Adam Ellenberger Mark was born on his grandfather’s farm, near Belle Grove, Lebanon County, 7 September 1827.
The grandfather, Henry Mark, died comparatively young, but his wife lived to the advanced age of nine-one years.
John Mark, father of Adam Mark, married Catherine Ellenberger. They had seven children:
Daniel Mark, married Jane Hain;
Adam Ellenberger Mark;
Sarah E. Mark, wife of Abraham Herr;
George E. Mark, married Priscilla Maulfair;
John E. Mark, married Mary Maulfair;
Eliza Mark, wife of John Light; and
Amos E. Mark, married Susan Miller.
Adam E. Mark spent his youth on his grandfather’s farm, and, like most farmer boys, received such instruction as could be obtained in schools open for only a few months during the winter season. During the remainder of the year he was busied with such farm work as can be done by a bright active farm boy.
It was thought desirable to give Adam E. Mark a trade. He was accordingly apprenticed to a harness maker at Jonestown. He had been but a short time in the shop when his plans were changed and he returned to Belle Grove and entered store with his brother David Mark, where he continued for three years. At this time his brother died, and Mr. Adam E. Mark bought the brother’s interest in the store and continued the business for two years longer. In 1857 Mr. Adam E. Mark disposed of his business and removed to Millersburg where he was employed by his cousin, G. M. Brubaker, as clerk for five or six years. By this time he was ready to begin business again on his own account, so he bought back his former store at Belle Grove, which he continued for three years and then returned to his cousin and was employed as clerk for two years. During this time, the death of his father-in-law, Jacob Light, occurred at New Marker Forge, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, and opened the way for him to engage in mercantile business at Syner Post Office near that place. He carried on that business for about two years, then sold the store, and in 1867 returned the third time to Millersburg, entered into partnership with his cousin Mr. G. M. Brubaker in the iron and hardware business in that place, and continued in the firm until about 1875. Then the partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Adam E. Mark bought a part interest in the general store of John R. Bowman, with whom he continued in business until he was elected manager and bookkeeper by the Millersburg Standard Axle Works. This position he held until his death which occurred 3 January 1881.
Adam E. Mark was married, 22 March 1855, to Sarah A. Light, daughter of Jacob Light and Mary [Longenecker] Light. Their children are:
Carrie Irene Mark, born 9 December 1862, died 14 February 1863, being the only deceased child of the family;
Clara Alice Mark, born 30 September 1856, wife of Jacob Buck, had one child, Odessa Mark Buck, born 10 October 1877, died 11 August 1878;
Cora Catherine Mark, born 24 April 1860, wife of F. H. Wingert, has two children, Ruth Irene Wingert and Daniel Mark Wingert;
Mary Jane Mark, born 15 April 1864;
Jennie Light Mark, born 7 September 1866;
Sarah Ann Mark, born 10 February 1869, wife of William Begar, had one child, Pauline Begar;
Warren Light Mark, born 4 July 1871;
Elma Edna Mark, born16 August 1874; and
Martha Eve Mark, born 3 October 1876.
Mr. Adam E. Mark was a Republican, and, with his family, was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. That he enjoyed substantial prosperity and stood high in the community, was due to his own faithful and persevering efforts and to the courageous determination which never forsook him, even in times of adversity. He was an earnest and consistent Christian, a good citizen, a devoted and affectionate husband and father, and deservedly enjoyed the confidence and esteem of all who knew him.
The parents of Mrs. Sarah A. [Light] Mark, Jacob Light and Mary [Longenecker] Light, are both deceased. They had nine children, four of whom are deceased:
Jacob Light, deceased;
Annie Light, deceased;
Harry Light, married Louisa Early, and died leaving nine children;
Elizabeth Light, wife of William Carmany, died leaving one child;
Maria Light, wife of Oliver Bowman, has five children;
Fannie Light, wife of Peter Horst, has had thirteen children, of whom five are living;
Sarah A. Light, Mrs. Mark;
Cyrus Light, married Martha Trafford, has four children;
John Light, married Eliza Mark, has nine children, eight boys and one girl.
Samuel Light was the grandfather of Mrs. Sarah A. [Light] Mark.
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The above information was modified/edited from Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, published in 1896 by J. M. Runk and Company of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. A free download is available from the Internet Archive.
Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.
See also:
Findagrave Memorial #147872867. Adam E. Mark died on 3 January 1881. He is buried at the Oak Hill Cemetery, Millersburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
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