BIO: Henry L. BOOK, Huntingdon County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO

Copyright 2008.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm 
**********************************************************
__________________________________________________________________  

Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: 
Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, 
Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. 
Runk & Co., 1897, pages 178, 181.
__________________________________________________________________ 

  HENRY L. BOOK, Shade Valley, Huntingdon county, Pa., son of Samuel 
and Anna (Coder) Book, was born in Hull Valley, Cromwell township, 
December 27, 1846. His paternal great-grandfather, whose first name is 
unknown, came from Germany and settled in Lancaster county, Pa., where 
he lived until his death. The grandfather, John Book, was born in 
Lancaster county, where he married, and soon afterwards came to Juniata 
county and settled near Oakland Mills. Here he bought a farm, which he 
continued to cultivate up to the time of his death. His wife also died 
on the farm. Their children are: John, married Miss Holtzapple, and 
resided on a farm near Mexico, Juniata county, where he died; Samuel; 
David, died young; Henry, married Miss Mitchell and lived near 
Lewistown, Pa.; Abraham, married and lived near Oakland Mills, 
deceased; Daniel, married Miss Price, lived and died near Orbisonia, 
Pa.; Catharine, who married Lewis Evans, the former dying in Huntingdon 
county, the latter in Fulton county; Martha, who is unmarried and lives 
on part of the old homestead near Oakland Mills. Besides these there 
were two children who died in infancy, names unknown. Samuel Book was 
born on the old homestead near Oakland Mills, June 14, 1808. He 
attended both German and English schools and received a fair education. 
His youth was spent at home, and while still young he learned 
cooperage, which occupation he followed for several years, and then 
turned his attention to farming. After his marriage he resided near 
Lewistown, Mifflin county, where he worked at his trade. He later 
removed to Hill Valley, near Orbisonia, where he bought a tract of farm 
land, which, after cultivating it for a few years, he sold, and bought 
150 acres in Tell township. To this he added 150 acres more, and with 
true progressiveness began the erection of two good barns and several 
outbuildings. He was an industrious farmer, and very energetic, and for 
many years prior to his death could do as large a day's work as any 
young man. He many times labored all day on the farm and at night 
worked at his trade. Even his wife would sometimes take a hand at the 
farm work. During one winter he threshed with a flail over 600 bushels 
of grain. When he first began, wages were very low, his compensation 
for a day's work being often not more than twenty-five cents. Many of 
the boys refused to work for this, but he used to say that when night 
came he was by that twenty-five cents and his board ahead of the other 
boys. Mrs. Samuel Book died in 1883, and her husband in 1887; both are 
buried in Brook graveyard, in Tell township. They were devout 
Christians, members of the German Baptist church, of which he was a 
deacon for many years. He was a Republican. Their children are as 
follows: Edmund D., a farmer near Blain, Perry county, whose first wife 
was Miss Goshorn, his second, Elizabeth Long; Isaac, farmer in Juniata 
county, married Mary Shearer; John, died in the service during the late 
war, at Maryland Heights; Elizabeth (Mrs. James Seibert), Williamsport, 
Pa.; Samuel, who married Mary Widner; Catharine (Mrs. Jacob Long), 
Wormleysburg, Pa.; Henry L.; Mary A. (Mrs. Wilson Row), Hagerstown, 
Md.; David, farmer of Blain, Perry county, married Sarah Dobbs.
  Henry L. Book attended the public schools until he was old enough to 
work the farm for his father, with whom re remained until after his 
marriage in 1870, to Miss Salinda, daughter of John and Barbara 
(Harnish) Silverthorn. For a short time after this he remained at home 
and then for two years worked for Moses Burge, of Tell township. During 
the next two years, he rented a farm of Mrs. Samuel McMarts. At the end 
of this time he again took up his residence on the homestead and farmed 
for his father for ten years. Then, in partnership with J. M. Blair, he 
opened a general store at Blairs Mills, which they conducted for two 
years. He then sold out and opened a general store at Richvale, but 
after five years he disposed of it and since then has resided on the 
homestead, part of which was bequeathed to him by his father. Mr. Book 
is a Republican, and has filled worthily many township offices. He and 
his wife are members of the Presbyterian church at Waterloo, Pa.; he is 
ruling elder of the same. He is a close student, a lover of books and 
good literature. They have no children.