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- https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/76075473/henry-smull
Commemorative Biography of Central Pennsylvania:
Henry Smull was born in eastern Pennsylvania Feb 2 1799 coming to Brush Valley in early manhood with no capital except his own abilities and strong physique and worked for many years as a day laborer. He saved his money and in time managed to buy a farm between Kreamerville & Centre Mill. The care of the place devolved mainly on his family while he continued to work at his trade. Politically he was a Democrat but aside from voting regularly took no part in public affairs. He was a member of the Lutheran Church and was a constant attendant and an active worker. His last years were spent in Rockville in well earned leisure, his toil having gained him a comfortable existence. His death occurred on Feb 2 1879 his burial was in Rebersburg. He was highly respected among his associates for his integrity being known far & near as a man of his word.
After his removal to Brush Valley Henry married Miss Elizabeth Royer by whom he had the following children: Polly (Mrs. William Walker), John a postmaster at Rebersburg, Harrison a stone mason, Abigail the widow of Francis Brownlee of Freeport Ill, Lovinia wife of William Bierly of Rebersburg, Sarah who married Samuel Gramley, and Jefferson of Mackeyville. The mother of this family died in 18-- and her remains were buried in the family plot at Rebersburg. Henry Smull for his second wife married Catherine Kreamer who was born near Kreamerville the daughter of Jacob Kreamer. There wer five children by this union: Aaron a resident of Rockville Pa, Reuben, Simon who died at Madisonburg, Hannah (Mrs. Levi Fullmer) and Henry of Kreamerville.
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- COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 524
George Smull was a grandson of Henry Smull, and a son of Reuben Smull (son of Henry and his second wife, Catherine Kreamer.
GEORGE H. SMULL. In endeavoring to give in this volume due recognition to all the prominent families of the section, we have found the most intelligent and progressive spirits the most helpful to the enterprise, and it is through the courteous co-operation of the subject of this sketch that we are enabled to present the following interesting account of the Smull family, which has been well-known in Brush Valley from pioneer times.
The first of the line in America was Smull, the great-grandfather of our subject. He was a native of Ireland, whence he came to this country in the latter part of the eighteenth century to locate in the eastern part of Pennsylvania.
Six of his children lived to adult age — two daughters and four sons, the names of the latter being Henry, Jacob, Peter and Jesse. The Smull family in Brush Valley is descended from the first three sons, who were skilled masons, and all went at the same time to Rebersburg to build the wall for the Lutheran Reformed Church. They remained in the Valley, and, living in German settlements, they and their children adopted the language and customs of their neighbors. Of the brothers, Jacob, in later years, did an extensive business in cutting tombstones for the Rebersburg cemetery from native rock, and several of these monuments are still standing. Jacob died at his home below Aaronsburg, and was buried at Rebersburg. Peter removed in later life to Stephenson county, Ill., and died there.
Henry Smull, our subject's grandfather, was born in eastern Pennsylvania, February 3, 1799, and, coming to Brush Valley in early manhood with no capital except his own abilities and strong physique, was obliged to work for many years as a day laborer. He saved his money, however, and in time managed to buy a farm between Kreamerville and Centre Mill. The care of the place devolved mainly upon his family as he continued to work at his trade. Politically he was a Democrat, but aside from voting regularly he took no active part in public affairs. He belonged to the Lutheran Church, and was a constant attendant and active worker, holding various offices. His last years were spent in Rockville, Penn., in well-earned leisure, his toil having gained him a comfortable competence, and his death occurred February 2, 1879, his burial taking place at Rebersburg. He was highly respected among his associates for his integrity, being known far and near as a "man of his word."
After his removal to Brush Valley Henry Smull married Miss Elizabeth Royer, by whom he had the following children: Polly (Mrs. William Walker); John, now postmaster at Rebersburg; Harrison, a stonemason by trade, who died at Rebersburg; Abigail, the widow of Francis Brownlee, of Freeport, Ill. ;Lovina, wife of William Bierly, of Rebersburg; Sarah, who married Samuel Gramley, and died at Rebersburg; and Jefferson, residing in Mackeyville, Penn.
The mother of this family died in 1834, and her remains were laid to rest in the family lot in Rebersburg cemetery. Henry Smull for his second wife married Catherine Kreamer, who was born near Kreamerville, October 22, 1806, a daughter of Jacob Kreamer, and died November 24, 1887, her funeral being held at Rebersburg.
There were five children by this union: Aaron, a resident of Rockville, Penn.; Reuben, our subject's father; Simon, a blacksmith by trade, who died in Madisonburg; Hannah, now Mrs. Levi Fullmer, of Rebersburg; and Henry, of Kreamerville.
Reuben Smull, the father of our subject, was born October 30, 1838, at the old home near Kreamerville. He first attended school at Rebersburg, with John Burkett as his teacher, and he afterward pursued his studies as he could in the intervals of farm work. Short as the winter terms were, he could not attend full time, his help being required at home. At the age of fifteen he began to learn the mason's trade with his father, and two years later, having become proficient in all branches of the work, he formed a partnership with his brother Harrison, and followed the business for several years.
In January, 1862, Reuben Smull was married in Brush Valley, at the home of the bride's parents, to Miss-Louisa Gramley, who was born near Rebersburg, June 12, 1841, the daughter of Joseph and Esther (Schmeltzer) Gramley. The following year they spent in Rebersburg, and in 1863 they removed to a farm adjoining Kreamerville on the north, and then belonging to Joseph Kreamer. Mr. Smull rented this, and remained there until 1864, when he went to a farm near Rockville, and while engaged in agriculture did some work at his trade. In the spring of 1888 he purchased the Joseph Kreamer estate, and returning to it has since resided there, giving his attention to farming exclusively. The place makes an attractive homestead, and under the able management of its owner is a profitable investment.
Reuben Smull is a man of no pretensions, minding his own business, and this, by the way, is a characteristic trait of his family, which has produced a number of substantial, successful, yet unassuming citizens. He upholds the principles of the Democratic party on national issues, but where local questions only are involved, he declines to surrender his judgment blindly, and votes as he thinks the interests of the people demand. Official honors have no particular charms for him, but he has served as tax collector in Miles township. In religion he is a Lutheran, and he and his wife are both members of the Church.
The subject of this sketch, who is the only son of his parents, was born at Rockville, June 23, 1869. Inheriting the sterling qualities of his ancestry, he has the added advantage of good schooling, and the modern spirit of enterprise makes his talents practically available in lines in which former generations took no part. After completing the course of study in the local schools, he pursued other branches at Spring Mills and Selins Grove, Penn., and at Dakota, Ill. He was an apt student, learning rapidly, not only from books but also from observation, and several years spent in the 'West in his early "twenties" served to broaden his views of men and things in a practical way.
On returning to Pennsylvania, Mr. Smull was associated for some years with the circulation department of the Kcyst07ie Gazette of Bellefonte, his duties taking him to all parts of central Pennsylvania. In February, 1896, he became identified with the New York Life Insurance Co., as a subordinate agent, and his abilities quickly won the approval of the highest officials.
His promotion followed not through any "influence," but because the shrewd men at the head of the company needed just such tact, energy and sound judgment as they saw revealed in his work. He is now the general agent for Centre, Clinton, Union and other counties, and exacting as are the requirements of the post, they are met promptly and satisfactorily.
On July 4, 1891, Mr. Smull was united in wedlock with Miss Daisy Blanche Stover, a native of Rebersburg, born May 15, 1873. She is a member of one of the oldest and most respected families of Brush Valley, and is the eldest of three children of Cornelius and ChestienStover. She is an attractive, accomplished lady, and held in high esteen by all her many friends. Mr. Smull built a pleasant residence in Rebersburg, which he now rents, he and his wife preferring to remain at their country home. Mr. and Mrs. Smull are members of the Lutheran Church, and are living supporters of its work.
In fact Mr. Smull has already shown his public spirit in many ways, being always ready to encourage any movement that might tend to progress. At one time he was a Democrat in politics, but of late he has endorsed the doctrines of the Republican party, and he is one of its advisers and counsellors in his locality. He is a direct descendant from John A. Smull, the author of Smull 's "Legislator's Hand Book and Manual of Pennsylvania."
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1799 - 1879 (79 years)
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