Biographical Sketche from The History of Cumberland and Adams Counties Pennsylvania /Chicago Warner Beers & Co. 1889

Rev. Samuel W. Reigart, pastor First Presbyterian Church, Mechanicsburg (called from the church of Sunbury, PA) entered upon his pastoral duties October 25, 1868, although, at his own request, his formal installation by the presbytery was deferred until June 15, 1869. He was born in Lancaster, Lancaster co., Pennsylvania, July 29, 1837; son of John Franklin and Caroline (White) Reigart, natives of Pennsylvania. J. Franklin Reigart held various public appointments in Lancaster, Penn., including State offices. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church; they had three sons and two daughters, Samuel W., the eldest graduated at the Lancaster High School and afterward at "Franklin and Marshall College" in 1859, and took the second honor in his class; was appointed principal of Lancaster High School in 1860, and held the position five years. While teaching he read theology, under the direction of the Rev. Walter Powell; received his degree of A.M. in 1862, and was licensed to preach the gospel by the presbytery of Donegal (now Westminister) October 4, 1864, and the next year was called to the pastorate of the church of Sunbury, and was ordained and installed as pastor of the church by the presbytery of Northumberland, Penn., October 17, 1865, which position he held until 1868, when he was called to the church at Mechanicsburg, and here preached his introductory sermon October 25, 1868. He was married, December 31, 1860 to Miss Anna E. Hodgson, born in Columbia, Lancaster Co., Penn., daughter of the Rev. Francis Hodgson, .D., and Agnes (Long) Hodgson, the former of whom was for many years a prominent minister and residing elder in the Methodist Episcopal Church, his field of labor being principally in Philadelphia and New York. To Mr. and Mrs. Samuel W. Reigart have been born five children, four now living: John Franklin, Agnes H., Caroline W. and Mary H. Our subject's labors have been very successful building up a strong church from a weak one and increasing its membership over 300 souls. Mr. Reigart is a descendant of one of the oldest families in the state, who settled in Lancaster County coming from Germany, more than 100 years ago.