Jacob Shope (1819-1899)

SHOPE, MANN, BAER, MUMMA, WALTON

Posted By: Gail and Dennis Bell
Date: 6/19/2005 at 09:29:40

THE MAXWELL TRIBUNE, Maxwell, Iowa, January 5, 1899, page 4. "D. F. Shope Sr., received a telegram Tuesday bearing the sad news that his only brother, Jacob Shope, of Oberline, Pa., had passed into the great beyond."

THE MAXWELL TRIBUNE, Maxwell, Iowa, January 19, 1899, page 8, column 5. "Jacob Shope, M. D. - Another of Hummelstown's aged and most highly respected citizens has been called into the eternal world, and by his death his survivors are admonished of the truth of his favorite hymn. "Life is the time to serve the Lord, The time to secure the great reward." A brief sketch of his long, active, and useful career is herewith presented by one who enjoyed his unvarying friendship in life and cherishes his memory in death. Dr. Jacob Shope; son of Abraham and Elizabeth Shope, was born in Lower Paxton township, Dauphin county, Pa., Sept. 6, 1819, departed this life Jan. 2, 1899; aged 79 years, 3 months and 26 days. He was in the fullest sense a self-made man, all his achievements being due to unusually fine natural faculties, combined with a noble ambition, indomitable perseverance, and attractive social qualities. His education was cut short at the early age of fourteen, when he went to Harrisburg, and learned the art of printing under John Winebraner, the founder of the Winebranerians, after ward styled themselves the Deciples.** He worked at his trade six months in Philadelphia and one year on the Harrisburg Telegraph. Then studied medicine with his uncle, Dr. David Shope. He began practice at Middletown, Pa., but on the death of his uncle, and at the urgent solicitation of his uncle's patrons he came to Hummelstown, where he enjoyed a large and eminently successful practice. In 1855 he was appointed Prothonotary** of Dauphin county, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Stephen Miller. He filled the office with credit to himself and his constituents. In 1861 he engaged in the drug and hardware business, and also took an interest in agricultural pursuits. He was at the time of his death the only survivor of the organizers of the Hummelstown Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of which he was also president. He was the organizer and president of the Hummelstown Cemetery Association. He was also one of the founders of the Hummelstown National Bank, of which he was a director for years, and president since Jan. 1, 1891. He served for twelve years as school director. Both as a physician, and in all his varied and responsible business relations, he was always regarded as a man of extraordinary sound judgement, and a prudent, safe and valuable counsellor.** As a member of the Lutheran church, into whose fellowship he was received together with forty-four other, by Rev. J. F. Probst, on April 10, 1857, he left a bright example of earnest piety, faithful service and benevolence. He was an intelligent and regular hearer of the gospel and deeply interested in all the church's welfare. Converted in a Methodist cottage prayer meeting in the home of Mr. Amos Bowers, about 1856, he was faithful unto death. His spiritual life was marked by fervor of feeling, simplicity of faith, interest in the salvation of others, and a readiness to serve wherever he could be useful. During many years he was a member of the church council, the last twenty-one as trustee, and the last twelve as treasurer, and his advice usually prevailed. He was not only trusted, but loved, by nearly all who knew him. He was also the efficient Sunday School superintendent from 1875 to 1880. In 1882 he was honored by the East Pa. Synod with an election as delegate to the General Synod. He was married in Hummelstown, Sept 5, 1843, to Esther Mann, with whom he lived happily for over fifty-five years. Eight children were the fruit of their marriage, five of whom together with his widow survive to mourn their loss, viz:** Elizabeth, widow of Samuel Baer, Earnest, Ada E., Agnes M., wife of C. Nissley Mumma, and Carrie L., wife of Robert J. Walton. Dr. Shope was a affectionate husband, a kind father, a warm-hearted friend, a genial companion, an interesting conversationalist, a successful business man, an ardent patriot and an earnest Christian. His funeral will be held in the Lutheran church, on Friday at 2 o'clock. The pall bearers will be H. J. Hummel, W. C. Zeiters, L. W. Ebersole, N. B. Earnest, David Zeiters, U. L. Balsbaugh, Alfred Hummel and Dr,. Thos. G. Fox. H. G. SNYDER. - Hummelstown Sun. **Editorial note - spelling used is from the original newspaper article.