John Spahr: Constable (1807-1876)

George Shrom, who grew up on East Street in Carlisle, wrote about John Spahr in an 1898 article in the American Volunteer newspaper. “John Spahr, ‘Beezer’ as we boys called him, was High Constable for several years and would not allow us boys to play shinny (ice hockey) on the Episcopal Square. About the only mistake Mr. Spahr made when he was constable was when he arrested Ed Inhoff and confined him in the office at the jail for two hours for playing shinny. Mr. Spahr had quite a large family, some of whom are yet living in Carlisle, and are most worthy citizens. Their father also was a good citizen, although somewhat peculiar.”¹

According to a biography of his family, “John Spahr was born November 3, 1807 in Carlisle,² son of John and Elizabeth Wickert Spahr of Carlisle. He learned the hatter’s trade under his father…but did not follow it long, in early manhood commencing to work at filing with John Proctor; he made bits when they were made and filed and plated by hand. Mr. Spahr remained with Mr. Proctor for a number of years. After erecting a home for his family on North East Street…he took up gardening, and he was also engaged in butchering and trucking...”³

John Spahr married Elizabeth Stum in April 1828.⁴ Carlisle tax assessors’ records list his occupation as a whitesmith in 1832 and 1835. He was a Constable from 1839-1843, and he was listed as a butcher on the 1860 U. S. Census.

Other reminiscences describe John Spahr, Sr., as “the faithful tax collector and messenger of the School Board. He was by all odds the best and most efficient collector the Board ever had… In July 1871, when the position of janitor and messenger was created, he, Spahr, by reason of the infirmities of age and advancing years, declined the position which he had filled from February, 1848, most acceptably to the Board of Directors."

"Spahr built the brick house on the north east corner of East Street and Locust Alley (Lot #341). Before this building was erected, he lived on North Bedford Street at the corner of Mulberry Aley on the lot on which the Lutheran parsonage was erected. Mr. Spahr had a large and interesting family, his sons being industrious and successful business men. Mr. Spahr was, also, the very efficient constable of the old East Ward for many years and a terror to evil doers. He was one of the most successful truck gardeners in the county.”⁵

Spahr made his will on February 12, 1873. He mentioned his wife Elizabeth, daughters Sarah Ann and her son John Gibb; Elizabeth wife of John Egolff; Mary A. wife of Cyrus Arnold, and sons John, Jr., William, and Peter.⁶

Spahr’s wife Elizabeth (born March 3, 1811) died on April 8, 1875, and John Spahr died in Carlisle on December 11, 1876. They are buried in Ashland Cemetery in Carlisle.