Philip Arter is one of six known children of John Arter and Anna Maria Diehl.  The earliest records relating to the family are found in Longswamp Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania.  Longswamp Church recorded the baptisms of four of the Arter children, including Philip born April 30, 1782.  The family moved to Augusta Township in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania about 1786, and was living Shamokin Township in Northumberland County by 1797.

Elizabeth is one of ten known children of Frederick Leiby and Catharina Lenhart.  She was probably the second child and second daughter.  A petition to partition the property of "Frederick Liby" filed in the Orphans Court of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, after his death, identifies a daughter Elizabeth and her husband Philip Arter.  Frederick was the grandson of Frederick Leiby, who arrived at Philadelphia on the Samuel on August 17, 1733.  Catherine was probably the granddaughter of Johann Peter Lenhart, who arrived at Philadelphia on the ship Two Brothers on September 15, 1748.

Like the Arters, the Leiby family also originally lived in Berks County, where Frederick Leiby had a homestead in Greenwood Township.  The Leiby family moved to Shamokin Township in Northumberland County in the mid- to late 1790's.

Philip and Elizabeth most likely married in 1806.  Their oldest daughter Susan was born in January 1807, which suggests that Philip and Elizabeth were married at least by 1806.

All of the records indicate that Philip and Elizabeth lived in Shamokin.  Philip apparently died between 1830 and 1840.  Philip is listed in the 1810, 1820, and 1830 censuses for Shamokin Township, but he is not listed in 1840.  In 1850, Elizabeth is in the household of their son, Abraham.  The 1840 census shows an elderly woman living with Abraham, whom we believe was Elizabeth.

Elizabeth outlived Philip by thirty to forty years, nearly reaching the age of 94 before dying on March 17, 1872.  After living with Abraham and amongst her children's families in and around Shamokin for several years, Elizabeth went west to spend her final years with the families of her other children, who had moved west:  John, William, Elizabeth, Philip, and Hannah.  She probably died in Wheatland, Illinois, at the home of her son John.  She is buried next to her Templin grandchildren in the Plainfield Cemetery, in Plainfield, Illinois.

Children of Philip Arter and Elizabeth Leiby are:

1. Susan Arter, born about 1807. She married Henry Haas.

2.  John Arter, born March 31, 1808; died June 23, 1890 ; buried in Plainfield Cemetery, Plainfield, Will County, Illinois.  He was reportedly married twice, first to (1) Ella King, and second to (2) ____ Satney.  John moved West in 1837 or 1838, driving a "one hoss shay", according to family tradition.  He probably lived somewhere in Ohio for a while before settling in Will County, Illinois.

3.  William Arter, born April 10, 1811, baptized at St. Peter's "Blue" Church in Ralpho Township, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania.  He was married twice, the first time to (1) Elizabeth Pitner.  He was married a second time to (2) Phoebe Ross, who died June 12, 1903 in Fort Seneca, Ohio.

4.  Elizabeth Arter, born January 27, 1815 ; baptized May 08, 1815, at St. Peter's "Blue" Church in Ralpho Township; died June 26, 1898.  She married Jacob Bussard.  He was born about 1806, and died September 13, 1890.

5.  Daniel Arter, born January 15, 1816; baptized at St. Peter's "Blue" Church in Ralpho Township, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania.  Nothing else is known about Daniel, and he might have died young.

6.  Abraham Arter, born November 18, 1816; baptized January 05, 1817, at St. Peter's "Blue" Church in Ralpho Township; died after 1850.  He married Sarah ____, who was born about 1818.

7.  Hannah Arter, born February 20, 1819; died May 20, 1905; buried May 22, 1905, in Shamokin Cemetery.  She married John Templin, who was born June 13, 1825, and died October 30, 1884.

The Arter Story lists a son named Philip who supposedly married and had a family, and disappeared after going to California during the gold rush days.  However, no evidence of a Philip has been found.  There is no Philip Arter listed for any state in either the 1840 or 1850 census indices.  Most likely, the story (if correct) refers to Abraham, who is not mentioned in The Arter Story.