daughters.1 She lived in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania with her mother while her father worked in Harrisburg, but came home on the weekends.
Mrs. Elizabeth Ross: Shopkeeper/Feme Sole Trader
Mrs. Ross, as her name was written on the “Applyers of Lots” in Carlisle in 1751, may have been the wife of John Ross, keeper of the Blue Rock Ferry in Hempfield Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, who according to court records, turned his wife Elizabeth out of his house in 1737. In 1741, he was ordered to pay her 3 shillings and 6 pence per week for her support.
Judge Sylvester Sadler
Sylvester Sadler, local lawyer, judge and later Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court was born in Carlisle on September 29th, 1829.[1] Sylvester was the second out of 4 sons of local judge Wilbur F.
Artist Maximillian M. Sappelt (1857-1930)
Maximillian Sappelt and his parents Joseph and Ottillia Sappelt left the port of Hamburg, Germany on June 1, 1867 aboard the ship “Cimbria” bound for America.1 They settled in New York City where Joseph Sappelt practiced medicine, and Max went to school.2