Jacob Haldeman, the ancestor of that branch of the family in this vicinity, was born in German Switzerland, October 7, 1722, came to America with two brothers, and settled in Rapho Township between the years 1740 and 1750. He died in the summer of 1783. John, his son, was one of the boldest and most successful business men in the state. He surmounted every difficulty and impediment which stood in his way and threatened to wreck his financial ventures. He gradually increased the number of his acres and extended his business. In 1790 he erected a large grist-mill at the mouth of Coney Creek. He also carried on distilling extensively. He sent his flour and produce down the river in Keel boats as far as "Wrights Ferry", thence to Philadelphia. He invested his surplus means in the purchase of lands in various sections of the state. He purchased several hundred thousand acres of land in North Carolina. He was elected to the legislature in 1800.
